How to Use Safeguarding Scenarios in Schools
A few years ago, I worked with a brilliant, committed member of staff who had one go-to response during safeguarding training. Whatever the scenario, they’d nod seriously and say, “I’d call the number on the safeguarding poster.”
It became a running joke. But underneath it was a real question: what do we want staff to do when they’re unsure?
Because the truth is, we don’t want everyone reaching straight for social care every time a pupil looks sad or says something odd. We want professional judgement, not panic. And the best way to build that is through quiet, realistic practice — before the pressure is on.
That’s where safeguarding scenarios come into their own.
What Is a Safeguarding Scenario — and Why Use Them?
Safeguarding scenarios are brief, thought-provoking case studies designed to help staff rehearse their response to a potential safeguarding concern. These fictional but realistic situations reflect the subtle warning signs and grey areas that staff encounter every day.
Think of them as conversation starters — ones that allow staff to pause, reflect and ask: What would I do here?
Scenarios are a cornerstone of effective safeguarding CPD because they provide space for discussion, reflection and shared understanding — without the pressure of a real incident.
🧩 Looking for ready-made examples? Our Specific Safeguarding Issues Training Bundles are perfect for DSLs who want structured, discussion-friendly case studies across a range of safeguarding topics.
What makes a safeguarding scenario effective?
Safeguarding scenarios don’t need to be dramatic or extreme. In fact, the best ones aren’t. If you’re planning to use safeguarding scenarios in school, start with the grey areas — the subtle signs, the hesitant disclosures, the changed behaviours that could mean something or nothing. These are the situations your staff are most likely to face, hardest to navigate and where their judgement matters most. By practising these situations, staff learn to apply professional curiosity and understand the thresholds for action, including when to escalate and when to monitor.
For safeguarding CPD activities to be effective, they need to reflect this ambiguity. Skip the over-scripted examples. The best safeguarding CPD tools are short, focused and rooted in real school life. Ten minutes is enough. No slides required.
🧩 Explore our Safeguarding Scenario Packs which are ready-made for DSLs delivering scenario-based safeguarding training for staff.
Why scenarios build confidence — not just compliance
When done well, scenario-based safeguarding training builds real-world judgement. It gives staff a chance to reflect on what they’d actually do — and talk through the thinking behind it.
Confidence grows through practice. When staff respond to a scenario, they’re rehearsing the instincts they’ll rely on in real situations. That includes the “wrong” answers. If someone says they’d phone social care straight away, that’s not a failure — it’s a chance to talk about thresholds and early help.
Scenarios also allow space to explore topics that might otherwise stay silent. For many DSLs, this makes them one of the most practical safeguarding training ideas you can bring into staff CPD.
Don’t wait for an incident to start training!
If you’re thinking about how to deliver safeguarding CPD in school, start before there’s a concern. It’s tempting to launch training after an incident, but if staff only practise in the aftermath of a concern, they’ve missed the chance to build habits in calm moments.
✨ Top Tip: Try introducing one safeguarding scenario at the end of a weekly staff briefing. You’ll be surprised how often meaningful conversations emerge in just a few minutes.
🟡 For lighter-touch prompts and reminders, try our Safeguarding Snapshots or the Quick Quizzes.
Start small — but keep going
If you’re just beginning with scenario-based safeguarding training, start small:
- Use one short scenario per half-term
- Facilitate paired or small group discussion
- Debrief together to reflect on the different responses
- Link back to your school’s safeguarding policy and referral processes
If you’re using case studies or scenarios in safeguarding training already, you’ll know how powerful shared reflection can be. And if you’re just starting out, know this: it doesn’t need to be big. It just needs to happen regularly. As a DSL, these conversations give you insight. They show where staff are confident, where there’s uncertainty, and how that’s shifting over time.
📦 Why not use our Build Your Own Scenario Bundle feature to tailor staff safeguarding training tools and resources to your unique setting.
You can choose from a range of themes and topics, including:
...and many more!
Final thought: safeguarding is hard to talk about — which is exactly why we must!
Staff want to get safeguarding right. But they also want to feel safe saying, “I’m not sure.”
Scenario-based safeguarding CPD helps make that possible. It’s low pressure. It’s grounded in reality. It’s one of the simplest ways to strengthen professional judgement across your team.
Safeguarding training isn’t about ticking a box. It’s about helping staff notice, respond and act — with quiet confidence — when it matters most.
Find further training materials and guidance in our blog covering the latest KCSIE updates.