16+ DSL Forum
We’ve held out first couple of meetings & our next meeting is on Wednesday 27th January at 4:30pm.
It was a really valuable discussion where it was immediately apparent people needed to share experience, seek advice and support and really valued the opportunity to come together. We highlighted some of the issues commonly covered by 16+ DSLs, in particular highlighting the high proportion of safeguarding referrals with strong roots in the young person’s mental health. Other issues included :
- SEN / EHCP needs of young people especially as they transition to adult services
- The adult services gap
- Contextual safeguarding
- Domestic abuse
- Expectations of external services of the DSL
- Gangs / drugs/knife crime/youth violence
- Mental health
- Grooming/ on line risks
- Covid impact / MH/suicidal ideation
We agreed there was an on-going need for these sessions – they may ultimately link up with other work across the sector. The needs of older young people are different – they are exposed to different risks, respond in a different way and sit under different legal frameworks depending on their mental capacity and age. The National Association for Managers of Student Services are also thinking about how to support DSLs, so the Chair of their Executive Board, Polly Harrow, was with us to consider options for a joined up approach going forward.
You can access the next DSL forum from 4:30-6:00pm on 27th January 2021 using the same Zoom details. This session will be free to attend for non-members, but going forward will only be accessible to members. Safeguarding Network Members can access these by logging in. Others will need to drop us a line explaining your role: click here to access our contact form.