An essential part of Dan Furness' role is answering our member questions about safeguarding and well-being. Low-level concerns is a common topic. Here's some guidance.

How do schools celebrate all post-secondary pathways in ways that protect student mental health and well-being? It can be tough to balance celebrating student achievements while also protecting their data and plans and being mindful of those students who are yet to receive application outcomes or must make tough decisions. Here are some suggestions for schools.

How do international schools maintain high-quality records of safeguarding and behaviour concerns while protecting and upholding students’ right to privacy and secure data protection? The International Task Force on Child Protection invites international school colleagues to contribute to a survey on practice in this area.

‘Every generation's experience of youth is different. And ours is framed by social media.’ The quote is from a speech by a 14-year-old keynote speaker at a Childnet Safer Internet Day event in 2023. It makes it clear that young people have a unique experience to share. It's vital that we promote student agency and include their voices in our work to ensure they have the skills to navigate the online world safely, especially in the context of a rapidly changing tech world.

When students know you care about the issues affecting them online and can guide them with up-to-date and engaging online safety education, the space for discussion and support begins to take shape. Here are resources to help.

As international schools continue to expand their horizons with off-site educational trips, the importance of student safety during these excursions has never been more important. Leila Holmyard outlines ten practical steps all schools can follow to ensure off-site adventures are not only educational and enriching but also safe and secure.

In schools worldwide, educators and staff members play a critical role in promoting the well-being of students. One pressing concern that schools must address is self-harm among students. Self-harm is a complex issue that demands a sensitive and informed approach that takes account of your school’s culture and context.

‘I came out the second the plane touched the runway’ ... Dane Rowley shares guidance for schools and universities on how to know and do better to support LGBTQ+ international students moving to study in new countries.

Our hearts are heavy as we learn how conflict around the world is impacting colleagues, students and their families in schools and universities. Here’s some guidance as we try to make sense of and navigate these distressing times.

'We are preparing for an overnight camp with students, and one of the children in my grade level is transgender. This is a first for us. …’ Read how Dr Emily Meadows guided a recent teacher inquiry.

We're hearing that schools are increasingly concerned about suicidal ideation and the risk of suicide in their communities, especially since the pandemic. Leila Holmyard outlines some resources and guidance around prevention, response and policies.

How do we best talk to our students about body image? While shifting the focus from body image to fostering self-worth, the impact of social media cannot be ignored. Nutritionist Molly Gerster shares three activities to create an environment of self-worth in your school.

Dr DeeDee Werner and Heidi Laws share strategies that set the stage for success for students with learning disabilities—for counsellors supporting students during the application and transition process and for universities to be better equipped to meet students' needs.

For some, gaming and well-being are opposing terms, with concerns regularly raised by parents, educators and politicians about the time young people spend online. Sayo Okamoto explains esports and shares her perspective on the positives.

The admission and guidance community are students' cheerleaders, coaches, editors, marketing specialists, and counselors as they help students get to university. They also aim to prepare students for life once they arrive at university. Lesson plans from Johanna Fishbein and Robbie Jefferiss help with that preparation.

Educational institutions have long explored methods to respond to student behavioural issues, interpersonal conflicts, and student/staff tensions in the classroom and beyond. Restorative practices offer an alternative approach, looking through a lens of harm, accountability, and restoration.

We asked Cath Brew, Lindz Amer and Shaun Delenty about the key challenges educators face as they cultivate belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals. 

We asked two specialists about the challenges facing our community related to child protection and safeguarding right now (and what our workshops can do to help).

From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, Safer Internet Day each February aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns.

As a new year dawns, here's a round-up of our most popular blogs in 2022, in case you missed them.