1 Day Contextual Safeguarding Training Course

Understand the Concept of Contextual Safeguarding

• Define Contextual Safeguarding and understand how it extends traditional safeguarding practice.
• Recognise that abuse and exploitation can occur in community, school, peer, and online contexts.
• Explore how contextual risks can interact with family and individual vulnerabilities.
• Understand the principles and framework underpinning contextual safeguarding.

Recognise the Impact of Extra-Familial Harm

• Identify the different forms of extra-familial harm, including peer-on-peer abuse, criminal and sexual exploitation, gang involvement, and online harm.
• Understand how peer groups, community norms, and neighbourhood dynamics can influence behaviour and vulnerability.
• Explore the push and pull factors that draw young people into risky contexts.
• Recognise the emotional, social, and developmental impact of contextual harm.

Identify and Assess Contextual Risk

• Understand how to assess risk within environments, not just individual children.
• Apply contextual risk mapping and analysis tools to identify patterns of harm.
• Recognise early warning signs within peer groups, schools, or public spaces.
• Learn how to make defensible, evidence-based assessments in dynamic environments.

Intervene and Disrupt Harmful Contexts

• Explore strategies to reduce harm and strengthen protective environments.
• Understand how to work collaboratively with schools, police, housing, and community partners.
• Learn how to design interventions that target groups, locations, or networks rather than individuals.
• Balance welfare and justice approaches to support recovery and prevent further harm.

Promote Engagement and Participation

• Understand the importance of youth voice and participation in contextual safeguarding.
• Develop communication strategies to build trust and empowerment with young people.
• Encourage co-production and shared responsibility between professionals and communities.
• Recognise how to promote safe spaces and positive peer cultures.

Work Collaboratively Across Agencies

• Apply multi-agency frameworks to contextual safeguarding practice.
• Understand how information sharing, joint assessment, and strategic planning support prevention.
• Recognise the role of local safeguarding partnerships and community networks.
• Learn how to contribute effectively to multi-agency risk meetings and action plans.

Relevant Legislation and Guidance

• Children Act 1989 & 2004 – Legal duties to safeguard and promote welfare.
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) – Statutory guidance for inter-agency working.
• Keeping Children Safe in Education (2024) – Responsibilities for schools and education providers.
• Crime and Disorder Act 1998 – Partnership duties for community safety.
• Modern Slavery Act 2015 – Protection of young people exploited through criminal networks.
• Human Rights Act 1998 – Safeguarding dignity, liberty, and security.
• Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR) – Information sharing and confidentiality.
• Contextual Safeguarding Framework (University of Bedfordshire, 2015) – Best practice principles for addressing extra-familial harm.

Reflective and Defensible Practice

• Reflect on how professional assumptions and biases influence safeguarding decisions.
• Learn how to make contextually aware, evidence-informed interventions.
• Ensure all actions are proportionate, defensible, and child-centred.
• Embed contextual safeguarding culture across policy, supervision, and organisational practice.