Safeguarding Conference 2026: Connected safeguarding: Navigating the new digital landscape

Themed on Connected safeguarding: Navigating the new digital landscape, the conference explored how trusts can keep pace with digital risk, online harms, inclusion and system reform while remaining relentlessly child-focused in safeguarding practice.

164

delegates

25

speakers

12

sessions

Very worthwhile use of time. Left the conference with new ideas and initiatives to use within my trust.

CST Safeguarding Conferences give us all an opportunity to find out about life outside our trusts, and helps give us confidence that we are doing a good job!

The CST Safeguarding conference is a powerful opportunity to reflect on leading safeguarding at scale and really questioning the why behind what we do. I really value the constant emphasis on safeguarding culture and always putting children at the heart of decisions. Thank you.

Inspiring keynotes

Main-stage sessions explored:

Managing safeguarding risk in esports and digital spaces
Keeping children with SEND safe online through inclusive, evidence-based strategies
Bringing children’s voices into safeguarding practice and partnership working
Strengthening the role of education as an equal partner in safeguarding systems

Focused workshops

Breakout sessions included:

Building an inclusive online safeguarding strategy
Preventing violence against women and girls through trust-wide culture change
Safeguarding autistic children without speech through relational and responsive practice
Using data and insight to strengthen trust-wide safeguarding intelligence
Protecting severely absent pupils through effective information-sharing and collaboration
Supporting girls’ mental health, body image and personal boundaries in a digital age

Making connections

Attendees had the opportunity to:

Take part in guided discussions and interactive workshops
Share approaches to inclusive, child-centred safeguarding practice
Explore how trusts can improve safeguarding partnerships for children and families
Network with colleagues and leading suppliers to the sector

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Join us for 2027

We would love to see you at our next Safeguarding Conference, taking place on Thursday 14 January 2027 at Edgbaston Park Hotel and Conference Centre, Birmingham.