Devon Safeguarding Digest – September 2025
Welcome to the Devon Safeguarding Digest. This regular update will help you stay up to speed with safeguarding news and local policy changes.
Children’s Commissioner: school attendance is my priority
The Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, has called for work to increase school attendance. Attendance rates remain below pre-pandemic levels, with 1 in 6 pupils persistently absent. Absence rates spike in Year 7, suggesting that the transition from primary to secondary school is a key vulnerability.
New research indicates long-term impact of childhood verbal abuse
This study looked at the long-term impact on mental wellbeing in adulthood of having experienced physical or verbal abuse in childhood.
Both physical and verbal abuse in childhood were associated with lower mental wellbeing in adulthood, but verbal abuse had a stronger link than physical abuse.
The comparative proportion of adults reporting low mental wellbeing was:
- 16% for those who reported no experience of childhood abuse;
- 22.5% for physical abuse;
- 24% for verbal abuse; and
- 29% for both physical and verbal abuse.
Call for social care professionals to contribute to research on child protection conferences
The research is on how hybrid arrangements are working for child protection conferences. The researchers would like to speak to Child Protection Case Conference Chairs, Children’s social workers, and Principal Social Workers.
A workshop for the South West will be held on Tuesday 14 October at 10.00-11.30.
Read more and apply for a place on the research in practice website.
Listening to young people: Reflections from the National Youth Sector Advisory Board
The Children’s Commissioner highlighted the involvement of Youth Ambassadors in the National Youth Sector Advisory Board, demonstrating the importance of youth voices in shaping policy and of practitioners being open to feedback from young people.
The Children’s Society: Chatbots and Children
Chatbots are increasingly used by children for learning, mental health support, and social interaction. Despite their growing popularity, there are reasons for concern. Parents and carers are urged to support children in ensuring any chatbot use is safe.
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/blogs/chatbots-and-children
The Cards You’re Dealt: Amplifying the voices of young people with care experience
A group of care experienced young people in Hull has created an innovative card game designed to help adults see the care system from the perspective of a child.
Out-of-School Settings Safeguarding: DfE call for evidence
This includes providers such as tuition centres, sports and arts clubs, youth groups (e.g. Scouts and Brownies), holiday camps/activity centres, and faith-based education settings.
Approximately 1 in 10 adults work or volunteer in OOSS, and up to 80% of children regularly attend at least one activity.
Keeping children safe in education
Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2025, the Department for Education’s (DfE) statutory safeguarding and child protection guidance for schools and colleges in England, has now come into force (effective from 1st September).
Domestic abuse plan for the NHS
Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse has published a report on 10 ways the NHS 10 Year Plan can help halve violence against women and girls.
The report can be read on the link below, with a summary of recommendations at p5-6.
Children’s Commissioner on Secure Children’s Homes
Visits to 13 Secure Children’s Homes have highlighted that many children experience repeated placement breakdowns, sudden unexplained moves, and fear of being kept in units simply because no alternative homes are available.