What types of audits can be efficiently managed using an online audit system in educational settings?
Audits provide educational settings with an effective way to benchmark themselves against statutory requirements, recommendations and best practice. They can help identify where the successes are and highlight areas for improvement, providing data that can be shared with staff and stakeholders.
There are a number of different types of audits that an educational setting such as a school or Multi-Academy Trust may want or need to undertake, including safeguarding, SEND and facility:
Safeguarding audits are a statutory requirement. Schools must self-evaluate and provide evidence as to the safeguarding policies, procedures and practices that are in place. This requirement is set out in Section 175 of the 2002 Education Act, which states that local education authorities and the governing bodies of maintained schools and further education colleges must make arrangements to ensure that they are meeting their obligations to safeguard children, as set out in Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
SEND audits support educational settings by providing evidence on how they are meeting their statutory duties for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). These audits can identify best practice and any gaps, provide evidence on their support for pupils with SEND, for example to Ofsted, and help with planning improvement activity such as training.
Facility audits assess the condition, safety, and functionality of the school’s buildings and facilities. This includes checking for wear and tear, health and safety compliance, accessibility, security measures, equipment condition, environmental factors, energy efficiency, and overall regulatory compliance. The audit report provides recommendations for improvements to ensure a safe learning environment.
To help streamline these audits and reduce the time burden of them, an effective audit system is vital. An online audit system provides simplified processes that automate the creation, gathering and reporting of data.
The Phew Audit System is purpose-built for audits in educational settings. It is easy to use and accessible to everyone, no matter what their level of computer competency is. It is an online system that allows respondents to be emailed their required audit, along with all follow-up communications, including automated reminders and confirmations.
There are various integration options available, so the system can work with any existing processes and systems. In-depth reports can be generated so that trends and insights can be identified using historical and real-time data.
Jon Needham, Director of Safeguarding at Oasis Community Learning, said:
“The Phew Audit System has revolutionised our approach to safeguarding and governance oversight. Thanks to this streamlined solution, we’ve centralised our auditing operations, which has in turn made data processing efficient and reduced administrative burdens.
“The system is incredibly accessible and its user-friendly interface has been well-received. Having access to standardised data enables us to track progress and make informed decisions. The system’s ability to generate actionable plans in Excel format has simplified our processes and helped us readily identify and address safeguarding and developmental needs.”
Would you like to find out more about the Phew Audit System? We can provide a free demonstration at your convenience. Please get in touch at hello@phew.org.uk or telephone 01234 779050.