Understanding Safeguarding
Safeguarding refers to the measures taken to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and harm. It involves promoting their welfare, ensuring they grow up in a safe environment, and taking action when there are concerns about their safety.
Our founder and director Fadzai is a safeguarding consultant with extensive experience working at senior level in health and social care covering both public and private sector organisations. Full detail on her linkdn
Key Safeguarding Responsibilities for Parents
1. Recognising Signs of Abuse and Neglect
Parents should be aware of potential signs of harm, which can include:
• Physical abuse: Unexplained bruises, burns, or fractures.
• Emotional abuse: Low self-esteem, withdrawal, or fearfulness.
• Sexual abuse: Inappropriate sexual knowledge, fear of a certain person, or secrecy. This includes sexting, where young people send inappropriate images to each other.
• Neglect: Poor hygiene, malnutrition, or lack of supervision, medical neglect.
If you suspect abuse, contact your local safeguarding team, GP, school, or social services. You can also call the NSPCC (0808 800 5000) or Childline (0800 1111) for guidance.
2. Online Safety Measures
With increasing screen time, safeguarding children online is essential:
• Use parental controls on devices and apps.
• Monitor social media activity and set boundaries.
• Teach children about online dangers, including cyberbullying and grooming.
• Encourage open discussions so they feel safe reporting concerns.
3. Supervision and Safe Environments
• Always know your child’s whereabouts and who they are with.
• Ensure they have a trusted adult to confide in.
• Teach them about “stranger danger” while balancing the need to be polite.
• Ensure babysitters, nannies, or carers are DBS-checked and reputable.
4. Mental Health and Emotional Well-being
Children’s mental well-being is just as important as physical health. Look out for:
• Sudden changes in mood or behaviour.
• Anxiety, depression, or withdrawal from activities.
• Self-harm or talk of hopelessness.
Encourage open conversations and seek professional support through your GP, school counsellors, CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services), or charities like YoungMinds.
5. Health and Medical Safeguarding
• Keep up with childhood immunisations.
• Store medications safely out of children’s reach.
• Teach basic first aid and when to call 999 in emergencies.
• Encourage a healthy lifestyle with balanced nutrition and exercise.
6. Safeguarding in Schools and Activities
• Ensure schools have strong safeguarding policies and designated safeguarding leads (DSLs).
• Check that clubs, sports teams, and extracurricular activities follow child protection policies.
• Encourage children to report bullying or any uncomfortable experiences.
What to Do If You Have Concerns
If you suspect a child is at risk, take immediate action:
1. Report concerns to the school’s DSL, GP, or local safeguarding team.
2. Contact social services or the police (101 for non-emergency, 999 for urgent danger).
3. Use national helplines like NSPCC, Barnardo’s, or the Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships (LSCPs)
Final Thoughts
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility among parents, caregivers, professionals, and the wider community. By staying informed, creating open conversations, and knowing where to seek help, you can play a vital role in keeping your child safe and supported.
For further advice, visit:
• NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk
• Childline: www.childline.org.uk
• UK Government Safeguarding Guidance: www.gov.uk
If you need specific advice, advocacy, safeguarding concerns or challenges, feel free to ask. Get in touch with Fadzai here
Remain intentional
Fadzai x
Useful resource, thank you Fadzi