GPSJ Autumn 2024 ONLINE - Flipbook - Page 31
EDUCATION & LEARNING
be heard
To bring this vision to life, we
partnered with The Student
Voice, an innovative interactive
contextual safeguarding tool. This
platform allows students within
the Borough to identify and report
potential harm they or their peers
may be experiencing through a
simple, intuitive interface. Pupils
can anonymously mark incidents
on interactive maps of their school
grounds, local neighbourhoods and
homes. This data is then shared
securely with their schools and with
HES, providing a powerful, real-time
snapshot of the safety concerns in a
given area.
For example, if students identify a
particular part of the school where
bullying occurs, or a neighbourhood
location where they feel unsafe,
this information is immediately
flagged for intervention. Schools
can use the data to implement
specific measures—whether
that’s increasing staff presence
in vulnerable areas within school
grounds or working with local
authorities to improve safety in the
community. The tool also allows
schools and the wider HES team to
identify broader trends, such as the
emergence of drug-related issues in
certain areas, and coordinate with
community partners to take action
before the situation escalates.
Amplifying student voices and
increasing participation
One of the significant barriers
we’ve encountered in traditional
safeguarding methods is that many
young people feel uncomfortable
or uncertain about raising their
concerns. Whether it’s fear of
reprisal, a lack of trust in the adults
around them or simply not knowing
how to articulate their experiences,
these barriers can prevent vital
information from reaching the
people who can help. By providing
an online platform where students
can report issues anonymously and
confidentially, we are breaking down
these barriers.
What makes The Student Voice
so effective is its ability to engage
young people on their terms.
By using an interactive tool that
mirrors the digital experiences
they’re familiar with, students feel
more comfortable sharing their
insights. This approach encourages
participation and ensures that the
data we receive is a more accurate
reflection of the challenges students
are facing. Moreover, the platform
allows students to engage without
fear of judgment, making it easier for
them to speak up.
The immediacy of the real-time data
collected is another crucial benefit.
Instead of waiting for concerns to
escalate into significant issues,
we can implement rapid, informed
responses to emerging problems.
with their peers and the wider
community. This empowerment
fosters a sense of belonging and
encourages them to take ownership
of their safety and wellbeing
Safeguarding as a community
responsibility
Looking ahead: creating safer,
more supportive communities
While much of the focus in
safeguarding is on schools, we
believe that protecting young people
is a community-wide responsibility.
Schools play a critical role, but
young people spend a large part of
their time outside of school, and the
community around them plays a vital
part in their safety and wellbeing.
This is why our approach extends
beyond the school gates.
The data gathered doesn’t just
help improve school environments;
it can also highlight areas in the
wider community that may require
attention. If, for example, students
report feeling unsafe in a specific
neighbourhood due to poor
lighting or the presence of gang or
drug activity, this information can
be shared with local authorities,
allowing for coordinated responses
such as increased police patrols or
improved infrastructure. This holistic
approach to safeguarding aligns
with the Government’s ‘Working
Together to Safeguard Children’
guidance, which emphasises the
importance of collaboration between
agencies to protect children’s
welfare. By bringing together
schools, local authorities, families
and community organisations, we
can ensure that every aspect of
a young person’s environment is
considered when addressing safety
concerns.
Fundamentally, our primary goal is
to ensure that every young person
in Havering feels safe, supported
and valued. This initiative is about
more than just addressing individual
safeguarding concerns—it’s about
creating a culture of safety and
trust where young people are
active participants in shaping their
environments. By giving them the
tools to voice their concerns and
work with adults to create solutions,
we are building a future where every
child’s voice matters.
Through this new partnership
and the data collected, we gain
a deeper understanding of young
GPSJ
people’s experiences, which helps
us take more effective, proactive
steps to protect their wellbeing. But
beyond the immediate benefits,
this approach is about creating longlasting change. When safeguarding
becomes a shared responsibility
between students, schools, families
and the wider community, we create
safer, healthier environments where
everyone can thrive.
As we continue to expand this
initiative, we are committed to
fostering a future where young
people feel heard, valued and
protected. By working together
as a community, we can ensure
that Havering remains a safe and
supportive place for all its young
people. Through the empowerment
of student voices, we are not just
addressing today’s challenges—we
are laying the foundation for a safer,
more connected tomorrow.
Enabling young people to lead
change
Our partnership with The Student
Voice has launched as part of
the 2024–2025 academic year.
However, our pilot program has
already shown promising results.
Twenty-five schools across
Havering have already participated
and the feedback has been
overwhelmingly positive. One
principal highlighted how the tool
has improved the school’s ability to
address ‘contextual safeguarding’—
understanding not only what
happens within the school but
also the external factors that affect
students’ safety.
The impact of this initiative goes
beyond immediate safeguarding
outcomes. By involving young
people in the process, we are
helping them develop a sense of
agency and responsibility for their
environment. When students feel
that their voices matter, they are
more likely to engage positively
Mubina Asaria, Safeguarding
Consultant at LGfL
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR JOURNAL AUTUMN 2024
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