SLC Training Blog

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) face significantly increased risks of criminal and sexual exploitation—yet national policy and frontline practice often fail to meet their needs. Based on recent research by Manchester Metropolitan University, this blog explores why children with SEND are more vulnerable, the systemic failures currently undermining their protection, and what education, care, and safeguarding professionals must do to improve outcomes.

Ofcom has launched over 40 mandatory measures under the Online Safety Act to protect children from harmful content online. This blog explores what these new rules mean for schools, care providers, and safeguarding professionals, and why organisations must go beyond compliance to create truly safe digital environments for young people. With enforcement starting in 2025, the time to act is now.

A recent decision by Walsall councillors to reject a proposed children’s care home highlights the critical role of environment in safeguarding. Despite meeting planning criteria, the home was deemed unsuitable due to high local crime rates and safety concerns. This blog explores why compliance alone isn't enough—and how real safeguarding starts with prioritising location, context, and care.

Professionals are increasingly instructed to stand by while children self-harm—all because policy dictates that they must not physically intervene. In real-world scenarios, this has meant staff observing severe risk without acting, even when capable and trained to prevent injury.

Whether working in education, care, healthcare, or community services, understanding how to identify vulnerability is essential to safeguarding those at risk. Vulnerability can manifest differently in children and adults, but the signs are often subtle.