Safeguarding Redefined

While we take a summer breather, we're revisiting one of our most-loved episodes/posts from earlier this year... Pornography is shaping how young people view sex, intimacy, and relationships, but not in a healthy way. So why is it still a taboo topic? In this episode, Chris East speaks with PJ Livett, founder of rePHRASE, about the real cost of porn. With children exposed to porn as young as 7 or...

He was a Premier League footballer at the top of his game - but off the pitch, Paul Stewart was carrying a harrowing secret. In this powerful episode, Paul speaks openly about the lasting impact of childhood abuse: the pain, the silence, and the impact on those closest to him. Now, he’s using his lived experience to drive real change - making safeguarding in sport more accessible, easier to follow...

⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses the tragic case of a young person who took their own life. In this powerful episode, we revisit a live webinar hosted by Patronus Safeguarding, where our very own Chris East joined Klaudia Ratajzack and Martin Chapman to walk through a real and deeply affecting safeguarding case. Chris shares his experience as a DSL and Safeguarding Manager in a Further a...

What happens when you've dealt with too much? Jennie Blake has spent 25 years safeguarding young people, including within the housing and homelessness services. Youth violence. Death. Trauma. Systemic failure. She’s seen it all, and felt the cost. In this raw and honest conversation, Jennie shares: The impact of serious safeguarding concerns on staff mental health How desensitisation creeps in and...

Is it genuine love… or a warning sign? In this powerful episode, PJ Livett, Founder of rePHRASE, returns to help us explore the early stages of relationships, and how to know if yours is a healthy or toxic one. From love-bombing to controlling behaviours disguised as care, we explore: The red flags you might miss What healthy love really looks like How to help young people spot the difference Whet...

In this episode, Chris East combines two of his greatest passions - history and safeguarding - to take us on a fascinating journey through time. From the early days of child protection in the Victorian era and the founding of the NSPCC, through to the major turning points of the 20th century, Chris explores how safeguarding has evolved into the practice we know today. Whether you're curious about...

Do you work in Pastoral, Wellbeing and/or Safeguarding? We're joined once again by Mike Leaman and we're shifting our focus on to the sometimes unsung heroes of education: 'Support Staff'. Together, we explore:- How pastoral and safeguarding skills transfer across roles- The emotional toll of this work (and how to manage it)- What to consider if you're thinking of a career move...

⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses suicide and bereavement. What do you say to someone who has lost a loved one to suicide? How can we actually support them, not just in the moment but in the months and years that follow? In 2018, Caroline’s husband of 18 years took his own life without warning, leaving behind their two young children. Caroline’s journey following this tragedy led her to c...

We’re joined by the bold and uncompromising Sema Gornall, CEO of The VaVengers, a UK-based charity fearlessly fighting to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and all forms of violence against women and girls, both here in the UK and around the world. Sema doesn’t tiptoe around the truth. She challenges the labels, flips the narrative, and asks: What if the way we talk about abuse is part of the pr...

Feeling the Weight of Safeguarding? You’re Not Alone. DSLs carry enormous responsibility - but who supports them? Victoria Morris, with 20 years in education and 10 as a DSL, joins us to talk about the power of supervision. We explore why supervision is essential for those holding safeguarding responsibility - offering not just support, but space to reflect, be challenged, and process the emotiona...

When a child has a serious allergy, their safety depends on the people around them being prepared - and that includes, schools, care givers, and you. This week, Chris is joined by Tracy Dunn, Education & AllergyWise Manager at Anaphylaxis UK, to explore why allergy management is a safeguarding matter, not just a medical one. We dig into the confusion between intolerance and allergy; why school...

What does self-neglect really look like, and when should we be concerned?  In this episode, Chris is joined by Adam Seomore, a trained adult nurse and Head of Safeguarding at Provide Community, to explore the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of self-neglect.  From hoarding to changes in routine, they unpack how to recognise when someone might be struggling and how to approach the conversation with c...

Ever been labelled ‘difficult’? Or watched a child dismissed as the ‘naughty one’? In this episode, Chris is joined by Louise Belshaw — The ADHD Teacher — to challenge the misconceptions surrounding ADHD and how they affect children’s safeguarding. They explore why behaviour is often misunderstood, why girls with ADHD are frequently overlooked, and what’s really happening when a child excels in on...

Feeling the weight of safeguarding? You're not alone. In this powerful episode, we’re sharing the live audio recording from our sold-out Safeguarding the DSL webinar - hosted by Cornerstone's Chris East . We explore the emotional toll DSLs often carry, why support and supervision are essential (not optional), and what organisations can do to better support those who are supporting others....

In this bold episode of Safeguarding Redefined , Chris chats with Elizabeth Macauley, to ask the tough questions:  Are we truly hearing what children have to say?  Are we giving them the power to shape their own futures? We dive into why children’s rights are still patchy and poorly understood across different services . In schools and social care, they’re known — but what about in the police, hea...

Every year, an average of 40,000 teachers leave the classroom. Why is this happening - and what can we do about it? In this episode, we speak with Mike Leaman, Founder of Classroom Exit Coach and former school leader with over a decade in education leadership. Mike shares powerful insights into why educators are stepping away - from burnout and toxic cultures to feeling undervalued and under const...

The EYFS safeguarding reforms introduced in October 2024 bring crucial updates to safer recruitment, absence follow-ups, and ‘safer eating’ guidance - designed to keep every child safe. But what do these changes mean in practice? Early Years expert Alison Featherbe joins our host Chris East to break down the key updates, why small shifts in our actions matter, and how we can create safer environme...

Great teaching isn’t just about lesson plans - it’s about reflection, growth, and truly understanding student needs.  In this episode of Safeguarding Redefined , Chris chats with Martin Tormey from Opalite Learning , an organisation dedicated to transforming education through reflective practice and holistic professional development. With a background in teaching, headship, and pastoral care, Mart...

From music festivals to sporting events, thousands of people gathering all in one place - but how many of these events are truly safeguarding-aware?! In this episode, Chris East chats with Thomas Stead , owner and founder of X2Consult (read as 'Time 2 Consult'), an event safeguarding expert who works with organisers to identify risks, close gaps, and prevent safeguarding failures before th...

In today’s digital world, your past social media posts could come back to haunt you - potentially affecting job applications, leadership roles, or safeguarding responsibilities. But how can organisations assess these risks fairly and effectively? In this episode of Safeguarding Redefined, Chris East speaks with Nic Whelan, Director at Social Media Check, about how their innovative automated system...

Porn is shaping how young people view sex, intimacy, and relationships - but not in a healthy way. So why is it still a taboo topic? In this episode, Chris East speaks with PJ Livett , founder of rePHRASE , about the real cost of porn. With children exposed to porn as young as 7 or 8 , we must ask: Should we be talking about this more? This is a safeguarding conversation we can’t afford to ignore....

We teach kids to stay safe online, to be careful in public, to look out for danger. But what about financial safety? Right now, young people are entering adulthood without being taught the basic financial knowledge they need whilst at school. They’re falling victim to scams, sinking into debt, and making money mistakes that could affect them for years—simply because no one taught them how to prote...

Chris East chats with Ellen Engstrom, Senior Policy and Engagement Officer for the Independent Higher Education, to unpack the critical new E6 conditions and requirements from the Office for Students. These regulations, designed to prevent and address harassment and sexual misconduct in higher education, have far-reaching implications and offer valuable insights for any industry. Ellen, with her e...

How can organisations safeguard their staff while prioritising wellbeing? In this episode of Safeguarding Redefined , Chris East talks to Oliver Sussat and Tanya Birnie from Harding Hub, specialists in helping businesses, charities, and educational institutions build proactive wellbeing strategies.  They share why early intervention is key, how safeguarding should be embedded in workplace culture,...

In the second part of our focus on safeguarding in higher education, host Chris East is joined once again by Annelli Peavot, Head of Safeguarding at Canterbury University, to examine the biggest challenges universities face—from limited resources and inconsistent frameworks to cultural sensitivities and financial pressures. They discuss the most common safeguarding concerns, including substance mi...