About Safeguarding

Episode 14: Passionate About Safeguarding with Kath Bennett

Welcome to Episode 14, where we have an insightful chat with Kath Bennett, the Safeguarding Case Manager at England Rugby Football Union (RFU). This episode takes you behind the scenes to discover the vital work that the England RFU does in protecting both children and adults in rugby clubs across England. Kath walks us through the essential policies and procedures they meticulously adhere to.
But it doesn't stop there. Kath also highlights their collaborations with different agencies and their active participation in the wider sports network.
In an open and honest discussion, Kath discusses the broader world of safeguarding in sports, emphasising that it reaches beyond the rugby pitch. She stress that safeguarding is a collective effort that we all need to embrace to protect everyone involved.
Join us for Episode 14, where we unravel the layers of protection that ensure the well-being of all members in the sports community. Whether you're a sports enthusiast or simply interested in safeguarding, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode 13: Passionate About Safeguarding with Janet Ayoola

In this podcast episode, we have a fascinating chat with Janet Ayoola, a dedicated advocate in the field of child protection. Janet not only serves as a conference chairperson for child protection matters but also works as an independent social worker in London.
She takes us on a journey through the child protection conference process and gives us a glimpse into her role as a social worker. During our conversation, Janet shares some practical advice on how to get ready for these conferences and what you can expect when you attend one. She also dives into how parental assessments function and stresses the importance of recognising a family's strengths when working together to support their children.
This episode is a treasure trove of valuable insights, especially for those eager to learn more about the world of child protection conferences.

Episode 12: Passionate About Safeguarding with Anne-Marie McAteer

In this episode Anne Marie McAteer, a recently retired Detective Constable and specialist Crime trainer at Kent Police, walks us through her involvement in training Kent Police officers and social workers, highlighting the paramount significance of collaboration between these two essential forces.
Anne Marie helps us understand what Section 47 and Section 17 are and explains the role of the appropriate adults. She navigates us through the delicate issue of obtaining consent when the police talk to children and has an open and honest conversation with Madeline about the intricate dynamics between Schools, the Police, and Social Workers.
Join us for this episode filled with eye-opening insights that will expand your perspective on safeguarding. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in this field, you're in for an engaging and enriching podcast journey. Make sure you don't miss out.

Episode 11: Passionate About Safeguarding with Sally Lah - Anyane

Join us today for another podcast episode as we sit down with Sally Lah-Anyane, the Assistant Headteacher and designated safeguarding lead at Millway Primary School in Northampton. Delving into the complexities of her role, Sally takes us on a journey through a day in the life of a DSL.
Sally reveals her exceptional ability to juggle multiple roles within the school while providing invaluable insights into how she manages her day with utmost efficiency. Moreover, she sheds light on the crucial aspect of ensuring that safeguarding becomes a collective responsibility, emphasising that everyone plays a pivotal role in this crucial endeavor.
As our conversation unfolds, Sally talks about her school's holistic approach to supporting mental health, which extends its nurturing embrace not only to the children but also to the adults within the school community.
Tune in to this captivating episode and uncover the power of safeguarding and mental health support at Millway Primary School.

Episode 10: Passionate About Safeguarding with Jamie Ainscow

Join us on today's episode as we sit down with Jamie Ainscow, an Executive Headteacher and Deputy Safeguarding Lead for his Trust. Jamie enlightens us about his pivotal role within his Trust, the recent OFSTED inspections and the crucial questions posed to Jamie. Unveiling valuable insights, Jamie also unveils his strategies for ensuring that all staff members stay updated on the latest Safeguarding protocols, extending beyond the traditional INSET training day. 

Episode 9: Safeguarding children with SEND needs

Melanie Banks is a Family Support worker and DSL from The Milestone School in Gloucester. Melanie shares with us her unique perspective on safeguarding children with SEND, drawing upon her previous experience as a nurse. Melanie takes us on a journey through The Milestone School, a communication-rich environment that caters to children aged 2 to 16. She explains how the school's child-centered approach is integral to her role, and how it helps to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Episode 8: Safeguarding children with SEND needs

Join us in our latest podcast episode featuring the incredible Nicola Holland, the DSL Online Safety lead and CEOP ambassador at Billing Brook School in Northampton. Nicola's passion for online safety is contagious as she shares her insights on prioritising children's safety, effective communication, and the impact of non-verbal cues on referrals to MASH. Plus, she offers valuable resources for giving SEND children a voice in safeguarding and her unwavering support to anyone who needs it.

Episode 7: Safeguarding children with SEND needs

Our latest podcast episode featuring Harry Welch, Assistant Headteacher and DSL at the River Dart Academy in Dartington, Devon. In this episode, Harry shares his valuable experiences, practices, and research into safeguarding children with SEMH (Social, Emotional, and Mental Health) needs. Harry emphasises the importance of being attentive to children's breadcrumbs and also shares his strategies for encouraging staff to take action when they say they will.

Episode 6: Safeguarding Children with SEND needs

Kate Spencer is a highly regarded Inclusion Lead, DSL, and Attendance Lead at Oscott Manor (Specialist) School in Erdington, Birmingham.
Kate sheds light on the approaches her school takes to safeguard children with Autism, providing practical advice and support to staff in mainstream schools. She also highlights the importance of having a robust Early Help offer within your school and explains how to approach the MASH team when reporting a safeguarding concern regarding a child with Autism.

Safeguarding Culture - Episode 5

Andrew Day, the Headteacher at The Unicorn School in Abingdon, shares with us his experience with safeguarding culture in his specialist school.
He stresses the importance of having a great support network and shares how thankful he is for having a great team of DSLs around him and excellent Governors to call upon when he needs them. Andrew shares how he safeguards children with SEND needs and is the inspiration for our Series 2: Safeguarding Children with SEND.