Adolescence, Netflix’s recent show, has been one of the most discussed series of the year so far. Not only for its impressive technical and stylistic direction but also for the important conversations it raises about how we can best protect our young people.
The series highlights how easily warning signs can be dismissed or go unnoticed. It’s an urgent call for increased vigilance from everyone who cares for young or vulnerable people – whether this be parents, schools, or supported accommodation providers.
Understanding the wider context behind a safeguarding issue is at the heart of the show, with the protagonist’s, Jamie Miller, influences and motives being gradually revealed in a wrenching portrayal of how risk indicators were consistently overlooked and opportunities for preventative action were missed.
What is Contextual Safeguarding?
Contextual safeguarding extends beyond the harm a young person may experience from their own families. It covers their relationships with locations, people outside their homes, and those they speak to or watch online.
Often, these contexts are outside the immediate reach or understanding of their parents, so contextual safeguarding is about engaging a child’s wider network. It calls on Community Guardians or the community in general to create safer spaces for children outside of their homes and online.
The introduction of contextual safeguarding was an ambitious and collaborative move away from how safeguarding was previously viewed.
How is it Different to Traditional Safeguarding Practices?
For those who don’t regularly engage with young or vulnerable people, contextual safeguarding may seem like a common sense approach to reporting any concerning behaviour they may witness happening to those under their supervision.
But it’s actually a radical shift in how safeguarding concerns were previously perceived and reported.
In the not-so-recent past, incidents and the individuals impacted were looked at in isolation – with little to no regard for the wider (and often unseen) context behind the action.
Contextual safeguarding calls for a deeper look at the root cause of issues. This means taking location, peer groups, internet activity, and patterns of behaviour into consideration.
And as highlighted by Adolescence, it’s all the more pressing that there’s a concerted and universal effort to take this approach to safeguarding the young and vulnerable people in our care.
What can we Learn About Contextual Safeguarding from Adolescence?
The series serves as a poignant reminder of the necessity for a holistic approach to safeguarding that encompasses the various contexts influencing young people's lives.
Digital Awareness
Social media was one of the prominent themes in Adolescence. Jamie’s internet activity was largely unmonitored by his parents, and there’s an emphasis on the disconnect between how adults and the children in their care interact with the online world.
Understanding and monitoring the online spaces that adolescents engage with can help identify and mitigate exposure to harmful content.
Community and School Engagement
Again, Jamie’s relationship with other students, like Katie, was unclear to his parents. The teachers are also portrayed as having a limited understanding of what is happening in the lives of their students.
Collaborating with educational institutions is vital to address and reshape the environments that contribute to youth vulnerabilities. Plus, encouraging conversations between young people and trusted adults about their experiences and challenges can foster resilience and provide support mechanisms inside and outside the home.
Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
It is crucial that all stakeholders – including teachers, parents, and peers – know how to recognise signs of abuse, exploitation, or radicalisation and understand the proper channels for reporting these concerns promptly.
Clear procedures and support systems should be in place to ensure that issues are addressed swiftly and effectively, minimising risk and ensuring early intervention.
How to Effectively Report Safeguarding Issues
- Be specific and detail-rich in your reports – when reporting a concern, include as much detail as possible about the individual involved and the context in which the risk is occurring. This could include locations, peer dynamics, online platforms, or social situations that could impact the safety of the young or vulnerable person.
- Report patterns, not just incidents – don’t wait until it’s too late to report behaviours. Spotting risk indicators early can help prevent serious incidents from taking place. For example, if a young person is repeatedly seen in a high-risk area, or engaging with a harmful peer group online, this can indicate environmental risks that need addressing.
- Use the right channels and processes for reporting – having the right digital systems in place makes reporting more accessible and increases the chances of people raising safeguarding concerns. In contextual safeguarding, concerns might fall outside traditional safeguarding triggers, so it’s important to ensure your report reaches professionals trained to respond to external risks.
Supporting Safer Spaces Through Better Awareness and Tools
Adolescence serves as a thoughtful reminder that safeguarding today needs to extend beyond the home. It highlights how external influences – whether they come from peer groups, schools, or online communities – can quietly shape the lives and experiences of young people. That’s why contextual safeguarding is so important. It encourages us to take a broader view of the environments young people are part of, and to respond with care, curiosity, and timely support.
Of course, being aware of these wider contexts is only part of the picture. Making sure people feel confident and equipped to report their concerns is just as crucial. Having the right systems in place can make a big difference – especially when concerns don’t always fit traditional safeguarding categories.
Vatix’s safeguarding reporting system helps make this process clearer and more accessible. It enables staff, carers, and community members to share detailed concerns – about incidents, patterns, or environments – quickly and securely. By making reporting easier and more structured, it supports early action and helps safeguarding leads see the bigger picture.
With more awareness, open conversations, and the right tools in place, we can all play a role in creating safer spaces for young people – wherever they spend their time.
Get in touch with our team to learn how Vatix can support your safeguarding efforts.
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