Designated Safeguarding Leads – Empowering the 'Lifeguards' in Our Schools

Designated Safeguarding Leads – Empowering the 'Lifeguards' in Our Schools

Professor Stan Gilmour KPM Professor Stan Gilmour KPM

Professor Stan Gilmour KPM

Strategic Consultant. Professor of Practice. Data Insight Lead and Systems Change Mentor, International Research. SC Cleared. #Prevention

发布日期: 2024年12月20日
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The urgent need: More lifeguards, fewer undertakers

?Current safeguarding practices often operate reactively, akin to having only undertakers on a beach – intervening only after harm has occurred. This is unacceptable. We need a proactive system focused on prevention, with "lifeguards" who can identify those at risk, through multi agency data sharing, and intervene early.

Breaking down silos: Why hope is not a strategy

?Relying on the hope that someone, somewhere, will spot a problem is a dangerous gamble. In siloed organisations, crucial information can be locked away, obscuring the full picture of a child's vulnerability.

?Time and again, serious case reviews highlight the tragic consequences of missed opportunities to share information. These reviews consistently call for improved data sharing to proactively prevent harm.

?Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) – Our frontline lifeguards

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill mandates DSLs in every school, recognising their critical role in breaking down these silos and safeguarding children. These skilled professionals will be empowered to:

  • Observe: Detect subtle changes in behaviour or appearance that may signal distress.
  • Gather intelligence: Collate information from staff, parents, and external agencies to form a holistic picture.
  • Assess risk: Analyse information to determine the level of need and urgency of intervention.
  • Take action: Make referrals to appropriate services, including early help and social care.

Empowering DSLs to lead a "Dare to Share" culture

?The Bill empowers DSLs to:

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  • Foster open communication: Encourage staff, pupils, and parents to raise concerns without hesitation, no matter how small.
  • Coordinate information sharing: Act as a central point of contact for concerns within the school and with external agencies.
  • Champion early intervention: Proactively identify children who would benefit from early help services, preventing escalation of problems.

Key benefits of a "Lifeguard" approach

  • Enhanced safeguarding: A consistent and robust approach to safeguarding in all schools.
  • Early identification of risk: Improved capacity to spot warning signs and intervene early.
  • Better coordination: Streamlined data sharing and collaboration between agencies.
  • Improved outcomes for children: Increased chances of children receiving the right support at the right time, before harm occurs.

Call to Action:

?To truly empower our DSLs, we must:

  • Invest in training and resources: Equip DSLs with the knowledge and skills to navigate complex safeguarding challenges.
  • Create a supportive environment: Encourage open dialogue and value their professional judgement.
  • Improve data sharing infrastructure: Facilitate efficient and secure information exchange between agencies.

By investing in our "lifeguards," we shift from reaction to prevention, ensuring children are protected, their rights are regarded, and they and our communities are supported to thrive.

https://bit.ly/childata

#ChildrensWellbeing #SafeguardingChildren #DesignatedSafeguardingLead #DSL #EarlyIntervention #DareToShare #MultiAgencyWorking #ChildProtection #UKeducation

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Sonia Shaljean

Founder and Managing Director of Multi-Award winning Lads Need Dads CIC / Social Entrepreneur / Shackleton leader Mentor / Public Speaker / KAVS Assessor (Essex).

2 个月

Great post! Early intervention is absolutely vital. At https://ladsneeddads.org we understand that boys—particularly those without a father figure or positive male role model—are at greater risk of poor mental health, disruptive behaviour, and underachievement in school. That’s why our interventions begin as early as age 10 continuing up to age 18 as long term intervention is also key for this high risk group. “Lifeguard” is a fantastic term, and it perfectly describes the role of our mentors who are often the eyes and ears for early safeguarding. Take a look at our work in primary schools through our Reading Mentor Programme. This initiative goes beyond improving reading skills; it focuses on developing boys’ emotional intelligence while connecting them with a supportive male role model. https://ladsneeddads.org/programmes/reading-mentors/

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