Simon Holden explores the role of artificial intelligence in risk management and safeguarding in schools

Artificial intelligence is no longer tomorrow’s technology. It’s here now, reshaping how we work, live and learn. Schools are no exception. As AI capabilities advance at pace, they bring potential to strengthen safeguarding, streamline risk management, and support the wellbeing of pupils and staff.

Yet these opportunities come with important questions. How do we protect privacy? How do we ensure fairness and transparency? Most critically, how do we place pupils safety at the heart of AI integration?

Where AI is already making an impact

From back office systems to the classroom, AI is transforming education. Across the sector, schools are beginning to adopt:

• Monitoring systems that flag unusual or unsafe behaviour in real-time.
• Tools analysing online activity to identify bullying, self-harm or exploitation.
• Automated background screening to support safer recruitment.
• Personalised learning platforms that protect pupils data while adapting content.
• Workflow automation that frees teachers to focus on teaching, not admin.

These innovations offer real value. But they also introduce ethical, legal and operational challenges that require careful navigation.

Real-world results – safer recruitment in action

A trust recently deployed AI to support safer recruitment. The results were immediate: several hours of admin time saved per vacancy, and HR teams reporting reduced anxiety around online background screening. These kinds of early adopters are quietly demonstrating that, when implemented ethically, AI can become a trusted strategic partner.

AI is powerful, but not perfect. When applied to safeguarding, it must be used with care, oversight and transparency. Key considerations include:

Data privacy – AI systems require data to function. In schools, this may include behaviour logs, sensitive pupils records, or even biometric data. This information must be handled in line with data protection regulations and stored securely.

Bias and fairness – AI learns from training data. If that data is biased, the outputs can reinforce inequality. Schools must audit tools, understand their algorithms, and critically evaluate real-world impacts.

Human oversight – AI should never replace human judgement. It can detect patterns, but it lacks empathy. All AI-generated alerts should be reviewed by trained staff, and safeguarding decisions must remain human-led.

Ethical surveillance – Schools must find the right balance between monitoring for safety and protecting pupil autonomy. Over-surveillance risks eroding trust. Policies should be developed with input from governors, staff, parents and, where appropriate, pupils themselves.

A blueprint for thoughtful AI adoption

To harness AI responsibly, schools should adopt a phased, strategic approach:

1. Start with vision and leadership – Define clear AI goals. Engage governors early and ensure senior leadership team alignment.
2. Build literacy – Provide AI training as part of continuing professional development. Share accessible resources with families.
3. Pilot and learn – Trial AI tools in controlled environments. Focus on clear safeguarding priorities and evaluate outcomes.
4. Scale with oversight – Form governance groups with the senior leadership team, IT leads, safeguarding staff and external advisers. Review regularly.
5. Commit to continuous improvement – Update policies and systems as technology evolves. Keep safeguarding strategy responsive and agile.

Strengthen strategic leadership with AI

Senior leadership teams face mounting pressure across safeguarding, compliance and recruitment. AI can help ease this burden by amplifying human insight. Predictive analytics can help leaders proactively intervene. For example, analysing behavioural trends may reveal safeguarding spikes tied to curriculum changes or seasonal stressors. Armed with these insights, schools can respond before issues escalate.

Empower pupils and engage parents

Community readiness is essential. Pupils must learn not only to use AI tools but to assess them critically. Digital literacy should include algorithmic bias, data rights, and ethical decision-making. Parents also need clarity. Many are concerned about surveillance or unsure how data is used. Transparency builds trust. Host information evenings. Share plain-language policies. Invite feedback and respond openly.

Rethink recruitment with AI

The Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance reinforces the need for robust vetting, online checks. Traditional systems can miss red flags in online behaviour or non-disclosed patterns of misconduct. AI tools like SafeHire.ai extend risk detection into digital realms, highlight safeguarding concerns, and ensure compliance throughout the hiring process. This proactive, real-time capability helps schools make safer and more informed hiring decisions.

A final word: empowerment, not replacement

AI is not here to replace safeguarding professionals. It is here to support them. Used wisely, AI empowers schools to be safer, smarter and more responsive.

Simon Holden is the founder and chief executive of Safehire.ai and CyBur

Simon Holden