This practical 2.5 hour workshop shares best practice in a restorative approach to the handling of a safeguarding disclosure.

When a child or adult discloses a safeguarding concern, a golden opportunity can easily be missed if the response is insensitive. We will co-design the best approach to handling safeguarding disclosures, drawing on restorative tools and practice using real life scenarios. We will consider how best to speak about confidentiality and reflect on culturally sensitive practice in a safeguarding context. The format of the workshop will be very interactive and involve circle discussions, breakout room group work, and opportunities for skills practice.

Learning aims and objectives:

• Sharing best practice in responding to safeguarding disclosures restoratively including what not to do.

• An opportunity to practice restorative skills in situations when safeguarding issues arise.

• Consideration and skills practice on how to explain about confidentiality with a child or adult in the context of safeguarding.

• Reflecting on cultural considerations in safeguarding, including culturally sensitive practice.

The workshop will be facilitated by Colette Selwood and Pete Wallis, both highly experienced restorative practitioners and trainers in both child and adult contexts, with specialties in youth justice. Colette has also been one of the trainers for Oxfordshire Children Safeguarding Board for several years.

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This event has been CPD approved by the Restorative Justice Council. Attendees who participate in the full 2.5 hours of the workshop will receive a certificate for 2.5 CPD hours.

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Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite and ticket prices are variable:

• £25 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

• £10 (e.g. students or employed by a small charity)

We are aware that many people can have their registration fees covered by their organisation/employer as part of their CPD and would prefer to be invoiced for the workshop cost. We can invoice for multiple attendees or multiple workshops on one invoice – please contact joy@minthouseoxford.co.uk to arrange this.

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Colette Selwood is a qualified youth and community worker and been practicing for over 30 years. Colette joined the Oxfordshire’s Youth Justice Service in 2008 to be the referral panel coordinator, where she has practiced and trained restorative justice/practice ever since. Colette managed the Thames Valley Restorative Justice Service from 2018 to 2022. She has also been one of the trainers for Oxfordshire Children Safeguarding Board for several years. In recent years, Colette has been a freelance trainer in restorative practice, on behalf of The Mint House, delivering training to social workers, teachers, and NHS staff. She also delivers safeguarding training to the transport staff of the county council. Colette is interested in how restorative practices are integral and beneficial in all settings where there is conflict or harm.

Pete Wallis has recently retired after working for 25 years as a restorative justice practitioner with Oxfordshire’s Youth Justice Service. A senior practitioner and trainer, Pete has written widely on restorative justice, including Understanding Restorative Justice and The Pocket Guide to Restorative Justice. Over the years Pete has attended many safeguarding courses. He is interested in how a restorative approach can contribute to best safeguarding practice, particularly in responding sensitively when a disclosure is made.