AoCPP Events - November / December 2025 – Free for Safeguarding Network members

November and December’s events can be found here, and include:

• 5 November: Safeguarding in Sport. Despite the transformative power of sport in children's lives, it remains a space where many children face heightened risks of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This presentation critically examines the persistent gaps in the protection and promotion of children's rights within sport and calls for urgent, systemic alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at all levels of sport, local, national, and international.

• 6 November: Open Forum on Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. To consider the proposed new government policy on Child Protection and Safeguarding, including CSA mandatory reporting. This interactive session will be an Open Forum for AoCPP members to update on, and discuss, the general progress and development of the national statutory guidance on Child Protection and Safeguarding: Working Together. The session will focus on relevant aspects of the current government's emerging Child Protection and Safeguarding policies, in the context of the two new bills working their way through both Houses of Parliament. The session will also reflect on the potential impact of some of the key proposed changes on AoCPP member's vulnerable child client's lives and outcomes, as well as on members themselves in their professional roles.

• 11 November: Digital Safeguarding: The Protective Power of Identity. By engaging with children in meaningful ways, we can help them build and claim a more coherent narrative of their past, present, and future. This strong sense of self and identity helps prevent the detrimental fragmentation that too often occurs when children move through the system, losing connection with people, places, and a sense of belonging. Protecting their self-confidence and identity is crucial for their mental health and well-being as they grow into adults.

• 2 December: Exploitation - Youth Voice in Safeguarding: Silenced, Misunderstood, or Heard? Presented by Rebecca Wilkins and Dr Josh Harsant from the children’s charity, Barnardo’s, the session will consider how decisions and services are made for children and not with them. Furthering the issue, when children speak up, there is the potential of them being seen as a risk rather than at risk. The speakers will discuss best practice approaches to bringing the voice of children and young people into service development and decision-making processes, while also welcoming attendees to share their own experiences.

Members can activate their AoCPP membership by logging in to their Safegarding Network account, going to the MY CPD page where they will find instructions on how to join for free.

For more information on joining Safeguarding Network, free membership of AoCPP and many other benefits, click here.