Tricky Safeguarding Topics and How to Tackle Them

Even as a DSL, it’s ok to admit that there are topics we don’t feel as comfortable with.

Safeguarding Adviser, Jo Perrin, provides advice and guidance for DSLs faced with a number of Complex Safeguarding Issues…

I’ve been working as an Education Adviser for Safeguarding for many years now, and before that I was in schools working as a DSL. You’d think, given those years of experience, I’d feel equally comfortable talking about any safeguarding issue.

It’s true that I have done extensive research on every topic and keep up to date with developments in the field. I can confidently work with governors, academics, school staff, charity organisation staff and indeed children on a wide range of safeguarding issues. But if I’m honest, I feel some apprehension every time I am tasked with working around certain online safety topics. 

I think that my awareness of how frequently the subject matter changes feeds into my state of mind.

Have I read and absorbed the latest research? Did I understand the latest jargon? And sometimes foremost in my mind, will there be someone who is more IT literate than me, who asks me a question I am not 100% certain of the answer to? 

I suspect I am not alone.

FGM is a safeguarding subject often cited as one where some staff feel less confident. Child on child sexual abuse is another. A deeper understanding of gang violence and child criminal exploitation is another.

But the reality is – that is ok.

We are all different, we have different areas of interest and expertise, and we cannot be expected to be an expert in everything.   

So, what can we do about this? Here are two key points to remember:

Remember that Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility

So use the expertise in your teams.

If you don’t know, someone else might. Another DSL/DDSL might have a real interest in this area. And it doesn’t just have to be someone else on your safeguarding team. Is there another staff member who knows? For online issues, your IT or media staff might know. 

In terms of County Lines and gang situations, often your wider support staff are your experts as they often live in the local area.

Children can also be the experts – they know what goes on in their lives, where the risks are and possibly they know avenues of support in the local community that you didn’t identify. 

Do Your Research – Take the Time to Find Out

It might not be the area of safeguarding you are most passionate about, but there are many avenues to increase your knowledge and your confidence.

• Services For Education provide a safeguarding subscription, offering many webinars and resources on different and specific issues to support you. We are also at the end of an email to provide advice for schools and will soon be launching our “ask the experts” slot where you can join us online to discuss safeguarding related issues.
• NSPCC provide a vast collection of safeguarding resources on their website. We provide our free monthly safeguarding newsletter and an archive of many safeguarding blogs and articles.
• Newspapers such as the Guardian and The Times regularly have safeguarding stories and campaigns that can inform.
• Charities that focus on one particular safeguarding issue often have pages of information and even resources for education staff which are often free.

There are many sources at your fingertips, free and paid, to support you as a DSL. The route you take to information will depend on your need, its urgency and complexity.

Summary

So next time you are tasked with training staff on a tricky topic, or someone comes to you with a particularly challenging question, stop and take a breath.

Accuracy is everything in safeguarding as we can’t afford to give the wrong information which might lead to a child suffering further significant harm.

Take time to admit to yourself (and someone else if the situation requires) that research is everything and find the right person to answer the query – whether that is yourself, a colleague or someone external. 

Remember you can contact our Advisers at safeguarding@servicesforeducation.co.uk for any support you might need. 

About the Author

Jo Perrin - Adviser, Services For Education

Jo Perrin taught PSHE in schools for over a decade and held the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead and pastoral lead. She currently works as an Education Adviser for Services For Education which allows her to combine her experience in schools with a personal knowledge of childhood trauma as a former foster carer.

In addition, Jo worked as a West Midlands’ Adviser for a national PSHE resource, has delivered a presentation to the Sex Education Forum National Members’ Event and has created a variety of RSE resources as part of her role for Services For Education.

Jo’s advisory experience is not limited to training school staff as she works with non-education based organisations to support them in safeguarding and emotional health and well-being aims and is an affiliated trainer for Mental Health At Work.

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