How often have you heard young people described as being 'known to services' by people who don't know them at all?
In our latest
@InnovateProj
paper we argue why this matters and why we should stop doing it if we really want to be trauma-informed 👇🏾
Was sworn and shouted at in
@ShoppingEnfield
today by a white man in his 50s who had an issue with me feeding my baby.
He called security over to me as well shouting 'she's f**king breastfeeding out here'. He stormed off before I could gather myself.
He's lucky.
With thanks to God, my last ovary, the science of IVF, & the support of family, friends & colleagues who've carried us for 3 yrs, we welcomed our double rainbow baby on international women's day
He's been in our arms for 5 days. We've loved him a lifetime.
#outofofficeon
My son starts primary school this year. When he's asked about his mum's job he'll be able to say she's a Professor of Social Work. I'm looking forward to saying that too when I join
@DurhamSociology
in September. Thanks to everyone who made this possible!
Still beaming from seeing my boy end his reception year by picking up the Headteachers award for 'his fantastic attitude towards learning, and always trying his best, which has led to great progress in all areas, particularly Maths' 😭. He loves school: they see and value him ❤️
So excited to hold my new book
Co-authored with
@MichelleLefevr1
@NHuegler
& Delphine Peace, in just over 100 pages we use research from 10 countries to state 5 key features of social care responses to extra-familial harm
Out tomorrow to buy in paperback & read for free online
Today my darling boy turns 5. For the past three nights I baked and built his birthday cake. James the number 5 engine from Thomas and Friends. It's been therapeutic to peacefully create something I knew he'd love when surrounded by so much pain. He is such a light for me
Proud day. My new book 'Contextual Safeguarding and Child Protection: Rewriting the Rules' is out to buy or rent in e-book (paperback coming later this year). If you buy it via this link please use the 20% discount code in the attached flyer.
Today's news from Croydon is heartbreaking & my prayers are with those impacted.
Tonight I've had a 15 yr old in mind, murdered 10+ yrs ago by a boy she rejected. Hers was one of 9 cases that led to Contextual Safeguarding.
It's complex, it's not new, & change is long overdue.
Formal complaint submitted to
@EssexPoliceUK
. Feel free to onward share. We await our response. In solidarity with all the parents who have asked for this image to be removed without any response. The whole thing is an utter outrage.
Can't get this disgraceful post out if my head. Can you point me to where the legal definition of childhood (under-18) is discounted by experiences of violence? I am making a formal complaint to
@EssexPoliceUK
. Such views create systems that harm rather than protect our children
New month, new keep cup (thanks to my team), new shoes (thanks to my boys), new earrings (
@OliverBonas
), new Twitter bio, new job 😊.
@DurhamSociology
I'm on my way
2 years ago
@BCWLindsay
and I spent 2.5 days listening to > 40 white professionals (mis)talk about Black young people & the risks they faced
I cried for a week after, but the experience unlocked a partnership we couldn't have anticipated & sowed the seeds of something special 🧵
I'll be giving my inaugural professorial lecture at
@durham_uni
on the 26th Jan 2021 4-5pm: 'Green lights, speed bumps and cul-de-sacs: the road to Contextual Safeguarding'. Eventbrite opening soon to book your free ticket online and in-person🤞🏾for now save the date
Too many people proclaiming ‘not to see colour’. Like they’ve turned colourblind overnight. Trust me I can see you’re white and i’m not. Get yourself to specasavers, look again at the privilege afforded to you and come back to me.
#yourepartoftheproblem
#sayhisname
#GeorgeFlloyd
Today I submitted a formal complaint to
@TfL
after staff at their Charing Cross station refused to help me when I realised I had lost my phone and was stranded late at night with no means of getting home.
A THREAD
Reviewing documents today and feel the need to ask - or even demand - that people find a different word for the term 'lifestyle'. Chaotic lifestyles, risky lifestyles, anti-service lifestyles.... 🤦🏽♀️lets all repeat
#abuseisnotalifestyle
#exploitationisnotalifestyle
In 2019 we began work with 5 areas to test
#ContextualSafeguarding
. In 2020 4 more joined our
#ScaleUp
project
Today we launch a toolkit to turn what we learnt into 150+ resources & support future take-up
I am floored by what's been produced
Pls RT
If you were at my lecture in person last night you'll have seen that to join the
#ContextualSafeguarding
team your commitment to jumpsuits needs to be as strong as your commitment to social justice. My crew make CS possible and having them with me yesterday was so special
Chuffed to learn that my case review paper which underpins
#ContextualSafeguarding
is a
#TopCitedArticle
due to its impact by Wiley and so has been made free to access until 01 March 2020. You can get it here
Booking is now OPEN for my inaugural professorial lecture 'Green lights, speed bumps and cul-de-sacs: the road to Contextual Safeguarding’. Wednesday 26th January 2022, 4-5pm.
Can't get this disgraceful post out if my head. Can you point me to where the legal definition of childhood (under-18) is discounted by experiences of violence? I am making a formal complaint to
@EssexPoliceUK
. Such views create systems that harm rather than protect our children
Today I celebrated my boy's 4th birthday AND my successful attempt at a 7 tier 3D thomas cake - it wasn't perfect but it wasn't bad. My son - on the other hand - is practically perfect in every way 😊
If you missed my inaugural professorial lecture on
#ContextualSafeguarding
don't worry - it is now on YouTube and can be accessed here:
Also happy to provide a transcript for anyone who wants it. Thanks again for all of your support
#onedayatatime
Thank you to everyone who joined today. I'm working my way through all the messages and I'm grateful for every single one. Looking forward to continuing this journey together
#contextualsafeguarding
Struggling with the weight of it. Grateful for the words of
@JahnineDavis
@BCWLindsay
@jeffreykboakye
amongst others on my TL this morning. Mobilisation is key. Child Q experienced significant harm. At school. Due to actions of the police. Police called by the school.
#exhausted
Social workers blamed for the incomprehensible conditions in which they work. More spending announced to enforce our way out of public health and community welfare issues with no safeguards. Appalling academic leadership. So many reasons to rage today. Is it really only Monday?
Publication day for the new
#ContextualSafeguarding
book. An absolute honour to edit this with
@jennyalloyd
and feature so many contributions from CS researchers. Order your copies here
Whose up for a September launch party?
First day back after an 8 month maternity leave.
Hoping my brain catches up to be as sharp as my return-to-work nails asap.
In the interim please be patient with me - I'm still sleep deprived ❤️
Hey twitter family. I've been off work unwell since the start of the year. I had surgery on Monday and will be recovering at home for the next few weeks. Please be kind to my inbox in my absence... I look forward to reconnecting with you all soon.
In the aftermath of this week I'm taking the weekend to reconnect with family and friends. But before I do I wanted to raise up the organisations across the UK who not only support children every day but who challenge the systems, structures and policies that fail to do the same
39 years around the sun 🥳
Feeling grateful for the love of family and friends who have seen me through each one
Here's to the final year of my thirties!! ❤️❤️❤️
We've launched a free webinar series on the
#ContextualSafeguarding
network. As a starter I've recorded a 30 minute intro to the idea. All
@C_S_Network
members can access them - and it's free to join - so what are you waiting for
White people rolling out pictures of their black friends, partners, children as evidence that they’re anti-racist is the equivalent of a man saying he’s not sexist because he’s married to a woman!
#somuchworktodo
From a theory in 2015 to a practical reality in 2019! I am thrilled to share that we have launched our first Implementation Toolkit - documenting our work with
@hackneycouncil
to create a
#ContextualSafeguarding
system and creating a foundation for others to build upon. PlsRT
We are so excited to launch our new Contextual Safeguarding Implementation Toolkit. This new toolkit has everything needed to embed a whole-systems approach to
#ContextualSafeguarding
and its FREE.
Either the staff at the Charing Cross station do not understand their safeguarding policies, or the
@TfL
safeguarding policies are woefully inadequate.
I have asked TfL to clarify which of these would explain what happened to me last night.
I'm exhausted.
The brilliant
@DrCBernard
kicking off the launch of her new book 'Intersectionality for Social Workers' - a text so critical it's mind-blowing to think it hasn't been available before. Can't wait to get into this one - a practical account of theory that can be used everyday
My take on chicken shops and violence via
@galdemzine
. For anyone who was wondering - telling young people to make better choices via stories in chicken boxes is not an example of
#contextualsafeguarding
The anticipated pile on from those defending organisations rather than young people and families is now in full force under this tweet. I won't switch off comments. Each one is a good reminder of where some go when challenged. Thanks to all who have checked in. I stand firm
Formal complaint submitted to
@EssexPoliceUK
. Feel free to onward share. We await our response. In solidarity with all the parents who have asked for this image to be removed without any response. The whole thing is an utter outrage.
Powerful stuff from
@carlenefirmin
MBE, discussing how we rewrite the rules of child protection via contextual safeguarding - an approach to understanding, and responding to, young people’s experiences of significant harm beyond their families
#TEDxTottenham2019
#ThePlaceWeMake
Today is the first
#EctopicPregnancyAwarenessDay
. I survived two ectopic pregnancies within 9 months of each other - both during national lockdowns 1/9🧵TW
Remembering my dad on what would have been his 65th Birthday. Haven't celebrated one with him in person for 25 yrs. So many special moments never shared - including this one when my three brothers held my son for the first time. He'd have loved being alongside them ❤️
I don't have words to express how exhausting this is. How can we build safer contexts when services pose a risk to children, are feared by them, & are part of the problem not the solution? In these situations mutliagency working is a minefield &
#contextualsafeguarding
impossible
A big thank you to
@nationalrailenq
staff at the station who could see my distress, tried to contact my husband for me via their IG accounts, & who ultimately used their own money to buy me a ticket so I could travel home in time to make the last train
This evening I got to hug one of my best friends for the first time in two years. Years in which she'd birthed and raised a baby and I lost two in the midst of a global pandemic.Days of joy and grief condensed. A kaleidoscope of emotions tied up in a hug. Just indescribable. ❤
It means so much when a practitioner emails to tell me how
#contextualsafeguarding
has changed the way they work. Or when young people or parents get in touch to say the CS TedXTalk or book made sense of their experiences. Both happened this week and
#ivegotanextraspringinmystep
Closed my work year by submitting the manuscript for my second book to my publishers.... and thanks to a fab colleague got two bids in to boot. That’s me away from all things work related until the next decade. Thanks to you all for making
#ContextualSafeguarding
happen in 2019!
Enjoyed giving evidence to this review today. Excellent discussion around legislative basis for Contextual Safeguarding, the challenges of multi agency working , resourcing intervention and cultural change needed to meaningfully respond to criminal exploitation
EXCITING NEWS KLAXON 📢
My book new Contextual Safeguarding and Child Protection: Rewriting the Rules is available in paperback to pre-order via
@routledgebooks
. To be released 01/09/20
You can place your orders here Tell your friends!
#thewaitisover
In the past 2 weeks I've taken part in 6 events. In most there's been someone who knew me as a scrappy 22 year old rocking up to strategic meetings in a leather jacket and raising hell. It's both comforting and odd to literally 'grow-up' in the sector Anyone else experience this?
BIG announcement time. Thrilled to have secured four years funding from
@BigLotteryFund
to support three local authorities to fully embed
#ContextualSafeguarding
in their child and family service! All details here Who is going to apply????
#CSscaleup
Spotted by an IRO while book editing in a coffee shop today. She said - 'sorry you really look like someone - she's a professor at
@DurhamSociology
'.I said 'that's me'. Led to a lovely chat about conferencing and extra-familial harm.
#ContextualSafeguarding
crew be everywhere
In case you missed it - last week we launched a new website for the Contextual Safeguarding Programme along with an updated briefing by me and
@jennyalloyd
on the CS Framework and lessons from testing to date. You can access it all here
Thank you to everyone who joined today. I'm working my way through all the messages and I'm grateful for every single one. Looking forward to continuing this journey together
#contextualsafeguarding
Booking is now OPEN for my inaugural professorial lecture 'Green lights, speed bumps and cul-de-sacs: the road to Contextual Safeguarding’. Wednesday 26th January 2022, 4-5pm.
In a week like this one I can only retweet Toni Morrison - no one says it better. White friends and colleagues don’t tell me how sorry or shocked you are. Get together and sort out this very serious problem. Please! If this tweet creates discomfort it’s nothing close to our rage!
Even my 2 year old son can’t get enough of our recent strategic briefing on safeguarding and exploitation for
@researchIP
. If you don’t have a copy I think he’d agree you should visit their website ASAP to get your hands on a copy. Happy Friday all!
1 year ago we had a double celebration in our house - my son was offered his primary school place and I was offered my professorship at Durham. What a day it was, what a year its been. Forever grateful and still pinch myself at times - mostly when blaring Talib Kweli in my office
Spot on 👏🏾
Thank you Franklyn Addo
Last year the
#contextualsafeguarding
team reached a similar conclusion after two years of test work in London.
One of the biggest safeguarding risks to Black children is the Metropolitan police | Franklyn Addo
Ending a busy day sending the legend Prof John Pitts into a blissful retirement. From PhD supervisor to solid gold mentor - he's been a constant support and has even mastered a selfie pose 🙌🏾
NEW: A Black schoolgirl was strip searched by Met Police officers while on her period - and without another adult present - after being wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis, according to a report which found racism was likely a factor.
New Report out now 👇🏾
2+ years in the making & following a 3 day event
Read our insights and recommendations for protecting young Black lives and celebrating the Black professionals who endure and disrupt racism while supporting them
Pls RT
Any researchers out there with a particular interest in child protection processes and adolescents? Currently bringing together a small learning group on this for a project I am running and have space for a few academic members to join us. Comment below or DM me if interested
Thrilled to have started a role of Associate Editor for
@Child_Abuse_Rev
by writing the editorial for our latest edition a brilliant set of papers spanning issues inc. CSA disclosure, ACEs, and young people's access to education when in refuges
#takearead
Excited to announce I'll be doing a
#TEDx
Talk in Tottenham next month.... Hope to see many of you there talking about the role we can all play in creating safety for young people - a timely conversation to think about
#ThePlaceWeMake
#ContextualSafeguarding
We’re so excited to announce our
#TEDxTottenham2019
speakers! First up is
@carlenefirmin
MBE. Carlene is a British social researcher & writer specialising in violence between young people & founder of the MsUnderstood Partnership - we look forward to welcoming her
#ThePlaceWeMake
Okay guys it's officially less than a week until my lecture... are you one of the 1600+ who have booked? If not you've still got a few days to sign-up. So grateful for all the support and can't wait to talk
#ContextualSafeguarding
with you all next week
Booking is now OPEN for my inaugural professorial lecture 'Green lights, speed bumps and cul-de-sacs: the road to Contextual Safeguarding’. Wednesday 26th January 2022, 4-5pm.
Absolutely disgusting criminal behaviour by those on the frontline of justice. How many bad apples must we find until we start looking at the tree, the soil, the sunlight and other conditions for growth. It’s abhorrent!
It's a year since I published Contextual Safeguarding and Child Protection: Rewriting the Rules. To mark the anniversary
@routledgebooks
have released my favourite chapter (12) as a free pdf via this link and given me some other discounts to share 🧵
So my
@TEDxTottenham
is up guys... not easy to squash
#ContextualSafeguarding
into 15 minutes but hopefully this provides a helpful intro. Please see the
@C_S_Network
for full resources, briefings, research and all the necessary nuance required for taking this forward
Came downstairs to find precious cargo clutching some more precious cargo this morning. Happy weekend everyone - and happy reading to all you new book owners
#rewritingtherules
📢SEEKING 4 LAs TO PILOT A 'RISK OUTSIDE OF THE HOME' CHILD PROTECTION PATHWAY
We want to build upon learning from initial tests to find common features, opportunities & challenges of this approach
Seed-funding available from DfE
EOI closes 30.09.22 Pls RT
Yesterday we released an updated toolkit for self-assessing and building contextual responses to harmful sexual behaviours in schools. Available on the
@C_S_Network
and based on findings from the last two years of our
#BeyondReferrals
research project
What roles do young people's friendships play when it comes to safety and safeguarding? So excited to be editing this special issue for
@Child_Abuse_Rev
with
@DrARoeschMarsh
and Christine Barter. Researchers, practitioners, young people - get your abstracts in by 01.11.21 👇
📢 Calling all prison and probation staff. Now that
#ContextualSafeguarding
features in the
@hmpps
child protection framework I will be running a free, online intro event on the issue on 17th May 14:00 - 15:30. Contact ppps
@justice
.gov.uk to sign-up using your staff email
I've tweeted about this twice. Once last night and once today. Each time the tweet has been removed. No idea why. It is an absolute disgrace. A young person unable to travel home is a child welfare issue not a criminal justice one. All those involved must do better and quickly
Finding Home Office antics currently more exhausting than my 5 week old sleep thief. My Twitter feed is heaving with commentary on either golliwogs or child sexual abuse being used to politically point score. Both stoked by our home secretary. Racism in the UK 2023.
We've known abt the absolute state of the Met for yrs yet they're still placed in our schools and seen as key safeguarding partners. What other org with this record would be granted such access? They can't protect young people from risk - they are a risk!
The six insights from our report out today - summarised in just over a minute ✊🏾
#ProtectingYoungBlackLives
#CelebratingBlackProfessionals
Bigging up the village of professionals who came together & turned an idea into a reality
Full report here:
Professor
@carlenefirmin
outlines the six key insights from the new Protecting Young Black Lives, Celebrating Black Professionals report, published today by
@PowerTheFightUK
and
@C_S_Network
.
Download the report:
Only just starting to process the past three days. The power of 50 Black professionals celebrating their work and the young people they serve has moved me like nothing else. I'm privileged to have been able to host this with
@BCWLindsay
and grateful to all who made it happen
A sneak peek of our 3 day retreat and conference: Protecting Young Black Lives, Celebrating Black Professionals. Hosted at
@CumberlandLodge
in partnership with Power the Fight and
@C_S_Network
.
📸: Raymond Mfon
💥💥💥
What's provided for and what needs to change to ensure safeguarding guidance works for young people harmed beyond their homes? Following a roundtable earlier this year we've released an updated briefing on the legal framework for
#contextualsafeguarding
:
Tears in my eyes listening to the inaugural professorial lecture from Marai Larasi, Professor of Practice at
@DurhamSociology
. To have been mentored, raised up and supported by you is one of my greatest blessings 🙌
Not me and my little sidekick on a breastfeeding support poster in our local hospital 🥹
It honestly takes a village, and I was beyond blessed with an incredible one of mothers and professionals who I all met at our local breastfeeding group
#grateful