The stereotypes surrounding safeguarding professionals are never helpful. But they are brought into sharper focus after a high profile. The way leaders react makes such a difference. Then the media’s response will shape the way the public sees the sector. Is this all just inevitable, or do we each have a part to play?
The conversation is worthy of a listen for anyone who works in the world of safeguarding or domestic abuse or who has an interest in it.
About Ray Jones:
Dr Ray Jones is Emeritus Professor of Social Work at Kingston University and St. George’s, University of London, and a registered social worker.
From 1992 to 2006 he was director of social services in Wiltshire. He was the first chief executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence, and has been deputy chair and chair of the British Association of Social Workers. From 2008 to 2016 he was professor of social work at Kingston University and St George’s, University of London.
He has been a visiting professor at the University of Exeter and at the University of Bath and is an honorary fellow of the University of Gloucestershire. He has led inquiries following the deaths of children and adults, from 2009 to 2013 was chair of Bristol’s Safeguarding Children Board, and from 2010 until 2016 oversaw child protection improvement in Salford, Torbay, the Isle of Wight, Sandwell and Devon.
Ray is a regular press columnist and media commentator, has frequently given evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees, and in 2017 he received the Social Worker of the Year Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Social Work’. In 2021 he received an honorary doctorate in civil law from the University of East Anglia and in 2022 was appointed to undertake the independent review of children’s social care in Northern Ireland.
‘The Story of Baby P, Setting the Record Straight’, Ray Jones, available on amazon
University of Kingston & St Georges Professor Ray Jones – Academic profiles – Kingston University London
Community Care, 2018 Ray Jones: ‘I see what is happening to children like me now and that fires me up’ (communitycare.co.uk)
About Donna Ohdedar: 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, CPD for reviewers & a free online network for leaders in review practice.
Find out more about SILP School here.
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Click here to access the Key Findings publication ref James-Hanman, Kerss, Ruskin, Mears, March 2022
Prefer text to audio? Click below to access the transcript.
