Governance-level exposure review
Examine how duties and decision-making responsibilities flow through your school or trust.
If one of your schools had a serious accident, are your leaders protected from prosecution?
Following a serious incident, the questions can reach the boardroom: who knew about the risk, who was responsible and what action did leadership take?
Book free Leadership Protection AuditNo obligation. Understand your current position.
LIMITED OUTREACH OFFER
Book a free online Leadership Protection Audit.
The usual cost is £499. For selected academy trusts, we are offering the audit free of charge so leaders can understand their exposure before an incident, complaint or inspection tests the arrangements.
- Online audit completed by Teams or remote review
- Advice on strategies to improve safety governance
- Specific documents and records leaders should have in place
- Focus on CEOs, headteachers, CFOs, COOs and estates leads
- Clear next steps to improve protection from prosecution risk
WHERE THE EXPOSURE LIES
Could you answer these questions with confidence?
HSE can inspect schools and it investigates serious accidents and complaints. When that happens, inspectors are not looking for a computer full of health and safety documents. They are looking for evidence of effective leadership, clear control and real follow-through.
- Could CEOs, headteachers, CFOs, COOs and estates leads explain the risks they control?
- Were decisions informed by competent advice and recorded properly?
- Did delegated responsibilities come with authority, competence and resources?
- Were audit findings, fire actions and incident recommendations followed through?
- Could the Trust show leadership oversight before being asked to defend it?
Free online Leadership Protection Audit. Usual cost £499.
Our online Leadership Protection Audit gives trust leaders a focused view of where they may be exposed, which strategies would strengthen safety governance and which documents matter most if decisions are challenged.
Personal liability focus
Identify where those deemed in control could be exposed if known risks are not managed.
Leadership oversight assessment
Review reporting, management meetings, escalation and the evidence of active control.
Document and evidence priorities
Identify the records that matter: risk registers, action plans, management reviews, policies, training evidence and competent advice records.
Practical protection strategy
Prioritise the steps that would strengthen responsibilities, oversight and follow-through.
Clear online output
Receive focused advice without disrupting the school day or requiring an on-site visit.
WHERE LEADERSHIP CAN BE MOST EXPOSEDDelegation needs oversight.
Delegation needs oversight.
Advice needs a response.
Unclear accountability
When nobody can explain who owns a risk, a concern can pass between teams without being resolved.
Known issues left open
Audit findings, fire actions and expert recommendations need decisions, resources and follow-through.
Competence assumed
Responsibilities need people with the relevant understanding, authority and capacity to carry them out.
Oversight that cannot be evidenced
Governance should show how leaders review performance, challenge concerns and verify improvements.
The reality of personal accountability.
Overall accountability rests with the employer, but those deemed in control can be held personally liable where the legal tests are met. That can include CEOs, headteachers, CFOs, COOs, estates leads and others with authority, influence or responsibility for the failing.
Individuals can face prosecution in relevant circumstances. Under section 37 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, this can arise where a corporate offence involves an officer’s consent, connivance or neglect.
That is why clear responsibilities, informed decisions and effective action matter. Our work helps you strengthen those arrangements and the evidence behind them.
HSE guidance on leadership accountabilityLeadership Protection is a governance and risk-management service. It does not provide immunity from enforcement or replace legal advice. Responsibilities depend on the organisation, the individual’s role and the circumstances.
WE’RE ON YOUR SIDE
Request a leadership consultationIdentify the gaps before they become your next incident.
Speak to us about leadership protection for your school or trust.