Safeguarding Redefined

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...

In this episode of Safeguarding Redefined, our host Chris East is joined by Annelli Peavot, Head of Safeguarding at Canterbury University, to explore the unique challenges of safeguarding in Higher Education. How does safeguarding in universities differ from primary, secondary, and further education? What responsibilities do institutions have when working with adults rather than children? And how...

What happens when we truly listen to those who have lived through unimaginable experiences? In this deeply moving episode, our guest bravely shares their lived experience of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) - with our host, Chris East- offering an unflinching and honest account of the realities of CSE. Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of child sexual exploitation that some may fin...

Safeguarding Redefined is all about transforming the way we approach safeguarding, protection, and innovation. What happens when a safeguarding professional and a tech innovator join forces? They create a game-changing solution that is revolutionising how safeguarding concerns are reported, analysed, and acted upon. Patronus doesn’t just collect data—it turns it into actionable insights, empowerin...

In this episode, co-host Phil sits down with David Warren, who has a background in leadership, teaching, and mentorship, to explore the transformative power of psychological safety in leadership and safeguarding. They dive into how fear-driven leadership stifles voices, breeds trauma, and silences vital concerns, often with devastating consequences. With recent headlines exposing abuse in church s...

In this episode, Chris East is joined by Jon Pettit from Safeguard-Me, a trusted partner of Cornerstone Safeguarding, to discuss the future of safer recruitment. Safeguard-Me’s Digital Passport is revolutionising safeguarding by streamlining compliance, accelerating recruitment, and creating a global network of digitally verified professionals. Designed for the education sector and out-of-school s...

Why do people leave their jobs? More often than not, it’s not the organisation—it’s the leadership. In this thought-provoking episode, Phil and Chris from Cornerstone explore the concept of Safer Leadership—a people-first approach rooted in integrity, values, and humility. We delve into how leaders can either become the greatest source of stress in the workplace or the driving force behind trust,...

Chris from Cornerstone Safeguarding sits down with Nick Gazzard, Founder and CEO of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, and Sara Dillon, their Training Manager, to explore the incredible work being done in Hollie’s memory. The Hollie Gazzard Trust was established after the tragic loss of Hollie Gazzard in 2014, when she was just 20 years old. Since then, the Trust has been at the forefront of efforts to rai...

Safeguarding isn’t just a necessity—it’s the foundation of a safer, more welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and secure. It’s also a powerful way to build trust and credibility. In this episode, we tackle the hidden dangers of ignoring safeguarding responsibilities, including: The fear of safeguarding itself. The myth that “ignorance is bliss”. The burden of responsibility. The chall...

While safeguarding is a broad and complex topic that we could discuss for hours, this episode offers an essential introduction to safeguarding in education. From primary schools to higher education, we explore how to create environments where both students and staff feel safe, supported, and empowered. Join us as we dive into the challenges educators face, the importance of clear and effective pol...

Working on the frontline of safeguarding means no two days are the same, but it also brings its fair share of challenges: The emotional weight of protecting others can be overwhelming. Policies and procedures can often be complex and time-consuming. The demands of the role can lead to burnout. So, how can organisations better support their frontline staff, ensuring they feel empowered and equipped...

In this episode, we dive deeper into the concept of healthy organisational cultures and explore what makes a culture thrive. We discuss the difference between healthy and unhealthy environments, the key elements of a safeguarding culture, and how positivity can be woven into the fabric of an organisation. We explore how leadership can communicate safeguarding practices effectively from the top dow...