Safeguarding Scenarios

Scenario 1 Scenario 2

One of your students has been on remote learning for a full term. Their attendance and engagement are fairly consistent. They participate, follow instructions, and usually have their camera on in lessons. As far as you are aware, the student remains online due to their parents’ concerns about the risks of catching COVID within school.

Over time, the student gradually disengages from their learning. They don’t turn on their camera as much, their participation and attendance drops, and there are delays in submitting their work. You email to checkin with them and after a week, you notice they haven’t responded. You then follow up by contacting the student’s parents, and do not receive a response.

You hear from another colleague that your student has recently missed an important test. You decide to check-in with a few of their peers and they are reluctant to share with you.

What are some of the ‘wellbeing’ concerns you may have about this child? From a safeguarding lens, what are some of the potential risks this child may be vulnerable to? You receive an email from this student requesting to meet with you over Zoom. The email is sent after school hours.

What considerations need to be taken into account before you proceed? How would you proceed at this stage? What key questions should be raised and explored with this child?