Safeguarding & Mental Health Conference 2024

When a child or young person is self-harming it can be distressing for those around them, and adults can find it difficult to know what to say or how best to support them. This workshop will explore some of the reasons why young people self-harm and how education staff can respond sensitively and empathically. We will also outline how you can successfully embed a whole school prevention strategy.

Kayleigh spent 10 years as a Psychologist in the NHS before moving to her local Education Authority to lead on the whole school approach to mental health & wellbeing for alternative provision. She is now a national trainer for Anna Freud, sharing her expertise in child and family psychology with education staff across the UK.

This workshop introduces delegates to the risk factors and vulnerabilities for suicide in children and young people with a view to embedding practice which mitigates risk, is proactive and preventative. Key research is explored which presents children and young peoples’ experiences of suicidality to better inform practitioner responses and the actions needed to efficiently safeguard and support this vulnerable cohort of children and young people. Guidance will be presented around responding to children and young people in moments of crisis. The importance of mobilising the system of support around a child or young person who is feeling suicidal is explored and practical tools such as safety plans are also provided.

Hannah is Head of Service at the Schools and Colleges Early Support Service in the Schools Division at Anna Freud; this is a national service delivering evidence-based mental health intervention for young people and their supporters in schools and colleges across England, and in Wales. Hannah’s ten years’ experience in the education sector has involved teaching, practicing in school-based mental health support teams, and leading a Local Authority mental health and wellbeing provision within an Educational Psychology Team. Hannah currently trains and supervises practitioners delivering evidence-based interventions which mobilise the educational and familial systems around children and young people to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for all. Hannah is an academic, teaching Postgraduate students, including education professionals, in children and young people’s mental health, inclusive education, and safeguarding. Hannah is currently studying a PhD in embedding attachment aware and trauma-informed practices in education.

We know that anxiousness in school can have a huge impact on student engagement. For many children and young people, validating and explaining anxiety and providing simple techniques can support them. However, for some these emotional barriers can lead to non-attendance and associated safeguarding implications. This workshop will aid you to better recognise and understand children and young people impacted and provide tools for education staff to effectively support them.

Having worked for 25 years in mainstream and special schools predominantly in pastoral roles, including Designated Safeguarding Lead, Nic brings a breadth of ‘chalkface’ experience to her deliveries. As a former school leader and a serving Governor she also recognises the importance of a whole school approach to the many challenges facing schools currently.

By virtue of developing a robust culture of safeguarding, your setting can effectively observe, identify, and support those ‘whose behaviour suggests they may be experiencing a mental health problem, or be at risk of developing one’ (KCSIE).

It will address how negative experiences such as abuse and neglect can adversely impact on mental health, potentially leading to safeguarding and child protection issues and how you can respond appropriately when these issues arise, including exploring universal approaches as well as statutory and multi-agency interventions.

It will consider a whole setting approach to mental health, including the role of the Senior Mental Health Lead in driving an action plan forward. It will then identify how links in your curriculum, quality staff training, meaningful student voice and engaging with parents, carers and other agencies can be interleaved into a culture of vigilance and safeguarding.

Sharon is an experienced practitioner having worked in leadership roles in secondary education for 17 years. Her breadth of experience encompasses working as a Designated Safeguarding Lead, Inclusion Manager, Senior Mental Health Lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead for children in care in a range of educational settings. She is also experienced in leading and supporting school pastoral teams. She has worked intensively with parents and carers as a Triple P practitioner.

Prior to entering the education sector, Sharon worked in social care for 18 years, supporting and developing services for vulnerable adults and young people in the community.

She currently works for Safeguarding Network supporting DSLs in supervision as well as delivering staff training and contributing to the development of resources to support safeguarding in education settings.

How can we support young people with their mental health? How can we empower young people to look after themselves? How can we be positive role-models for young people?

This workshop aims to teach delegates about how they can support young people and how they can embed mental health support into day-to-day school life. This workshop will outline 3 key pillars in how to support youth mental health as well as a personal story from a young person.

Conor Warren is an 18-year-old mental health advocate and founder of Spark UK, an award-winning organisation dedicated to supporting young people’s mental well-being. Conor’s journey began at just 14 when he founded Spark UK. Spark UK creates free lessons, resources, and campaigns for thousands of young people across the country. The organisation has collaborated with celebrities including Dame Judi Dench, Dame Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry as well as established organisations such as BAFTA, Place2Be and Beyond.

Conor’s impact has reached far and wide, earning him recognition in prominent publications like Men’s Health, The Guardian, and The One Show. He’s been honoured with prestigious awards such as the Rotary Young Citizen Award and the Prince of Wales award, and even had the privilege of being named a Coronation Champion, attending the Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle.

Away from Conor’s work with Spark UK. He’s a trustee, ambassador, and active member of various charitable organizations, passionately supporting causes ranging from mental health awareness to hospice care.

Get to know Conor better by visiting his personal website at www.conorwarren.co.uk and connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Reflecting upon safeguarding and children with SEND

Events in SEND and 2022/2023 reports and reviews have reshaped some of the key areas of focus when working with children and young people who may have SEND.

We will review the impact of recent events as well how these changes will sit within your safeguarding culture.

Chris has a broad experience of education and social care. A former head teacher, inspector, nurse and senior leader for children in care with a particular passion for working with SEND. She understands the vital role of front-line processes in education settings in keeping children safe and supporting staff in doing so.