Research briefings
Last updated: 31 Jul 2020
Contextual Safeguarding Across Borders: Year One Scoping Report
2022-05-03
This briefing introduces the 'Contextual Safeguarding Across Borders' project and presents findings of a scoping review into the nature and response to extra-familial harm in adolescence in Europe. It focuses particularly on the specific status of adolescent asylum-seekers in Germany and their safety needs in extra-familial contexts, and considers shared challenges and opportunities for a contextual approach to safeguarding adolescents from risks beyond their families.
The use of out-of-home and secure care in response to child sexual abuse/exploitation and trafficking
2021-09-13
This briefing shares findings from an international scoping review exploring the use of out-of-home care placements or secure accommodations to safeguard adolescents from extra-familial harm in child protection systems beyond the UK.
Opportunities for peer safeguarding intervention
2020-09-22
This briefing shares learning from a research project that explored the potential for peer interventions within Safer London, a voluntary sector support service for young Londoners affected by exploitation or violence.This briefing also shares additional detailed examples of work within Safer London as the organisation continues to develop safeguarding interventions that work with the significant social relationships in young people’s lives.
Peer Support Interventions for Safeguarding: A Scoping Review
2020-09-22
This literature review presents five forms of peer (support) intervention, along with their key features, potential benefits and considerations for practice. This document summarises the research background to the review, and its methodology, before turning to the findings and conclusions.This review was conducted alongside a study with voluntary sector organisation Safer London, to consider the opportunities to develop safeguarding interventions based on peer support. A briefing summarising these findings can be found here.
Harmful sexual behaviour in school: a briefing on the findings, implications and resources for schools and multi-agency partners
2020-06-24
A briefing that presents findings from a two-year study into harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) in English schools, Beyond Referrals Two. The briefing provides an overview of key thematic findings from the study, organised in relation to: the prevalence of HSB; strengths of responses; disclosure; peer support; parental engagement; and disability and provides 30 recommendations for schools, multi-agency safeguarding partners and the wider field of education.
A sigh of relief: A summary of the phase one results from the Securing Safety study
2020-05-14
This briefing presents findings from the first phase of the Securing Safety study, which seeks to understand the rate, cost and impact of relocations of young people in response to extra-familial harm.
Contextual Safeguarding: A 2020 update on the operational, strategic and conceptual framework
2020-05-07
This briefing provides an overview of the design and use of the Contextual Safeguarding Framework from 2017 until 2020, and updates the first overview briefing published in 2017.
Contextual Safeguarding and ‘County Lines’
2019-10-17
Children and young people who are trafficked to sell drugs are being subjected to a form of extra-familial harm. Whilst there is no statutory definition of ‘child criminal exploitation’ (CCE), CCE and the trafficking of children to sell drugs on ‘county lines’ are named in Working Together 2018 (HM Government, 2018) as forms of child abuse and as such those affected are entitled to a child protection response. This briefing maps the emergence of ‘county lines’ as a child welfare issue, before introducing the four domains of Contextual Safeguarding and outline how a Contextual Safeguarding approach to assessment, planning, intervention and outcome measurement could offer an alternative response to young people who are affected by ‘county lines’.
Safeguarding during adolescence
2019-01-09
Briefing on the relationship between Contextual Safeguarding, Complex Safeguarding and Transitional Safeguarding
Safeguarding Adolescents: A Survey of London Professionals
2017-11-16
This report presents the findings of a survey of 120 London-based professionals from a range of agencies, on their views and experiences of safeguarding adolescents in the capital. It was undertaken as part of a programme of work for the London Safeguarding Adolescents Steering Group (LSASG) and will inform the development of a new chapter on safeguarding adolescents in the London Child Protection Procedures.
The individual and contextual characteristics of young people who sexually harm in groups: A briefing on the findings from a study in four London boroughs
2017-11-10
This briefing presents the findings of a study into the contextual profiles of young people suspected of displaying harmful sexual behaviours (HSB) in groups and/or on their own. In a period when peer-on-peer abuse, sexual violence in schools and responses to young people affected by sexual abuse are high on the public and policy agenda, this briefing provides a timely contribution towards deepening how HSB is understood and in addition, ensuring that the provision of services is sufficient for safeguarding young people.
Contextual Safeguarding: An overview of the operational, strategic and conceptual framework
2017-11-09
This briefing for practitioners provides an overview of the operational, strategic and conceptual framework of Contextual Safeguarding.
Young people who sexually harm peers in groups: A rapid evidence assessment of international literature
2016-11-18
This literature review was conducted to develop an evidence base on young people who sexually harm in groups, by synthesising existing literature on group harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), wider group offending and group interventions
Towards a Contextual Response to Peer-on-Peer Abuse: Research and Resources from MsUnderstood local site work 2013-2016
2016-06-20
This report chronicles the findings and resources on peer-on-peer abuse generated by the MsUnderstood Partnership over the past three years, with specific reference to the tools and knowledge created alongside professionals through local site work. The programme of work was funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the Samworth Foundation and Trust for London.