The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast

In this episode I am exploring the latest NSPCC Learning from Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews publication 'Domestic abuse: learning from case reviews' and the powerful messages it contains for everyone working with children and families. Domestic abuse is often viewed through the lens of adult relationships, but Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews continue to remind us that children are victim...

In this week's episode I am reflecting on the tragic death of 13-month-old Preston Davey and asking the difficult question that follows so many safeguarding tragedies: how can warning signs exist, yet a child still isn't protected? Rather than focusing on blame, this episode explores what statutory reviews repeatedly tell us about how systems fail, why information doesn't always become understandi...

In this episode I explore why children affected by domestic abuse must be recognised as victims in their own right, rather than simply witnesses to the abuse experienced by adults.  In this episode you will hear: • Why children do not need to be physically harmed to experience significant harm from domestic abuse • How living with fear, coercion, control and unpredictability can affect a child's d...

In this episode I explore the new standalone offence of cuckooing, introduced under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, and why this legislation represents an important shift in recognising exploitation hidden behind closed doors.  In this episode you will hear: • What cuckooing is and how criminals take control of vulnerable people's homes for illegal activity • Why the new offence is significant an...

In this episode I explore the key findings from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Annual Report 2024–25 and what the latest national learning tells us about the risks facing children across England. Whilst many of the themes will feel familiar, the report highlights the increasing complexity of children's lives and the importance of understanding cumulative harm, family adversity and ch...

In this episode I explore why specialist "by and for" domestic abuse services are not optional extras, but essential lifelines for many survivors. We discuss how culture, disability, race, immigration status and systemic inequality can shape both experiences of abuse and access to safety. In this epsiode you will hear: Why a "one size fits all" approach to domestic abuse services does not work for...

In this episode, I explore one of the most recurring and uncomfortable themes emerging from Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews: whether Child in Need (CIN) plans can sometimes create an illusion of safety. We explore: Why Child in Need might be creating the illusion of safety What can be happening  beneath the surface of seemingly stable cases Why a child's lived experience is important What frag...

In this episode I explore the transition from Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) to the proposed Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs), and what this shift means for those working in safeguarding, domestic abuse and independent review work.  This conversation explores: Why the proposed move from DHRs to DARDRs represents a significant shift in how domestic abuse deaths are understood and rev...

In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection between  Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026  and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel's report, It's Silent: Race, Racism and Safeguarding Children . Together, these two publications create a direct challenge for everyone involved in safeguarding review work. One sets the expectation. The other exposes the reality. We unpack wh...

This episode explores the key changes in the 2026 update to Working Together to Safeguard Children and what they mean for those carrying out review work.  From anti-racist practice and adultification bias to new expectations around babies, child sexual abuse assessments, and Rapid Reviews, this guidance marks a significant shift in how safeguarding reviews are expected to generate meaningful learn...

What are we missing in how we record, recognise, and respond to child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE)? In this episode, we explore key insights from two important pieces of research: the Department for Education (March 2026) report on recording practices and serious incident notifications, and findings from the Child Sexual Exploitation Centre . Together, they highlight a critical issue: reco...

Alcohol use in older adults is often described as a hidden issue not because it's uncommon, but because it is frequently overlooked, misunderstood, and under-responded to. In this episode, we explore a recurring theme emerging from safeguarding reviews: when alcohol-related harm presents in later life, it is often masked by other factors, misinterpreted, or not explored with sufficient curiosity....

Do older adults experience the criminal justice system differently? Research and reviews suggest the answer is yes — and the reasons are rarely visible on the surface. Policy, guidance, and legislation all point toward equality, protection, and access to justice. But practice tells a more complex story. In this week's episode we discuss: Why criminal prosecutions involving older victims remain com...

In this week's episode, we explore how ageism, often subtle and unintentional,  shapes the way abuse is recognised and responded to when the victim is older. From normalised harm to compassionate ageism, we examine the biases that can leave older victims invisible within the very systems designed to protect them. In this episode we cover: Why abuse doesn't become less serious simply because the vi...

In this week's episode, we explore the important but often overlooked connections between Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews and the Care Act 2014 and what these reviews are really telling us about how systems respond to older victims of domestic abuse. In this episode we cover: Why Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews matter beyond understanding individual tragedies Missed opportunities to reco...

In today's episode I speak to Katie Fazal. Katie was already an Independent Social Worker when she signed up for SILP training. Now her independent practice includes independent review work.  In this Reviewer Spotlight conversation we cover: Why she believes SILP School was the best way to become successful with independent review work How she balances her consultancy work and ensures there is a c...

In today's reviewer spotlight I talk to Sarah Mantom. Sarah  is a Designated Safeguarding Nurse and has an employed role alongside her independent review work.  In this Reviewer Spotlight conversation we cover: -Why she chose to formalise her practice through SILP training -How she balances working for an organisation with independent review work -How she chose her specialism in reviews Whether yo...

In today's reviewer spotlight I talk to Hazel Chamberlain, a registered children's and adults nurse with over 40 years of safeguarding experience who has recently retired from the NHS to build her own independent review practice. In this Reviewer Spotlight conversation we discuss: Why she chose to formalise her practice through SILP training How flexible independent review work really is Why doing...

In today's episode I talk about the proposals to change the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. Expect this conversation to explore:  the implications of these proposals  the potential impact on legal rights the importance of building trust with families Are you fired up to generate implementable learning in reviews which could potentially improve the lives of vulnerable peop...

In today's episode I talk about the Jay Review which considers what works well when it comes to protecting children from exploitation, as well as commenting on the newly published Youth Justice Board review. Expect this conversation to explore:  the findings of the Jay Review if services are equipped to spot children at risk the government's response Are you fired up to generate implementable lear...

Have your reviews analysed the safeguarding of home-educated children? In today's episode I talk about the NSPCC research exploring the increase in numbers of children educated at home and how the safeguarding system is struggling to keep pace with the shift. Expect this conversation to explore:  the increase in numbers of home-educated children how the safeguarding system is struggling to cope wi...

Learning generated within reviews so often lead us to the same question: Is a person with a learning disability at higher risk of exploitation or modern slavery more specifically? Or to take it one step further, are they being targeted for exploitation? Expect this conversation to explore:  Highlights from some new key research that has just come to an end What in these situations has the potentia...

This week's episode opens the conversation about the role of the NHS in preventing domestic abuse. We are most likely to tell a health care professional if we are experiencing abuse. Yes, even ahead of other professionals. Expect this conversation to explore:  The number of people who seek support from the NHS in relation to domestic abuse The role the NHS has in preventing domestic abuse Why this...

Are we getting more curious about protected characteristics? In this episode join me as I explore how systems record (and sometimes miss) protected characteristics and why this matters far beyond compliance. Expect this conversation to explore:  How our ability to record protected characteristics is improving What prevents services from developing a complete joined up picture of an individual's vu...

Do your reviews have an appreciative focus?  Some  worry that focusing on strengths weakens robustness and in today's episode I will share my own journey with appreciative reviews.  Expect this conversation to explore:  Why laying foundations for appreciative inquiry work was necessary How can appreciative focus make reviews more meaningful and human The key to inviting people into a review with a...