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Here's what you missed at How Safe 2024

Last updated: 27 Jun 2024 Topics: Event
How Safe 2024
How Safe 2024

How Safe 2024

During this one-day event on Wednesday 26 June, we brought together thought leaders, government representatives, and front-line workers to share the latest research and innovations to equip and empower practitioners to keep children safe and influence a national strategy for children.

The theme of this year's conference was Working Together: securing a better future for our babies, children and young people. Over the course of the event safeguarding professionals across sectors including education, health, charity community and social care came together.

By attending, guests gained:

  • invaluable insights and knowledge on latest safeguarding trends
  • shared policy and information
  • techniques to use in their practice.

Delegates heard from professionals from a wide range of sectors with the opportunity to debate, question and share insights about the latest strategies, policies and programmes to prevent child abuse and protect children.

Here's what you missed

Here's what you missed at How Safe 2024

09:30: Welcome and introduction

Sir Peter Wanless, Chief Executive, NSPCC

10:00: Keynote: Getting it right from the start: prioritising childhood

Sir Andrew Pollard (FMedSci, Ashall Professor of Infection and Immunity and Director of Oxford Vaccine Group) will talk about the impact that early childhood can have on long-term mental and physical health, and why we should prioritise early years. Learn how we can use examples of effective, evidence-based interventions that can be made to improve child and lifelong health to make a positive impact.

10:30: Preventing CSA and promoting healthy relationships through a lens of RSE

Panel discussion touching on how high quality sex and relationships education can support the prevention of CSA but also increase healthy relationships.

11:25: Morning break

11:50: Raising the Nation: reflections on how to build a better future for our children

Paul Lindley, OBE and founder of Ella's Kitchen, shares his thoughts on how we can all work together to build a better future for our children. In his books, Raising the Nation and Little Wins, Paul emphasises the importance of nurturing smart, strong and kind children, and the valuable insights we can gain from toddlers.

12:35: Young people’s Question Time: In conversation with Bruce Adamson and Sir Peter Wanless

Former Children's Commissioner for Scotland Bruce Adamson will be in conversation with the NSPCC's Sir Peter Wanless as they both take questions directly from children and young people about the big issues affecting them.

13:10: Lunch break

14:05 Breakout sessions

Breakout 1: Young Minds Matter

Breakout 2: Born into Care

Breakout 3: Engaging boys in gender equality

14:55: Afternoon break

15:10: Reforming the early years - building the strongest foundations for the youngest children

The early years lay the foundations for a child’s entire life course, affecting a whole range of outcomes well into adulthood. Babies and young children need the right support systems in place to enable them to thrive, as do their parents and carers. In this discussion, chaired by Matt Forde, we reflect on the current challenges in this policy and practice area and what needs to change in order to give the youngest children the best start in life.

Featuring: 

  • Claire O’Meara, UNICEF UK
  • Sarah Cattan, Institute for Fiscal Studies
  • Sarah Ronan, Early Education & Childcare Coalition
  • Dr Samantha Callan OBE, Family Hubs Network

16:05: Panel discussion - Working Together to secure a better future for babies, children and young people

The CEOs of the five leading national children’s charities – Action for Children, Barnardo’s, The Children’s Society, NCB and NSPCC – discuss the need for ambitious policy reform and political leadership to truly champion children at the next election.

16:50: Closing comments

Maria Neophytou, Director of Strategy and Knowledge, NSPCC