Safeguarding Bulletin - 12 November 2025
Developing a safeguarding culture
The recent case in North Wales, where a headteacher was convicted of multiple offences against pupils, is a difficult read. The judge even commented that he believed the individual had been under-charged. This case did not occur because of a lack of policies or procedures. The systems existed. They were simply not lived out, not challenged, and not embedded.
At Safeguarding Network a significant focus is around developing a culture of safeguarding, with this involving all members of a setting, not just involving staff but students, parents, visiting professionals as well. Our latest blog explores the extended child practice review and drawn-out key lessons relating to culture and leadership, and outlines practical considerations for DSLs, DDSLs, senior teams and governors working to strengthen safeguarding culture across their setting.
Creating Consistent EBSA Responses: A DSL's Role in Whole-School Training
The final blog of our EBSA series explores what works for schools that have implemented comprehensive EBSA training. When your entire school community recognises emotional distress behind attendance struggles, vulnerable children experience the consistency that allows them to feel genuinely safe. This systematic understanding doesn't just improve attendance - it creates the safe, predictable environment that vulnerable children need to feel safe and learn.
Discover the six key practices that improve outcomes for vulnerable children
Free Webinar – 2 December: School Wellbeing and Attendance: Creating a Compassionate and Child-Centre Approach
In partnership with EdPsychEd, authors of the Emotionally Based School Avoidance blog series Dr Jerricah Holder will share her ‘Integrated Model of EBSA’ enabling Designated Safeguarding Leads to develop a greater understanding of the complex and often multi-faceted aspects of school avoidance behaviours. The child and family perspective will be integrated throughout, with videos of children and parents sharing their journey.
Ofsted tweaks inspection framework
As the new inspection framework comes into effect this week, Ofsted has recently updated several areas after concerns in 115 pilot inspections over increased workload, pressure on staff and how achievement is evaluated were identified by school leaders and staff. Schools Week has written a short article summarising these changes.
AI-generated targets for minimum pupil attendance
Schools in England are to be issued with AI-generated targets for minimum pupil attendance, the government has announced, as part of its continuing efforts to tackle absence in the country’s classrooms. Schools will receive a best practice toolkit targeting critical transition moments – like the jump from primary to secondary and Year 7 to 8 – giving them proven strategies to keep children engaged.
Teaching students how to use AI to support their learning
Supporting students to use artificial intelligence confidently and responsibly has become one of the defining challenges for secondary schools today. On Tuesday 18 November SecEd is running a free webinar where education experts and practitioners will share practical strategies for incorporating AI into the curriculum and classroom in meaningful, ethical, and effective ways.
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