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safeguarding blog
Expert commentary and opinion pieces, the latest safeguarding news and legislation, and information about our latest training courses, webinars, and events.
Safeguarding Network’s Response to the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026 Consultation
Apr 22, 2026
We undertook a series of webinars in March 2026 where we advised participants of the KCSiE 2026 proposed updates and then asked for their views. This submission is a summary of the responses from that process.
Recent posts
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If you’re happy and you know it... turn off your phone!
Apr 20, 2026
The World Happiness Report 2026 was published last month, with some perhaps unsurprising findings around young people and social media use: results show that social media does more harm than good. But it’s not an entirely negative picture...
Safeguarding Bulletin - 15 April 2026
Apr 15, 2026
In this Bulletin: Free webinar: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 – Key Changes; Helping families - what staff need to know; Free webinar: Prevention, necessity and proportionality - the implications of the new guidance on restrictive intervention; Teachers call for new training on misogynistic abuse; Schools in knife crime hotspots to get targeted support; New child exploitation disruption resources; PANTS resources for schools and teachers.
Seeking the voice of the child: are you listening?
Apr 10, 2026
The increasing emphasis on ‘it could happen here’ in government legislation and inspection criteria encourages schools to be more proactive in both seeking the views of the child and breaking down the barriers to disclosure.
Outcomes for children in need, including children looked after by local authorities in England
Apr 09, 2026
New statistics released for year ending 31 March 2025. The data has important messages for all education settings...
Educating pupils on online safety: Love Island contestant receives MBE
Apr 04, 2026
Georgia’s story and the celebration of her actions make the dangers such as image-based sexual abuse and how private content can be misused very relatable to the teenage fan base of the show.
Safeguarding Bulletin - 1 April 2026
Apr 02, 2026
In this Bulletin: Free webinar: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 – Key Changes; Helping families - what staff need to know; Free webinar: Prevention, necessity and proportionality - the implications of the new guidance on restrictive intervention; Child sexual abuse and exploitation recording and reporting; Talking with children about social media; New screen time guidance for parents of under-5s; Pupil absence in schools trends and data; Children's digital wellbeing; Bespoke supervision for your setting
Upcoming Training Courses - April 2026
Apr 01, 2026
Once the Easter holidays are over, April is packed with courses for new and experienced DSLs and their staff. Find out more.
Key Changes to Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
Apr 01, 2026
We examine the Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 guidance in more detail and recommend some key learning points for all school and education staff.
Talking with children about social media
Mar 26, 2026
The way I am beginning to think about the dangers of children’s use of social media is shifting. I have realised that the way I need to talk to children about it needs shifting too... a personal point-of-view from a safeguarding consultant and parent trying to balance the challenges of the online world.
Research and analysis - Child sexual abuse and exploitation: recording practices in children’s social care and serious incident reporting
Mar 25, 2026
The Department for Education has commissioned a qualitative study to explore how child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) is identified, assessed, recorded and reported within Children’s Social Care practice. Read our summary of key findings.
Be ready for World Down Syndrome Day on 21st March
Mar 19, 2026
Did you know that 21st March is World Down Syndrome Day? Learn why this official day exists and what it is about. Melissa Pollard explores how schools can safeguard and protect pupils with Down syndrome.
Safeguarding Bulletin - 18 March 2026
Mar 19, 2026
In this Bulletin: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 published; Final free KCSiE 2026 consultation webinar; Free webinar: Prevention, necessity and proportionality - the implications of the new guidance on restrictive intervention - new date added; Diagnostic toolkit for exploited children; Understanding harmful sexual behaviour, violence and misogyny by children; An introduction to contextual safeguarding; Free webinar: Safeguarding children around dogs; Education vacancies
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 published
Mar 18, 2026
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026, Updated guidance has been published today – 18th March 2026. The 2026 update builds on reforms and wider children’s social care changes, with a strong emphasis on early help, family support and multi-agency accountability.
Defensible decision-making: giving students the safest future
Mar 13, 2026
Safeguarding decisions are at the heart of a DSL’s work. Should we escalate? Should we monitor? Should we call parents? Sophie Baker shares her thoughts on what matters most when making a decision.