The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast

The legal framework around deprivation of liberty has changed following the Supreme Court's AGNI judgment. But what does that actually mean for safeguarding professionals and independent reviewers?
In this episode, I explore the Department of Health and Social Care's interim guidance, why this judgment matters beyond its legal implications, and why good safeguarding has always been about far more than simply meeting legal requirements.  
In this episode I discuss:
What the AGNI judgment changes. 
Why safeguarding is about more than legal compliance. 
The questions that matter most. 
Why legal compliance does not always equal good practice. 
Keeping learning at the centre ofindependent reviewing. 
 

Are you interested in becoming an independent reviewer? Download my FREE workshop 'How to Establish an Independent Review Practice which Aligns with the Next Step in Your Career' here to find out more.

About Donna:
Donna has 16 years public sector experience, including her last role as Head of Law for a leading metropolitan authority. Now a safeguarding adviser & trainer, Donna is involved in all 3 types of reviews covering both children's and adults' safeguarding and domestic homicide and is a SILP Reviewer and Mentor. Donna offers 'SILP School' her university accredited training course, Momentum her space for reviewers & a free online network for leaders in review practice.
 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/

Join my free Facebook group Blue Light Professionals here
Engagement + proportionality + strengths = SILP

In this episode I am joined by writing coach and publisher Louisa Herridge to explore why storytelling matters and how it link to creating meaningful change. Together we discuss the power of lived experience, finding your voice, and why the stories we choose to tell can influence individuals, organisations and even future generations.  
In this episode we discuss:
Why everyone has a story worth telling
The difference between writing from pain versus writing from perspective. 
Why your story isn't really about you
How storytelling creates social change
The legacy we leave for the next generation.

Safeguarding reviews are built on stories that help others understand, learn and create change. 


Are you interested in becoming an independent reviewer? Download my FREE workshop 'How to Establish an Independent Review Practice which Aligns with the Next Step in Your Career' here to find out more.


About Louisa:

Louisa Herridge is an award-winning, five-time best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of Louisa Herridge Publishing.
Known as The Expert Writing Coach, she empowers business owners and creatives to harness the power of their story and expertise—guiding them to plan, write and publish books that build authority and drive meaningful impact.

Website: www.louisaherridge.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouisaHerridgewriting?ref=1
About Donna:
Donna has 16 years public sector experience, including her last role as Head of Law for a leading metropolitan authority. Now a safeguarding adviser & trainer, Donna is involved in all 3 types of reviews covering both children's and adults' safeguarding and domestic homicide and is a SILP Reviewer and Mentor. Donna offers 'SILP School' her university accredited training course, Momentum her space for reviewers & a free online network for leaders in review practice.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/

Join my free Facebook group Blue Light Professionals here
Engagement + proportionality + strengths = SILP

What is it like for a family member or someone close to a victim to take part in a safeguarding review? In this episode I speak with Sue, who participated in the Safeguarding Adults Review following her best friend's death. Together we explore what it feels like to contribute after a traumatic bereavement, why family and those closest to the person matter so much, and how meaningful participation can support both the review and those involved.  
In this episode we discuss:
Why she said yes to participating in the review and impact it had 
The value of lived experience. 
How reviews can support healing as well as learning. 
How family engagement enables people to see the whole system for the first time. 
What people need to know if they asked to participate in a review. 

When reviews genuinely value lived experience, they produce richer learning, more accurate narratives and, importantly, give participants the opportunity to know that their voice has made a difference.  


Are you interested in becoming an independent reviewer? Download my FREE workshop 'How to Establish an Independent Review Practice which Aligns with the Next Step in Your Career' here to find out more.


About Donna:
Donna has 16 years public sector experience, including her last role as Head of Law for a leading metropolitan authority. Now a safeguarding adviser & trainer, Donna is involved in all 3 types of reviews covering both children's and adults' safeguarding and domestic homicide and is a SILP Reviewer and Mentor. Donna offers 'SILP School' her university accredited training course, Momentum her space for reviewers & a free online network for leaders in review practice.
 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/

Join my free Facebook group Blue Light Professionals here
Engagement + proportionality + strengths = SILP

In this episode, I continue my series exploring what Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews teach us about domestic abuse and the impact on children. This time, I'm discussing the research report Rethinking Domestic Abuse in Child Protection: Responding Differently and some of the important questions it raises about how we respond to families experiencing domestic abuse.
In this episode I discuss:
Why the research argues that child protection responses often focus too heavily on the non-abusing parent, while those causing harm receive comparatively little meaningful engagement.
How taking a whole-family and intersectional approach can help practitioners better understand the complex realities families face, including poverty, trauma, discrimination, mental ill-health and social isolation.
Why safeguarding professionals need to look beyond individual incidents and recognise the cumulative patterns of harm that emerge across agencies over time.
The importance of building trust and relationships with families while maintaining professional curiosity and a clear focus on reducing risk.
Why prevention matters, and how earlier intervention and stronger relationships could help reduce harm before families reach crisis point.
Are you interested in becoming an independent reviewer? Download my FREE workshop 'How to Establish an Independent Review Practice which Aligns with the Next Step in Your Career' here to find out more.
 
About Donna:
Donna has 16 years public sector experience, including her last role as Head of Law for a leading metropolitan authority. Now a safeguarding adviser & trainer, Donna is involved in all 3 types of reviews covering both children's and adults' safeguarding and domestic homicide and is a SILP Reviewer and Mentor. Donna offers 'SILP School' her university accredited training course, Momentum her space for reviewers & a free online network for leaders in review practice.
 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/

Join my free Facebook group Blue Light Professionals here
 
Engagement + proportionality + strengths = SILP

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 victims in their own right.


In this episode I explore:
Why domestic abuse rarely exists in isolation how this increase risk for children.

How coercive and controlling behaviour can remain hidden, leading professionals to misunderstand victims' responses and underestimate the impact on children.
Why children's voices can become lost within safeguarding processes, even when professionals are actively involved with a family.
The importance of building a picture across agencies, sharing information effectively and maintaining professional curiosity when concerns persist.
 
Are you ready to find out more about independent review work?
 
You can download my free workshop 'How to Establish an Independent Review Practice which Aligns with the Next Steps in Your Career' to find out how you can begin your journey to Independent Review work. Download the workshop here. 
 
About Donna:
Donna has 16 years public sector experience, including her last role as Head of Law for a leading metropolitan authority. Now a safeguarding adviser & trainer, Donna is involved in all three types of independent reviews including children's and adults' safeguarding and domestic homicide. She is a SILP Reviewer and Mentor. Donna offers 'SILP School' her university accredited training course, Momentum her space for reviewers & a free online network for leaders in review practice.
 
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/

Join my free Facebook group Blue Light Professionals here