Safeguarding News and Resources Round-Up
The safeguarding landscape continues to evolve, with developments spanning education, domestic abuse, community safety, mental health and social care. This month's roundup highlights some of the latest publications, research and sector updates, together with what they may mean for safeguarding professionals and organisational leaders.
Mental Health Support Continues to Expand
The Government has announced a significant expansion of community mental health support across England, with investment intended to improve access to earlier intervention and reduce pressure on crisis services.
For safeguarding professionals, this is encouraging news. We continue to see mental health concerns underpinning many safeguarding referrals across education, housing, health and community services. Earlier support has the potential to improve outcomes, reduce escalation and strengthen multi-agency working.
However, increased provision alone is not enough. Organisations must ensure staff understand how to recognise deteriorating mental health, respond appropriately and know when safeguarding concerns require escalation alongside clinical support.
Our reflection: Mental health should never be viewed in isolation from safeguarding. The two are frequently interconnected.
Read more here
Martyn's Law – Keeping the Momentum Going
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing Martyn's Law and encouraging organisations to continue preparing for the new Protect Duty requirements.
Whilst many organisations have begun reviewing emergency planning, risk assessments and incident response procedures, implementation should not simply become another compliance exercise.
Effective preparedness relies upon leadership, communication, staff confidence and realistic exercising of emergency plans.
Our reflection: Safety planning should become part of organisational culture rather than something completed once legislation requires it.
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Tackling Domestic Abuse
Dyfed-Powys Police has secured additional Home Office funding to implement Raneem's Law, strengthening its response to domestic abuse through enhanced victim support and specialist policing.
Domestic abuse remains one of the most prevalent safeguarding issues affecting adults and children alike.
Investment in specialist responses is welcome, but sustainable improvement also depends upon effective partnership working between police, health, education, housing and specialist domestic abuse services.
Read more here
Knife Crime Continues to Fall
Latest Government figures indicate that knife crime homicides have fallen to their lowest level for 30 years.
Whilst any reduction is positive, safeguarding professionals will recognise that serious youth violence remains a significant concern in many communities.
Prevention, contextual safeguarding, youth work and trusted relationships continue to play a vital role alongside criminal justice responses.
Statistics should never lead to complacency.
Read more here
Serious Sexual and Grooming Offences Excluded from Sentencing Changes
The Government has confirmed that those convicted of rape, serious child sexual abuse and grooming offences will not benefit from proposed sentencing changes.
The announcement reinforces the seriousness with which these offences continue to be viewed within the justice system and reflects the ongoing focus on protecting victims and maintaining public confidence.
Read more here
New Research Highlights Wellbeing and School Attendance
New research published by the National Foundation for Educational Research suggests pupil wellbeing continues to play a significant role in persistent absence.
The findings reinforce what many safeguarding professionals already recognise: attendance is often a symptom rather than the root cause.
Understanding trauma, anxiety, neurodiversity, unmet need and family circumstances remains critical when supporting children back into education.
Read more here
Relationships and Sexuality Education in Wales
Estyn has published a report examining the quality and impact of Relationships and Sexuality Education across schools and pupil referral units in Wales.
The report highlights examples of effective practice while identifying opportunities for further improvement, reminding leaders that high-quality RSE continues to play an important preventative safeguarding role.
Read more here
Anti-Bullying Alliance Launches New Campaign
The Anti-Bullying Alliance has launched its "You're So Real" campaign alongside new educational resources designed to encourage respectful relationships and tackle harmful behaviours.
Campaigns such as these provide useful opportunities for schools and colleges to revisit their anti-bullying strategies and pupil engagement activities.
Read more here
Children's Services and SEND
The Family Rights Group has welcomed continued discussion around SEND reform while warning that future reforms must not disadvantage children and families.
Meanwhile, the Centre for Young Lives has published a report highlighting the scale of challenges facing children and young people across Greater Manchester, calling for earlier intervention and coordinated action across agencies.
Both publications reinforce a consistent message emerging across the safeguarding sector: prevention, early help and partnership working remain fundamental to improving outcomes.
Read more here
Tackling Child Exploitation
Norfolk Police reported more than 40 arrests during Operation Foxtail, targeting organised criminality and child exploitation.
Enforcement activity remains an important component of safeguarding, but long-term success depends equally upon prevention, disruption, intelligence sharing and supporting those at risk of exploitation before harm occurs.
Read more here
Final Thoughts
Across this month's developments, one consistent theme emerges. Whether discussing mental health, domestic abuse, exploitation, education, social care or community safety, safeguarding continues to move beyond compliance towards prevention, partnership and organisational culture.
Legislation, inspections and enforcement all play important roles, however lasting improvement is achieved when organisations continually ask not simply "Are we compliant?" but "Are people genuinely safer because of what we do?"
That remains one of the most important questions safeguarding leaders can ask.