Safeguarding in Education Team

DSL network – Term 3 2025-2026

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Agenda

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• National updates
• Operation Encompass
• Bristol Healthy Schools
• MASH
• Barnardo’s
• Prevent
• KBSP
• Directorate and Team update

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Guidance Update

• Schools should continue to follow ‘Use of reasonable force in schools’, which remains effective until 31 March 2026.
• ‘Restrictive interventions, including the use of reasonable force, in schools’ comes into effect on 1 April 2026.

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The Department for Education should:

➢ Review contradictions between pupil registration requirements and legislation and guidance underpinning Elective Home Education.

➢ Update statutory guidance to:

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• Require a formal meeting with parents and professionals to assess support needs in all cases where a child has been previously known to children’s social care, is currently known to children’s social care or the school has recorded concerns about the wellbeing of the child before receiving notification.

• Ensure that all parents with parental responsibility are consulted when a decision has been made to educate a child at home and there is a clear pathway to follow if one parent objects.

• Include a requirement that a home visit should always take place and children seen within two weeks of notification of withdrawal from school to home educate.

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➢ Work with the National Child Safeguarding Review Panel to consider the findings of the review in relation to Elective Home Education.

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CSPR – Sara Sharif

Recommendation Three (National)

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Operation Encompass

Avon and Somerset Police automation of domestic abuse notifications to settings under Operation Encompass went live in October 2025.

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The police are reviewing the new process so far and are interested in hearing from DSLs.

What are your initial feelings about the automated format? 

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positive, neutral, or negative

Is there anything you miss from the old method that you think should be reinstated or adapted?

Suggestions for improvements?

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Bristol Healthy Schools and Pupil Voice

Agenda

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1. Bristol Pupil Voice 2026 survey�
2. Healthy Schools Offer�
3. Children's Community Health Services feedback

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 Pupil Voice (PV) 2026 - Timeline

Now

Contact Details Form Now Open!

Use QR code or link to provide up to date contact details: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GTRL0R/

Jan/Feb 2026

Preparation emails sent to schools & webinar.

Book computer room.

Summer 2026

Once all schools complete – comparison reports created and sent to schools

Spring 2026

Survey open from� March – June 2026 �(school data available immediately)

Guidance Webinars

• Wednesday 11^th Feb, 16:00-17:00
• Thursday 12^th Feb, 15:30-16:30

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Why do Bristol Pupil Voice Survey – 2026?

• Understanding pupil needs 🡪 data driven actions 🡪 improved outcomes
• Establish areas of strength and areas for improvement compared to the Bristol average
• Data supports the councils funding and investment decisions
• KBSP Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and Bristol Children’s Charter: “Children have the opportunity to influence the decisions of city leaders and contribute to creating the city they want to live, study and play in”
• Taking part in the Bristol Pupil Voice can support with the school’s Ofsted responsibilities and their responsibility to engage with local authorities and compliance with the section 175 audit. It can also help with providing evidence (Ref 1.17).

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Supporting Bristol schools in creating healthy, safe, supportive environments that improve the health and wellbeing of pupils, staff, and families

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Our Offer

• 1:1 advice and guidance from Public Health
• Newsletter with resources and training offers
• Healthy School/PSHE Network meetings
• Access to school and local health data
• Award scheme; Tools to support whole-school approach to mental health, healthy relationships, substance use, dental health, healthy eating etc.
• Special offers from PSHE partners

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healthy.schools@bristol.gov.uk

www.bristol.gov.uk/bristol-healthy-schools

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Whole School Approach

Strong foundations

Specialist focus

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• “The Healthy Schools Programme is a really valuable team and link to have in terms of newsletters, CPD and motivation to improve. I am grateful for the opportunity to do the Healthy Schools as this really is a crucial tool in understanding our community and creating bespoke offerings to meet the evolving needs of our students.”” �Bristol Cathedral Choir School

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• “Working on the Healthy School Award has allowed us to celebrate the many ways in which our school is already a healthy place and also to identify areas of development.” �Stoke Bishop Church of England Primary School

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• “There have been a number of lunchtime routine changes to allow a smoother, safer lunchtime... New changes to timings now mean every year group has full access to all areas of the playground and have more space to play actively.” �St Peter's Church of England Primary School �
• “Hugely clear with fantastic links to resources throughout - thank you. I have personally appreciated being able to attend the online support meetings. Thank you for all of the work you do! This is SUCH an important agenda and should continue to be championed.” �St Ursula’s EACT Academy

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Healthy Schools - case study examples

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Have your say on the future of children’s community health services in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) Integrated Care Board has developed a questionnaire to help shape the future of children’s community health services in BNSSG, including (currently) health visiting, school nursing, mental health services, SEND services and other health services.

If you help deliver children’s services or support children and young people in any way, please complete the anonymous feedback form and share it within your networks.

To find out more and to complete the feedback form visit the Healthier Together website.

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BNSSG - Children's Community Health Services Feedback

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1. Who will be running the Bristol Pupil Voice 2026 survey at your school? Ensure their correct contact details are here - www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/GTRL0R/ �
2. Assign a Healthy Schools Lead and get them to contact us – healthy.schools@bristol.gov.uk �
3. Please complete the Children's Community Health Services feedback form

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Key Takeaways and Actions

If you are moving roles or know someone who would benefit from our updates, you can email us with a new contact, or anyone can SIGN UP HERE.

Contact:

• Healthy.schools@bristol.gov.uk
• Joel.Watson@bristol.gov.uk

Website:

• www.bristol.gov.uk/bristol-healthy-schools

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MASH�

If you have questions about a particular MASH request, please contact MASH@bristol.gov.uk

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Timelines and urgency

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What to include in the response

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����MDFT: Multidimensional Family Therapy

Family Routes: Bristol and Newport Services

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Private & Confidential

5 February 2026

Referral Process and RCT

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• Barnardo’s MDFT staff will meet eligible families to discuss the service in more detail and gather consent to be involved and to be part of the clinical trial.
• Only 50 % of families will receive the service, and the remainder will be in a control group. We ask that referrers consider what other service they can offer if young people are in the control group
• Data will be collected at 6 months and 12 months using a secure online data collection system specifically designed for this purpose. Research staff, who are unaware of the participants' allocation, will carry out the data collection at these time points. Young participants will receive a payment of £25 for completing both the baseline and the 6-12-month assessments.

Family Routes: Bristol and Newport Services

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Referral partners identify young people who would be suitable for MDFT

Referral partners share information with Barnardos through a secure referral form

Barnardos contacts young person and family to assess frequency of substance use, check eligibility, and gauge interest, share information forms and privacy notice.

If willing to take part in the clinical trial, young person will complete a baseline assessment to measure

Upon completion of the assessment, research staff receive an automated message regarding the referral and randomisation process. The allocation is communicated back to Barnardo's staff, who either initiate MDFT or inform the referrer about BAU

YP Allocated to MDFT Therapist

YP referred to an alternative service

Outcome Assessment at 6 Months

Outcome Assessment at 6 Months

Outcome Assessment at 12 Months

Outcome Assessment at 12 Months

How does MDFT: Multidimensional Family Therapy work?

Family Routes: Bristol and Newport Services

Young People

MDFT Therapists help young people figure out what’s going on, make sense of their thoughts and feelings, and plan for a more positive future.

Multidimensional Family Therapy helps young people and their families tackle challenges together. The program includes both individual and family sessions aimed at improving communication, reducing conflict, and strengthening relationships. Everyone works together to set goals, focusing on support rather than blame, across four key areas of a young person's life.

MDFT will be delivered over the course of 4 to 6 months, with several sessions each week tailored to the family's needs. Phone call contacts will be available between sessions for additional support as needed. Sessions will primarily take place in person, which may be at a clinic, in the family's home, or within their community. While online sessions are an option, in-person meetings are preferred.

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Parents

MDFT Therapists support parents to strengthen their relationship with their child and find ways to parent confidently, even during tough times.

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Family

Together, MDFT Therapists will build better communication and problem-solving within the family, so the home feels less stressful and more connected.

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Community

MDFT Therapists will ensure that young people receive support in all areas of their lives, including their community, school, social interactions, and other services.

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MDFT: Multidimensional Family Therapy

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Making A Referral To Barnardo’s Family Route Service��Eligibility Criteria:

• Young People aged between 13 and 17 inclusive who are resident in Bristol or Newport
• Willing and able to provide informed consent or willing to provide assent with a parent/carer willing to provide consent.
• Evidence of alcohol or substance use on at least 4 occasions in the past 28 days. This will be assessed using a single substance used frequency question on the referral form
• Currently involved with the police or youth justice service or at risk of offending (this is defined below):

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Family Routes: Bristol and Newport Services

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MDFT: Multidimensional Family Therapy

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• Previously been in the secure estate
• Currently, or previously, persistently absent from school 10% or more
• Have been a victim of violence
• Currently or have attended alternative education provision
• Received multiple suspensions from school or was permanently excluded
• A sibling or parent who has been involved in serious violence or identified as facing exploration harm
• Currently or have been in the care system
• Have been identified as being at risk of criminal exploitation
• Currently or have had a social worker
• Have previously been in contact with youth justice services
• Have been arrested, admitted an offence and released by the police with no further action

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Please note MDFT has Exclusion criteria:

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• Alcohol or substance severity that requires inpatient residential treatment or immediate detoxification.

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• Severe mental health condition requiring immediate psychiatric assessment.

Family Route Bristol

Bristol Office

2nd Floor, Junction 3 Library, Lower Ashley Road,

Bristol

BS5 0FJ

Bristol Team Manager:

Maddy Vierbuchen

Maddy.vierbuchen@barnardos.org.uk

Family Route Newport

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Newport Office

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Newport Civic Centre

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Newport

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NP20 4PR

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Newport Team Manager:

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Cerys Cowan

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cerys.cowan@barnardos.org.uk

Barnardo House, Tanners Lane, Barkingside,

Ilford, Essex IG6 1QG | Tel: 020 8550 8822

Barnardo’s Registered Charity Nos.216250 and SC037605 24413AM23

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Prevent Updates

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Prevent updates – information for your risk assessment

For your awareness

Community ‘Com’ Networks are online groups involved in child sexual abuse, cybercrime and terrorism (ideology).

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The majority of those involved (victims and perpetrators) are predominantly under the age of 18.

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Members of the Com Networks engage with deviant beliefs, behaviours, and offending. There appears to be no limit to the depraved behaviour of offenders; embracing all forms of extreme behaviour, from acts of degrading and obscene sexual acts to extreme violence. ​

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Com Networks are active on virtually all social media and online gaming platforms, but currently operate mainly on Discord and Telegram.​

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National and regional updates �The threat of a terrorist attack in the UK is currently assessed as SUBSTANTIAL, meaning an attack is likely.

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The predominant ideologies seen in the SW in both Prevent referrals and police investigations are Extreme Right Wing Terrorism (ERWT) and Islamist Terrorism (IT) and to a lesser extent Left Wing and Single Issue Terrorism (LASIT).

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Ongoing protest activity and tensions in relation to the Israel / Hamas conflict are being experienced throughout the force area.

Community tensions and grievance narratives relating to anti-immigration and anti-Semitic themes are being seen within the region.

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External Speakers – Guidance

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• policyandpublicaffairs@bristol.gov.uk

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• Bristol Healthy Schools Guidance

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Hosting Speakers on School Premises - Educate Against Hate

Hosting Speakers on School Premises - Educate Against Hate

Guidance on what to consider when hosting external speakers at school venues.

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Hosting Speakers on School Premises - Educate Against Hate

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Domestic Abuse - for all staff to know and act on

To what extent as leaders do you . . .

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• ensure that staff know, understand and uphold their safeguarding responsibilities

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• ensure that the school has policies and procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns around domestic abuse.

 Discuss in groups

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• What are common areas of worry/tension/concern in relation to staff training and whole-staff safeguarding response to domestic abuse concerns?

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• Share some good practice from your setting in this area.

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• Reflect on any gaps.

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Domestic Abuse Safeguarding Training for Education Staff

Why?

Feedback from DASV forum on their lived experience from front-line, multi-agency professionals when experiencing domestic abuse

What we need from you

Initially, completion of Microsoft Forms survey to support development of a suitable training package

What?

Development of a FREE domestic abuse safeguarding training resource to be delivered internally, to support staff in their safeguarding duties

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Take a break and check in with each other

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First Assessment Service

Use of Language within referrals

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���Use of Language

• Please remember everything you write and say can be shared with children and their parents, as they have a right to their records.
• All records can be viewed by Ofsted, courts, police, and complaints processes.
• Think about using trauma informed language and avoid making statements that have no evidence base.
• Consider writing to the child, as this is something we are developing within children's services, as it makes us reflect more on what we are writing and who it is for. This is the child’s records you're contributing to.
• We welcome all referrals written to the child by professionals and recognise everyone is on a different journey, so why not give it a go!

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���Do not use the word “disclosure “

Why is it wrong to use the term disclosure when a child tells you 

something

The term 'disclosure' is considered problematic because it implies a starting point of 'belief' in the child's account, which is contrary to the principles of 

best evidence practices. This approach can lead to biased investigations 

and may result in the wrong people being wrongfully accused or convicted. 

The term 'disclosure' can also create a sense of threat to the child, akin to 

being accused of guilt before the case is proven, which is a fundamental 

principle of justice. Therefore, it is recommended to use alternative terms 

that do not carry the connotation of 'belief' and that allow for a more open-minded and unbiased investigation process. Use “allegation” or “the child said”.

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Safer Connections

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Safer Connections Overview

• Safer Connections is Bristol’s citywide service focused on children experiencing harm or risk outside the home, including:
• Exploitation (criminal, sexual, financial)
• Serious youth violence and weapon‑related harm
• Peer group and contextual risks
• Association with harmful adults or networks
• Sits within Children’s Services (in the First Assessment Service)
• Multi-agency and partnership approach to identifying, disrupting and protecting children experiencing harm outside the family home

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How we work

1. Co-located with First Response – support triage of all HOtH related referrals – chair all strategies relating to HOtH
2. Support and consult with Lead Professionals in identifying, responding and disrupting harm – coordinating the right support at the right time
3. Deliver direct work to children experiencing significant harm via SC Keyworkers
4. Hold a Daily Incident Briefing with multi-agency partners – facilitating timely information sharing and responsive action-planning
5. Work in partnership with social care, police, youth justice, education and community partners – to respond to HOtH and drive strategic change
6. Assess and intervene in the environments that children experience harm (peer groups, locations, places and spaces)

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Safer Connections Partnership with Education

• Schools and education settings play a central role in identifying and responding to Harm Outside the Home (HOtH)
• Noticing changes in behaviour, attendance, peer relationships
• Identifying patterns linked to peers, places and routines
• Hearing disclosures and pick up early warning signs
• Utilising trusted relationships to support protective planning

What to do if you have concerns:

• Share concerns and contextual intelligence early – report to police intel using https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/forms/vul or safeguarding concerns to First Response
• For any advice, guidance, consultation with Safer Connections contact saferconnections@bristol.gov.uk

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Safer Connections Partnership with Education

• Safer Connections provides specialist, multi-agency support to help schools manage complex risk safely and proportionally.
• Our aim is to strengthen education settings’ capacity to identify, understand and respond to HOtH, improving outcomes for at risk children.

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Schools can access:

• Consultation and advice around threshold advice, reporting routes and referral processes
• Support to understand patterns of risk (locations, peer groups, online contexts)
• Help interpreting and responding appropriately to indicators of HOtH
• Co-production of school-level and multi-agency safety planning for individual children
• Targeted and bespoke workshops regarding HOtH, partnership working, contextual safety planning and pathways to support
• Weapons and Drugs in School pathways

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Contact: saferconnections@bristol.gov.uk

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Directorate and Team Updates

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Bristol Neighbourhood Update

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• In April 2025, our Area Social Work and Family Help Teams came together into area services or ‘neighbourhoods’ This change was implemented to create a more coherent, streamlined service where there are less changes of workers for families which we know leads to better outcomes for children.

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Staffing

Bristol Neighbourhood Update

• We have increased our social work capacity in North, East/Central and South.

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• Each social work team has also expanded to include a Child in Need keyworker – these are alternatively qualified workers who are able to assess and support children at a child in need level.

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• Social Work caseloads have reduced over the past six months. Each locality has a few vacancies and we have had positive responses to our recruitment campaigns. Our use of agency social work staff has significantly reduced.

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Bristol Neighbourhood Update

• Our Family Help Team is a multi-agency team which includes family help keyworkers, parenting practitioners, youth and community and participation workers, and social workers. The team also includes specialists: a CAMHS PMHS lead, an adult mental health specialist, an IDVA, a drug and alcohol specialist and a family community work coach.

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• The Family Help team is fully staffed currently. Caseloads remain stable and the team are able to do thorough, meaningful work with the children and families they support.

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Bristol Neighbourhoods Updates - Transformation

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• Neighbourhood teams in all areas are now supported by new city-wide specialist teams

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• Connecting Families Team – provides a keyworker working alongside an allocated social worker or keyworker to strengthen family networks and prevent breakdown

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• Safer Connections Team – provides a keyworker working alongside an allocated social worker or keyworker with young people who are at risk of harm outside the home

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• The MACE structure supports improved management and oversight of plans for young people at risk of contextual harm

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Bristol Neighbourhood Update

• In December we had an OFSTED inspection into our work with children open to social work units under Child in Need and Child Protection.

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• The outcome of this was overwhelmingly positive and Inspectors praised the commitment to make a positive different to children from workers and corporate leadership.

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• we are working hard on the areas identified for improvement.

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�Bristol Neighbourhood Update

• Most children in need, and children who are the subject of a children protection plan, are receiving the right type of help at the right time, and benefit from well-supported multi-agency planning.
• Children’s needs are understood and are supported well by practitioners.
• Practitioners have a clear awareness and respect for children’s identities and capture these clearly within their work.
• LA NAME - focused visit letter - INSPECTION DATE

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Briefing –Complaints Analysis 2025–26 (term 1 and term 2)

OVERVIEW OF COMPLAINT TRENDS AND FINDINGS

Top Complaint Themes

Bullying Concerns

Bullying is the most frequent complaint, highlighting the need for strong anti-bullying policies and child on child harm prevention.

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Racism/discrimination �We have received two complaints against two settings around this theme.

SEND/EHCP Issues

Complaints around SEND/EHCP reveal gaps in special educational needs provision and statutory compliance.

Absconding and Safety

Children leaving the site unsupervised raises safety concerns.

Policy and Care Issues

Behaviour policy breaches, medical care, site safety, and physical restraint indicate systemic challenges in some school management processes.

Insights and Action Points

Early-Term Vigilance

October complaint spike may highlight the need for proactive engagement with pupils and staff early in the term.

Addressing Bullying and SEND

Bullying and SEND/EHCP issues dominate complaints, requiring targeted anti-bullying campaigns and considering enhanced SEND support.

Improving Site Safety

Prevalence of absconding and safety concerns calls for consideration around enhanced supervision and strengthened security measures in settings.

Recommended DSL Actions

DSLs should conduct refresher training, update policies, implement risk assessments, and ensure timely complaint escalation.

Leadership of safeguarding, including establishing an open and positive safeguarding culture

The extent at which leaders…

�establish a culture in which staff, pupils and parents feel comfortable raising and discussing concerns that relate to safeguarding pupils, and feel confident that appropriate action will be taken when necessary

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Ofsted Complaints

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Year 2023-24 = 65 complaints

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Year 2024-25 = 90 complaints

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Trends:

• Communication
• Child on child abuse/ bullying
• Restraint
• Staff conduct
• Reduced timetables/ exclusions

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• Increase in concerns logged by pupils and staff

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Discuss in groups

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• How do you ensure your parents, children and staff understand how to raise concerns and ensure they will be taken seriously?

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• What are you proud of in terms of practice in your setting in relation to concerns raised?

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• Identify something from another setting that you would consider taking back to yours.

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Education Welfare Service

Local Authority Level

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Elective Home Education Notifications: Strengthening Safeguarding Information Sharing

What have we done?

• We have enhanced the elective home education (EHE) notification process to strengthen safeguarding information sharing between schools and the local authority.
• The updated web‑based form is now more streamlined and secure, enabling quicker, more consistent, and more reliable sharing of safeguarding information.
• The notification form is on our webpage: Elective home education information for schools
• Enquiries at: ehe@bristol.gov.uk

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Training Dates

Prevent workshops

LADO training – Practice challenges dealing with concerns about staff

DSL training 

Critical Incident training

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• 25/02/2026

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• 18/03/2026
• 02/06/2025

• New DSL Training
• DSL Refresher 

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• 02/06/2026

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What3words

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Intro to Incels - Tuesday 10 February, 10am – 11am. This session will help you understand incel ideology, terminology, social media use, and associated harms through case studies.

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Prevent Referrals - Tuesday 10 February, 11.30am – 12.30pm. Learn how Prevent referrals are assessed, thresholds applied, and what makes a good referral.

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Misogyny: The Antechamber to Terror and Repression - Tuesday 10 February, 3pm – 4.30pm. Explore links between misogyny, terrorism, and hostile state actors through case studies.

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Prevent Awareness for Governors - Wednesday 11 February, 5.30pm – 6.45pm. Clear guidance on Prevent responsibilities for education leaders and governors – what it means for your setting and how to meet your responsibilities confidently.

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Prevent Awareness -Thursday 12 February, 9.30am – 11.30am. Helpful if you are new to Prevent or need a refresher. An overview of Prevent, extremist ideologies, signs of radicalisation, and referral process.

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Autism, Radicalism and Digital Harms - Thursday 12 February, 1.30pm – 3pm. A deep dive into the intersection of autism, radicalism and digital harms.

Prevent Week of Action

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