On Saturday, 13th April 2024,
Shielded Space hosted a FREE live Zoom webinar titled "Prioritising Mental
Health and Wellbeing in Schools." This virtual event was hosted in honour
of April being Stress Awareness Month.
It was an insightful conversation where we discussed what Mental Health and Wellbeing is, and its significance for both staff and students.
Guess What? We hosted our first live event on Instagram and Tiktok, and here's how it went:
On Wednesday, 10th of April, 2024, at 5 PM, I had the privilege of hosting a live session on TikTok and Instagram. This session was focused on Affluent Neglect and its impact on children.
Hello Shielded Space,
A happy easter holiday to you. There has been some interest in our Child Neglect Awareness Training recently, so I thought to write a few words about it.
Child Neglect remains one of the most
prevalent and devastating forms of abuse affecting children worldwide. Its
effects can be long-lasting, impacting the
child's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being well into adulthood. In
my work as a Safeguarding Manager in school, I often see this form of child
abuse, and I find it imperative that we address this issue head-on. Thus, today,
our focus is the importance of Child Neglect Awareness Training, not only for
professionals but also for parents and school staff.
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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.
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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?
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.
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.
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 6th 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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?
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.
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WHO IS A VULNERABLE ADULT?
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:
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
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
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