This article explores the experiences and perspectives of designated safeguarding leads (DSL) in fee-paying schools to better understand how they engage affluent parents when there are safeguarding and child protection concerns. The research employed a roundtable data gathering methodology, with 33 DSLs from a range of fee-paying schools in southern England participating in the study. A primary objective of the research was to understand the factors that influence how DSLs in fee-paying schools engage parents from affluent backgrounds. The findings showed that a major concern is that affluent parents are adept at using their power and privilege to avoid statutory interventions, which meant that the DSLs' safeguarding role was often fraught with difficulties. This article addresses factors that enable or hinder DSLs' conversations with affluent parents and offers some critical reflections on the challenges posed for their duty to safeguard the children in their care. For the purpose of this article, three key themes will be addressed: the interpretation of harm thresholds; communication issues; and mental health issues. Overall, the analysis contributes to a greater understanding of how DSLs in fee-paying schools navigate their engagement with parents when familial risks are identified.

中文翻译：

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对付费学校儿童保护问题指定保护领导视角的定性研究

本文探讨了付费学校指定保障领导 (DSL) 的经验和观点，以更好地了解他们在存在保障和儿童保护问题时如何与富裕的家长互动。该研究采用圆桌会议数据收集方法，来自英格兰南部一系列收费学校的 33 所 DSL 参与了这项研究。该研究的主要目的是了解影响付费学校的 DSL 如何吸引来自富裕家庭的家长的因素。调查结果表明，一个主要问题是富裕的父母善于利用自己的权力和特权来避免法定干预，这意味着 DSL 的保护作用常常充满困难。本文讨论了促进或阻碍 DSL 与富裕父母对话的因素，并就他们保护自己照顾的孩子的职责所面临的挑战提供了一些批判性的思考。就本文而言，将讨论三个关键主题：危害阈值的解释；沟通问题；和心理健康问题。总体而言，该分析有助于更好地了解付费学校的 DSL 在发现家庭风险时如何引导与家长的互动。