 October already – where did September go?
Welcome to the first of our monthly safeguarding newsletters, replacing the previous half-termly editions which, while comprehensive, had become quite lengthy and information heavy. This new format aims to be more digestible while still reflecting key priorities, timely reminders, and access to training and events that support your role - and those of your colleagues. Many of you will have already supported children who, feeling safe back in your settings, have made disclosures or shown behaviours requiring immediate intervention. We know how emotionally demanding this can be, and we encourage you to ensure you have access to the right support for your own wellbeing, as well as that of your teams.
You’ll likely have heard about the Learning and Inclusion strategy’s renewed focus on attendance. This is a complex and evolving challenge, but one we must face head-on. With rising concerns around Elective Home Education (EHE), Children Missing Education (CME), and Part-Time Timetables, we are working closely with schools to reduce these trends, recognising that children are safer and better supported when they are in school. As the redesign process nears completion, our new locality-based model will strengthen how teams work together to provide both support and challenge. Those of you who have received INSET training, are booked onto Level 3 Initial or Refresher sessions, or are planning a safeguarding review will see how our work is aligned to these priorities. We remain committed to a multi-agency approach, ensuring that vulnerable children and families receive the joined-up support they need.
Thank you, as always, for everything you do.
Jon Galling
Following the most recent meeting (23rd September) of the Education Advisory Group, part of the Devon Safeguarding Children’s Partnership sub-group structure, the following was agreed:
- This year's S175 will be made available to DSLs through the contacts we have and via school @Admin address at the start of the Spring term and will be required to be returned by 13th February.
- The audit will again be in two parts, part one reflecting compliance aligned with current KCSiE requirements.
- Part two will focus on the following areas:
- Information and actions taken prior to children being reported as EHE and CME
- Actions and assurances of a safeguarding nature regarding children who have a Part-time timetable
- Actions and assurances of a safeguarding nature regarding children who have received a fixed-term exclusion or Permanent Exclusion.
- Questions relating to the priorities for each of the Partnership sub-groups that align to the 5 overarching Partnership priorities – these are not listed in any priority order:
- Improving outcomes of pre-birth services and the response and support provided to families to prevent non-accidental injuries to infants.
- Improving partnership response to child neglect.
- Improving response to need through developing multi-agency contextual safeguarding approaches, including risk outside the home.
- Improving the partnership response to domestic abuse to prevent harm to children.
- Implementation of the Families First Partnership Programme.
There are times when we in the Safeguarding Team, other agencies and safeguarding partners within DCC may need to contact you e.g. for MARAC/MACE or Channel information and we are aware that we don’t always send our communications to the correct member of your safeguarding team. This can cause unnecessary delay in the sharing of information. Because of this our amazing admin team are currently in the process of redesigning the SCHOOL CONTACTS SURVEY.
Expect an extra ordinary newsletter with the updated School Contacts Survey link and further information; however, to give you a heads up:
- The survey will be designed so that you do not need to update/input all school contact details every time you just need to change one contact detail.
- We will be requesting and retaining securely – only with your consent – personal contact details, so that we and DCC safeguarding partners can contact you during school holidays to e.g. invite you to ICPCs, Strategy meetings, gather information for Devon Children’s Front Door request for support etc.
- We have revised the privacy statement (for you) and guidance for DCC safeguarding partners on the use/storage and access of any personal contact details provided and will be including this in the School Contacts Survey.
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On behalf of Tina, Anna, Jackie, Jess and Nick from the Safest working group we are delighted to let you know that SaFest is back and will be taking place during the week of 24 - 28 November 2025.
Just in case you don’t already know, SaFest is a free, fully funded, virtual safeguarding conference. it’s easily accessible and your chance to tune in, listen and be inspired.
All of our SaFest presenters will be talking online and can be accessed from the comfort of your office, home or anywhere else! And back by popular demand, we will be running our live “SaFest on the Sofa” slots. Please refer to the SaFest 2025 programme of events for a look at what’s taking place this year, and you can also learn more about our guest speakers here.
To register for SaFest and create an account, please visit the SaFest 2025 booking page.
To book your place, please make sure that you login using the button in the top right-hand corner of the booking page
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 If you don't already have an account, please register either against your organisation or company, or as an individual.
We are pleased to share details of the Children’s Society’s upcoming #LookCloser Programme of Learning events for October 2025 – December 2025.
#LookCloser is a partnership campaign between The Children's Society, the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre and the British Transport Police aiming to raise awareness of child exploitation and abuse and to encourage the public and businesses to better identify and report concerns. The campaign also seeks to challenge assumptions and victim stereotypes, highlighting that child exploitation can happen anywhere, and any young person can be a victim.
For further information go to The Children's Society website and scroll down to the section entitled Programme of Learning. There you will see the link to three sessions:
📅Tuesday 14 October – Language Matters
🕘 13.00-15.00
📅Tuesday 18 November – Safeguarding transgender young people from exploitation
🕘 10.00-12.00
📅Thursday 11 December – Anti-Racist practice to tackle child exploitation
🕘13.00-15.00
Devon & Cornwall Police have launched a pilot in Cornwall using green NFC wristbands to help emergency responders better support neurodiverse individuals. These ‘Neurodiversity IDs’ share vital communication and medical info to improve care during incidents. Developed with community partners and funded by POCA, the initiative may expand if successful.
🔗 Read more on Devon & Cornwall Police website.
We’re pleased to confirm that the Safeguarding policy on our website has been reviewed and is now fully updated in line with the latest Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidance. You can find the policy on our website.
✅ All content is current, compliant, and reflects the latest statutory requirements.
Please continue to monitor for any future updates and ensure your own safeguarding materials remain aligned. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to keeping children safe.
Devon’s latest SHEU survey gathered responses from over 5,000 pupils across primary and secondary schools, revealing concerns around emotional wellbeing, bullying, body image, and access to period products. The findings highlight growing mental health challenges, especially among older girls, and the need for continued support in schools.
For more information about SHEU please visit The Devon Schools Wellbeing partnership website or email harriet.kretowicz@devon.gov.uk.
Schools can access free period products to support pupils via:
🔗 Always Be You – National Schools Partnership
🔗 Lil-Lets – Free Products for Schools & Colleges
🔗 Red Box Project
For promoting positive self-esteem, check out the free Body Image Toolkit. 🔗
Non-urgent concerns like anti-social behaviour, exploitation, gang activity, or community tensions can be safely shared with Devon & Cornwall Police to help inform investigations and support local action.
🔗 More information can be found on Devon & Cornwall Police website.
The inbox address has changed for reporting any children missing education. It is:
educationchildrenmissingeducation@devon.gov.uk
We are grateful to our colleagues in public health for bringing the following excellent resources to our attention and very pleased to be able to share them with you:
🔗When I Grow Up - A Children Heard and Seen Film - Children Heard and Seen
🔗Children Affected by Parental Imprisonment - Devon Schools Wellbeing Partnership
🔗Schools - Prison Advice and Care Trust
🔗Model School Policy - Children Heard and Seen
For guidance colleagues are encouraged to contact:
📩 Jo Lewitt, Public Health Specialist – Jo.Lewitt@devon.gov.uk
📩 Jackie Williams, Personal Assistant – Jackie.Williams@devon.gov.uk
A cyber-attack targeting Intradev, the supplier of Single Central Record (SCR) software, was reported on 17 August 2025, potentially affecting school staff data. Impacted schools should have received direct notification. If your school uses third-party SCR software, please ensure a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) is completed.
🔗 Read more in the news article.
Worried about your child’s safety during the darker evenings and half-term? Join the Ben Kinsella Trust’s FREE online session for parents and carers on 21st October, 6–8pm.
Spaces are limited, so book early and share with others who may benefit!
🔗 Book your space on their website.
Neglect or life? Allowing a 14-year-old girl to drink alcohol at parties.
What are your thoughts and what do your colleagues think?
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