CHILD EXPLOITATION AND AWARENESS DAY 2024 - 18th of March

Today is Child Exploitation Awareness Day, and this post is dedicated to raising awareness and providing guidance to prevent and combat child exploitation. Read till the end to see how you can join the fight against Child Exploitation.

UNDERSTANDING BULLYING AT ITS ROOTS

 

Hello Shielded Space, and a huge welcome to those just finding our blog.

It is time we had a post about Bullying, and how it can affect mental health. I might make this a three-part blog series, who knows? However, our first focus today is what counts as bullying, what can cause a child to become a bully, and what are the predisposing factors to being bullied.

What Counts as Bullying?

Having the Relationship Talk With Your Child

 

Hello Shielded Space!

We need to talk about a topic that can make even the most seasoned parents break into a sweat: talking to your child about relationships. As parents, initiating a conversation with your child about relationships may seem like a daunting task. However, creating an open and comfortable space for discussion is crucial in fostering their understanding of this aspect of life. In this blogpost we will explore practical tips on how to approach and engage your child in conversations about relationships. It might feel like a bit of an awkward dance, but fear not, these handy tips are guaranteed to produce helpful results.

image credit: relationship-talk

Digital Wellness is Important

 

The internet is a well of knowledge, and surfing the internet can offer numerous benefits for children, such as maintaining connections with friends and gaining knowledge about the world. However, alongside these advantages come certain challenges, making the online environment complex for young children to navigate. Some may find it challenging to cope with the demands of staying connected with friends, leading to mounting societal pressure amongst other negative impacts.

International Day For Zero Tolerance To Female Genital Mutilation

 

Hello, Shielded Space Blog. It has been a while since I have shared some Safeguarding thoughts and insights with you. As you may have noticed, this is our second post this year and the first one for February. Unfortunately, a bout of the flu kept me away,  so a brief pause was necessary. However, I sure am grateful to be back and excited to resume our discussions on safeguarding and promoting a secure space for all, especially on this significant occasion – the International Day for Zero Tolerance To Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). This day is marked on the 6^th of February annually, so be sure to mark your calendars for the next one.

Today, on the International Day for Zero Tolerance To FGM, our focus turns to a pervasive issue that demands our attention. Female Genital Mutilation affects countless lives globally, transcending boundaries and cultures.

WELCOME TO 2024

 

Dear Shielded Space Community,

A bright, hopeful new year awaits! I am thrilled to connect with you as we step into 2023. The past year brought some tricky times, but we tackled each challenge with care and commitment. Now we have a fresh start to grow stronger together. As your passionate resident safeguarding manager, I want to share a few thoughts to inspire us all:

Ensuring a Safe Holiday Season

 Hello Shielded Space,

Recently, I had the privilege of collaborating with a school in Nigeria while they organised their end-of-year party. This event was aimed at closing the calendar year, but it also had to be inclusive, safe, and enjoyable for all. The school's administration invited me, as they recognised the need for a comprehensive approach to safeguarding during the celebrations. During my time there, I collaborated with their Events Team, and introduced strategies that would not only bring joy to the students but also guarantee the safety and well-being of every individual, especially those who may be more vulnerable during the holiday season.

ShieldedSpace' Guide to a New Safeguarding Policy

Are you an educator, school administrator, Head of School, school owner, or school manager? Would you like to create a safe and inclusive school, where every child is valued and supported? Then I will gladly share this roadmap with you. At Shielded Space, we are passionate about safeguarding children, and we believe that the more people we can reach with this message, the better for our children.

Creating a safeguarding policy is a crucial step in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone within your school community. At Shielded Space, we understand the importance of a comprehensive safeguarding approach tailored to the unique needs of each educational institution, so feel free to send us a message at shieldedspaceblog@gmail.com if you would require this assistance.

Image Credit: Orchard Manor

FREEBIES: ANTIBULLYING WEEK IDEAS FOR EYFS TO KEY STAGE 5

 

Welcome to Day 4 of the Antibullying Week 2023, I am thrilled to share with you the exciting and impactful activities we have designed for children across the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to Key Stage 5. These activities are available in pdf form, and can be downloaded below. At Shielded Space, we believe in fostering a culture of respect, kindness, and unity, and what better way to instill these values than through engaging and thought-provoking activities with children.

Image credit: Adobe stock

Amplifying Awareness: Unveiling the Different Types of Bullying

Hello Shielded Space Community,

As we journey through Antibullying Week 2023 under the theme "Make a Noise about Bullying," today marks a pivotal moment in our collective effort to raise awareness. On this fourth day, our focus here at Shielded Space turns to the intricate web of different types of bullying, shedding light on the nuances that often go unnoticed. Let's have this crucial conversation together.

Image credit: True sport

Cyberbullying: Navigating the Digital world Safely

Welcome to Day 2 of the 2023 Antibullying Week, and our conversation today is centred around Cyberbullying.

Cyberbullying has become a concerning challenge in today's interconnected society, as research shows that 38% ofpeople experience cyberbullying on social media platforms daily. In this blog post, we delve into the intricacies of cyberbullying, explore its impact, and equip you with tools to create a Shielded Space online.

ANTIBULLYING WEEK 2023 DAY 1: ODD SOCKS DAY

 

Hurray! Today marks the beginning of Anti-Bullying Week, and what better way to kick things off than by celebrating Odd Socks Day? Let us talk about the origins, meaning, and significance of this unique initiative and explore how you can actively participate.

Picture credit: @CEDECLekki on Instagram

A Heartfelt Note: A Reminder of the Impact We Can Have

 

This is not like my regular weekly post. Today, I want to share a touching experience that recently warmed my heart and reinforced the importance of the work I do in safeguarding.

I am literally beaming with smiles...

At work, I sometimes have to play the role of a sounding board, or counselor, so my days are filled with conversations, support, and creating a safe space for all our students to express themselves. Each interaction holds its own significance, but there are moments that stand out, like the one I want to share with you today.

Navigating the Digital World Safely: Top Tips for Teenagers

 

Hello Shielded Space,

My post today is dedicated to teenagers. I recently had the opportunity to speak with a child who had been unsafe on the internet, and had her personal details including details of her address leaked online. While speaking to her, I realised that she had no idea how to use social media safely, and this prompted this post.

Image credit: LinkedIn

In my line of work, I have come to understand that being a teenager today comes with a whole new set of challenges, especially in the digital age. The internet and social media have opened up a world of opportunities and connections, but they also bring their fair share of risks. This is why it is essential to equip our teenagers with the knowledge and skills to stay safe online and use social media responsibly. So, today, we are diving into some top tips for online safety and responsible social media use.

4 Safeguarding Insights from APEN's 2023 Conference"

 

Over the past week, I attended the APEN 2023 conference. Today, I am eager to share the invaluable insights I gathered at the conference, themed "Future Fusion: Artificial Intelligence in Learning and Innovation." This conference was a convergence of educators, technology experts, and safeguarding professionals, all united in their pursuit of understanding AI's role in reshaping the landscape of education. While, it would be almost impossible to summarise my experience in one blogpost, I will try to share my key takeaways as a safeguarding officer.

Understanding and Preventing Sexual Abuse: Protecting Our Vulnerable Ones

 

Welcome back to Shielded Space, your go-to resource for all things related to safeguarding and protecting our most vulnerable individuals. In this blog post, we delve into a critical and sensitive topic: sexual abuse. The aim is to shed light on this issue, promote awareness, and offer support for prevention.

The Importance of an Anti-Bullying Policy in Schools

 

In an ideal world, schools should be places where students feel safe, supported, and inspired to learn. However, the unfortunate reality is that bullying can cast a dark shadow over a student's educational journey. This is why I consider the Anti-bullying policy as a crucial commitment to fostering a positive and nurturing environment for all students. Join me as I explore the significance of an anti-bullying policy in schools and the role it plays in shaping the educational experience.

Shedding Light on Bullying: Recognising the Signs

In today's blog post, we would be looking into Bullying—what it is and how to recognise the signs that a child might be experiencing it. Understanding and identifying these signs is the first step toward taking action and creating a safer environment for our children.

What Really is Bullying?

Bullying is a pervasive issue that affects children and adolescents worldwide. It involves repeated aggressive behaviours, often with an imbalance of power, aimed at causing physical or emotional harm to another person. Bullying can take various forms, such as physical, verbal, social, or cyberbullying.

Photo credit: Verywell

Top 10 Tips for Talking to Your Child About Online Safety

 

Welcome back to Shielded Space, your go-to resource for safeguarding tips and advice. In today's digital age, talking to children about online safety is not just important; it is essential. With the internet becoming an integral part of their lives, it's our duty as parents, carers, teachers, social workers, and professionals working with children to ensure they are well-informed and equipped to navigate the online world safely. In this blog post, we will explore practical strategies to help you initiate conversations about online safety with children, making it age-appropriate and effective.

photo credit: internet matters

1. Start Early: Begin discussing online safety as early as possible. Even young children who do not have their own devices are likely to encounter screens and the internet at a friend's house, school, or family gatherings. By laying the foundation for safe online behaviour early on, you will help them develop good habits.

How to Spot the Signs of Child Abuse: A Crucial Guide for Everyone

 Hello Shielded Space,

Let's discuss Child Abuse. Child Abuse is a concern that affects children worldwide, regardless of their background or socio-economic status. Personally, I find it essential to equip parents, caregivers, teachers, social workers, and all concerned individuals with the knowledge to recognise the signs of child abuse. In this blog post, we will explore why it is important to know these signs, and practical advice for spotting both physical and emotional signs of child abuse.

Image credit: Charlotte County Florida Weekly

Online Grooming 2: Behavioural Signs and Proactive Measures

Hello Shielded Space,

In our previous discussion, we delved into the disturbing realm of online grooming and how it preys on the innocence of children. Today, we are taking the next crucial step, which is learning how to recognise the signs of online grooming and discovering effective ways to shield our children from this threat.

The Shadows of Online Grooming: Recognising the Signs:

Online grooming is a deceptive process in which predators establish relationships with children to manipulate, exploit, and eventually abuse them. Being vigilant about potential signs can make a world of difference.

Here are some signs you should look out for in the chat or online communication:

Online Grooming - What Is It, and How Does It Affect Young People?

Hello Shielded Space,

Did you know?

“68.97% of tweens and 90.73% of teens encountered sexual content online.

Only 7% of parents knew their kids received inappropriate content from adults.

Online predator reports increased by 106% early in the COVID-19 pandemic.

40% of children from grades four to eight experienced online chatting with strangers.” - Source

So, today, we will talk about a topic that continues to threaten the safety and well-being of young children online – Online Grooming. Many of us are familiar with the term 'grooming,' but how does it play out online?

Vulnerable Adults: Who They Are and How to Help Protect Them

 

Hello Shielded Space,

The post today is about vulnerable adults. Safeguarding as a profession aims to protect vulnerable adults from harm. This means that as safeguarding professionals, we have a particular focus on identifying and responding to risks to vulnerable adults. So, let us learn about vulnerable adults.

WHO IS A VULNERABLE ADULT?

5 Safeguarding Mistakes You Don't Want to Make

 

Hello Shielded Space,

Let us talk about common mistakes made in Safeguarding. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. However, even the best-intentioned people can make mistakes. Here are the five most common safeguarding mistakes people make and how to avoid them:

Safeguarding Students' Privacy: The Imperative of Data Protection in Educational Institutions

Hello Shielded Space,

As technology becomes increasingly integrated into educational institutions, the safeguarding of students' data and privacy has become a paramount concern. School Safeguarding Managers need to recognise the critical importance of highlighting credible statistics and their sources to underscore the significance of Data Protection and Privacy Safeguards in schools. In this blog post, we will explore the need to implement robust safeguards to protect our students' sensitive information.

Data Breaches Impact on Educational Institutions

Ensuring Safe and Enjoyable Sleepovers for Children and Teenagers: A Guide for Parents and Guardians

 

Sleepovers can be exciting and memorable experiences for young ones, fostering friendship and independence. However, it is vital for parents and guardians to prioritize safety and implement appropriate safeguards. In this blog post, I will provide 10 practical tips to help parents and guardians ensure safe and enjoyable sleepovers for their children.

1. Communication is Key:

Before allowing your child to attend a sleepover, establish open and honest communication with the hosting parent or guardian. Discuss the details of the event, including the location, activities planned, and any specific rules in place. This dialogue will help you make an informed decision about whether the sleepover is suitable for your child.

Sleepovers for Children and Teenagers: Balancing Fun and Safety

 

I recently had a conversation with a father, and he requested a post on Sleepovers for children, so here it is.

Summer is here, and more children will be visiting friends, loved ones, and hosting or attending sleepovers.  Sleepovers can be a source of joy and cherished memories for young ones, but they also present unique challenges that demand careful consideration. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of sleepovers, potential risks, and essential safeguards to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.

Office Freebie: Workplace Harassment

 

Safeguarding Employees: Identifying and Preventing Workplace Harassment

Hello Shielded Space,

Our topic today is on safeguarding employees at work. Creating a safe and respectful work environment is essential for the well-being and productivity of employees. It is crucial for Safeguarding Officers to identify and prevent workplace harassment to protect staff. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of recognizing and addressing workplace harassment, backed by statistics while providing actionable strategies for prevention.

Child Abuse Infographics - Freebie

 

Hello, dear readers! To better promote awareness and provide valuable resources to enhance the safety and well-being of individuals in our communities, I have some exciting news to share with you all. This news is in an effort to further support our collective safeguarding efforts, so here goes. 

I will be offering a range of free resources and infographics that can be utilized by professionals, parents, educators, and concerned individuals alike. These materials aim to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to create safer environments for everyone. Here is the first one. Feel free to send an email, if you would like the pdf version:

Hope you found this helpful. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below on what other infographics you would like me to create.

Understanding the Basic Types of Child Abuse

Hi there,

It is essential to raise awareness about the various types of child abuse that exist in our society. By understanding these types, we can better identify and address instances of abuse, protect vulnerable children, and work towards creating a safer environment for all. In this blog post, we will delve into the four main types of child abuse: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.

Image credit: iStock

Safeguarding 101: Building Safe Spaces for Vulnerable Individuals

 

Introduction:

Welcome to the Shielded Spaces blog! I am Chibuzo, a dedicated Safeguarding Manager, and I am thrilled to kick off our journey together. This blog will serve as a resource centre for all where we can explore the essential aspects of safeguarding, exchange insights, and work towards creating a world where vulnerable individuals are protected and empowered.

 

As this is our first post, I will try to lay down the basics of safeguarding which would lay a strong foundation for our future discussions. Whether you are new to the field or a seasoned professional, this comprehensive guide will serve as a valuable resource for understanding the core principles and practices of safeguarding.