Safeguarding
Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play in safeguarding children. School and Setting staff are particularly important as they are in a position to identify concerns early and provide help for children, to prevent concerns from escalating. Staff form part of the wider safeguarding system for children which can include social care, the police, health services and other services to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm.
In the United Kingdom, all schools and local authorities follow UK Government guidance in relation to safeguarding children and keeping children safe in education.
Defence Children Services follow the same guidance with additional support from Joint Service Publications and localised policies and procedures.
Who are the DCS SAFE Team?
The SAFE Team provide safeguarding Subject Matter Expertise (SME), advice and guidance to DCS Schools and Settings and Overseas Commands on all matters relating to safeguarding delivery; including safeguarding in education, regulated activity recruitment, early help and other below social work threshold concerns. We ensure that effective safeguarding policy and processes are in place to allow them to discharge their statutory duties to safeguard children and young people, replicating the requirements laid out in Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
We act as the Allegations Manager in the role of the Defence Allegations Designated Officer (DADO) Service, alongside the Social Work and Welfare Team Leader, where allegations of a person in a position of trust has been made, against a child or young person.
Parent Downloadable Leaflets
What Happens Next Information surrounding DADO referrals
Safeguarding Key Facts
- Early help can reduce the need for a referral to child protection services and improve children’s long-term outcomes.
- Everyone has a role to play in identifying concerns, sharing information and taking prompt action.
- Effective record keeping is essential to building a bigger picture and keeping children safe.
- Multi-agency and partnership working is key to effective safeguarding and child protection.
Keeping Your Child Safe Online– Fact Sheets for Parents
These fact sheets are included here to support you as a parent keep your child safe online platforms. This includes information on:
Recommended Screen Time for Children
With the rise in electronic communications and online platforms that children are accessing each day, the amount of screen time for children can become high. Screen time is an appealing way to keep young children occupied but should be balanced with conversation, play and other activities which help them develop. The following guidance will support you and your child with the recommended screentime limits for age 3 to 7, 7 to 11 and 11 to 14.
Useful Contacts
Email: [email protected]
Useful Information
For those members of our community who are Service Personnel, additional information in the form of Joint Service Publications (JSPs) is provided below.
- JSP 834: Safeguarding
- JSP 913: Whole Service Domestic Abuse
- JSP 770: Tri-service Welfare Policy
- JSP 342: Education of service children
The following directives and policies inform DCS outcomes and procedures.
- DIN01-134: Elective Home Education
- Children’s Act 1989
- Education Act 2002
- Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018