Conference programme
08:45 Registration, refreshments and exhibition
09:20 Welcome and Introduction - Lara Stead, Lead for Safeguarding in Education, Devon inclusion and learning
09:30 Strengthening safeguarding practice: What works in addressing child neglect - Jane Wiffin, National safeguarding expert
Child neglect is an issue that impacts children and young people of all ages, from the tiniest babies through to adolescents in the process of adulthood, but its many different presentations and distressing and cumulative impacts are still not universally recognised or responded to consistently well. Child neglect’s widespread prevalence, the potential for long-term harm to children’s physical, emotional and social development and the challenges it presents for effective intervention make it one of the most pressing national safeguarding issues.
The presentation will focus on the messages emerging from the National Panels Thematic Review - which Jane led.
It will cover:
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- Identification of child neglect
- Impact of child neglect and thinking about how we ensure that the neglect the children are experiencing does not become a characterises of the child. Trauma informed approaches
- What do we do about one of the significant impact of child neglect which is bullying
- Neglect and it’s different forms
- Considering "Compensatory care" and the role of schools
- What Tools and Frameworks help DSL's
- Thinking about thresholds and what needs to be shared - making sure this is a two way process
- What questions to ask to get an effective front door enquiry in
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The session will draw on Local and National Safeguarding Reviews and the research base.
10:30 Stronger Together: Families First Partnership reforms, family networks and better outcomes for children - Vicki Whitehead, Assistant Director – Safeguarding, Quality Assurance, Performance and Partnerships
This keynote will provide an overview of the Families First Partnership Programme reforms, setting out what they mean nationally and how they are being implemented locally across Devon. Drawing on practice experience, the session will explore how the reforms strengthen partnership working and place families at the heart of family help and safeguarding responses.
The focus will then turn to the importance of utilising strengths within family networks, including the role of Family Group Decision Making, in improving outcomes for children and young people. Delegates will consider how working with families can support earlier, more sustainable, support and safeguarding interventions.
The session will offer Designated Safeguarding Leads and other education professionals practical insight into how schools can align with Families First principles, work with children, young people and their families to help identify their supportive networks and communities, contribute to network‑led decision making, and play a key role in building safer, more connected systems for children and families across Devon.
11:30 Refreshments, networking and exhibition
12:00 Workshop 1 - see below details of some of the workshops on offer
- Safeguarding when children don’t use words: Protecting SEND learners with limited or no verbal communication
- Children who are missing or at risk of harm outside the home | Lets explore the tools
- "Is this okay?" - Dismantling harmful behaviours and creating safe school cultures
- Be more armadillo: Building parental capacity and resilience through early intervention and co‑production
- Prevent in education: The duty and risk assessment considerations with a side of Martyn's Law
13:10 Lunch, networking and exhibition
14:10 Workshop 2 - see below details of workshops on offer
- Safeguarding when children don’t use words: Protecting SEND learners with limited or no verbal communication
- Children who are missing or at risk of harm outside the home | Lets explore the tools
- "Is this okay?" - Dismantling harmful behaviours and creating safe school cultures
- Be more armadillo: Building parental capacity and resilience through early intervention and co‑production
- Prevent in education: The duty and risk assessment considerations with a side of Martyn's Law
15:15 Comfort break and move back to keynote room
15:20 Building Confidence in proportionate responses to Ra HSB (Reactive Harmful Sexual Behaviour) - Lea Jones, Forensic CAMHS and Tina Ley, Lead on Devon's Safe Healthy Sexual Behaviour Forum
More information coming soon...
16:15 Close of conference - a continued chance for networking and discussion with the exhibition
