The challenges of working with larger sibling group families
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
Release Date: 08/20/2026
The challenges of working with larger sibling group families
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
When we are working with a large sibling group, it is harder to be confident that we really understand the experience of every child within that family? In this episode, I explore some of the challenges of working with larger sibling group families. In this episode I discuss: Why it’s harder for professionals to understand lived experience of the child within a large sibling group Why children within the same family may experience neglect, domestic abuse, parental difficulties and family relationships very differently, requiring individual rather than collective assessment. How...
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Recognising domestic abuse in young people
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
When we talk about domestic abuse, how often do we picture an adult relationship? And how often do we stop to consider that the person experiencing coercion, control, sexual violence or physical violence might be 15, 16 or 17 years old? In this episode, I explore domestic abuse within teenage relationships. In this episode I discuss: The prevalence of violent and controlling behaviour within teenage relationships Whether our assumptions about what domestic abuse "looks like" influence what we recognise How narratives and language about teenage relationships can create barriers to...
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Deprivation of Liberty Part 2
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
The legal landscape around deprivation of liberty has changed. In this episode, I continue the conversation about the recent UK Supreme Court judgment following the reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland. The decision marks a significant shift in how practitioners should determine whether someone is deprived of their liberty, moving away from the familiar Cheshire West “acid test” towards a broader, more holistic assessment of each individual’s circumstances. In this episode I explore: Why the Supreme Court judgment represents a significant change in deprivation of...
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Deprivation of Liberty Part 1
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
The legal framework around deprivation of liberty has changed following the Supreme Court’s AGNI judgment. But what does that actually mean for safeguarding professionals and independent reviewers? In this episode, I explore the Department of Health and Social Care’s interim guidance, why this judgment matters beyond its legal implications, and why good safeguarding has always been about far more than simply meeting legal requirements. In this episode I discuss: What the AGNI judgment changes. Why safeguarding is about more than legal compliance. The questions that...
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Breaking Cycles Through Storytelling with Louisa Herridge
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In this episode I am joined by writing coach and publisher Louisa Herridge to explore why storytelling matters and how it link to creating meaningful change. Together we discuss the power of lived experience, finding your voice, and why the stories we choose to tell can influence individuals, organisations and even future generations. In this episode we discuss: Why everyone has a story worth telling The difference between writing from pain versus writing from perspective. Why your story isn’t really about you How storytelling creates social change The legacy we leave for the...
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Why Family Voices Matter in Reviews
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
What is it like for a family member or someone close to a victim to take part in a safeguarding review? In this episode I speak with Sue, who participated in the Safeguarding Adults Review following her best friend’s death. Together we explore what it feels like to contribute after a traumatic bereavement, why family and those closest to the person matter so much, and how meaningful participation can support both the review and those involved. In this episode we discuss: Why she said yes to participating in the review and impact it had The value of lived experience. How...
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Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews which analyse domestic abuse part 2
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In this episode, I continue my series exploring what Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews teach us about domestic abuse and the impact on children. This time, I’m discussing the research report Rethinking Domestic Abuse in Child Protection: Responding Differently and some of the important questions it raises about how we respond to families experiencing domestic abuse. In this episode I discuss: Why the research argues that child protection responses often focus too heavily on the non-abusing parent, while those causing harm receive comparatively little meaningful engagement. How taking a...
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Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews which analyse domestic abuse
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In this episode I am exploring the latest NSPCC Learning from Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews publication 'Domestic abuse: learning from case reviews' and the powerful messages it contains for everyone working with children and families. Domestic abuse is often viewed through the lens of adult relationships, but Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews continue to remind us that children are victims in their own right. In this episode I explore: Why domestic abuse rarely exists in isolation how this increase risk for children. How coercive and controlling behaviour can remain hidden,...
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Learning from Preston Davey’s death
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In this week's episode I am reflecting on the tragic death of 13-month-old Preston Davey and asking the difficult question that follows so many safeguarding tragedies: how can warning signs exist, yet a child still isn't protected? Rather than focusing on blame, this episode explores what statutory reviews repeatedly tell us about how systems fail, why information doesn't always become understanding, and what we can all learn as about the system. In this episode I discuss: Why safeguarding failures are rarely the result of one individual mistake, but an accumulation of small decisions and...
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Domestic Abuse and Childhood Harm: Are we listening to children?
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
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...
info_outlineWhen we are working with a large sibling group, it is harder to be confident that we really understand the experience of every child within that family? In this episode, I explore some of the challenges of working with larger sibling group families.
In this episode I discuss:
- Why it’s harder for professionals to understand lived experience of the child within a large sibling group
- Why children within the same family may experience neglect, domestic abuse, parental difficulties and family relationships very differently, requiring individual rather than collective assessment.
- How practitioners can balance understanding each child individually while still holding the whole family picture, particularly across large and complex multi-agency networks.
- Why reviewers should look beyond assumptions about professional curiosity and consider whether workload, capacity, coordination or system design prevented practitioners from doing the work expected of them.
Are you fired up to generate implementable learning in reviews? An important opportunity is about to arise and I don’t want you to miss it. Join me for the FREE online 5 day training 'How To Leverage Your Skills As A Blue Light Professional To Establish A Successful Career In Independent Reviews' taking place from 14th - 18th September 2026.
Inside the 5 day training you will learn:
⭐ how to find work that is flexible and meaningful post retirement or as your next career move
⭐ the essential skills and knowledge from your current role that are transferable to independent review work
⭐ understanding the framework of independent reviews: what you need to know to get started
⭐ key strategies for building credibility and finding your first independent review opportunities
⭐ why SILP is the most engaging, proportionate method for independent reviews
and so much more.
All you need is an hour a day to get involved. You will receive a task to complete each day which will take 15 minutes max & an hour each evening online with me to learn more, to ask questions & receive feedback. Recordings will be available for any sessions you miss. It is an unprecedented opportunity to spend a whole 5 days with me as I support you on your journey to understanding this impactful career path. To join me click 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 all 3 types of reviews covering both children’s and adults’ safeguarding and 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