The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Annual Report 2024–25: Familiar Themes, Increasing Complexity
The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector PodcastShow Notes
In this episode I explore the key findings from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Annual Report 2024–25 and what the latest national learning tells us about the risks facing children across England. Whilst many of the themes will feel familiar, the report highlights the increasing complexity of children's lives and the importance of understanding cumulative harm, family adversity and children's lived experiences. In this episode you will hear: • The vulnerability of babies under one year of age demosntrated within safeguarding reviews • How neglect, domestic abuse, parental mental ill-health, substance misuse and poverty often interact to create significant risks for children • How practitioners must move beyond individual presenting concerns • The growing role of mental health concerns and online harms within serious safeguarding incidents • What the 21% reduction in serious incident notifications may mean for safeguarding partnerships and national learning
This episode also reflects on the enduring importance of professional curiosity, effective information sharing, multi-agency collaboration and maintaining a relentless focus on the child's daily lived experience.
I announced last week that there will be two SILP School scholarships available for the October 2026 intake. The SILP School mission is deeply intertwined with my decision to launch this scholarship scheme. It is important to me that we promote diversity and inclusion in this profession I'm proud to be part of.
This year we will award 1 full needs-based SILP School scholarships & 1 part scholarship. One place will attract zero payment & the other will be charged at 50% to begin SILP School with the October 2026 intake.
The SILP mission is to create a "tidal wave of positive impact." Would you like to part of this movement?
How to Apply All you need to do is answer 3 questions. The closing date for application is Friday 12th June at midday. You can find out more information 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 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.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-ohdedar-review-consulting-ltd/
Join my free Facebook group Blue Light Professionals here
Engagement + proportionality + strengths = SILP
More from The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast
In this week's episode, I explore the 5 Ds of Active Bystander Intervention, drawing on guidance from the Domestic Abuse Volunteer Support Service (DAVSS), and consider what this framework can teach us about safeguarding, professional curiosity and organisational culture. In this episode I discuss: What are the 5 Ds of Active Bystander Intervention
In this week's episode I reflect on the changes to the way domestic abuse will be identified and recorded within the criminal justice system. In this episode I discuss: The intention of the new Judicial Finding of Domestic Abuse
In this week's episode I reflect on the recent Sky News investigation into the experiences of domestic abuse victims within the Family Court. In this episode I discuss: Why culture change must sit alongside legislative and procedural reform
A new information sharing duty came into force on 30th September, introduced by the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act under a new section 16LA of the Children Act 2004. In this episode I look at the new statutory guidance and what the duty means for organisations. In this episode I discuss: What the new information sharing duty requires
The rules around regulated activity with children in England have changed and organisations working with children need to understand what that means for their safeguarding and safer recruitment arrangements. In this episode I explore what the new rules mean, which organisations need to take notice, and why this change closes a potential gap in safeguarding arrangements.