NSPCC Learning Podcast: Recent Episodes
NSPCC Learning
Welcome to the NSPCC Learning Podcast - a series of episodes that cover a range of child protection issues to inform, create debate and tell you about the work we do to keep children safe. At the heart of every episode is the child’s voice and how what they tell us informs the work we do. If you are looking for more safeguarding and child protection training, information and resources, please visit our NSPCC Learning website.
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In this podcast episode, staff from the NSPCC Scotland hub discuss an emotional resilience programme they developed and delivered across seven primary schools in Govan, Glasgow.
The discussion covers what emotional resilience is and why it is important; the benefits of running an emotional resilience programme; and how practitioners can be trauma-informed when delivering emotional resilience work.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Jennifer Dixon is a Team Manager at the NSPCC Scotland National Hub.
Jo Grace is a Children’s Services Practitioner with the NSPCC in Scotland.
Prajapa Seneviratne is a Research and Evaluation Officer at the NSPCC in Scotland.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Read the implementation evaluation report of the Emotional Resilience programme in Govan’s primary schools
Take our Mental health and wellbeing safeguarding in education training
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In 2015, Professor Carlene Firmin coined the term ‘contextual safeguarding’ to describe an approach to safeguarding young people that looks at additional ‘contexts’ for harm outside of the family home and beyond the control of a child’s parents and carers.
In this podcast episode, we speak to Carlene about the concept of contextual safeguarding and how practitioners can incorporate contextual safeguarding practices into their work with children and families.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Professor Carlene Firmin MBE is a Professor of Social Work and Director of the Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding at Durham University. She is also Co-Editor in Chief of the British Journal of Social Work, co-convener of a special interest group on Social Work and Adolescents for the European Social Work Research Association, a Global Ashoka Fellow, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the Churchill Fellowship Advisory Council, and an Associate of Strathclyde University’s Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice. Her book, Contextual Safeguarding and Child Protection: Rewriting the Rules, won the Routledge Prize for a Sociology Monograph in 2020.
Shirley Maginley is a Senior Consultant in the NSPCC’s Professional Learning Services, with over 20 years’ experience supporting professionals and organisations across sectors to strengthen their knowledge, policy and practice in keeping children safe. She draws on her experience in youth and community development to help organisations improve their safeguarding arrangements and create safer environments for children and young people across diverse settings.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Visit the Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding website
Access further contextual safeguarding resources, including resources on context weighting, safety mapping and safety summits
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Men can be both survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse, and both experiences present distinct safeguarding challenges.
Drawing on practice experience from the NSPCC Helpline and Childline, this podcast episode centres on male experiences of domestic abuse. You’ll learn about the challenges of working with male perpetrators of domestic abuse, the barriers that male survivors of abuse face when coming forward, and the effects of domestic abuse on parent-child relationships.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Emily Harrison is a Domestic Practice Advisor on the NSPCC Helpline, with extensive experience in the Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) sector. Her roles include service management, Specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA), Chair of the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), and member of the Domestic Abuse Scrutiny Committee. She has also provided training for first responders, equipping them with the skills to support those affected by domestic abuse effectively.
Adrian Somerville has been Helpline Practice Manager with the NSPCC for six years. Before this, he was a NSPCC Helpline Practitioner for over five years. Adrian is a qualified and accredited Counsellor, currently providing support to children and young adults in relation to anxiety and self-esteem issues. He has also previously worked with male survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse.
Cormac Nolan is a Service Head with Childline. He holds responsibility for certain Childline bases delivering the live service as well as for the Childline website and social media.
Stephen Pilling is a Helpline Practitioner at the NSPCC. Before joining the NSPCC, worked as a Group Leader in residential settings, supporting both adults and children with additional needs and disabilities.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Learn more about protecting children from domestic abuse
Learn how the NSPCC Helpline’s Domestic Abuse Practice Advisors support children and families experiencing domestic abuse
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This podcast episode is hosted by the NSPCC’s Local Services Director Karen Squillino, who is also chair of the wellbeing and safeguarding committee for Lift Schools.
She spoke to Jill Fuller, Head of Safeguarding for Lift Schools and Habib Hussain, who is Lift Schools’ regional DSL for London and the south.
The conversation covered:
- the safeguarding roles and responsibilities of a multi-academy trust
- the importance of DSLs sharing their experiences to support each other
- how to ensure DSLs are continuously learning and adapting to new safeguarding challenges
- the benefits and challenges of Lift Schools’ regional approach.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Karen Squillino has over 30 years safeguarding and child protection experience. She has been with the NSPCC since 2011 and currently serves as the Director of Local Services. In addition to her role at the NSPCC, Karen is a trustee at Lift Schools, where she chairs the Wellbeing & Safeguarding Committee.
Jill Fuller is the Head of Safeguarding for Lift Schools with responsibility for developing and implementing a comprehensive safeguarding strategy across a network of 57 schools, monitoring and supporting safeguarding practices and contributing to the overall educational vision. Her experience spans education, children's social care and multi-agency partners, leading workforce transformation projects and driving rapid performance improvements in children's services.
Habib Hussain has been in education for 21 years and spent 20 years in Lift Aylward. He is currently Deputy Head at Lift New Rickstones and Regional DSL for London and the South, working alongside 11 primary, secondary and special schools. Habib offers support and guidance to all the schools in his region and ensures they are compliant in all aspects of safeguarding and driving rapid performance.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Find out more about Lift Schools
Take our designated safeguarding lead training
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Online sexual extortion can be financially motivated sexual extortion and blackmail using both real and AI generated images of boys and young males. Although this is not a new issue the National Crime Agency and the NSPCC has seen an increase in the last two years of boys experiencing online sexual extortion.
In this podcast episode, the NSPCC's Danielle Harris, Childline manager, discusses online sexual extortion with Marie Smith, who oversees the CEOP education programme based within the National Crime Agency.
The discussion covered:
- what online sexual extortion is
- how to spot the signs
- how to support boys who are experiencing online sexual extortion
- how to report real and AI generated images.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Danielle Harris is the NSPCC's Childline Team Manager. Danielle has been part of the Childline family since 2018, starting out on the night service and moving up to Senior Supervisor before taking on their current role as Childline Team Manager.
Marie Smith is a Senior Manager who oversees the CEOP education programme that's based within the National Crime Agency.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode> View the CEOP alert for education settings on financially motivated sexual extortion
Find out more about the Childline Behind the Screen campaign, raising awareness of the sexual coerced extortion of boys
Read the CEOP financially motivated sexual extortion guidance for parents and carers
Share Childline’s page for young people about trusting others online
Find out more about Report Remove
Read the UK government guidance on responding to incidents of sharing nudes
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Child criminal exploitation (CCE) is a form of child abuse where a child or young person is forced or coerced to engage in criminal activity or commit any type of crime.
In this episode, the NSPCC Helpline’s Service Head, Denise Ellis spoke to Tara Mellowes who is a Detective Constable in the exploitation team with Leicestershire Police.
The discussion covered:
- what CCE is and the different forms it can take
- why children can be targets for CCE
- signs of CCE that professionals working with children should look out for
- why early intervention is so important and what that may look like
- how the police can respond to CCE.
The episode was recorded in January 2025. Since then, the Crime and Policing Bill has been introduced into Parliament, which would introduce a new specific criminal offence of child criminal exploitation. This would target the adult as the primary offender in causing harm to the child by exploiting them to commit criminal activity.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Denise Ellis is the service head for the NSPCC Helpline and has almost 43 years’ experience of working with children and families. She previously worked for Manchester Safeguarding Unit and currently delivers training to professionals on identifying the signs of child criminal exploitation.
DC Tara Mellowes joined Leicestershire Police in 2020 and works in the field of child criminal exploitation helping vulnerable young people caught up in county lines. She is passionate about helping shape how we respond to and tackle child criminal exploitation and is proud to have been part of Leicestershire Police’s first prosecutions against CCE offenders.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Learn more about Childline
Find out more about the NSPCC Helpline
Take our elearning course on county lines
Learn more about county lines
Find out more about child criminal exploitation
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Research by For Baby's Sake suggests that domestic abuse was a factor in almost 50,000 babies a year being referred to children's social care in England between 2021 and 2023.
Our NSPCC Helpline domestic abuse project lead, Paddi Vint, spoke with Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of the For Baby's Sake Trust, about this research and what we can learn from it.
They offered insight into the importance of services for pregnant families and babies being able to identify concerns and provide support. The discussion covered the difficulties with working out exactly how many babies are impacted by domestic abuse, blockers to parents seeking support and how important accurate language is to reduce shame and stigma around domestic abuse.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Lauren Seager-Smith is the CEO of The For Baby's Sake Trust, pioneering trauma-informed and therapeutic support to break cycles of domestic abuse and give babies the best start in life. Lauren is an experienced charity leader, with previous roles as CEO of Kidscape and the National Coordinator of the Anti-Bullying Alliance. Lauren is a regular media spokesperson specialising in domestic abuse, online safety, and bullying. Lauren has held numerous board positions and currently serves on the Action for Children England Committee. Lauren is an Associate of the Institute of Responsible Leadership (IRL).
Paddi Vint is a Quality and Development Manager overseeing the NSPCC Helpline domestic abuse project. She has been with the NSPCC in Belfast for over five years, joining as a Helpline practitioner and then working as a practice manager.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Read the For Baby’s Sake research revealing almost 50,000 babies are referred to children’s social care in England with domestic abuse as a factor
Watch the Channel 4 report on For Baby’s Sake’s research
Find out more about For Baby’s Sake
Learn more about protecting children from domestic abuse
Find out why domestic abuse is so prevalent during pregnancy with this For Baby’s Sake article
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Mental health difficulties can have a big impact on parents’ ability to provide responsive care for their babies, especially if parents aren't getting the support they need. Black mothers are disproportionately affected by mental health difficulties and are less likely to receive adequate perinatal mental health support.
In January 2025, Alexis Golden and Chi Mumbi from the NSPCC’s Pregnancy in Mind service spoke to Sandra Igwe Founder and Chief Executive at The Motherhood Group about the experiences of Black mothers and the importance of providing inclusive support for maternal mental health.
If you haven't done so already, listen to the podcast here
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakerhttps://learning.nspcc.org.uk/news/2025/may/supporting-black-mothers-facing-perinatal-mental-health-challenges
Alexis Golden has been with the NSPCC since 2022 and is a Project Development Manager. She develops evidence-based services for families within the Prevention of Abuse and Neglect in the Early Years Theme. Recently, she led the redevelopment of the Pregnancy in Mind service. With a background in education and early childhood development, Alexis is passionate about the wellbeing of children and young people and is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Sandra Igwe is a trailblazing thought leader in Black maternal health, TEDx speaker, and founder of The Motherhood Group and Blackmums. She leverages community engagement, technology and advocacy to improve outcomes for Black mothers. Sandra is Co-Chair of the National Inquiry into Racial Injustice in Maternity Care, a Trustee of Birthrights Charity, and author of 'My Black Motherhood: Mental Health, Stigma, Racism and the System'. Her work has been recognized by Vogue UK and Forbes as an 'Influential Woman of the Year', and she has received the National Lottery Game Changer Award and Santander Social Entrepreneur of the Year.
Chi Mumbi Chi is a Children’s Services Practitioner and Social Worker at the London and South East Hub and is the Lead Practitioner for Pregnancy in Mind. Chi is passionate about the intersection of perinatal mental health and race.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Learn more about The Motherhood Group
Find out more about Pregnancy in Mind
View the full list of Pregnancy in Mind delivery locations on the NSPCC website
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At the end of 2024, the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel published a national review exploring the challenges in identifying, assessing and responding to child sexual abuse within the family environment. They also published their annual report for 2023-24, which covers the Panel’s work from April 2023 to March 2024.
This is the second half of our discussion with Annie Hudson, the Chair of the Panel, and Jenny Coles, a Panel member, about what these reports mean for anyone working with children and young people.
In this episode, you’ll hear about how the Panel translates the learning from its reports into improvements to safeguarding practice.
If you haven't done so already, listen to part one, covering the findings of the two reports.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Annie Hudson is the Chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. A social worker by profession, Annie has held a range of practice, leadership and academic posts, including Strategic Director of Children’s Services for Lambeth London Borough Council and Director of Children’s Services for Bristol City Council.
Jenny Coles has been a member of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel since December 2021. Jenny is a qualified social worker and has been a senior manager in local authority children’s services since 1997. Jenny was the President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services from April 2020 to April 2021.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Read our CASPAR briefing summarising the National review into child sexual abuse within the family environment
Read our CASPAR briefing summarising the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel annual report 2023/24
View our full collection of CASPAR briefings, including those covering previous Panel annual reports
Read our CASPAR briefing on the national review into the murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson
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At the end of 2024, the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel published a national review exploring the challenges in identifying, assessing and responding to child sexual abuse within the family environment. They also published their annual report for 2023-24, which covers the Panel’s work from April 2023 to March 2024.
In January 2025, we spoke to Annie Hudson, the Chair of the Panel, and Jenny Coles, a Panel member, about what these reports mean for anyone working with children and young people.
In the first half of the discussion, you’ll learn about the findings from the two reports.
Part two covers how the Panel translates the learning from its reports into improvements to safeguarding practice. Listen to part two.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Annie Hudson is the Chair of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. A social worker by profession, Annie has held a range of practice, leadership and academic posts, including Strategic Director of Children’s Services for Lambeth London Borough Council and Director of Children’s Services for Bristol City Council.
Jenny Coles has been a member of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel since December 2021. Jenny is a qualified social worker and has been a senior manager in local authority children’s services since 1997. Jenny was the President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services from April 2020 to April 2021.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Read our CASPAR briefing summarising the National review into child sexual abuse within the family environment
Read our CASPAR briefing summarising the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel annual report 2023/24
View our full collection of CASPAR briefings, including those covering previous Panel annual reports
Read our CASPAR briefing on the national review into the murders of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson
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The online world is constantly changing, and young people are often more informed about online trends than adults. Young people are equipped with their own knowledge and understanding of what they need to know and do to stay safe online. It’s important to listen to their thoughts and opinions, and try to incorporate their voice into your online safety work.
In this podcast episode, you’ll hear from Will and Zara, two young people from the NSPCC’s Voice of Online Youth Group. They provide an insight into what life online is like for them, what makes them feel safe online and what online safety topics they’d like to learn more about. The discussion touches on a wide range of topics, including moderation, privacy settings, algorithms, generative AI and online misinformation.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Will and Zara are members of the NSPCC’s Voice of Online Youth, a group of young people aged 13-17 who help advise the NSPCC and the wider online safety sector on how to help children have safe and happy experiences online.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Access all of NSPCC Learning’s free online safety resources
Take our highly-rated online safety elearning course
Read our new research report on the impact of Generative AI on children’s safety
Find out more about the NSPCC’s Voice of Online Youth and read their manifesto
for change
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Mental health is as important to a child’s safety as their physical health; mental health issues can sometimes lead to safeguarding and child protection issues. By recognising when a child is struggling with their mental health, and intervening to provide appropriate support, professionals working with children can help prevent mental health problems from escalating into crisis.
A mental health first aid kit is one tool that can be used to help. The kit contains a selection of resources to help young people manage their mental health if they’re struggling, such as ways to distract oneself, relax or calm down, and pointers to further support.
Listen to this podcast episode to learn more about the mental health first aid kit and how you can use it with the young people you work with.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Gawain Griffiths is a Practitioner in the Childline Online Services team. He works to develop resources and content for the Childline website to help and empower young people using the Childline service.
Alice and Douglas are members of the NSPCC’s Young People’s Board for Change. They meet monthly to discuss issues they care about, giving young people the chance to shape and influence the NSPCC’s work and ensure the young people’s voices are heard both inside and outside the organisation. Mental health is one of the priority areas in the board’s 2023-25 manifesto.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Access the Childline mental health first aid kit resource
Find out more about child mental health
View Childline’s mental health information page for young people
Learn more about promoting mental health and wellbeing
Take our mental health and wellbeing safeguarding course
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The voices of people with lived experience of child sexual abuse play an important role in understanding how to respond to and prevent this form of abuse. Conducting participatory work with victims and survivors can move the conversation around CSA forward and create positive change.
In this episode, you’ll learn about the benefits of involving victim-survivors including the impact of an IICSA Changemaker event in which victims and survivors shared their testimonies with policy-makers; the importance of creating a comprehensive risk register and safety plans; how to create a safe and inclusive environment for participants; and what to do to support victims and survivors after the participatory work is complete.
The IICSA Changemakers are a group who want to amplify the voices of people with lived experience of child sexual abuse and ensure that the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) remains an important moment for child protection.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Peter Wanless (he/him) was Chief Executive of the NSPCC from 2013 to 2024, during which time he also chaired the IICSA Changemakers group. Before this, Peter ran the Big Lottery Fund for 5 years and worked as a Director at the Department for Education. In the 2021 New Year’s Honours, Peter was awarded a knighthood for services to Children, to Young People and to the Charitable Sector.
Clare Kelly(she/her) is the Head of Programmes for the IICSA Changemakers and has previously worked for the NSPCC as an Associate Head of Policy and Public Affairs. She has a 15-year background in policing and the criminal justice system, holding the role of Chief Executive Officer for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner in Bedfordshire and running a charity focused on supporting vulnerable victims and witnesses of crime.
Denise Pringle(she/her) is the Adult Survivor Participation Manager for the IICSA Changemakers. She has spent her career advocating and working alongside survivors in the wider abuse & and violence sector. In 2024, she was invited to deliver training at UNWomenUk on best practice. She has also provided expert consultancy to the NHS, UK and international police forces, FTSE 100 organisations, and the UK government.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Find out more about the IICSA Changemakers
Listen to our podcast series on the IICSA final report
Learn more about protecting children from sexual abuse
Read our Why Language Matters blog on the use of the term 'victim' in relation to child protection
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We speak to Anne Longfield, the Executive Chair of the Centre for Young Lives, about what needs to be done to improve the safeguarding support available to teenagers in the UK, the topic of her new bookYoung Lives, Big Ambitions.
In the interview, Anne explains some of the problems facing vulnerable teenagers, and presents the solutions she would implement to give every young person the best chance to succeed in life.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Anne Longfield CBE has spent the last three decades working to improve the life chances of children, particularly the most vulnerable. She has recently founded and become Executive Chair of the Centre for Young Lives. From March 2015 to February 2021 she was Children’s Commissioner for England.
Wesley Powley-Baker is a Safeguarding Manager within the NSPCC’s Safeguarding Unit. He is responsible for supporting the development of high-quality safeguarding practice and providing professional expertise in matters relating to safeguarding and social work practice.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Find out more about Anne’s book, Young Lives, Big Ambitions
Read our Learning from case reviews briefing on teenagers
Learn more about keeping 16- to 25-year-olds safe from abuse with our elearning course
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Being exposed to domestic abuse is a form of child abuse and children don't need to be directly involved for this to be the case. They may have seen or heard or experienced the effects of domestic abuse in the family and this can have a big impact on their behaviour, development, education and wellbeing.
In this podcast episode, experts from the NSPCC Helpline and Childline talk about that potential impact, as well as how you can spot the signs of domestic abuse and support children who are affected.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Paddi Vint is a Quality and Development Manager overseeing the NSPCC Helpline domestic abuse project. She has been with the NSPCC in Belfast for over five years, joining as a Helpline practitioner and then working as a practice manager.
Cormac Nolan is a Service Head with Childline. He holds responsibility for certain Childline bases delivering the live service as well as for the Childline website and social media.
Joanne Walsh is a Domestic Abuse Practice Advisor with a background as a senior family support worker and local authority domestic abuse champion.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Learn more about Childline
Find out more about the NSPCC Helpline
Get more information about domestic abuse
Read about healthy and unhealthy relationships on the Childline website
Learn more about multi-agency working
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Safe and effective sex and relationships education (SRE) plays a vital role in preventing abuse. However, teaching SRE can be challenging. According to a 2022 NASUWT and NSPCC survey, 46% of teachers say they don’t feel confident teaching sex and relationships education.
In this podcast episode, actor and Childline ambassador Natalie Dormer is joined by two teachers to talk about what it's like to teach sex and relationships in secondary schools. They discuss the challenges teachers may face when teaching SRE, as well as practical solutions to these problems.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakers
Natalie Dormer is a British film, TV and stage actor and producer — her acting credits include Game of Thrones, The Tudors and The Hunger Games. Natalie is a passionate champion and advocate of children's rights. She is a longstanding supporter of the work of Childline, which is a life-changing service provided by the NSPCC. Natalie's support of the charity over many years culminated with her being appointed as the NSPCC's Ambassador for Childline in 2019 and in 2024 Natalie was made an Honorary Member of the NSPCC's Council.
Pete Basham is a science teacher and form tutor in a state-funded secondary school who also delivers the school's RSE programme.
Sarah Oakes is director of performing arts at an independent prep school in Dorset and head of RSE, delivering the curriculum to her form as well as overseeing it for the whole school.
📚 Resources mentioned in this episode
Find out more about our Talk Relationships service
Learn more about our Talk Relationships elearning courses
Learn more about how to take a whole-school approach to teaching SRE
Read 'We have to educate ourselves', a report on how young people are learning about relationships, sex and sexuality
More information about our Report Remove tool
Advice for parents and carers from nspcc.org.uk on how to talk to children about relationships, sex and consent
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It is important for social workers to consider the voice of the child — their experiences, their worries and their wants — when undertaking their work, particularly when conducting assessments. This improves professionals’ abilities to act in the child’s best interest.
In this episode, three consultant social workers from the NSPCC’s Quality and Practice team discuss: what we mean by ‘the voice of the child’ and why it is important; how to effectively capture the voice of the child and what barriers might get in the way of this; how to make use of the child’s voice in practical work, including in meetings, assessments, interventions and record keeping.
You can read this episode’s transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
💬 About the speakerJulian Fabian has been a qualified Social Worker for more than 26 years. He is currently Consultant Social Worker in the NSPCC’s Quality and Practice Team with a remit of quality assurance and practice improvement.
Emily Waddington is a Supervisor in the Childline Service. Prior to this role, Emily has worked as a Consultant Social Worker at the NSPCC and in the Assessment and MASH teams in the Local Authority. Emily’s main areas of interest include systemic and reflective practice which is underpinned by a desire for continuous practice improvement.
Damien Fitzpatrick is a NSPCC Consultant Social Worker based in the Service Quality and Practice Team. His role involves quality assurance of direct practice through a safeguarding lens, pre-post inspection support, supporting the development and implementation of practice standards and guidance. Prior to joining the NSPCC, Damien practiced in the local authority for 12 years in a number of different roles.
📚 Related resources> Find out what case reviews highlight about the voice of the child
Listen to our podcast episode on pre-birth assessments
Learn more about what makes a good assessment with our ten practice pointsDiscover other NSPCC Learning resources for social workers
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Language and communication barriers faced by d/Deaf children and young people can manifest in a way that increases safeguarding risk. It's important that there are professionals who can understand and communicate with a child or young person if they need to report or disclose any issues they are experiencing.
In this podcast episode, a panel of experts from the Social Workers with Deaf Children and Professionals Working Group explore how the differing language and communication needs of d/Deaf children can affect their safety and the child protection support they receive.
📺 A fully accessible video version of this podcast is available on the NSPCC Learning YouTube channel. 📺
About the speakers
Shirley Wilson MBE is the NSPCC's Senior Consultant on Deaf & Disabled Children and Young People and Professional Service Delivery Chair of the Social Workers with Deaf children and professionals group.
Jo Hornsby is a Social Worker in the Disabled Children and Young People’s Team in Suffolk and a member of the Social Workers with Deaf Children group.
Professor Alys Youngis Head of Social Work at the University of Manchester and a member of the Social Workers with Deaf Children group.
Tim Richardson is the Provider Collaborative Lead on the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership Children and Young People’s Mental Health Strategic Plan and a member of the Social Workers with Deaf Children group.
Resources mentioned in this episode> Read the full Guidance for Safeguarding Partners in England - Deaf Children, Young People and their Families document (PDF)
Learn more about safeguarding d/Deaf and disabled children and young people
Read our learning from case reviews briefing on d/Deaf children and children who have disabilities
Take our training course on safeguarding d/Deaf and disabled children and young people in England
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Education is a vital part of ensuring children get the best possible start in life, and there can be safeguarding implications for children who are absent from school. If children miss school, the ability that schools have to offer them the support they need is compromised. And missing school may be an indicator of broader child protection concerns.
In this podcast episode, experts from the NSPCC and Childline discuss the potential causes for this, and what schools can do to address the problem. You’ll also hear two secondary school students share their thoughts on how the stresses and strains of school life can affect attendance.
About the speakers
Janet Hintonis the NSPCC's Strategic Service Manager for Schools, working on the delivery of a range of NSPCC programmes for schools, including Speak out, Stay safe.
Kelly Burnett joined the NSPCC in May 2021, as a Supervisor as the Childline Liverpool Base. Kelly is responsible for the management of staff and volunteers, training staff, and making safeguarding decisions on shifts.
John Anderton joined the NSPCC in 2008 as a Childline Supervisor, after serving two years as a volunteer. John is currently practice champion at Childline's Birmingham base, supporting and guiding Childline counsellors on shifts.
The NSPCC Young People's Board for Change is a cohort of young people who steer, advice and influence the NSPCC on issues that affect children and young people in the UK, ensuring that children and young people’s opinions and ideas are considered within the strategic direction of the organisation.
Related resources
Learn more about Childline
Find out more about our Building Connections service
Take our Safeguarding training for schools, academies and colleges course
View our other safeguarding resources for schools
Learn more about protecting children from county lines
Pre-birth assessments help social work professionals to identify strengths, needs, risks and protective factors in the lives of expectant families. They play an important role in safeguarding babies; effective pre-birth assessments can ensure that families get the support they need before issues escalate.
In this podcast episode, In this podcast episode, Sophie Bell, Associate Head of Development at the NSPCC, talks to Anna Squirrell and Nina Bell, social work practitioners working in children’s social care in Blackburn with Darwen. The two experts discuss the practicalities of conducting effective pre-birth assessments, including what good practice looks like, what challenges might arise, and how tools such as Graded Care Profile 2 Antenatal can help with assessments.
About the speakers
Sophie Bell joined the NSPCC in 2010, moving into the role of Associate Head of Development in 2022. Sophie heads up the portfolio of projects and services in the Prevention of Abuse & Neglect in the Early Years Theme, managing the development and implementation of evidence-based support for families.
Anna Squirrell has worked in children’s social care in Blackburn with Darwen for over 25 years. Anna has spent time working in different departments including the fostering team and residential homes with young people team. Passionate about early intervention and getting the right help to the families at the right time, Anna joined the Pre-Birth Team seven years ago as a family support worker, and now manages a team of seven practitioners.
Nina Bellis a children’s social care practitioner working in the Pre-Birth Team in Blackburn with Darwen.
Related resources
Find out more about the Graded Care Profile 2 Antenatal (GCP2A) assessment tool
Read our Learning from case reviews briefing on assessments
Learn more about attachment and child development
Read our Learning from case reviews briefing on the early years sector
The criminal and civil justice systems play an important role in the way the State responds to child sexual abuse. However, many of IICSA’s investigations featured details of inadequate responses from the police, Crown Prosecution Service and courts.
The final episode of the series looks at how the IICSA recommendations might improve victims and survivors’ experiences of the criminal justice system. Areas covered include policing, the courtroom experience and access to advocacy, and reforms to the Victims’ Code. You’ll also hear about the proposed changes to the available schemes of compensation and redress.
About the speakers
Ian Critchley is the National Police Chiefs Council Lead for Child Protection, Abuse and Investigation, a role he has held for three years. Ian’s role is to enhance and develop the police service in its prevention and response to child abuse working with Chief Constables, the College of Policing and statutory and charitable partners across the country. Ian was also formerly the Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside Police.
Simon Bailey is a member of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel. Simon was a police officer for 35 years, the last 8 as the Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary. Simon was also the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for child protection.
Tomi Ogundele is a Child Protection Lawyer at the NSPCC.
Further resources
Learn more about children and the law
Read the UK Government's press release on establishing a redress scheme for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse
Read the Victims' Code and supporting public information materials
About the series
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its final report in October 2022. The report was a comprehensive examination of institutional failings to protect children from sexual abuse, demonstrating the need for a wholesale change in how child sexual abuse (CSA) is tackled. The report highlighted 20 key recommendations that would contribute towards this change.
This five-part podcast series explores these recommendations in more detail. A range of experts from both inside and outside of the NSPCC will break down why the recommendations are needed, how they’ll work if implemented, and what impact they might have on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The series is a useful introduction to the Inquiry for anyone who is working or volunteering with children and young people.
Being online is an integral part of children’s lives, but it can expose them to risks, including sexual abuse. The past five years has seen a proliferation in child sexual abuse material online, and IICSA’s investigations into the problem found that law enforcement is struggling to keep pace.
In this episode of Recommendations for Change, we explore the scale of the online abuse problem and how the IICSA recommendations and the new Online Safety Act seek to tackle the issue. The episode covers the importance of implementing online protections for children and what professionals can do to keep children safe online. You’ll also learn how law enforcement responds to online-facilitated CSA.
About the speakers
Susie Hargreaves is the Chief Executive of the Internet Watch Foundation. She is a member of the National Crime Agency (NCA) Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Command Strategic Governance Group and an Executive Board member of the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS).
Ian Critchley is the National Police Chiefs Council Lead for Child Protection, Abuse and Investigation, a role he has held for three years. Ian’s role is to enhance and develop the police service in its prevention and response to child abuse working with Chief Constables, the College of Policing and statutory and charitable partners across the country. Ian was also formerly the Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside Police.
Further resources
Read the IICSA investigation into child sexual abuse and exploitation facilitated by the internet
Read the latest Internet Watch Foundation annual report
Learn more about online safety with our introductory elearning course
Read our article about what the Online Safety Act means for professionals
Find out more about how young people can use the Report Remove tool to take down nudes shared online
About the series
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its final report in October 2022. The report was a comprehensive examination of institutional failings to protect children from sexual abuse, demonstrating the need for a wholesale change in how child sexual abuse (CSA) is tackled. The report highlighted 20 key recommendations that would contribute towards this change.
This five-part podcast series explores these recommendations in more detail. A range of experts from both inside and outside of the NSPCC will break down why the recommendations are needed, how they’ll work if implemented, and what impact they might have on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The series is a useful introduction to the Inquiry for anyone who is working or volunteering with children and young people.
Many children enter care because they have been abused or neglected. IICSA found that, rather than being protected, many vulnerable children who entered care were subject to further abuse.
This episode of Recommendations for Change looks at the IICSA findings relating to children in care. How did institutions fail to protect looked after children, and what changes – through IICSA or other reform – need to be made to improve the care system for young people and keep them safer in future? This episode also covers the mandatory reporting recommendation made in the final IICSA report.
Read the podcast transcript
About the speakers
Claire Sands is an Associate Head in the NSPCC’s Research and Evidence team. She manages research projects across all areas of NSPCC work and runs the NSPCC Research and Ethics Committee.
Matt Forde is Partnerships and Development Director at the NSPCC. He leads services for children that the NSPCC delivers in partnership with other organisations and communities across the UK and Channel Islands.
Chloe Meaney is an HR Safeguarding Consultant with the NSPCC, she works nationally across a diverse range of sectors as well as providing internal advice and support, looking at HR policy, procedure and practice through a safeguarding lens.
Patricia Cannon is a Children’s Solicitor and Partner at national firm Simpson Millar Solicitors. She specialises in the representation of children and young people in care proceedings before the Family Court.
David Pritchard is the Registrar and Director of Regulation at Social Care Wales, which is responsible for regulation of the social care workforce in Wales. Over 60,000 social care professionals are registered with Social Care Wales, including domiciliary and care home workers, social workers and managers. Before joining Social Care Wales, David was a senior official at the Welsh Government where he led the development of the Regulation and Inspection of Social Care (Wales) Act.
Further resources
Read IICSA's research report into child sexual abuse in children's homes and residential care
View the NSPCC Learning information page on looked after children
Read the latest Working together to safeguarding children statutory guidance
Learn more about safer recruitment
Take our safer recruitment training course
Read our CASPAR briefing on the UK Government plans to reform children's social care in England
Listen to our podcast episode on what's next for children's social care in England
About the series
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its final report in October 2022. The report was a comprehensive examination of institutional failings to protect children from sexual abuse, demonstrating the need for a wholesale change in how child sexual abuse (CSA) is tackled. The report highlighted 20 key recommendations that would contribute towards this change.
This five-part podcast series explores these recommendations in more detail. A range of experts from both inside and outside of the NSPCC will break down why the recommendations are needed, how they’ll work if implemented, and what impact they might have on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The series is a useful introduction to the Inquiry for anyone who is working or volunteering with children and young people.
Gathering and analysing data plays a key role in understanding the extent of child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSA and CSE). The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) final report suggests one of the reasons that the true scale of CSA in the UK is not fully understood is poor data collection.
In the second episode of our series looking at the IICSA final report, we explore the topic of data. You’ll learn how data can help professionals to prevent and respond to CSA, and what the existing data and evidence is telling us about the scale of CSA in the UK. We also cover how the introduction of a single core dataset in the UK will improve data collection.
Read the podcast transcript
About the speakers
Lisa McCrindle is Assistant Director in Policy, Communications and Strategic Influence at the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre). She’s an experienced public policy and communications leader, researcher and evaluator with over 20 years’ experience working in public policy across the children and young people’s agenda.
Kelly Agudelo is Head of Analysis at the National Policing Vulnerability Knowledge and Practice Programme (VKPP).
Further resources> Read the CSA Centre's latest trends in data report
Read the VKPP's National Analysis of Police-Recorded Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Crimes Report 2022
Read the NSPCC Learning briefing on some of the issues to consider when looking at child abuse statistics
About the series
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its final report in October 2022. The report was a comprehensive examination of institutional failings to protect children from sexual abuse, demonstrating the need for a wholesale change in how child sexual abuse (CSA) is tackled. The report highlighted 20 key recommendations that would contribute towards this change.
This five-part podcast series explores these recommendations in more detail. A range of experts from both inside and outside of the NSPCC will break down why the recommendations are needed, how they’ll work if implemented, and what impact they might have on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The series is a useful introduction to the Inquiry for anyone who is working or volunteering with children and young people.
Recommendations for Change is a new five-part podcast series from NSPCC Learning, exploring the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) final recommendations. The series breaks down why the recommendations are needed, how they’ll work if implemented, and what impact they might have on the prevention of child sexual abuse.
This first episode of the series provides the background to the Inquiry. You will learn why IICSA was set up, how the NSPCC contributed to the Inquiry, and why it’s so important for professionals working with children to be aware of the Inquiry and its findings. The episode also covers how the Inquiry engaged with victims and survivors of CSA, including the set-up of the Truth Project.
Read the podcast transcript
About the speakersPeter Wanless is Chief Executive of the NSPCC. Peter joined as Chief Executive in 2013, after running the Big Lottery Fund for 5 years. Before this he worked as a Director at the Department of Education. In the 2021 New Year’s Honours, Peter was awarded a knighthood for services to Children, to Young People and to the Charitable Sector.
Lisa McCrindle is Assistant Director in Policy, Communications and Strategic Influence at the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre). She’s an experienced public policy and communications leader, researcher and evaluator with over 20 years’ experience working in public policy across the children and young people’s agenda.
Dr Maria Neophytou is the Director of Strategy and Knowledge at the NSPCC, joining in 2020 from Impetus, where she was Acting CEO. Maria has worked on strategy, public policy and research in the children’s sector for over fifteen years, exploring how we can harness evidence in aid of social change. She gained her PhD at Cambridge University, where her research was on gender equality and international relations.
Further resources> Read the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) final report
Read the CASPAR summary of the IICSA final report, and the government responses to the recommendations made
View the CSA Centre's 'Key messages from research' series
Access other practice resources from the CSA Centre
Learn more about child sexual abuse
About the series
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) published its final report in October 2022. The report was a comprehensive examination of institutional failings to protect children from sexual abuse, demonstrating the need for a wholesale change in how child sexual abuse (CSA) is tackled. The report highlighted 20 key recommendations that would contribute towards this change.
This five-part podcast series explores these recommendations in more detail. A range of experts from both inside and outside of the NSPCC will break down why the recommendations are needed, how they’ll work if implemented, and what impact they might have on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The series is a useful introduction to the Inquiry for anyone who is working or volunteering with children and young people.
The first 1001 days of a child’s life are crucial for their development and wellbeing. Having access to caring relationships and support networks can help a child’s brain develop in a healthy way.
New parents who experience adversity, such as domestic abuse, may need additional help to build these support networks for their child.
This is the second half of a two-part podcast discussion focusing on For Baby’s Sake, a service which provides therapeutic and trauma-informed support to expectant parents who have experienced domestic abuse.
If you haven't done so already, you can listen to part one here.
This is the You'll hear from Ged Docherty, a Team Manager at For Baby’s Sake Blackpool, and Colin Smy, Development Manager at Blackpool Better Start. In this half of the discussion, Colin and Ged will talk about why it's so important to involve fathers in early intervention, and how service practitioners can engage fathers in their services.
Related resources
Find out more about For Baby’s Sake
Find out more about Blackpool Better Start
Learn more about how childhood trauma affects child brain development
Take the NSPCC’s elearning course on trauma and child brain development
Take the NSPCC’s safeguarding elearning course for anyone working with under 1s and families in the antenatal or postnatal period
The first 1001 days of a child’s life are crucial for their development and wellbeing. Having access to caring relationships and support networks can help a child’s brain develop in a healthy way.
New parents who experience adversity, such as domestic abuse, may need additional help to build these support networks for their child.
This is the first part in a two-part podcast discussion focusing on For Baby’s Sake, a service which provides therapeutic and trauma-informed support to expectant parents who have experienced domestic abuse.
You'll hear from Ged Docherty, a Team Manager at For Baby’s Sake Blackpool, and Colin Smy, Development Manager at Blackpool Better Start. The discussion explores how early intervention services can support families through adversity and give babies the best start in life.
Part two is available here.
Related resources
Find out more about For Baby’s Sake
Find out more about Blackpool Better Start
Learn more about how childhood trauma affects child brain development
Take the NSPCC’s elearning course on trauma and child brain development
Take the NSPCC’s safeguarding elearning course for anyone working with under 1s and families in the antenatal or postnatal period
Evidence plays an important role in social work practice.
Knowledge gained from research and practical experience should be used to ensure decisions about safety and risk are well-informed and ethical.
In this podcast episode, a panel of experts from the NSPCC discuss how social workers can build and maintain an evidence base to support their work.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Find out more about the NSPCC Library and Information Service
Search the national case review repository
Browse the collection of learning from case reviews briefings
Browse the collection of CASPAR briefings on important safeguarding topics
Take the NSPCC's learning from case reviews training course
Subscribe to CASPAR, our safeguarding child protection email newsletter
View the social work Professional Capabilities Framework on the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) website
Listen to the Let's Talk Social Work podcast from BASW
The websites for Research in Practice and Foundations (a merger of the Early Intervention Foundation and What Works for Children's Social Care) also have a range of resources relating to social work evidence.
This is the second in a two-part series looking at the future of children’s social care in England. Listen to the first episode, an interview with Josh MacAlister, here.
Earlier this year, the UK government published its vision for the reform of children's social care in England: Stable homes built on love.
The strategy sets out a number of proposals to family support and early help services, including the rollout of new multi-disciplinary family help teams to provide earlier support to families so they don't reach crisis point.
In this podcast episode three experts from the NSPCC consider what the government’s proposals might look like in practice.
The discussion covered:
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the planned reforms to family support and early help services
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what new multi-disciplinary family help teams might look like
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the benefits and challenges of taking a family-first approach to social care
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the importance of developing meaningful relationships with families and considering lived experience
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changes to social care workforce roles, including the introduction of a new lead child protection practitioner role
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barriers to implementing reform, and how they might affect the day-to-day work of social care professionals.
Related resources
NSPCC Learning: Early help and early intervention
Stable Homes, Built on Love: Implementation Strategy and Consultation
News: The government’s plans to reform children’s social care in England
Government plans to reform children's social care in England: CASPAR briefing
The independent review of children’s social care final report: CASPAR briefing
This is the first in a two-part series looking at the future of children’s social care in England.
Earlier this year, the UK government published its vision for the reform of children's social care in England: 'Stable homes, built on love'.
The Independent Review of Children's Social Care in England, which published its final report in May 2022, provided a cornerstone for this strategy. The review was chaired by Josh MacAlister and aimed to produce recommendations for a social care system that puts lifelong loving relationships at the heart of the care system and acts decisively in response to abuse.
In this podcast episode, Abigail Gill, the NSPCC’s Associate Head of Policy and Public Affairs, sat down with Josh to talk about the review and what still needs to be done to meet its aims.
The discussion covered:* the story of the Care Review and what problems it was trying to address * how the review captured the voices and lived experiences of children, young people and adults that have received the help or support of a social worker, or who have been looked after * problems found with the social care system and how these negatively impact safeguarding and child protection * the reforms and recommendations proposed by the review to address these problems * how to implement reform and create positive future change in collaboration with professionals.
Related resources
Stable Homes, Built on Love: Implementation Strategy and Consultation
News: The government’s plans to reform children’s social care in England
Government plans to reform children's social care in England: CASPAR briefing
The independent review of children’s social care final report: CASPAR briefing
The discussion covers topics including how to create a workplace domestic abuse policy, the indicators of domestic abuse and what managers can do to support colleagues experiencing domestic abuse or other safeguarding concerns.
Useful resources> Learn more about domestic abuse
Read our learning from case reviews briefing on domestic abuse
Listen to our podcast episode about why domestic abuse is a child protection issue
Listen to our podcast episode about the NSPCC Helpline's Domestic Abuse Practice Advisors
Report Remove is an online tool that under-18s can use to report nude images or videos of themselves that have been shared online, to see if they can be removed from the internet. Developed by experts from Childline and the Internet Watch Foundation, the tool provides a child-centred and non-judgemental approach to image removal.
Listen to this podcast episode to learn more about why a tool like Report Remove is needed, how the tool works, and how you can signpost young people to the tool as part of your response to incidents of sharing nudes.
You can view the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Find out more about the Report Remove tool and download accompanying print-outs
Watch an introductory video for professionals on how Report Remove works
Access the Report Remove tool on the Childline website
Take the Managing incidents of sharing nudes elearning course to learn more about the topic
Mental health problems can impact on all aspects of a child’s life, and in some cases can lead to safeguarding and child protection concerns. Education professionals are in a good position to look out for children’s mental health, promote their wellbeing and help prevent any mental health problems from escalating into more serious concerns.
This episode examines what education professionals can do to build a positive mental health culture in schools, recognise when young people are struggling with their mental heath and respond appropriately if those struggles escalate into safeguarding concerns.
Learn more about children's mental health
Learn more about Place2Be
Access the Childline resources on mental health, to be used by children and young people
Take the NSPCC Learning mental health safeguarding in education elearning course
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Together for Childhood (TfC), the NSPCC's place-based approach to prevent child abuse and neglect, was launched almost five years ago.
Listen to Pat Branigan, Assistant Director for Together for Childhood, talk to the panel of development managers from all four TfC sites about the benefits of a place-based and community-focused approach to preventing child abuse and neglect.
Find out more about the Together for Childhood programme
Learn more about child abuse and neglect
View our other resources for voluntary and community groups
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this episode, we hear from Dr Helen Beckett and Dr Debbie Allnock, two researchers from the Safer Young Lives Research Centre (SYLRC), who worked on a study looking at adolescents’ experiences of sexual abuse and how this has affected their mental health and wellbeing.
The discussion covers what the purpose of the study , the importance of listening to and learning from young people themselves, and the ‘six pillars’ of an effective response to adolescents who have experienced sexual abuse.
Listen to Katy Tomkinson and Rowan Wolfe who work on our harmful sexual behaviour service talk about the effects of sibling sexual abuse on children and families; how to provide whole-family support; the impact of family dynamics and contributing factors to harmful sexual behaviour being displayed.
This episode touches on our practitioners’ experiences of working directly with children and families. Although all experiences are generalised, they could be upsetting for some, and may cause distress.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Katy Tomkinson and Rowan Wolfe, who work on our HSB service, talk about: what denial might look like; using therapeutic and trauma-informed approaches in your practice; exploring children’s lived experiences and feelings; how to get children and young people to open up and build trust.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
The NSPCC recently secured funding from the COVID-19 Support Fund to launch a three-year domestic abuse project and extend the capacity of the NSPCC Helpline to support contacts who have experienced domestic abuse. In this episode, the NSPCC’s two new Domestic Abuse Practice Advisors, Lisa Begley and Naomi Hawthorne, speak about the risk factors and indicators of domestic abuse, and their work in ensuring all NSPCC Helpline staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to support domestic abuse survivors.
The discussion covers: * how callers to the Helpline are provided with holistic support * how witnessing domestic abuse can affect children and young people * how helpline practitioners are trained to safeguard children and young people from any further emotional harm.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
This episode focuses on why child neglect happens, what can be done to support families when there is neglect, and how it’s vital to keep children at the forefront of any responses to neglect.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Listen to the episode to learn about what neglect is, why it can be challenging to conduct assessments around neglect, why neglect happens and what can be done to help families when neglect takes place.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
You’ll learn about the prevalence and different forms of TA-HSB, the NSPCC’s research into this area and what help is available for professionals working with children and young people.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Continuing on from episode 43, Katy and Rowan discuss helpful ideas you can use in your work to talk about difficult topics and explore harmful sexual behaviour.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Hear NSPCC practitioners talk about conducting therapeutic sessions with children and young people and understanding how to manage incidents of harmful sexual behaviour.
This episode touches on our practitioners’ experiences of working directly with children and families. Although all experiences are generalised, they could be upsetting for some, and may cause distress.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Listen to the episode to find out about why intersectional thinking is important in safeguarding, the impact of not taking an intersectional approach and why applying this approach to your practice can be helpful when working with children and young people.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Gain an insight into the dynamics of domestic abuse, the effects it can have on children and young people and learn about how you can improve your practice to reduce risks to children.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Supported by the COVID-19 Support Fund
We invited practitioners from our InCtrl service, a preventative group-work programme, to talk about creating safer online experiences, building digital resilience and encouraging positive behaviour online.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this episode, we’re joined by the authors of our commissioned review, Dr. Louca-Mai Brady and Berni Graham, as well as Georgia Hyde-Dryden from the NSPCC. You’ll hear them discuss the key findings and best practices identified from the literature review, including what services volunteers provided to families, challenges and issues that need to be considered and how this will inform the NSPCC’s future opportunities. View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this episode, we reflect on the past nine months with our CEO, Peter Wanless, discussing the issues and challenges children and young people are facing;what child protection and safeguarding themes have emerged; delivering services for children and families remotely.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Find out about how we engaged with families during the COVID-19 pandemic, what we learnt during this period, the challenges and benefits of delivering a virtual service to pregnant women and how we created a strong community ethos across all our Baby Steps sites. View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Listen to the episode to hear key learning from the research and how it’ll help develop practice; why we’ve adapted our service delivery models; what families, practitioners, facilitators and external partners think about the changes; and how the voice of the child was captured. View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In order to continue to reach every child during the pandemic, we’ve worked hard to launch an online version of the programme that can be used in the classroom. What does this change mean for schools?
This episode features Karen Squillino, the head of the NSPCC’s Schools Service and Sally McDawn, an area coordinator at the NSPCC.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
To mark DART’s ten-year anniversary, we invited some of the team involved in delivering the service, including one of our scale-up partners, My Sister’s House Women’s Centre, to talk about the impact it’s had on children and families they’ve worked with.
This episode features Claire Burns, an Implementation Manager at the NSPCC, Mel Hughson, a Children’s Services Practitioner at the NSPCC and Natalie Everson, a DART Programme Co-ordinator from My Sister’s House Women’s Centre.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Listen to our episode to find out about the biggest safeguarding challenges tutors face, the impact of the pandemic, lockdown and social distancing on tutoring and more. This episode features John Nichols and Sarah Gordon who are members of The Tutors’ Association (TTA). View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
If you’re someone who works or volunteers with children and young people, this episode will provide you with an insight into some of the struggles and problems young people have expressed during and after lockdown.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
We talk to Dannie Adcock-Habib, a Children’s Services Practitioner at the NSPCC’s Grimsby Service Centre about the pressures of the lockdown, the long-term impact of the pandemic and more. Tune in to listen to the full discussion.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In the penultimate episode of our coronavirus series, we speak to Shirley Dunn, a form tutor and head of department at a secondary school about measures her school has taken to safeguard children and young people as lockdown progressed.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
This episode features Kay Joel, a Senior Education Consultant at the NSPCC who talks about the current situation and provides an insight into the enquiries we have received in recent weeks.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
This episode features:
- Dr. Jo Black - consultant perinatal psychiatrist
- Penny Dougan - health visitor
- Dr. Alain Gregoire - chair of Maternal Mental Health Alliance UK
- Eileen O’Sullivan - a specialist health visitor in parent and infant mental health
- Claire Spencer - midwife in London
- Katie Worley - a health visiting and school nursing service manager.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Hear how social workers and practitioners can monitor risks and ensure the safety of infants under two to prevent these from becoming child safeguarding practice reviews.
This episode features:
- Rachel Anslow, social worker at the NSPCC
- Wendy Noctor, Safeguarding Manager for the NSPCC’s Safeguarding Unit
- Liana Sanzone, social worker for the NSPCC’s London Infant and Family Team (LIFT)
Read our learning from case reviews briefing on infants
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this episode, you’ll learn about:
- delivering PSHE education programmes and relationships and sex education (RSE)
- providing the right support for young people in educational settings, the wider community or online
- what you can do to help staff in dealing with peer-on-peer sexualised behaviour and peer-on-peer abuse
- how you can support parents and carers in creating safer environments for their children
- the importance of working collaboratively with external services such as the police or children’s services.
This episode features: * Pat Branigan, the NSPCC’s Development and Impact Manager for Children’s Services and lead on harmful sexual behaviour * Antoinette Jackson, a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at a Secondary Provision * Dave Jenkins, a Vice Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at a secondary school * Katy Tomkinson, a qualified social worker for the NSPCC
The NPSCC would like to thank Academy Transformation Trust and Ormiston Academies Trust for sharing their expertise and helping us develop our series on harmful sexual behaviour.
We’ll be releasing episodes on a monthly basis starting from March, so subscribe to our podcast via Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay up-to-date.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this episode, our guest speakers discuss: * how assessments such as the AIM assessment are used to determine levels of risk and where they should be applied * why it’s important to integrate responses to sexualised behaviour into your wider policies and overarching strategy * how to address serious harmful behaviours and when a referral should be made to a service for an assessment * what actions to take when lower level behaviour concerns are displayed and how to minimise risks going forward. * why it’s vital to keep your professional knowledge and training up-to-date.
This episode features: * Sarah Bloomer, the Director of Safeguarding for Academy Transformation Trust * Pat Branigan, the NSPCC’s Development and Impact Manager for Children’s Services and lead on harmful sexual behaviour * Nicole Rossage, an experienced Designated Safeguarding Lead working within the education sector * Katy Tomkinson, a qualified social worker for the NSPCC
The NPSCC would like to thank Academy Transformation Trust and Ormiston Academies Trust for sharing their expertise and helping us develop our series on harmful sexual behaviour.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Our episode will help you to understand: * the issues schools, colleges and academies are currently seeing and why there’s an increase in sexualised behaviour in young people * what healthy, problematic and harmful behaviours are and how you can respond appropriately * how children and young people are affected, including those who display sexualised behaviour * what you can do to balance needs so that safeguarding is prioritised without affecting education.
This episode features: * Fiona Barber, Children’s Service Practitioner at the National Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (NCATS) * Pat Branigan, the NSPCC’s Development and Impact Manager for Children’s Services and lead on harmful sexual behaviour * Lucy Dawes and Jacqui Ferris, Assistant Principals at Ormiston Academy Trust and Academy Transformation Trust
The NPSCC would like to thank Academy Transformation Trust and Ormiston Academies Trust for sharing their expertise and helping us develop our series on harmful sexual behaviour.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website. Reference Hackett, S. (2014) Children and young people with harmful sexual behaviours. London: Research in Practice.
Listen to our episode to find out: * why and how the films and resources were developed * how the resources can be delivered * the benefits these resources provide for young people with learning disabilities
This episode features: * Helen Westerman - joint acting Head of Safeguarding in Communities at the NSPCC * Elanor Stannage -theatre practitioner, director, writer, and producer for projects around mental health and learning difficulties
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Access our Love Life resources
Listen to this week’s episode to learn about: * the Steps to Safety programme, including the research behind the service and its development process * what the outcomes were from the feasibility study and what we learnt from the service * how practitioners assessed parents, delivered sessions and modules and used Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) * the challenges practitioners encountered whilst implementing the pilot programme * how children’s voices were considered at each stage to ensure the service was delivered safely.
Download the report on the feasibility study here.
This episode features the following individuals from the NSPCC:
- Host – Helen Munn, Head of Online Learning
- Nicola McConnell, Senior Evaluation Officer
- Roberta Neill, Children’s Services Practitioner
- Paula Telford, Development and Impact Manager
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Joining us for this episode, Sarah discusses: * our report findings including the key issues for parents and carers * the need for accessible relationships and sex education for children and young people with disabilities * how parents and carers can work with schools to provide children with consistent messages around relationships and sex education * involving children, young people and their parents and carers in the development of services and approaches to preventing sexual abuse
Download the ‘Parents’ and carers’ views on how we can work together to prevent the sexual abuse of disabled children’ report here.
This episode features:
- Host - Ali Brown, the NSPCC’s Knowledge Transfer Manager
- Sarah Goff, Safeguarding Disabled Children Services Manager for the Ann Craft Trust
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Tune into our episode for more about:
- the impact PANTS has had since it launched in 2012
- having conversations around PANTS and embedding the messages into daily life
- how local safeguarding boards, parents, schools and local communities are helping to raise awareness of the campaign
- what children have said about the PANTS campaign and future developments to materials and resources.
This episode features:
- Host - Ali Brown, the NSPCC’s Knowledge Transfer Manager
- Ally Sultana, Local Campaigns Manager for the NSPCC (East and West Midlands)
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Download our PANTS resources for schools
Find out more about Talk PANTS for parents and carers
In this episode, we speak to Leila Canay, one of Stoke’s Children Services Practitioners about:
- what evaluation activities are currently being run in Stoke
- how the initiative has invited change and developed over time working with the community and partners
- establishing professional and community partnerships, including embracing collaboration and co-creation
- how young people can be involved in influencing and informing Together for Childhood in their local area.
This episode features:
- Host – Ali Brown, the NSPCC’s Knowledge Transfer Manager
- Leila Canay, Children’s Services Practitioner at the NSPCC’s Stoke Service Centre/Community Engagement Officer for Together for Childhood in Stoke
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this episode, our contributors discuss:
- the role and responsibilities of a charity trustee
- the key to good governance in a charity
- the importance of complying with legislation and guidance around keeping children safe
- top tips to ensure charity trustees and managers are working well and playing an active role in safeguarding.
This episode features:
- Host – Chris Cloke, former Head of Safeguarding in Communities at the NSPCC
- Cate Meredith, Senior Consultant for NSPCC’s Safeguarding in Communities team
- Kathy Evans, CEO of Children England
This series was carried out as part a partnership led by NCVO, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the National Lottery Fund within the Safeguarding Training Fund programme.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
We are almost reaching the end of our series on safeguarding children and young people within local communities. Tune into this week’s episode to find out more about:
- the role faith-based communities and groups have in children and young people’s lives
- why it’s essential groups and communities understand their safeguarding responsibilities
- how to address safeguarding challenges and develop a safeguarding culture that works alongside cultural beliefs, values and customs
- the importance in listening to children and young people and ensuring children always feel listened to.
Our contributors:
- Host – Cate Meredith, Senior Consultant for NSPCC’s Safeguarding in Communities team
- Shirley Maginley, Senior Consultant for NSPCC’s Safeguarding in Communities team (Faith and Minority Ethnic Communities)
- Mike Williams, Senior Evaluation Officer for NSPCC’s Evidence team
These episodes were produced as part of a partnership led by NCVO, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the National Lottery Fund within the Safeguarding Training Fund programme.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
You’ll learn about:
- good safeguarding practices for schools
- the barriers children can face when talking about their experiences of abuse
- managing relationships with parents
- supporting students and staff and promoting positive mental health
- how to work with other organisations and statutory services in the community to ensure pupils feel safe and supported.
Contributors to this episode are:
- Host – Ali Brown, Knowledge Transfer Manager at the NSPCC
- Kay Joel, Senior Education Consultant at the NSPCC
- Helen, the parent of a primary school child
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Our host Chris Cloke and Gawain Griffiths, a Website Supervisor for the NSPCC discuss:
- how to run online services safely and manage an online presence effectively adopting professional and personal life boundaries online, particularly, with social media and email accounts
- the impact of bullying and how to prevent it online and respond appropriately
- who organisations can go to for resources, guidelines, templates and support
- what children and young people tell Childline about keeping safe online.
These episodes were produced as part of a partnership led by NCVO, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the National Lottery Fund within the Safeguarding Training Fund programme.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Through this episode, you’ll find out more about: * the similarities, differences and challenges in safeguarding adults and children * how organisations working with mixed-age groups can safeguard children and adults in their care * the importance of separate policies and procedures for adults and children * safer recruitment and changing organisational culture so that safeguarding is a priority * the support and resources available to mixed-age group organisations.
This episode features: * Host – Chris Cloke, former Head of Safeguarding in Communities at the NSPCC * Sarah Stanley, Education and Development Co-ordinator for Brass Bands England * Lisa Curtis, Safeguarding Adults at Risk Manager for the Ann Craft Trust
These episodes were produced as part of a partnership led by NCVO, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the National Lottery Fund within the Safeguarding Training Fund programme.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
This summer, we are releasing a compilation of episodes on key topics related to safeguarding children and young people within your community.
Learn more about:
- building a safer culture in your organisation
- how to deal with and respond to concerns about a young person or adult
- making the nominated lead role visible to children, staff and parents so they know who to go to for support
- training and development needs, including supervision and support for nominated leads
- the importance of establishing multi-agency relationships.
Those who have contributed to this episode are:
- Host – Helen Munn, Head of Online Learning at the NSPCC
- Cate Meredith, Senior Consultant for NSPCC’s Safeguarding in Communities team
- Trupti Kavia, Head of Family Services and Child Protection Lead at Home-Start in Barnet, Brent, Enfield and Harrow.
These episodes were produced as part of a partnership led by NCVO, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the National Lottery Fund within the Safeguarding Training Fund programme.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this episode, we focus on:
- advice, tips and guidance on safeguarding to get you started
- common challenges organisations face when addressing safeguarding issues
- bringing organisations up to speed with current legislation
- the need for organisations to tailor policies and procedures
- keeping communication channels open between children and organisations.
Those who have contributed to this episode are:
- Host - Chris Cloke, previous Head of Safeguarding in Communities at the NSPCC
- Cate Meredith, Senior Consultant for NSPCC’s Safeguarding in Communities team
- Heidi Bradley, Club Support Manager for England Athletics and Ambassador for Brass Bands England on Safeguarding
These podcasts were produced as part of a partnership led by NCVO, funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the National Lottery Fund within the Safeguarding Training Fund programme.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
The lead author of the report, Holly Bentley, a Senior Information Specialist at the NSPCC speaks about:
- why we chose to focus on online safety and online abuse this year
- where we sourced the data from
- how we collaborated with experts who have an insight into the world of online safety
- the key findings and main conclusions drawn from the report
- how our surveys gave children a safe space to talk about their experiences.
Listen to the podcast to find out more about our How safe? 2019 report.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Read the full How safe are our children? 2019 report here
Register your interest for the How safe? 2020 conference now
Tune into the podcast to listen to our experts discuss:
- what professionals should consider when working with military families
- how the child’s voice was incorporated into our evaluation activities
- safeguarding and child protection issues faced by military-connected children
- parental resilience, social connections and emotional development
- key findings and recommendations from our service evaluation report.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
This episode features two of our Senior Consultants at the NSPCC, Donya Pourzand and Craig Keady, who discuss the importance of safer recruitment in educational institutions.
They explore:
- how schools, colleges and academies can recruit safely
- what can go wrong when a safer recruitment process isn’t followed
- examples of high-level profile cases that have put education in the spotlight for the wrong reasons
- the common errors made by educational institutions during recruitment processes
- why training is key to bringing safer recruitment statutory guidance to life
- the importance of including the child’s voice in recruitment.
Start listening to the podcast now.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
We talk to the NSPCC’s Senior Educational Consultant, Kay Joel, about the following:
- the importance of having anti-bullying policies and procedures
- why schools need an anti-bullying ethos approach
- how policies and procedures have changed over the years
- what makes an effective anti-bullying policy and procedure
- where to go for further tips and advice on bullying.
Click play to listen to the podcast now.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
Speak out Stay safe is our free safeguarding service that we’ve been running in primary schools since 2011. The programme is delivered by specially trained staff and volunteers with the help of our Speak out Stay Safe mascot, Buddy the speech bubble. Pupils are taught in a lively, memorable and child-friendly way.
Joining us in this podcast, we have Rose Bray, NSPCC’s Reach Development Project Manager for the NSPCC’s Schools Service, Karen Squillino who leads on our direct work with schools, and Katie, a parent whose son has taken part in the programme.
This podcast explores:
- the scale of the programme and its delivery in schools
- a real life example of how the service has benefitted a parent and their child
- how the child’s voice is kept at centre of the programme
- challenges around reaching and accessing schools
- next steps for the Speak out Stay safe service.
Click the play button to listen to the podcast now.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
The NSPCC runs two services that support parents with their mental health, Pregnancy in Mind (PiM) and Baby Steps. In our fifth podcast, we speak with Louise Harrington, Development and Impact Manager and Victoria Joel (Tori), Implementation Manager about preventative mental health services and perinatal educational programmes. Find out why parents might be referred to these types of services, how they engage with families to provide the right support and what provisions are currently available to parents outside of the NSPCC. We end the podcast with a discussion about how the child is kept at the centre of the programmes and how this is managed in cases where babies are yet to be born.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
The Lighthouse is a multi-agency service for children and young people in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington who have experienced any form of sexual abuse, including exploitation. At The Lighthouse, the child is at the centre, to make sure they have a safe place to recover at their own pace and rebuild their lives. The Lighthouse (Child House) is led by University College London Hospitals in partnership with NSPCC and Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust and will be piloted for two years.
In this podcast episode Ali is joined by two members of the Lighthouse team: Emma Harewood, Service Manager and Deborah Hodes, Community Paediatrician and Health Lead, along with Jon Brown, Head of Development and Impact at the NSPCC.
Emma, Deborah and Jon provide an insight into how The Lighthouse was established, discussing how the NSPCC along with four core funders (the Home Office, NHS England, the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) and the Department for Education) helped shape it to become the first service of its kind in the UK.
We hear about the range of services children can access under one roof from therapeutic and medical services to support with police investigations, the court system and counselling for them and their family. They also talk about how children are consulted at every step as well as the future plans for The Lighthouse service.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this podcast episode Ali talks to four members of the team: Mandy John-Baptiste, Service head of CTAC, Martina Murray, Assistant team manager, and Charlotte Jamieson and Sylvia Vuong who are social workers. Mandy, Martina, Charlotte and Sylvia provide us with an overview of CTAC's work and explain why children and young people are trafficked and the ways in which they are exploited. They also discuss the “tricks” child traffickers employ to control and isolate children and young people and what professionals should do if they suspect a child might have been trafficked. We also hear about the child’s voice and the part this plays in shaping the essential service CTAC provides.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this podcast episode, Ali talks to four members of the Protect and Respect team: Holly Gordon, Impact and Development Manager, Laura Gaffor and Amy Stelfox, Child Service Practitioners and Mike Williams, Senior Evaluation Officer.
Holly, Laura, Amy and Mike discuss the Protect and Respect service, which offers two types of support: awareness raising group work and a support and protection service. They talk about the issues surrounding CSE and how best to work with children and young people who have been or are at risk of exploitation.
They also discuss the findings of a recent evaluation of Protect and Respect and how the insight from the service evaluation, research and the voices of practitioners, children and young people has been used to make improvements to the service delivery.
View the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.
In this podcast episode, we speak to Jon Brown, the NSPCC's Head of Development and Impact. Jon gives us an overview of Together for Childhood, which is being developed in four sites: Glasgow, Grimsby, Plymouth and Stoke. He talks about the collaborations and co-developments between voluntary, statutory and community sectors, how the programme is helping develop current and new NSPCC services and how it is being funded, evaluated and rolled out.
We'll be visiting the four sites in future episodes to talk more in depth about the work they are doing.
View podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.