Safeguarding Network

Safeguarding Network Safeguarding support for Designated Safeguarding Leads, training, audits & more! safeguarding.network

Established in 2017, the founding team behind Safeguarding Network are John Woodhouse & Andrew Martin. We are two social workers, who have over 40 years combined experience in working with children and young people. We are concerned that there is an increasing requirement on schools to fill the void left by decreasing social care budgets, with little by way of support particularly when something i

s not deemed to meet the social care thresholds. Head teachers repeatedly tell us that they are teachers, not social workers, and that they feel ill equipped to lead the school in relation to safeguarding responsibilities. The role of designated safeguarding lead is often in addition to an already busy work day, and the requirement of Keeping Children Safe in Education to ensure that staff are “regularly updated” is significant. Safeguarding Network is therefore designed with the aim of reducing this burden.

New for the next academic year, we’re delighted to announce we’re taking pre-orders for the 2026/27 Academic DSL Diary!T...
26/06/2026

New for the next academic year, we’re delighted to announce we’re taking pre-orders for the 2026/27 Academic DSL Diary!

The diary is designed to help DSLs organise their time while embedding safeguarding into daily practice, not as an “add-on.”

It aligns with statutory guidance like KCSiE and Working Together, helping DSLs embed safeguarding into everyday practice.

Created by our experts especially for DSLs and DDSLs, the Academic DSL Diary is a durable 194 page hardback publication in a convenient A5 size, week-to-view format and includes:

- Monthly safeguarding themes linked to a 2‑year training plan
- Challenge questions that drive reflective, evidence-based practice
- Planning tools combined with safeguarding strategy
- Weekly/daily planners
- Notes sections
- Key dates and calendars
- Directory of contact information for all local authority Children's Services in England and Wales

£20 +VAT + P&P

Find out more and pre-order now: https://zurl.co/zFNvs

Safeguarding is about more than checks, certificates & training records. Sharon Birch explores why professional curiosit...
26/06/2026

Safeguarding is about more than checks, certificates & training records. Sharon Birch explores why professional curiosity, a strong safeguarding culture & the confidence to challenge concerns are the most effective tools in protecting children.

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...

Read the blog https://zurl.co/ds0DX

LAST AVAILABLE SPACES. Children and young people with SEND represent a growing cohort across education, and evidence sho...
25/06/2026

LAST AVAILABLE SPACES. Children and young people with SEND represent a growing cohort across education, and evidence shows they are at greater safeguarding risk.

Our Reflecting Upon Safeguarding and Young People with SEND course, running on Wednesday 29th June 2026, is designed to give DSLs and safeguarding leads the knowledge and practical tools to respond effectively. Registration opens at 9:45am, with the course running from 10.00am until 1.30pm.

The safeguarding support for children and their families with SEND sits within a growing community in every education setting. Developing a clear, robust and effective safeguarding culture is key to ensuring that children with SEND can learn, develop and thrive. This training explores approaches that work within a whole school safeguarding culture.

What you will explore:

- Why children with SEND are at greater risk
- How to take an intersectional approach
- Improving clarity around communication
- Overcoming common barriers in detection and reporting

Book now: https://zurl.co/CrQJb

The UK government has announced new guidance for schools on inclusion for pupils with special educational needs and disa...
25/06/2026

The UK government has announced new guidance for schools on inclusion for pupils with special educational needs and disability (SEND).

- First of its kind guidance on creating dedicated teaching and support spaces for children with SEND
- Buildings to be designed around children and young people with SEND under new guidance
- Guidance to help schools, colleges and early years build SEND inclusivity

Children and young people with SEND across the country will be able to attend their local school, early years and college and know they belong there, as the government delivers a first of its kind package of advice to guarantee inclusion for all...

Read the DfE press release: https://zurl.co/EeyxA

Read the guidance: https://zurl.co/tihnw

This week's Safeguarding Bulletin is out!- DfE consultation opens - Improving help and child protection revised framewor...
24/06/2026

This week's Safeguarding Bulletin is out!

- DfE consultation opens - Improving help and child protection revised framework
- Mandatory reporting for child sexual abuse
- Regulated activity changes
- Safeguarding isn't just training or vetting
- Online safety: social media restrictions
- Lead child protection practitioner standards published
- DSM Foundation's new drug education delivery booklet published

Sign up to receive great safeguarding content delivered to your inbox every 2 weeks.

Read here: https://zurl.co/v52lB

The Daniel Spargo-Mabbs Foundation

Children and young people with SEND represent a growing cohort across education, and evidence shows they are at greater ...
24/06/2026

Children and young people with SEND represent a growing cohort across education, and evidence shows they are at greater safeguarding risk.

Our Reflecting Upon Safeguarding and Young People with SEND course, running on Wednesday 29th June 2026, is designed to give DSLs and safeguarding leads the knowledge and practical tools to respond effectively. Registration opens at 9:45am, with the course running from 10.00am until 1.30pm.

The safeguarding support for children and their families with SEND sits within a growing community in every education setting. Developing a clear, robust and effective safeguarding culture is key to ensuring that children with SEND can learn, develop and thrive. This training explores approaches that work within a whole school safeguarding culture.

What you will explore:

- Why children with SEND are at greater risk
- How to take an intersectional approach
- Improving clarity around communication
- Overcoming common barriers in detection and reporting

Book now: https://zurl.co/J2E4U

Safeguarding responsibilities are complex and ever-changing. Staying compliant, training staff, and responding to emergi...
23/06/2026

Safeguarding responsibilities are complex and ever-changing. Staying compliant, training staff, and responding to emerging risks all require time, consistency, and up-to-date expertise.

Our memberships are designed to make these daily demands easier for you and your team.

A limited-time offer to support your planning:

Choose one of our annual membership options and join now with code PAYSEPT2026 to:

- Gain immediate access to all membership resources
- Receive our annual safeguarding INSET pack (updated when KCSiE 2026 is published)
- Access the KCSiE Knowledge Check (updated when KCSiE 2026 is published)

Pay nothing until September 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

Membership covers one education setting, regardless of how many safeguarding staff or pupils you work with.

Safeguarding Network membership:

- Strengthens safeguarding practice across the whole school
- Supports staff and leadership with practical tools and expert advice
- Reduces workload while improving quality and consistency
- Helps settings comply with statutory requirements
- Provides reassurance through access to specialist support

Explore our membership options and find out what our members receive:
https://zurl.co/uYGiO

The DfE's Education Hub has published a blog on hot weather and heatwave guidance exploring several ways that schools ca...
23/06/2026

The DfE's Education Hub has published a blog on hot weather and heatwave guidance exploring several ways that schools can make changes to keep children safe in hot weather, & spotting the signs of heat related medical conditions in children.

Read the blog: https://zurl.co/ut7gA

The Department for Education are seeking views on proposals to update Working Together to Safeguard Children, the Childr...
23/06/2026

The Department for Education are seeking views on proposals to update Working Together to Safeguard Children, the Children’s Social Care National Framework , and the policy that will underpin the development of multi-agency child protection teams regulations.

The DfE would like to hear your views on whether the proposed updates are:

- clear and easy to understand
- practical to implement
- likely to improve outcomes for children and their families

This proposals include measures to strengthen support for families, such as:

- making better use of family networks
- improving multi-agency child protection arrangements for all children
- supporting better decision-making across safeguarding partners

The consultation is aimed at parents and carers, and people who work in:

- local authorities
- health
- police
- education
- voluntary organisations

The consultation period ends on 4th Sept 2026

Find out more: https://zurl.co/YEO3G

Our brand new course, Helping Families - Making the Difference, launches on 24th June 2026.KCSiE 2026 places duties on e...
23/06/2026

Our brand new course, Helping Families - Making the Difference, launches on 24th June 2026.

KCSiE 2026 places duties on early years settings, schools and colleges to undertake an assessment and provide community based early help to families where they "do not require a referral to statutory services but may benefit from other support".

Education is seen as best placed to identify issues as they begin to emerge and put in place the right support alongside other universal services such as health, family hubs, youth services, after school clubs and housing provision.

The expectations on education settings are high, but the resources are limited and it's crucial we make the best use of time with the families we work with. You'll need to know your local geography, but there is a need to train and develop core assessment, relationship, intervention and evaluation skills to use your time most effectively with families.

The course draws on safeguarding case reviews and research on working purposefully with families, acknowledging some of the challenges and difficulties you and your team will experience.

There will be opportunities to work together and practice skills, a suite of templates to support intervention (including tools for analysis, direct work with families and links to relevant research) and a strong, interactive presentation with the chance to explore the questions that matter to the group.

More info and book now: https://zurl.co/OZBiz

Address

Chimmels, Dartington Estate
Totnes
TQ96EQ

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+441803862336

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