The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast

Donna Ohdedar

Conscious review professionals already know reviews are about learning not blame. Whether you are involved in Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Domestic Homicide Reviews or Safeguarding Adult Reviews, the chances are you also know there's scope for our learning and improvement work to get better. In 'The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast' you can expect my thoughts, musings and insights on what sector led improvement can look like. Plus, I will introduce you to professionals who are taking action and can inspire us in an incredibly positive way. In this space we will reside in a place of possibility. No burnout. No decisions that 'reviews don't work'. Join me weekly for connection and motivation to create a tidal wave of positive impact. Expect honesty, openness for learning and key takeaways to implement in reviews and beyond.

  1. 5 hrs ago

    Domestic Abuse and Childhood Harm: Are we listening to children?

    In this episode I explore why children affected by domestic abuse must be recognised as victims in their own right, rather than simply witnesses to the abuse experienced by adults.  In this episode you will hear: • Why children do not need to be physically harmed to experience significant harm from domestic abuse • How living with fear, coercion, control and unpredictability can affect a child's development, wellbeing and future relationships • The challenges created by a lack of data about children's experiences and outcomes following domestic abuse interventions • How Pathfinder Courts aim to place children's experiences at the centre of family justice proceedings and improve responses to domestic abuse 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 review in both children's and adults' safeguarding, 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

    9 min

  2. 15 June

    Cuckooing as a standalone offence

    In this episode I explore the new standalone offence of cuckooing, introduced under the Crime and Policing Act 2026, and why this legislation represents an important shift in recognising exploitation hidden behind closed doors.  In this episode you will hear: • What cuckooing is and how criminals take control of vulnerable people's homes for illegal activity • Why the new offence is significant and how it shifts the focus onto the exploitation experienced by victims • The three key elements prosecutors must prove • Why apparent cooperation or resistance to support does not necessarily mean someone is making a free and informed choice This episode also reflects on the importance of understanding coercion, recognising hidden vulnerability and ensuring that people affected by cuckooing are seen as victims in need of protection rather than simply occupants of properties linked to crime.   I announced this month that there will be two SILP School scholarships available for the October 2026 intake. The SILP School mission is deeply intertwined with my decision to launch this scholarship scheme. It is important to me that we promote diversity and inclusion in this profession I'm proud to be part of.  This year we will award 1 full needs-based SILP School scholarships & 1 part scholarship. One place will attract zero payment & the other will be charged at 50% to begin SILP School with the October 2026 intake. The SILP mission is to create a "tidal wave of positive impact." Would you like to part of this movement? How to Apply All you need to do is answer 3 questions. The new extended closing date for applications is Thursday 18th June at 2pm. You can find out more information 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 serious case reviews in both children's and adults' safeguarding, 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

    10 min

  3. 11 June

    The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Annual Report 2024–25: Familiar Themes, Increasing Complexity

    In this episode I explore the key findings from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Annual Report 2024–25 and what the latest national learning tells us about the risks facing children across England. Whilst many of the themes will feel familiar, the report highlights the increasing complexity of children's lives and the importance of understanding cumulative harm, family adversity and children's lived experiences.  In this episode you will hear: • The vulnerability of babies under one year of age demosntrated within safeguarding reviews • How neglect, domestic abuse, parental mental ill-health, substance misuse and poverty often interact to create significant risks for children • How practitioners must move beyond individual presenting concerns  • The growing role of mental health concerns and online harms within serious safeguarding incidents • What the 21% reduction in serious incident notifications may mean for safeguarding partnerships and national learning   This episode also reflects on the enduring importance of professional curiosity, effective information sharing, multi-agency collaboration and maintaining a relentless focus on the child's daily lived experience.   I announced last week that there will be two SILP School scholarships available for the October 2026 intake. The SILP School mission is deeply intertwined with my decision to launch this scholarship scheme. It is important to me that we promote diversity and inclusion in this profession I'm proud to be part of.  This year we will award 1 full needs-based SILP School scholarships & 1 part scholarship. One place will attract zero payment & the other will be charged at 50% to begin SILP School with the October 2026 intake. The SILP mission is to create a "tidal wave of positive impact." Would you like to part of this movement? How to Apply All you need to do is answer 3 questions. The closing date for application is Friday 12th June at midday. You can find out more information 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 serious case reviews in both children's and adults' safeguarding, 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

    11 min

  4. 4 June

    When equality does not mean treating everybody the same

    In this episode I explore why specialist "by and for" domestic abuse services are not optional extras, but essential lifelines for many survivors. We discuss how culture, disability, race, immigration status and systemic inequality can shape both experiences of abuse and access to safety. In this epsiode you will hear: Why a "one size fits all" approach to domestic abuse services does not work for all survivors What "by and for" services are and why culturally specific expertise matters The barriers many Black, minoritised, migrant and disabled survivors face when engaging with statutory services How funding and procurement systems continue to disadvantage specialist grassroots organisations Why investing in specialist domestic abuse services is both ethically necessary and economically sensible This episode also reflects on the importance of survivors being supported by organisations that truly understand the fullness of their lived experiences. I announced this week that there will be two SILP School scholarships available for the October 2026 intake. The SILP School mission is deeply intertwined with my decision to launch this scholarship scheme. It is important to me that we promote diversity and inclusion in this profession I'm proud to be part of.  This year we will award 1 full needs-based SILP School scholarships & 1 part scholarship. One place will attract zero payment & the other will be charged at 50% to begin SILP School with the October 2026 intake. The SILP mission is to create a "tidal wave of positive impact." Would you like to part of this movement? How to Apply All you need to do is answer 3 questions. The closing date for application is Friday 12th June at midday. You can find out more information 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 serious case reviews in both children's and adults' safeguarding, 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

    12 min

  5. 28 May

    Can Child in Need Plans Create an Illusion of Safety?

    In this episode, I explore one of the most recurring and uncomfortable themes emerging from Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews: whether Child in Need (CIN) plans can sometimes create an illusion of safety. We explore: Why Child in Need might be creating the illusion of safety What can be happening  beneath the surface of seemingly stable cases Why a child's lived experience is important What fragmented multi-agency involvement can lead to Why reviews are not simply about what happened but understanding the 'why'    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 serious case reviews in both children's and adults' safeguarding, 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

    7 min

  6. 21 May

    DHRs or DARDRs?

    In this episode I explore the transition from Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs) to the proposed Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews (DARDRs), and what this shift means for those working in safeguarding, domestic abuse and independent review work.  This conversation explores: Why the proposed move from DHRs to DARDRs represents a significant shift in how domestic abuse deaths are understood and reviewed The widening scope of reviews to include coercive control, economic abuse and deaths by suicide linked to domestic abuse Why the sector is still in a period of transition two years after the Home Office consultation closed, with no revised statutory guidance or implementation timeline published The growing conversation around accountability What this means for practice   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 serious case reviews in both children's and adults' safeguarding, 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

    8 min

  7. 14 May

    Reviews which respond to latest requirements for anti racist practice

    In this episode, we explore the powerful intersection between Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 and the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel's report, It's Silent: Race, Racism and Safeguarding Children. Together, these two publications create a direct challenge for everyone involved in safeguarding review work. One sets the expectation. The other exposes the reality. We unpack what the Panel's thematic review found across more than 50 rapid reviews and LCSPRs, including the persistent "silence" around race and racism in safeguarding analysis and why this matters for learning, accountability and system change. This conversation explores: Why recording race and ethnicity is not the same as analysing them How bias and systemic factors can shape professional decision-making The risks of "visible equality but invisible analysis" What anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice now means under the 2026 guidance Why systems methodology is essential to meaningful safeguarding analysis The questions reviewers should now be asking in every review How reviews can move beyond compliance into genuine learning and change   Are you ready to find out more about independent review work? There is one session that brings all the information you need about becoming an independent reviewer together. It's called The Independent Reviewer Immersion Workshop and you can download it today.   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 serious case reviews in both children's and adults' safeguarding, 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

    13 min

  8. 7 May

    Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026

    This episode explores the key changes in the 2026 update to Working Together to Safeguard Children and what they mean for those carrying out review work.  From anti-racist practice and adultification bias to new expectations around babies, child sexual abuse assessments, and Rapid Reviews, this guidance marks a significant shift in how safeguarding reviews are expected to generate meaningful learning. In this week's episode we discuss: Why anti-discriminatory and anti-racist practice are now explicit expectations within safeguarding reviews The importance of exploring adultification bias and how inequality shaped a child's experience New guidance on babies and unborn children following the Death of Victoria Marten national review What the updated expectations around child sexual abuse assessments mean for practitioners and reviewers Changes to Rapid Reviews, LCSPR scope, and the growing focus on reviews creating learning that leads to real change     Are you ready to find out more about independent review work? There is one session that brings all the information you need about becoming an independent reviewer together. It's called The Independent Reviewer Immersion Workshop and it took place last week. Would you like a copy of the recording? Click here to watch the recording.   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 serious case reviews in both children's and adults' safeguarding, 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

    10 min
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About

Conscious review professionals already know reviews are about learning not blame. Whether you are involved in Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Domestic Homicide Reviews or Safeguarding Adult Reviews, the chances are you also know there's scope for our learning and improvement work to get better. In 'The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast' you can expect my thoughts, musings and insights on what sector led improvement can look like. Plus, I will introduce you to professionals who are taking action and can inspire us in an incredibly positive way. In this space we will reside in a place of possibility. No burnout. No decisions that 'reviews don't work'. Join me weekly for connection and motivation to create a tidal wave of positive impact. Expect honesty, openness for learning and key takeaways to implement in reviews and beyond.

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