Good record keeping should be behind all safeguarding activities within your RLG.  The need for clear and concise details of all actions and decisions along with rationale should always be in the forefront of everyone’s minds when maintaining records that relate to safeguarding.

If the record keeping within your RLG is of good quality it will:

•Support good communication

•Help staff to consider what action they are taking and why

•Help you explain and evidence actions if questioned

It is the duty of the operational Safeguarding Lead to ensure systems are in place to enable safeguarding records to be kept accurately, appropriately and securely.  In larger RLG’s or those with the funds available, consideration should be given to employing a dedicated electronic safeguarding system such as My Concern.

IICSA Recommendation 17:

Access to records The UK government should direct the Information Commissioner’s Office to introduce a code of practice on keeping and accessing records which relate to child sexual abuse. The code should require records about child sexual abuse and allegations of child sexual abuse to be kept for 75 years, with appropriate review periods.