Faithful Safeguarding Podcast with Petros

Madison Clarke

Faithful Safeguarding is a short-form podcast dedicated to enhancing the safety and well-being of faith communities, focusing on providing insightful, expert-led discussions on safeguarding practices and addressing the unique challenges faced by faith-based organisations. Topics include child protection, safer recruitment, creating a safeguarding culture, online safety, protecting vulnerable adults, disability and safeguarding, reporting and recovering from safeguarding incidents, risk management, and fostering diversity and inclusion. Hosted by Madison Clarke from Petros, the podcast aims to raise awareness, educate, and foster a culture of proactive safeguarding among people within faith organisations.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed by guests within the content are solely the guest's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Petros or its affiliates.

Episodes

  1. Ep 10 Closing Loopholes: Beyond the DBS Check w/ Isabelle King (Part 2)

    05/01/2025

    Ep 10 Closing Loopholes: Beyond the DBS Check w/ Isabelle King (Part 2)

    How do you transform volunteers into safeguarding champions? In this eye-opening conversation with Isabelle King, we unpack the critical role volunteers play in creating robust protection frameworks within faith communities. Forget the dangerous notion that "a bad volunteer is better than no volunteer." Isabelle shares her belt-and-braces approach to recruitment, revealing why thorough screening matters and what red flags to watch for. With host Madison Clarke, she expertly dismantles the misconception that DBS checks alone create safety, walking us through a comprehensive volunteer recruitment process that closes dangerous loopholes. The most powerful revelation? Treating volunteers as an integral part of your workforce rather than a "bolt-on" completely transforms safeguarding effectiveness. Isabel shares a remarkable case study where one organization evolved from having a single safeguarding officer supporting 250,000 volunteers to developing a network of trained volunteer safeguarding champions who proudly declared: "We are a safeguarding organization." Whether you're managing a handful of volunteers or hundreds, this episode provides actionable strategies to build a unified safeguarding culture where everyone - from paid staff to occasional helpers - understands their role in creating safety.  You'll walk away with a clear roadmap for empowering your volunteers to become the eyes and ears of your safeguarding framework. Ready to strengthen your organization's safeguarding through volunteer engagement? Subscribe now and share this episode with fellow faith leaders committed to creating safer communities for all. Connect with Isabelle King on LinkedIn  Connect with Petros: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodes

    35 min
  2. 04/01/2025

    Ep 9 Volunteers: Instilling Proper Boundaries - Part 1 with Isabelle King

    Volunteers are the lifeblood of safeguarding within faith communities, bringing unique perspectives and fostering trust while facing distinct challenges that require careful management. In this episode, safeguarding consultant Isabelle King from the Safeguarding Collective, gives us an extended and comprehensive look into ensuring teams, internal and external, employed and volunteering, are well-versed in creating safe spaces for all. Host Madison takes Isabelle through the following: • Volunteers must be supported as integral team members with proper onboarding, supervision and emotional support • Three foundational principles: volunteers should be supported, informed, and respected • Training must include basic safeguarding awareness, maintaining professional boundaries, and reporting procedures • Secondary trauma affects volunteers as much as paid staff—organizations have a duty of care to provide proper support • Faith communities face special challenges with boundaries as personal connections often overlap with volunteer roles • Volunteer engagement has evolved from informal helpers to formalized roles with clear expectations and proper integration • Clear safeguarding structures are essential in faith settings to prevent blurred lines and ensure proper reporting Connect with Isabelle King on LinkedIn  Connect with Petros: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodes

    40 min
  3. 02/05/2025

    Ep 7 Proactive Safeguarding in Diverse Sectors with Simon Davies

    In this episode of Faithful Safeguarding, Madison Clarke speaks with Simon Davies, a former Australian Federal Police Detective and experienced safeguarding consultant.  With over 25 years in investigative work, Simon shares his insights on the importance of addressing low-level concerns before they escalate, the role of transparency in rebuilding trust, and why external safeguarding support can be a game-changer for organisations. They also discuss the development of a safeguarding decision-making app, the increasing challenges of peer-on-peer abuse in educational settings, and the benefits of face-to-face training in promoting a proactive safeguarding culture. Key Takeaways: 🔹 Safeguarding is a preventative approach, ensuring harm doesn’t occur. 🔹 Low-level concerns, if left unaddressed, can escalate over time. 🔹 The 'What Should I Do?' app helps guide individuals in reporting concerns. 🔹 Outsourcing safeguarding can be a cost-effective and practical solution. 🔹 Peer-on-peer abuse is an increasing concern in schools and youth settings. 🔹 Victim support should be prioritised from the outset of any investigation. Discover more on some of the key mentions and resources from guest Simon below: www.jss.org.au/programs/the-mens-projectwww.safeguardingservices.com.auwww.whatshoulido.com.auwww.churchlearn.com.au Connect with Petros: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodes

    30 min
  4. 01/09/2025

    Ep 6 Old Convictions, New Perspective with Dr. Karl Hanson

    In this impactful episode of Faithful Safeguarding, host Madison Clark from Petros engages with Dr. Karl Hanson, an expert in risk assessment and rehabilitation, to explore the concept of desistance and its significance in safeguarding practices.  The conversation delves into how criminal history impacts hiring decisions, the role of faith communities in supporting reintegration, and the balance between redemption and safety. Dr. Hanson emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of criminal behavior, the effects of time on risk, and the need for supportive environments to foster personal change. Key takeaways Desistance is a critical concept in understanding long-term safeguarding concerns.Criminal history should be assessed in the context of time and personal change.Faith communities play a vital role in supporting reintegration and providing a sense of belonging.Redemption and safety must be balanced in faith settings.Risk assessment tools can help evaluate the potential for reoffending.The passage of time significantly reduces the likelihood of reoffending.Supportive environments can help individuals with past convictions lead fulfilling lives.Hiring managers should consider the context of past offenses when making decisions.Advancements in research are reshaping how old convictions are addressed in safeguarding policies.Long-term reintegration requires ongoing support and meaningful engagement.Connect with Petros: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodes

    36 min
  5. 12/31/2024

    Ep 5 Creating Inclusive Safeguarding Practices with Anjum Mouj

    In this powerful episode, we welcome Anjum Mouj, a highly experienced trainer, facilitator, and consultant, who has dedicated her career to advancing safeguarding practices and creating safer, more inclusive spaces for all.  Key Takeaways: How safeguarding policies should be intersectional and reflective of real, lived experiences.The need for safeguarding frameworks to be adaptable and continuously evolving.Practical insights into inclusive practices, especially around unconscious bias and marginalised voices.The role of listening in building trust and fostering community resilience.With a background in roles like Director and Training Manager at the London Black Women’s Project and Imkaan, Anjum brings deep insights into safeguarding practices that truly reflect the diversity of communities they serve. She currently trains with Solace Women’s Aid and has collaborated with the NSPCC to develop courses in child protection, supervision skills, and safer recruitment. Our conversation covers the critical need for safeguarding policies to be living documents that evolve alongside the communities they aim to protect. Anjum emphasises the importance of intersectionality in safeguarding, highlighting how policies should account for diverse lived experiences, particularly those of marginalised groups.  She shares practical ways organisations can create safeguarding frameworks that are inclusive, sensitive to unconscious bias, and centred around individuals' real needs and circumstances. We also discuss the significance of listening actively to marginalised voices and how inclusive practices can help build stronger, more resilient communities. Anjum’s passion for safeguarding shines through as she shares strategies for building trust, embracing diversity, and fostering belonging within safeguarding structures. Connect with Us: Follow us on LinkedIn and InstagramSubscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodesConnect with Petros: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodes

    38 min
  6. 11/07/2024

    Ep 4 How to Engage Children in Safeguarding with Di Gammage

    Episode Summary: In episode 4, we’re joined by Di Gammage, a registered child and adult psychotherapist with over 25 years of experience working in trauma and abuse. Di is qualified in dramatherapy and play therapy and has been invited to the UK Council for Psychotherapy Child Register due to her clinical experience and publications in child therapy.  Key Takeaways: The significance of listening to children and empowering them in safeguarding.How dramatherapy and play therapy can help children express their experiences.Practical strategies to create trust and support in safeguarding environments.The need for safeguarding systems to be adaptive, flexible, and responsive to children's needs.Di has worked across various sectors, including co-directing the Sirona Therapeutic Horsemanship Project in Devon and consulting for social services. She is also the author of Playful Awakening and lectures on psychotherapy programmes in London, Yorkshire, and Athens. In this conversation hosted by Madison Clarke of Petros, we focus on the importance of engaging children in safeguarding processes, ensuring their voices are heard, and empowering them to participate in decisions that affect their safety and well-being.  Di provides valuable insights into the therapeutic techniques she uses to help children express themselves, including dramatherapy and play therapy, and explains why listening to children is crucial in safeguarding. We also explore how to create environments that foster trust and support, as well as how safeguarding systems can be adapted to better meet the needs of children, particularly those who have experienced trauma or abuse. Di’s passion for resilience and empowerment shines through as she discusses practical strategies for practitioners and faith communities alike. Connect with Us: Follow us on LinkedIn and InstagramSubscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodesConnect with Petros: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodes

    35 min
  7. 09/10/2024

    Ep 3 Disability & Safeguarding: Boundaries and Belonging with Father Justin Glyn

    Episode Summary: Meet Father Justin Glyn; a Jesuit priest, lawyer, and passionate advocate for disability inclusion within faith communities. Drawing from his personal experiences as a blind individual and his extensive work in disability advocacy, Fr Justin offers us a unique and profound perspective on how safeguarding practices can better serve those with disabilities. Key Takeaways: Importance of recognising and addressing the specific needs of individuals with disabilities in safeguarding practicesUnderstanding the concepts of boundaries and belonging and how they relate to safeguarding within faith communitiesA critical examination of the traditional framing of disability as a subsection of safeguarding and why this approach may be limitingInsights into the changing dynamics of vulnerability and power in the context of disability and safeguardingLed by Host Madison Clarke of Petros, the discussion delves into the themes of boundaries and belonging, exploring how faith organisations can create truly inclusive environments that respect and protect the dignity of all individuals.  Fr Justin and Madison also tackle the changing nature of vulnerability and power, challenging the traditional approach of treating disability as just a subsection of safeguarding. Together, they discuss why this framing is insufficient and offer insights into how faith communities can rethink their safeguarding strategies to be more inclusive and effective. Connect with Us: Follow us on LinkedIn and InstagramSubscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodesGuest Bio: Fr Justin Glyn is a Jesuit priest and lawyer, who, despite being blind, has become a leading advocate for disability inclusion within faith communities. His work focuses on promoting dignity, respect, and inclusivity for individuals with disabilities, challenging conventional perspectives on vulnerability and power. Resources Mentioned: International Safeguarding ConferenceLearn more about Fr Justin GlynConnect with Petros: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodes

    23 min
  8. 09/06/2024

    Ep 2 Theology and Safeguarding in Faith Communities with Professor Marcus Pound

    Episode Summary: Host Madison Clarke welcomes Professor Marcus Pound, a renowned theologian and a key member of the Global Safeguarding Alliance. With a deep understanding of both theology and safeguarding, Professor Pound offers a unique perspective on how faith communities can draw from theological principles to enhance their safeguarding practices. Key Takeaways: How theology informs and supports safeguarding practices in faith communities.Insights from "The Cross of the Moment" report and its relevance to safeguarding todayPractical steps for faith leaders to incorporate safeguarding into their theological frameworkMarcus and Madison explore the vital role that theology plays in shaping a community’s approach to safeguarding, discussing the theological underpinnings that can guide effective protection and support within faith organisations.  They delve into Professor Pound’s recent research, including his contributions to the 'The Cross of the Moment' report, which examines the intersection of theology and safeguarding in contemporary faith contexts. Throughout the episode, they discuss practical ways in which theological insights can be applied to create safer, more inclusive environments, ensuring that safeguarding is not only a policy but a lived experience within the community. Connect with Us: Follow us on LinkedIn and InstagramSubscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodesGuest Bio: Professor Marcus Pound is a distinguished theologian and a member of the Global Safeguarding Alliance. He has a profound interest in the intersection of theology and safeguarding, with recent work focusing on how faith communities can use theological principles to strengthen their safeguarding practices. Resources Mentioned: Global Safeguarding AllianceThe Cross of the Moment ReportConnect with Petros: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodes

    31 min
  9. 09/06/2024

    Ep 1 Introduction to Safeguarding in Faith Communities with Professor Jo Clarke

    Episode Summary: In this inaugural episode of Faithful Safeguarding, your host Madison Clarke sits down with Professor Jo Clarke, Founder and Director of Petros, to explore the essential principles of safeguarding within faith communities.  Key Takeaways: An overview of the basic principles of safeguarding: culture, recruitment, training, reporting, and recoveryThe importance of creating a culture of safeguarding that is proactive rather than reactivePractical steps for faith communities to improve their safeguarding measuresWith over 23 years of experience as a forensic psychologist, Jo brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the areas of resilience, psychological well-being, and safeguarding practices. Jo and Madison dive into the importance of safeguarding in faith organisations, discussing the fundamental principles that every community should embrace, including culture, recruitment, training, reporting, and recovery.  They also talk about how Petros supports faith organisations in building robust safeguarding frameworks that protect the most vulnerable members of their communities. Whether you’re a safeguarding lead, a volunteer, or simply someone interested in the topic, this episode provides invaluable insights into why safeguarding is so crucial in faith settings and how to implement effective practices. Next Episode: Join us next time as we welcome Professor Marcus Pound to discuss the intersection of theology and safeguarding, and how faith communities can integrate these principles into their practices. Connect with Us: Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/petrosuk/Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for more episodes.Guest Bio: Professor Jo Clarke is the Founder and Director of Petros, with extensive experience as a forensic psychologist in the criminal justice system. Her work focuses on resilience and psychological well-being, applying research evidence to enhance safeguarding practices within various organisations, including faith communities. Resources Mentioned: Petros Safeguarding ServicesLearn more about Professor Jo ClarkeConnect with Petros: Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram Subscribe to Faithful Safeguarding on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to stay updated on our latest episodes

    31 min

About

Faithful Safeguarding is a short-form podcast dedicated to enhancing the safety and well-being of faith communities, focusing on providing insightful, expert-led discussions on safeguarding practices and addressing the unique challenges faced by faith-based organisations. Topics include child protection, safer recruitment, creating a safeguarding culture, online safety, protecting vulnerable adults, disability and safeguarding, reporting and recovering from safeguarding incidents, risk management, and fostering diversity and inclusion. Hosted by Madison Clarke from Petros, the podcast aims to raise awareness, educate, and foster a culture of proactive safeguarding among people within faith organisations.DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed by guests within the content are solely the guest's and do not reflect the opinions and beliefs of Petros or its affiliates.