About the event

Contextual Safeguarding is an approach to understanding, and responding to, young people’s experiences of significant harm beyond their families (for example child sexual or criminal exploitation, abuse and violence between peers). The Contextual Safeguarding Research programme within Durham University are leading this work across the UK. Since its inclusion in the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 (updated 2023), there has been significant strategic and operational uptake of the approach within Scotland.

Traditional child protection policies and processes have focused on parenting and individualised responses to extra-familial harm (harm children experience outside their families) rather than contextual responses which look to tackle the harm that is happening outwith families, and that recognise that parents have little control over these spaces; this might be a local park, peer group, street or online.

Contextual Safeguarding challenges systems and structures to ensure that responses are wellbeing and needs led, this is particularly important when young people are in conflict with the law as a result of extra-familial harm they have experienced. 

Dumfries and Galloway is at the initial stages of adopting this approach. There has been some work with young people where the approach has been used and where partners from police, youth justice and youth work have worked together to address harm. 

This presentation outlines the approach further, discusses local implementation, and considers a practice example where Contextual Safeguarding has been used to address extra-familial risk.

Presenters

• Clare Cowan

• Sarah McGarva

Who should attend this training

This training is an informative session for anyone that would be interested. 

It would suit the general workforce, who as part of their job/role/remit come into contact with children and families. 

Booking details

Book your space through our booking form.

Book online