The Balloon Crew

What if the system meant to help kids actually pushes them away? And how do we support those who don’t fit the mould of mainstream education? In this episode, Chris East speaks with Chris Powell from Bespoke Mentoring - an organisation born from lived experience, supporting young people who’ve fallen through the gaps. Chris shares how his own school journey shaped his sixth sense for spotting emot...

What if burnout isn’t just a side effect of your job - but of your thinking? In this episode of The Balloon Crew Podcast, Chris East chats with Jane Reason to rethink everything we know about burnout. Drawing from her own experience, Jane challenges the idea that burnout is inevitable in demanding roles like education, healthcare, and beyond. What if burnout doesn’t need to exist at all? What if w...

What really shapes our views on sex education - and are schools getting it right? In this episode, Chris East dives into a raw and real conversation with Becky Blackledge, Founder of 'Get Real Sessions', about why inclusive, age-appropriate sex education is so crucial for young people today. They explore how personal experiences shape our views on sex ed, and why it needs to go beyond biol...

Feeling Stuck Finding the Right Support for Vulnerable Individuals? You're not alone. In this episode, Chris East is joined by Caroline Flynn from MAAPPUK to reveal a small but powerful tool that’s changing the way professionals connect people to the support they need. Imagine a simple keyring that gives you instant access to over 1,000 trusted resources - ready to use anytime on your smartphone,...

In this episode of The Balloon Crew , Chris East chats with Sian Jorgensen — Child Protection Consultant, Director of Encompass Safeguarding , and Founder of ©SAFE Interviewing . With over 20 years of international experience, Sian offers valuable insight into the challenges and responsibilities of safeguarding in international schools and diverse communities. They discuss the importance of buildi...

How do you ensure that a candidate is truly the right fit for a role - not just on paper, but in practice? In this episode, Helen Bowen, Sian Jorgensen, and Jane Reason dive into the final stage of the safer recruitment process, looking beyond qualifications to assess a candidate’s capability, suitability, and background. They explore key considerations such as physical capability, organisational...

References play a crucial role in the safer recruitment process—but how do you use them effectively? I n this episode, Helen Bowen, Sian Jorgensen, and Jane Reason explore the when, why, and how of reference checks, from pre-interview insights to post-selection verification. They discuss what makes a strong reference, how to spot red flags, and why references should be more than just a tick-box ex...

How can we prevent domestic abuse, stalking, and violence before it’s too late? In this powerful episode, Chris East from Cornerstone Safeguarding is joined by Nick Gazzard OBE, Founder and CEO, and Sara Dillon, Training Manager of the Hollie Gazzard Trust , to discuss the incredible work being done in Hollie’s memory. At just 20 years old, Hollie Gazzard’s life was tragically cut short by domesti...

Parenting is a never-ending job - but when it comes to safeguarding, how can parents protect their children while still being… parents? In this episode, Antonia Noble, Founder of The Balloon Crew and Safeguarding Fundamentals, chats with Susan Dunigan, Founder of The Enlightened Parent , to explore how parents and carers can become modern, well-informed champions for their children’s safety and we...

Masculinity is evolving - so how can we help boys develop a positive and healthy identity? In this episode, Chris East from Cornerstone Safeguarding, chats with Richard Pomfrett, founder of The Stay Safe Initiative and Boyz 2 Men , to explore how we can move beyond outdated stereotypes and support boys in developing a healthy, positive sense of masculinity. Richard explains why shifting the focus...

Imagine stepping into a new role without any safeguarding structure in place! What would you do? In this episode, Chris East from Cornerstone Safeguarding, and safeguarding-guru Antonia Noble tackle this all-too-common scenario and provide you with a rapid-fire toolkit to build a robust safeguarding framework from scratch. Join them as they unravel the basics of: Crafting a dynamic Safeguarding Te...

In this episode, Chris East from Cornerstone Safeguarding speaks with Chrissy Sykes, founder of My Body Is My Body — an internationally acclaimed musical body safety programme, that has reached over two million children in more than 60 countries. Driven by a passion to protect children from abuse and exploitation, Chrissy created this free, interactive programme using the power of music, songs, an...

In Part Two of our Safer Recruitment series, we focus on the crucial interview stage —where safeguarding must remain at the forefront. Joining us once again are three safeguarding experts: Jane Reason – Former Head Teacher and Deputy CEO, with 28 years in education. Helen Bowen – Head of Seniors at The English School of Mongolia. Sian Jorgenson – Director of Encompass Safeguarding , supporting sch...

In this episode, we dive into Safer Recruitment: Part 1, and why safeguarding must be embedded in every step of the hiring process. Joining us are three safeguarding experts, with a wide range and extensive experience: Helen Bowen – Head of Seniors at The English School of Mongolia. Sian Jorgensen – Director of Encompass Safeguarding. Jane Reason – Former Head Teacher and Deputy CEO. From job adve...

In this episode, Antonia Noble, founder of The Balloon Crew and Safeguarding Fundamentals, is joined by Andy Privitt from Streetwise 365, an organisation dedicated to empowering positive change in the next generation of young people. Together, they tackle the vital topic of Personal Safety for Children. In light of recent events, they explore practical steps to help young people stay safe, focusin...

Get ready to take flight with The Balloon Crew, the podcast that brings together a network of safeguarding professionals to share their insights, experiences, and passion for protecting others. Each episode explores vital topics in safeguarding, offering fresh perspectives and practical advice to help you navigate this important field. In our debut episode, Chris East from Cornerstone Safeguarding...