Cygnet has sponsored the Forum since its inception in October 2022 and it’s testament to the growth and strength of its membership that in 2023 it sold out at 500 tickets for its first online conference, and then this year it sold out in person too filling the venue to capacity. Member providers included representation from specialist charities, elective surgery, hospices eating disorders, online therapy and inpatient mental health.
Reflecting on the day, Phil Winterbottom, Head of Safeguarding & Protection told us in his own words about the event:
“I was delighted to welcome delegates and introduce the day. Our first speaker, Philip Boyce from the Safeguarding and Closed Cultures team at the CQC, presented on ‘What good Safeguarding looks like’ from a regulatory point of view.
Caroline Flynn joined the conference to describe her experiences which led to developing a national resource, the MAAP LinkIndex key ring. This resource is used across the country by NHS and independent providers, Social Care, Local Authorities and more! Her impactful talk ensured that all colleagues there were reminded exactly why we do the jobs we do.
During the morning break, Dr Sarah Hall from the IVision Trust spent time with delegates sharing her experiences of working with parents ‘as partners’ in the Safeguarding Journey.
Ben Troke, from Weightmans, delivered an exciting talk about ‘being dragged up the mountain’, reflecting on case law and examples from practice around Empowerment and Autonomy.
Then it was time for the first panel discussion. Expert panel members Sally Wilson, Royal College of Nursing, Marino Latour, Safeguarding Adults National Network, Kerene Coleman, Nameloc and Vijay Patel, Social Care Institute of Excellence, explored what good safeguarding training looks like.
We discussed everything from national standards and guidance to adapting learning for colleagues for whom English is their second language. This engaging panel encouraged delegates to consider how best to create or commission training that meets the needs of those they support, as well as those who deliver support and adopt adult learning theory accordingly. There was a helpful reflection on the difference between training, professional development, reflection and learning, which left all attendees talking more over lunch.
Our guest speaker Gavin shared his story, describing the effect of living through abuse, and answered questions about how his life has changed since, what he wished professionals had done and what he wanted us to know now. This was his first time discussing his experiences in a public forum and delegates were moved to tears. Gavin received a standing ovation which caused a few more of us to cry a little!
Having the difficult task of following such an impactful story, Heidi Robinson and Katherine Palmacci from Helios took to the stage to share their experiences and work around supporting neurodiversity in safeguarding practice.
A video presentation from Doug Melia at Safer Handling explored the use of force in healthcare services, which gave delegates the chance to reflect on individual rights and provider responsibilities.
Our second panel discussion on what good collaboration looks like took place, with Janine Campbell form Greater Manchester ICB, Dr Sarah Hall, Vijay Patel and Philip Boyce joined by Cathy Sheehan from the NHSE National Safeguarding Team.
The conference was rounded off with National Safeguarding Star Awards, presented by Marino, Cathy and I. These recognised one of the Forum members, Jennifer Kelly from Leonard Cheshire, who has been a member since the Forums inception and an active member of the Safeguarding Adults National Network, and Sally Wilson, from the Royal College of Nursing, for her work on leading the review of the training guidance for Safeguarding Adults.
Shortly after the event, Gavin messaged me and simply said “that was life changing, I’m not scared anymore”.
I’d like to extend my thanks for the support I received for the delivery of the conference and our Safeguarding work at Cygnet, to my team – Jenny Harkness, Summer Drakes and Bernadette Robinson, as well as to David Wilmott and the rest of the Nursing Directorate, Emily Taylor and Erin Alpine in Marketing for their help in promoting the conference, as well as all the speakers and panellists.
We look forward to celebrating what’s been happening in our services in the 2024 Annual Safeguarding Report so please get in contact to share examples you think we could include. Next year we’re going bigger again, from the year of empowerment into a new year of exploring, engaging and empowering!”