The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast

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

The importance of understanding domestic abuse cumulatively and in context, rather than viewing incidents in isolation 

What it really means to hear the voice of the child

What this means for safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews

 
Are you ready to find out more about independent review work?
Whether you've been thinking about independent review work for a while or you're only just coming across it, why not download the replay of the one session that brings all of this together the Independent Reviewer Immersion Workshop. My on demand one hour workshop provides all you need to understand what independent review work involves, whether your skills are transferable, and what the journey from blue light professional to independent reviewer really looks like.

No experience needed. No prior training required. Just bring your curiosity. Download the on demand workshop here.

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

Consent and proportionate information sharing

The recurring problem we see in reviews

Putting the new duty into practice



Are you ready to find out more about independent review work?
Whether you've been thinking about independent review work for a while or you're only just coming across it, why not join me for a free session that brings all of this together.

The Independent Reviewer Immersion Workshop takes place online on 5th October at 1pm. In just one hour you'll walk away knowing exactly what independent review work involves, whether your skills are transferable, and what the journey from blue light professional to independent reviewer really looks like.

No experience needed. No prior training required. Just bring your curiosity. Sign up 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 Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Safeguarding Adult Reviews and Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews. She is also an accredited 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

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.

In this episode I discuss:
What has changed from 1st September 2026

The supervision exemption explained

Which organisations need to consider the changes

What this might look like through the lens of a review

The question organisations should be asking now

Are you ready to find out more about independent review work?
Whether you've been thinking about independent review work for a while or you're only just coming across it, why not join me for a free session that brings all of this together.

The Independent Reviewer Immersion Workshop takes place online on 5th October at 1pm. In just one hour you'll walk away knowing exactly what independent review work involves, whether your skills are transferable, and what the journey from blue light professional to independent reviewer really looks like.

No experience needed. No prior training required. Just bring your curiosity. Sign up 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 Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Safeguarding Adult Reviews and Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews. She is also an accredited 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.

Have you seen the new Impact Report from the Institute for Addressing Strangulation (IFAS), looking back at its work from 2022 to 2026? The report tells us about the growing recognition of non-fatal strangulation in domestic abuse cases and why the language used to record these incidents matters enormously for safeguarding professionals and independent reviewers.

In this episode I explore:
The increased recognition and recording of strangulation offences since the introduction of the standalone offence, and what this tells us about an issue that was historically poorly understood and identified.
The continuing gaps within the data, including the significant proportion of police cases where the victim's ethnicity was recorded as unknown.
Why independent reviewers need to pay close attention to how strangulation appears within chronologies, particularly when language such as "choking", "grabbed around the throat" or an "argument that got physical" can minimise the seriousness of what occurred.
Why an incident involving the neck, throat or inability to breathe should prompt greater professional curiosity, ensuring that the risk isn't inadvertently made smaller through the way an incident has been recorded.
 
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 Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Safeguarding Adult Reviews and Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews. She is also an accredited 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

After a long period of consultation and anticipation, the new statutory guidance for reviewing deaths following domestic abuse has been published.
In this episode I explore:
The move from DHRs to DARDRs, including the wider recognition of deaths that have, or appear to have, resulted from domestic abuse as defined within the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

How the transitional arrangements work: notifications received after 15 September 2026 fall under the new framework, while reviews already underway or notified before that date continue under the previous guidance.
The introduction of the Home Office Quality Assurance Board, plans for greater oversight of recommendations and compulsory tiered training for DARDR chairs.
Why publication of the guidance is the beginning rather than the end of the change – with important questions remaining about consistency, accountability, timely quality assurance and how effectively the new framework will work in practice.
 
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 Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Safeguarding Adult Reviews and Domestic Abuse Related Death Reviews. She is also an accredited 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