What's On
Welcome to Safeguarding Month 2026!
The Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership (GSCP) and Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board (GSAB) are delighted to launch Safeguarding Month 2026!
For many years, we have proudly supported the Ann Craft Trust’s national Safeguarding Week campaign, providing valuable opportunities for practitioners, volunteers and organisations to come together, share their learning and strengthen practice across all sectors. Building on the success of previous years, we are taking a new approach in 2026 by extending our programme across the whole month of November, offering greater flexibility and accessibility for busy practitioners who can’t always make it to in-person events.
Whether you work with children and young people, adults or families, Safeguarding Month has been designed to fit around your role, responsibilities and organisational commitments, making it easier than ever to access high-quality safeguarding learning at a time that suits you.
Our programme is aligned with 2026’s theme of Making Safeguarding Personal, which is the principle that safeguarding should always be person-centred, outcomes-focused and led by what matters most to the individual. Effective safeguarding practice begins with listening, understanding lived experiences, and ensuring that people’s views, wishes and desired outcomes remain at the heart of decision-making.
Click here to explore what we have on offer throughout the month. The page will be updated each week and promoted in our weekly email, so be sure to check back regularly!
What to Expect:
- In-Person Training
- Keynote Speeches
- Webinars and Podcasts
- Practitioner Workshops
- Video Shorts
- Networking Opportunities
- Information Events
- Practical Guidance, Resources and Tools
4th November 2026
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards is more than a process – it is a commitment to ensuring we uphold Human Rights!
In this session, you will:
• Appreciate the legal and ethical frameworks that guide the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards;
• Understand what the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are and why we need them;
• Build an awareness of what the DoLS process is;
• Consider the role of Relevant Person’s Representative (RPR);
• Think about your role in minimising restrictions upon a person’s liberty;
• Consider when a review of a DoLS should be requested.
📅 4th November 2026
🕘 1:00pm – 2:30pm
📍 Bewicks B, Gateshead Civic Centre
Adult Sexual Exploitation (Changing Lives)
Creating a culture of safety, awareness and curiosity is essential when working with adults who may be at risk of exploitation. When concerns arise about Adult Sexual Exploitation (ASE), it is important to recognise the signs early and respond appropriately.
This course – delivered by Changing Lives – provides an introduction to Adult Sexual Exploitation. It explores what ASE can look like, common misconceptions and strategies for practitioners to identify and respond to concerns effectively.
In this session, you will:
- Develop an understanding of what Adult Sexual Exploitation is, including the different forms it can take;
- Challenge common myths and misconceptions surrounding ASE;
- Recognise key signs and indicators that an adult may be at risk of, or experiencing, exploitation;
- Explore gaps in safeguarding responses and consider how these can impact identification and intervention;
- Gain insight into the impact of sexual exploitation on survivors, including barriers to disclosure and engagement;
- Understand the importance of appropriate support mechanisms and referral pathways at the point of identification.
This session is suitable for:
Anyone working with adults in a professional or voluntary capacity who wishes to strengthen their understanding of adult safeguarding and exploitation. It is particularly relevant for:
- Safeguarding leads, frontline practitioners, managers and support staff;
- Practitioners working in health, adult social care, housing, policing and community services.
📅 4th November 2026
🕘 1pm – 4pm
📍 Gateshead Learning Centre (Kingsmeadow School Site)
"Hi, I'm a Young Person" (Positive Futures)
Positive Futures will be delivering a session on the importance of developing strong professional relationships with young people for creating positive outcomes from support. They will discuss the importance of relationship building to make safeguarding personal and how their new Peer Mentoring programme aims to build upon this work.
🕘 1pm – 2pm
📍 Lamesley Room, Gateshead Civic Centre
5th November 2026
Learning from Maya's Story
The Gateshead Safeguarding Partnership is privileged to welcome members of Maya Chappell’s family to share their experiences directly with us as part of Safeguarding Month 2026. This powerful keynote speech offers a unique opportunity to not only hear about Maya’s life and legacy, but also about the realities of navigating the safeguarding system from a family’s perspective.
Through their deeply personal account, Maya’s family remind us that every assessment, referral, meeting and decision affects the lives of real children and families.
This keynote is more than a learning opportunity. It is a chance to listen, reflect and challenge ourselves as safeguarding partners. It invites us to consider not just what happened to Maya, but what her story can teach us about the difference we can make when we are professionally curious, collaborative, and focused on keeping the child’s lived experience at the centre of our practice.
Please note that two sessions will run on 5th November. Places for the PM session will be allocated once the AM session is full. If you require a specific time slot, please notify us as soon as possible via email: [email protected].
📅 5th November 2026
🕘 10am – 12:30pm / 1:30pm – 3pm
📍 Council Chamber, Gateshead Civic Centre
10th November 2026
Exploitation: Beyond the Substance (Positive Futures)
🕘 11am – 12:30pm
📍 Bridges Room, Gateshead Civic Centre
11th November 2026
Person-Centred Practice Showcase (Multi-Agency)
Join representatives from partner agencies across the children’s and adults workforce for an inspiring day dedicated to sharing what works, why it works, and the difference it makes. Through real-life case studies, practice examples and multi-agency discussions, you’ll explore how person-centred approaches can strengthen safeguarding practice, improve outcomes, and ensure the voices, wishes and experiences of children, adults and families remain at the heart of decision-making.
This interactive showcase is an opportunity to learn from colleagues across the partnership, celebrate innovation, and reflect on how we can embed person-centred practice in our everyday work. Come ready to be inspired, challenged and equipped with practical ideas that you can take back to your own organisation to support more meaningful, strengths-based and person-centred conversations.
Our showcase will feature a series of 30-60 minute practitioner-led sessions from organisations across the safeguarding partnership, with the full programme to be announced soon. Attend the sessions most relevant to your role or stay for the entire day to gain a wide range of perspectives, ideas and examples of effective person-centred practice.
Refreshments will be available throughout the day between sessions, providing opportunities to network and continue conversations with colleagues. Register your interest by booking your place below.
📅 11th November 2026
🕘 9:30am – 3:30pm
📍 Council Chamber, Gateshead Civic Centre
Adult Sexual Exploitation (Changing Lives)
Creating a culture of safety, awareness and curiosity is essential when working with adults who may be at risk of exploitation. When concerns arise about Adult Sexual Exploitation (ASE), it is important to recognise the signs early and respond appropriately.
This course – delivered by Changing Lives – provides an introduction to Adult Sexual Exploitation. It explores what ASE can look like, common misconceptions and strategies for practitioners to identify and respond to concerns effectively.
In this session, you will:
- Develop an understanding of what Adult Sexual Exploitation is, including the different forms it can take;
- Challenge common myths and misconceptions surrounding ASE;
- Recognise key signs and indicators that an adult may be at risk of, or experiencing, exploitation;
- Explore gaps in safeguarding responses and consider how these can impact identification and intervention;
- Gain insight into the impact of sexual exploitation on survivors, including barriers to disclosure and engagement;
- Understand the importance of appropriate support mechanisms and referral pathways at the point of identification.
This session is suitable for:
Anyone working with adults in a professional or voluntary capacity who wishes to strengthen their understanding of adult safeguarding and exploitation. It is particularly relevant for:
- Safeguarding leads, frontline practitioners, managers and support staff;
- Practitioners working in health, adult social care, housing, policing and community services.
📅 11th November 2026
🕘 10:30am – 1:30pm
📍 Gateshead Learning Centre (Kingsmeadow School Site)
12th November 2026
Challenging Conversations and Professional Curiosity (Children)
- Understand what makes safeguarding conversations challenging and why practitioners may feel hesitant to address concerns;
- Develop strategies to build strong, trusting relationships that support open and honest dialogue;
- Learn how to plan and structure potentially difficult conversations with confidence and professionalism;
- Explore trauma-informed, relational and restorative approaches to support effective communication;
- Recognise the importance of being professionally curious and addressing concerns early to prevent harm and improve outcomes for children.
🕘 12pm – 1:30pm
📍 Online (Teams)
Challenging Conversations and Professional Curiosity (Adults)
Challenging conversations are an essential part of adult safeguarding practice, but when concerns involve risk, capacity or differing views about what should happen next, it can be difficult to know how to respond effectively.
When handled well, these conversations can build trust, uphold the person’s voice and choices, and lead to safer, more positive outcomes. This session will support practitioners to develop the skills, confidence and practical tools needed to approach difficult safeguarding conversations with clarity, professionalism and empathy.
You will:
- Understand why safeguarding conversations can feel challenging and explore common barriers to addressing concerns effectively;
- Develop strategies to build trusting, person-centred relationships that support open and honest dialogue;
- Learn how to plan and structure difficult conversations with confidence while maintaining professional boundaries;
- Explore trauma-informed, strengths-based and ‘Making Safeguarding Personal’ approaches to communication;
- Recognise the importance of professional curiosity, respectful challenge and early intervention in reducing risk and preventing harm.
This session is suitable for: Anyone working with adults who may need to have difficult, sensitive or complex safeguarding conversations, including practitioners across health, social care, housing, voluntary and community services, and other partner agencies.
📅 12th November 2026
🕘 2:30pm – 4pm
📍 Online (Teams)
16th November 2026
Mental Capacity and Safeguarding: Hoarding, Self-Neglect and Refusals of Support (39 Essex Chambers)
You’ll gain:
- Practical learning from Safeguarding Adults Reviews;
- Greater confidence in complex self-neglect and hoarding cases;
- A clearer understanding of mental capacity law and legal powers;
- Guidance on balancing risk, rights and professional intervention;
- Opportunities to apply learning through realistic case scenarios.
Whether you work in social care, health, housing, policing, advocacy, safeguarding or the voluntary sector, this is a valuable opportunity to strengthen your practice and legal literacy alongside colleagues from across the region.
📅 Monday 16th November 2026
🕒 09:30am – 4:00pm
📍 Online (via Zoom*)
*Please ensure you can access Zoom on your work or personal device prior to the session. Some organisations may require IT permissions.
17th November 2026
Behind the Cloud: More Than Just a Vape (Positive Futures)
Join Positive Futures for a thought-provoking and interactive session that uses vaping as a lens to explore wider safeguarding themes affecting children and young people today.
While vaping is often seen as a health issue, it can also provide valuable insights into a young person’s broader experiences, relationships and vulnerabilities. This session will examine how vaping can intersect with issues such as exploitation, peer pressure, emotional wellbeing, risk-taking behaviours, social media influences and unmet needs.
Participants will be encouraged to look beyond the vape itself and consider the context surrounding a child’s choices and behaviours. Through case examples, discussion and reflection, we’ll explore:
- What might vaping tell us about a young person’s wellbeing and sense of belonging?
- When does experimentation become a safeguarding concern?
- How can vaping be linked to exploitation, grooming or coercion?
- What role do peer influence, social media and targeted marketing play?
- How can practitioners engage young people in meaningful conversations about risk without judgement?
The session will help practitioners strengthen their professional curiosity, recognise hidden vulnerabilities, and understand how seemingly low-level concerns can sometimes be indicators of more significant safeguarding issues.
📅 Tuesday 17th November 2026
🕒 11am – 12pm
📍 Whickham Room, Gateshead Civic Centre
24th November 2026
Not My Choice, Still My Story: Understanding the Impact of Familial Addiction on Children and Young People (Positive Futures)
Join the Impact Team from Positive Futures for a powerful and interactive session exploring the often unseen effects of parental and familial addiction on children and young people of all ages.
Through discussion, reflection and real-world practice examples, this session will examine how addiction within the family can shape a child’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour, relationships, education and sense of safety, from early childhood through to adolescence. Practitioners will gain a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of children affected by substance misuse and consider how adversity can present differently at different stages.
The session will focus on how professionals can recognise indicators of hidden harm, respond with curiosity and compassion, and provide effective support that helps children build resilience and feel heard. Participants will explore practical approaches to engaging children and families, strengthening protective factors, and working collaboratively to improve outcomes.
A particular highlight of the session will be the opportunity to watch an inspiring and moving film created by children with lived experience. Through their own voices and stories, participants will gain a unique insight into the realities of growing up affected by addiction, helping to bring learning to life and deepen understanding of what meaningful support looks like from a child’s perspective.
📅 Tuesday 24th November 2026
🕒 10am – 11am
📍 Whickham Room, Gateshead Civic Centre
23rd November 2026
Lunch and Learn: Person-Centred Conversations in Safeguarding
Join Esther Taylor (Senior Practitioner, Safeguarding Adults Team) for an engaging Lunch & Learn session exploring the principles of person-centred conversations in safeguarding.
Through discussion, reflection and real-world practice examples, participants will:
- Explore what truly person-centred safeguarding looks like in practice and why it matters;
- Consider how to ensure the voice, wishes, feelings and desired outcomes of individuals remain at the heart of safeguarding work;
- Develop confidence in having meaningful conversations about risk, choice, control and wellbeing;
- Reflect on the balance between empowerment, protection and professional responsibility when working with adults and families;
- Strengthen communication skills that promote trust, collaboration and informed decision-making.
This interactive session will support you to build stronger relationships, improve engagement and deliver safeguarding responses that are more personalised, effective and outcome-focused.
🍽️ Lunch will be provided.
📅 Monday 23rd November 2026
🕒 12pm – 1:30pm
📍 Lamesley Room, Gateshead Civic Centre
27th November 2026
Lunch and Learn: Social Graces in Safeguarding Practice
Join Simon Gray (IRO Service Lead) for an engaging Lunch & Learn session exploring how the Social Graces framework can strengthen safeguarding practice and enhance professional curiosity.
You’ll have the opportunity to reflect on how identity, culture, power, privilege and lived experience shape the way we see and respond to the people we support. Through discussion and reflection, participants will:
- Consider how personal assumptions, values and perspectives can influence professional judgement and decision-making;
- Develop greater awareness of inclusive, person-centred and strengths-based practice;
- Explore how to build more authentic and meaningful relationships with children, adults and families;
- Strengthen reflective practice and challenge unconscious bias in safeguarding work.
Whether you work in children’s or adults’ services, this thought-provoking session will support you to make more informed, equitable and effective safeguarding decisions.
🍽️ Lunch will be provided.
📅 Friday 27th November 2026
🕒 12pm – 1:30pm
📍 Whickham Room, Gateshead Civic Centre