Author: Sam Eustace – CPOMS Product Manager, Former DSL and SEMH Leader
The highly praised Netflix series Adolescence created by BAFTA winner Jack Thorne and Broadcasting Press Guild Award Best Actor Stephen Graham, is more than just compelling drama – it’s a poignant lens through which we can examine the complexity of safeguarding in today’s world.
At its heart, the programme explores how a single act of serious violence can ripple outward like a stone hitting water – affecting families, peers, communities and systems for years to come.
As a seasoned Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) leader, I have witnessed first-hand the impact of serious violence. The effect is always community wide and whilst they do fade over time, the scars are still visible, regardless of the level of post incident support and intervention.
Key Safeguarding Themes in Adolescence
What makes Adolescence so thought-provoking is its unflinching look at some of the most difficult safeguarding issues:
- Toxic masculinity
- Child-on-child abuse
- The grief that follows tragedy
- The stark disconnect often felt between generations
These are not just plot points; they are real, daily concerns for DSLs and education professionals.
The Ripple Effect of Trauma and the Role of Trusted Adults
The narrative reminds us:
- How quickly vulnerability can be masked by bravado
- How unresolved trauma can manifest in harmful behaviours
- How timely, compassionate support is essential in the lives of young people.
The lauded series doesn’t just focus on the pain of serious incidents, it also drops in some subtle but powerful moments of reflection – easily missed amidst the intensity of the main plot. One such moment is the female officer recalling just how brilliant her favourite history teacher was and the lasting impact that connection had on her from childhood. It’s a tribute to the lasting influence of great educators and the protective power of trusted relationships in school settings.
Hidden Safeguarding Concerns: Seen but Not Noticed
While the lead detective is immersed in the investigation, his own son is quietly navigating complex emotional struggles — feelings of isolation, social pressure and the absence of his father’s attention. These moments serve as a powerful reminder that safeguarding concerns are not always loud or obvious.
Sometimes, they’re hidden in plain sight, missed even by those trained to notice. The series challenges us to consider how easily the needs of young people can go unnoticed when adults are consumed by crisis, workload or their own emotional burdens.
DSLs Balancing Professional and Personal Pressures
For many DSLs and education professionals, this storyline may resonate. The tension between “work life” and “family life” is a very real challenge. DSLs and safeguarding practitioners are often the first to spot signs, coordinate responses and provide support for others — yet at home, they may find it difficult to switch off, or may even miss signs in their own children and relationships.
The challenge of holding space for others while still trying to show up for your own family is something that should not be forgotten and is one of the many reasons why quality supervision is so important.
How CPOMS StudentSafe Enhances School Safeguarding
Adolescence is a difficult watch at times, but that’s what makes it essential viewing. It challenges us to look again at the support structures we build around children and young people – and reminds us that safeguarding is never just about response but about the proactive, relational work we do every day. These themes serve as a reminder that safeguarding rarely exists in isolation and why safeguarding systems and tools like CPOMS StudentSafe are so vital in helping schools stay connected, responsive and proactive.
StudentSafe supports a wide range of integrations with digital safeguarding tools, wellbeing platforms, pupil voice systems and local authority case management solutions — all designed to give DSLs a more complete view of a child’s context. Through these integrations, staff can access insights such as:
- Alerts from digital monitoring or content filtering platforms
- Wellbeing check-ins and emotional health data
- Survey results and trends in pupil engagement
- Information shared securely with external safeguarding professionals
This joined-up approach enables safeguarding teams to act earlier, build fuller chronologies and coordinate more effectively across agencies.
Supporting Contextual Safeguarding with CPOMS Engage
The principle of contextual safeguarding, recognised by Ofsted and embedded in statutory guidance, acknowledges that young people often face their greatest risks in online spaces, peer groups and community settings — not just at home. CPOMS Engage helps schools respond to this complexity by:
- Linking related incidents and concerns across multiple pupils
- Capturing small but significant indicators over time
- Supporting collaboration with external services
- Enabling secure communication with multi-agency partners
By creating a clearer, broader safeguarding picture, CPOMS software empowers DSLs and school leaders to make informed decisions, support earlier intervention and ultimately protect young people more effectively.
