011 are we getting more curious about protected characteristics?
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
Release Date: 02/05/2026
Older adults and criminal justice outcomes
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
Do older adults experience the criminal justice system differently? Research and reviews suggest the answer is yes — and the reasons are rarely visible on the surface. Policy, guidance, and legislation all point toward equality, protection, and access to justice. But practice tells a more complex story. In this week's episode we discuss: Why criminal prosecutions involving older victims remain comparatively low, and what that tells us about how the system responds. How abuse in later life is frequently reframed as a safeguarding issue rather than recognised as a crime. The tendency to...
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are we normalising abuse in later life?
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In this week's episode, we explore how ageism, often subtle and unintentional, shapes the way abuse is recognised and responded to when the victim is older. From normalised harm to compassionate ageism, we examine the biases that can leave older victims invisible within the very systems designed to protect them. In this episode we cover: Why abuse doesn't become less serious simply because the victim is older and how societal assumptions about frailty and decline can minimise harm The normalisation of abuse in later life, including how violence or coercion can be misframed as "family...
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reviews which analyse domestic abuse affecting older adults
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In this week's episode, we explore the important but often overlooked connections between Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews and the Care Act 2014 and what these reviews are really telling us about how systems respond to older victims of domestic abuse. In this episode we cover: Why Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews matter beyond understanding individual tragedies Missed opportunities to recognise and support carers — a recurring theme in reviews How caring relationships can create complex dynamics where dependency, care needs and safety intersect The Care Act's proactive duty on...
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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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