RESPOND Safeguarding

Content warning. This resource contains terminology relating to suicide, self-harm, sexual exploitation, drug use, eating disorders, and extremist ideology. Some definitions may be distressing. If affected, speak with your line manager or Employee Assistance Programme.

Staff Resource — Professional Use Only

Compiled for safeguarding awareness within education settings. Does not constitute clinical, legal, or statutory guidance.

Always consult your DSL for case-specific decisions. This resource supplements, and does not replace, KCSIE, Working Together, and local procedures.

respondsafeguarding.org  ·  v1.0 April 2026
RESPOND Safeguarding  ·  Staff Reference  ·  April 2026

Safeguarding Glossary of
Terms & Slang

A living reference across eight risk domains. Search, filter by concern level, or browse by section. For safeguarding professionals and school staff only.

Searchable Tiered by concern Print to PDF Staff use only
188
Terms
8
Domains
4
Tiers
T1
High Concern
Directly harmful or dehumanising — may require immediate response
T2
Moderate
Contextually harmful — monitor, explore and log
T3
Awareness
Mainstream slang — context and pattern determine concern
INF
Terminology
Statutory or professional safeguarding reference
Important: Tiers indicate potential safeguarding relevance, not automatic referral thresholds. Always assess context, intent, age, vulnerability, pattern and risk. This resource supplements, and does not replace, KCSIE, Working Together, local procedures, or professional judgement.
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