“I was only joking” Those words echo in classrooms across the world. A student stands, cheeks flushed, eyes wide, insisting that what they said, or what was said to them, was harmless. Banter, they claim, is all in good fun. But what if it is not? What if what begins Read more…
As safeguarding professionals, educators, carers, and community members, we are all part of the protection that surrounds children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (12 to 18 May 2025) invites us to reflect on the power of community, a theme that resonates deeply with safeguarding Read more…
In Part 1 of this Prevent Duty blog series, we discussed what Prevent Duty is and its importance. If you have not read it, feel free to read it first. Now that we have established a strong foundation, it is time to get practical. In Part 2, we will walk Read more…
Safeguarding children in school goes beyond just protecting them from physical harm. It is also about safeguarding them from ideological threats and ensuring their emotional, mental, and social well-being. The Prevent Duty plays an important role in protecting young people from radicalisation and extremism. If you are a school leader, Read more…
Modern-day slavery is not just an ancient practice – it is a horrifying reality affecting millions of people today. According to the United Nations, as of 2022, 50 million people were living in modern slavery. Among them are countless children, many of whom are trafficked, exploited, and denied the safety Read more…
Bullying is a widespread issue in schools around the world, affecting students’ academic performance, emotional well-being, and overall sense of safety. Today, we would learn about what Bullying actually is, and programmes that schools can adopt to minimise bullying incidents in schools. What Is Bullying? Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour Read more…
As someone who has written job descriptions for educational roles, I will be sharing how to prioritise safeguarding in the advertised Job Description. Use these methods to prioritise safeguarding from the outset of the recruitment process, and be sure to share your feedback.
The new school term is finally here, and it is important that Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) set the tone for safeguarding from day one. Assuming that staff training has already been conducted, environmental checks have been completed, and all safeguarding policies have been updated and prominently displayed, the focus shifts Read more…
This week in school, an incident prompted me to write about the key role that parent-school collaboration plays in ensuring the safety and well-being of students in school. At this point, it is important for me to remind Shielded Space Blog (SSB) Readers that safeguarding is a shared responsibility and Read more…