Hosted by Safeguarding
Network in partnership with Anna Freud
Portland Street, Manchester
10th July 2024
Do you have the responsibility and passion for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of
young people in education settings? Safeguarding Network, in partnership with Anna
Freud, are hosting our first conference on the interplay between mental health concerns
for young people and the duties on education settings to keep them safe.
Hear from inspirational professionals.
Attend 3 in-depth CPD accredited Keynote
Presentations and choose 2 specialist Workshops run by Safeguarding
Network, Anna Freud, UK Trauma Council and Spark UK.
Deepen your knowledge with the latest research and trends in safeguarding and mental
health.
All participants have access to our in-depth keynote presentations with a
choice of two workshops detailed below. A “energizer” breakfast, networking mezze lunch and
refreshments during the day are also provided. Each participant will receive their
personalised programme ahead of 10th July.
Join us for the “Energizer” Breakfast
Introduction & Welcome from Safeguarding Network and Anna Freud
Safeguarding: Practice and Resilience in Schools - Dr Lesley French
Break/refreshments
Workshop – 1st session
Lunch
How traumatic experiences affect children and young people and how schools can help them recover - David Trickey
Workshop - 2nd session
Break/refreshments
CULTURE IS KEY - an examination of safeguarding culture in organisations within the current context - Christine Freestone
and others with a passion for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people in education
settings.
Keynotes
Through in-depth keynotes and a selection of specialist
workshops we will explore the mental health landscape in England and ways in which our organisations can
work together to safeguard children and young people.
Safeguarding: Practice and Resilience in Schools
Dr Lesley French - Head of Clinical Help
in Schools and Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Anna Freud
There has been a steep rise in
mental health and safeguarding presentations since the pandemic, notably in self-harm and
suicidal behaviours, with a huge impact on schools and their staff. The session will cover best
practice and current thinking, alongside considering the challenges for school safeguarding
leads. Support for staff and using reflective approaches will be considered to promote
resilience in staff and the wider school community.
Dr Lesley French is a consultant
clinical psychologist and heads up the Clinical Help offer for the Schools Division at Anna
Freud. Dr French trained at University College London, is an Honorary Lecturer and worked in the
NHS for over 20 years in CAMHS and outpatient forensic services alongside her role as Programme
Director for a Leadership Course for Anna Freud /UCL. She was Clinical Director and Head of
Psychological Therapies before moving to Anna Freud fulltime in 2019. Dr French oversees three
child & family community mental health teams, a national remote service providing direct
intervention to young people in schools, staff and parents and leads on Safeguarding Training.
How traumatic experiences affect
children and young people and how schools can help them recover
David Trickey – Co-Director of UK Trauma
Council and Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Experiencing traumatic events such
as assault, abuse, death, bullying and racism as a child or young person can increase risk to
poor mental health and long-term outcomes. By understanding how these events impact them,
designated safeguarding and mental health leads are better placed to respond effectively and use
evidence informed approaches to create an environment that supports their recovery.
David Trickey is a leading
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Co-Director of the UK Trauma Council. He has specialised in
working with traumatised children, young people, and their families since 2000, particularly
following domestic abuse and family homicide. He continues to focus on direct clinical work, as
well as the training, supervision and support of others and is the clinical team lead for a
specialist service for Children in Care. He presents at conferences and supervises research. He
is chartered by the British Psychological Society and registered with the Health and Care
Professions Council. He was a member of the committee responsible for the 2018 revision of the
NICE Guidelines for PTSD. In all of his roles he draws heavily on the research literature to
which he has made a modest contribution.
CULTURE IS KEY - an examination of safeguarding culture in organisations within the current context
Christine Freestone – Director & Head of Supervisory Services – Safeguarding Network
Recognising that best safeguarding practice is
grounded in a secure/embedded culture, we will review how organisations can develop , hold and evidence their
safeguarding cultures. This particularly in the light of key issues such as mental health, suicidal ideation,
self-harm and wellbeing for young people, families and staff.
Christine Freestone 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.
We have a wide range of workshops around our conference theme
of mental health and safeguarding. Workshop bookings will open on 1st May and we will be contacting you to
reserve your AM and PM spaces. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis so we encourage
you to secure you places as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
Understanding why children & young people self-harm & what you can do to support them through a whole school approach
Kayleigh Larne - Anna Freud
Understanding why children & young people self-harm & what you can do to support them through a whole school approach
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.
Suicide in children and young people: prevention, responding and safety planning
Hannah Woods - Anna Freud
Suicide in children and young people: prevention, responding and safety planning
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.
Anxiousness, engagement and avoidance
Nic Petri - Anna Freud
Anxiousness, engagement and avoidance
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.
‘Whole setting approach’ to safeguarding and mental health for your students
Sharon Hand - Safeguarding Network
‘Whole setting approach’ to safeguarding and mental health for your students
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.
The Power of Young People
Conor Warren - Spark UK
The Power of Young People
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.
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.
etc.venues Manchester is a dedicated training,
meeting and conference venue in the heart of the city centre. Situated on the 8th Floor, the
glass purpose built 1,858sqm space features 15 meeting rooms consisting of an exclusive use
event wing alongside smaller rooms ideal for meetings and training events. The venue features
stunning views over the city, vibrant design, state of the art technology and an onsite theatre
kitchen with chefs serving fresh, innovative cuisine. We are delighted to have secured the whole
venue for this conference.
By Bus and Tram - Piccadilly Gardens. This is a main transport hub for
Metrolink trams and buses and is a 2 minute walk from the venue. By Train - Manchester
Piccadilly station is approx 5 minutes walk, Manchester Oxford Road Station is an 8
minute walk and Manchester Victoria Station is a 15 walk.
Pick Up and Drop Off
There is a pay and display NCP car park on Major Street (directly behind
the venue). Follow for directions to NCP Major Street. Car parking for up to 9 hours is
£12.00 or for 24 hours is £15.50. Address is Major Street, Manchester, M1 3ED.
Book your place today!
Members receive a £50 discount on the full ticket price.