Safeguarding isn't just training or vetting

Whenever a safeguarding failure makes the headlines, we always ask the questions...

Was there training? Was the right vetting carried out? What did the DBS or Enhanced DBS certificate say? Were references obtained? How far did the checks go? What was the training like? Was it sufficient? Did everyone have it?

These are important questions and they should be asked. Vetting and training are absolutely essential ingredients in the safeguarding of children. All of it is essential. However, these things are not foolproof and only ever show that someone has not come to notice previously.

A DBS certificate tells us whether someone has been convicted or cautioned for relevant offences. It cannot tell us whether someone poses a current risk. Someone may have concerning behaviour that has never resulted in a criminal investigation or conviction and may never have come to notice of safeguarding professionals. Whilst vetting reduces risk it can never remove it. Safeguarding doesn't end when someone is appointed and inducted and trained. Another training course, another vetting check will never prevent abuse.

Safeguarding reviews highlight the things that are missed every time. There are always lessons to be learned. We must move away from relying too heavily on clear vetting and focus on professional curiosity and embedding a strong safeguarding culture.

We have to think the unthinkable and accept that ‘It Could Happen Here’ because if we think it can’t or it won’t, then we are blinkered. It can happen anywhere. When you stop thinking that it can, then you open the doors.

When people notice, when they feel uncomfortable, when they raise concern, how we act is paramount. Too often, when things have gone wrong, it’s because people haven’t been heard when there have been concerns.

Professional curiosity is one of the most valuable safeguarding tools in our armoury against abuse. It means asking the difficult questions when something doesn't feel right. It means noticing patterns as well as isolated incidents. It means being prepared to challenge perception and assumptions, regardless of someone's position, experience or reputation. Just because someone is well-liked does not mean they are safe. Just because they may be professional, doesn’t mean they can’t or don’t abuse. Just because parents like them, or children like them, doesn’t mean they aren't abusers. Just because someone has worked with children for years does not mean concerns should be dismissed. If someone has passed every recruitment check it does not mean they should never be questioned.

Whilst thinking all of that, we should also know that safeguarding is not about suspicion without evidence. It is about creating a culture where concerns are explored, that information is shared appropriately and timely, and people know they will be listened to if they speak up.

The strongest safeguarding organisations are not those with the thickest policies or the longest training records or the intense vetting checks. They are the organisations where everyone understands that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility every day and it is at the forefront of every action, a place where curiosity is encouraged and challenge is welcomed. Nobody should be considered untouchable.

We already know that many child abusers are charming, manipulative and groom not just the child but the adults around the child. We know abusers put themselves in positions of trust, that they find roles in employment and voluntary positions, where they have access to children. We know that abusers will take any opportunity to do the things they want to do. We know that the most vulnerable children are those in Early Years, those who have the least obvious communication methods, those who are already vulnerable. Understanding the child’s voice is paramount and we need to understand what our children are telling us when they can’t tell us directly.

Children are protected not simply by safer recruitment or safeguarding training, but by vigilant adults who are prepared to notice, to question, and above all, to listen and to act when they should.