As Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs), we understand that safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. It’s not just about ticking boxes or meeting legal requirements, it’s about creating an environment where students feel safe, supported, and valued.

But fostering a strong safeguarding culture isn’t always easy, especially when you’re trying to balance the serious nature of safeguarding with engaging your colleagues and staff. We know that after a break or during busy periods, it can be a challenge to ensure that the message of safeguarding remains front and centre in everyone’s minds.

So, how can you ensure that your staff not only understand the importance of safeguarding but feel motivated to champion it? The key is to make the training engaging, informative, and meaningful. In this blog post, I’ll share practical and fun activities that will help your team internalise safeguarding culture, because when everyone feels invested in safeguarding, it becomes a core part of your institution’s ethos.

Group Activities: Strengthening Teamwork and Building Culture

Creating a strong safeguarding culture is a collective effort. These group activities will help reinforce the importance of safeguarding, while also fostering teamwork, communication, and shared responsibility.

1. Safeguarding Case Study Role-Play

Role-playing real-life safeguarding scenarios is a great way for staff to put theory into practice. By acting out different roles (e.g., teacher, safeguarding lead, student), participants gain a deeper understanding of how to respond to disclosures and concerns. It also creates an opportunity to reflect on what worked, what didn’t, and how we can improve.

Tip: Choose a range of scenarios that reflect the types of issues your team might face. After each role-play, encourage open discussions on how each scenario could be handled more effectively.

2. Safeguarding Bingo

A simple yet effective way to reinforce key safeguarding terminology and principles. Create bingo cards with terms like “mandatory reporting,” “abuse types,” and “referral pathways.” As you call out definitions or examples, staff can mark off the corresponding terms. The winner gets a small prize, because let’s face it, a bit of competition never hurts!

3. Safeguarding Hot Potato

This fun activity keeps everyone on their toes! As participants pass around a soft ball (or “hot potato”), they’ll need to answer safeguarding questions when the music stops. This quick-paced game helps reinforce knowledge while adding a touch of excitement to your training session.

4. Safeguarding Culture Assessment

Ask your staff to reflect on the current safeguarding culture within their department or team. Are staff confident in reporting concerns? What barriers exist that might prevent them from acting on safeguarding issues? By discussing these questions in groups, you can identify areas of improvement and develop action plans together.

5. Scenario Puzzle

Give each group pieces of a safeguarding puzzle. Each piece represents a stage in the safeguarding process (e.g., reporting, risk assessment, intervention). The challenge is for the group to put the pieces in the correct order. This activity reinforces how safeguarding requires a systematic, coordinated approach.

6. Safeguarding Charter Creation

Invite your staff to co-create a safeguarding charter for your department or institution. This charter should outline the collective actions and behaviours expected of everyone in safeguarding matters. By involving staff in the creation process, you encourage buy-in and make safeguarding a shared responsibility.

7. Two Truths and a Lie – Safeguarding Edition

This simple icebreaker helps to test and refresh staff knowledge in a fun way. Participants share two true safeguarding facts and one false statement, while the rest of the group guesses which one is the lie. It’s a great way to remind everyone of key safeguarding principles while having a bit of fun.

8. Safeguarding Quiz Show

A competitive quiz is a fantastic way to reinforce key knowledge in a light-hearted, engaging way. Create a set of multiple-choice questions, true/false questions, or scenario-based challenges related to safeguarding. Divide the staff into teams and keep track of their scores. You might even offer a small reward for the winning team!

9. Group Discussion – Challenges to Safeguarding Culture

Gather your staff together for an open discussion about the challenges they face when it comes to safeguarding. Whether it’s a lack of awareness, conflicting priorities, or limited resources, identifying barriers is the first step to overcoming them. This activity not only highlights the areas that need attention but also empowers staff to take ownership of solutions.

10. Action Plan Creation

Finally, encourage your team to create action plans that detail how they will contribute to a stronger safeguarding culture. Whether it’s improving communication about safeguarding concerns or ensuring that everyone is up-to-date on mandatory training, an action plan provides a concrete way forward.

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Solo Activities: Self-Reflection and Personal Commitment

While group activities are essential for building a shared safeguarding culture, solo activities offer the opportunity for personal reflection and commitment. Here are some ideas for activities that staff can complete on their own.

1. Personal Reflection on Safeguarding Roles

Ask your staff to write down their personal role in safeguarding and reflect on how they can contribute to creating a safer environment for students. This self-reflection encourages individuals to recognise their part in the bigger picture of safeguarding.

2. Safeguarding Knowledge Check

A quick self-assessment quiz can help staff identify any gaps in their safeguarding knowledge. This is a great way for individuals to pinpoint areas for further learning and improvement.

3. Safeguarding Scenario Writing

Encourage staff to write out a safeguarding scenario that might arise in their daily work. This helps them think critically about how they would respond, while also reinforcing the importance of safeguarding in every aspect of their role.

4. Create a Personal Safeguarding Checklist

Ask staff to create a checklist of safeguarding duties specific to their role. This checklist will serve as a useful reference, ensuring that staff members are always clear on their responsibilities and what to do in different situations.

5. Write a Personal Commitment Statement

Challenge your staff to write a personal commitment statement that outlines how they will actively contribute to a positive safeguarding culture. This statement could include actions like staying informed about safeguarding issues, supporting colleagues, or engaging in training.

6. Safeguarding Self-Assessment

Provide staff with a self-assessment tool to reflect on their strengths and areas for improvement when it comes to safeguarding. This encourages continuous professional development and helps staff take ownership of their safeguarding responsibilities.

7. Watch a Safeguarding Video and Reflect

Watching videos on real-life safeguarding issues can spark reflection on what the staff have learned so far. Afterward, ask them to jot down their thoughts on how they could apply the lessons in their own practice.

8. Mind Map: Safeguarding Culture

A mind map is a great way for staff to visually connect the various elements of a safeguarding culture. By creating their own mind maps, they can better understand how the different aspects of safeguarding (e.g., reporting, training, policies) work together to create a supportive environment for students.

9. Create a Safeguarding Improvement Plan

Ask your staff to create a personal action plan for improving safeguarding practices in their department. This could include implementing new initiatives or improving existing processes, ensuring that everyone plays an active role in enhancing safeguarding standards.

10. Reflect on Safeguarding in Your Own Life

Safeguarding isn’t just something we do at work—it’s something that influences how we act in our communities and personal lives. Encourage staff to reflect on safeguarding principles they might encounter outside of work, helping them to see the broader impact of safeguarding.

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Final Thoughts: The Power of Culture

At the end of the day, a strong safeguarding culture doesn’t come from policies alone, it comes from people who are fully invested in safeguarding principles and practices. By engaging your team in interactive, thoughtful activities, you can create an environment where everyone feels responsible for keeping students safe.

As DSLs, we’re in a unique position to lead the charge. By empowering staff, fostering open communication, and creating spaces for reflection and learning, we build a safeguarding culture that’s not just about compliance, it’s about genuinely caring for the wellbeing of every student. So let’s get started, and make safeguarding something that everyone champions.

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Ready to implement these activities?
If you’re looking for more tips, resources, or support in strengthening your institution’s safeguarding culture, feel free to reach out. Together, we can build a safer, more supportive environment for everyone.

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Content Disclaimer

The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this blog are not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of this blog. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of this blog. Safeguarding Practitioners Ltd & Kate Flounders disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this blog.