How personal experience drives us towards independent review work with Vivian Bickham
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
Release Date: 04/04/2025
how independent reviews fit within a portfolio of independent work
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In today's episode I speak to Katie Fazal. Katie was already an Independent Social Worker when she signed up for SILP training. Now her independent practice includes independent review work. In this Reviewer Spotlight conversation we cover: Why she believes SILP School was the best way to become successful with independent review work How she balances her consultancy work and ensures there is a constant flow of work How independent review work ensures that she is not always working alone and broadens her connections If Katie's story has resonated with you and you want to explore...
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How an independent reviewer can keep one foot in practice
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In today's reviewer spotlight I talk to Sarah Mantom. Sarah is a Designated Safeguarding Nurse and has an employed role alongside her independent review work. In this Reviewer Spotlight conversation we cover: -Why she chose to formalise her practice through SILP training -How she balances working for an organisation with independent review work -How she chose her specialism in reviews Whether you joined the 5 Day Training last week, dropped off halfway through, or knew nothing about it… There is one session that brings all the best elements into one. It’s called The...
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Independent review work post retirement: the balance
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In today's reviewer spotlight I talk to Hazel Chamberlain, a registered children's and adults nurse with over 40 years of safeguarding experience who has recently retired from the NHS to build her own independent review practice. In this Reviewer Spotlight conversation we discuss: Why she chose to formalise her practice through SILP training How flexible independent review work really is Why doing this work alone, without a network, is one of the hardest things about it. Whether you joined the 5 Day Training last week, dropped off halfway through, or knew nothing about it… There is...
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016 rebuilding trust in the SEND system
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In today’s episode I talk about the proposals to change the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) system. Expect this conversation to explore: the implications of these proposals the potential impact on legal rights the importance of building trust with families Are you fired up to generate implementable learning in reviews which could potentially improve the lives of vulnerable people? Join me for my free 5 day training taking place from 9th - 13th March 2026, 'How To Leverage Your Skills As A Blue Light Professional To Establish A Successful Career In...
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015 this is happening to tens of thousands of children
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In today’s episode I talk about the Jay Review which considers what works well when it comes to protecting children from exploitation, as well as commenting on the newly published Youth Justice Board review. Expect this conversation to explore: the findings of the Jay Review if services are equipped to spot children at risk the government's response Are you fired up to generate implementable learning in reviews which could potentially improve the lives of vulnerable people? Join me for my free 5 day training taking place from 9th - 13th March 2026, 'How To Leverage Your...
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014 safeguarding home-educated children
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
Have your reviews analysed the safeguarding of home-educated children? In today’s episode I talk about the NSPCC research exploring the increase in numbers of children educated at home and how the safeguarding system is struggling to keep pace with the shift. Expect this conversation to explore: the increase in numbers of home-educated children how the safeguarding system is struggling to cope with the increase why the lack of visibility for children can see early warning signs go unnoticed if the national guidance is working in this situation Are you fired up to...
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013 the government is not collecting statistics on this
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
Learning generated within reviews so often lead us to the same question: Is a person with a learning disability at higher risk of exploitation or modern slavery more specifically? Or to take it one step further, are they being targeted for exploitation? Expect this conversation to explore: Highlights from some new key research that has just come to an end What in these situations has the potential to increase risk? The importance of practitioners understanding interventions available Are you fired up to generate implementable learning in reviews which could potentially...
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012 we will tell a health professional first
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
This week’s episode opens the conversation about the role of the NHS in preventing domestic abuse. We are most likely to tell a health care professional if we are experiencing abuse. Yes, even ahead of other professionals. Expect this conversation to explore: The number of people who seek support from the NHS in relation to domestic abuse The role the NHS has in preventing domestic abuse Why this role does not just sit with primary care Are you fired up to generate implementable learning in reviews which could potentially improve the lives of vulnerable people? Join me for my free...
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011 are we getting more curious about protected characteristics?
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
Are we getting more curious about protected characteristics? In this episode join me as I explore how systems record (and sometimes miss) protected characteristics and why this matters far beyond compliance. Expect this conversation to explore: How our ability to record protected characteristics is improving What prevents services from developing a complete joined up picture of an individual's vulnerability How does consideration of protected characteristics support an individual Are you fired up to generate implementable learning in reviews which could potentially...
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010 reviews that are more human
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
Do your reviews have an appreciative focus? Some worry that focusing on strengths weakens robustness and in today’s episode I will share my own journey with appreciative reviews. Expect this conversation to explore: Why laying foundations for appreciative inquiry work was necessary How can appreciative focus make reviews more meaningful and human The key to inviting people into a review with an appreciative focus How SILP weaves together 3 complementary strands to create an appreciative focus Are you fired up to generate implementable learning in...
info_outlineIn the fifth episode of season 5 I am sharing a special interview with Vivian Bickham, a SILP accredited independent reviewer. Vivian has a significant career within domestic abuse and her drive comes from a very personal place. This is the fifth reviewer spotlight in our current series.
Hear us talk about:
👉🏻 her journey to becoming an independent reviewer
👉🏻 what drives Viv in her independent review work
👉🏻 how she developed her specialist area in independent review work
👉🏻 the growth opportunities that come with being an independent reviewer
👉🏻 the importance of the training she received
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.
If you are interested in becoming an independent reviewer sign up for the 5 day training from 24th - 28th March click here:
https://donna-ohdedar.mykajabi.com/5-day-training
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/
Join my free Facebook group Blue Light Professionals here
Engagement + proportionality + strengths = SILP