The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Sector Podcast

When we talk about domestic abuse, how often do we picture an adult relationship? And how often do we stop to consider that the person experiencing coercion, control, sexual violence or physical violence might be 15, 16 or 17 years old? In this episode, I explore domestic abuse within teenage relationships.
In this episode I discuss:
The prevalence of violent and controlling behaviour within teenage relationships

Whether our assumptions about what domestic abuse "looks like" influence what we recognise

How narratives and language about teenage relationships can create barriers to recognising abuse

The relationship between young people's online and offline experiences

How technology can enable coercive and controlling behaviour to continue 24 hours a day



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 safeguarding adults reviews, child safeguarding practice reviews and domestic abuse related death reviews. She is also a practicing 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 legal landscape around deprivation of liberty has changed. In this episode, I continue the conversation about the recent UK Supreme Court judgment following the reference by the Attorney General for Northern Ireland. The decision marks a significant shift in how practitioners should determine whether someone is deprived of their liberty, moving away from the familiar Cheshire West "acid test" towards a broader, more holistic assessment of each individual's circumstances.

In this episode I explore:
Why the Supreme Court judgment represents a significant change in deprivation of liberty law.
How the long-established Cheshire West acid test is no longer intended to be the primary determining factor.
What a more holistic assessment looks like in practice, including consideration of the person's circumstances, wishes, feelings and acceptance of their care arrangements.
Why professional judgement is becoming increasingly important alongside legal frameworks.
What this means for safeguarding professionals and those involved in independent reviews.
The importance of continuing to place the individual, their rights and their lived experience at the centre of decision-making.
Are you ready to find out more about independent review work?
You can download my free workshop 'How to Establish an Independent Review Practice which Aligns with the Next Steps in Your Career' to find out how you can begin your journey to Independent Review work. Download the workshop 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 all three types of independent reviews including children's and adults' safeguarding and domestic homicide. She is a 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 legal framework around deprivation of liberty has changed following the Supreme Court's AGNI judgment. But what does that actually mean for safeguarding professionals and independent reviewers?
In this episode, I explore the Department of Health and Social Care's interim guidance, why this judgment matters beyond its legal implications, and why good safeguarding has always been about far more than simply meeting legal requirements.  
In this episode I discuss:
What the AGNI judgment changes. 
Why safeguarding is about more than legal compliance. 
The questions that matter most. 
Why legal compliance does not always equal good practice. 
Keeping learning at the centre ofindependent reviewing. 
 

Are you interested in becoming an independent reviewer? Download my FREE workshop 'How to Establish an Independent Review Practice which Aligns with the Next Step in Your Career' here to find out more.

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 all 3 types of reviews covering both children's and adults' safeguarding and domestic homicide and is a 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

In this episode I am joined by writing coach and publisher Louisa Herridge to explore why storytelling matters and how it link to creating meaningful change. Together we discuss the power of lived experience, finding your voice, and why the stories we choose to tell can influence individuals, organisations and even future generations.  
In this episode we discuss:
Why everyone has a story worth telling
The difference between writing from pain versus writing from perspective. 
Why your story isn't really about you
How storytelling creates social change
The legacy we leave for the next generation.

Safeguarding reviews are built on stories that help others understand, learn and create change. 


Are you interested in becoming an independent reviewer? Download my FREE workshop 'How to Establish an Independent Review Practice which Aligns with the Next Step in Your Career' here to find out more.


About Louisa:

Louisa Herridge is an award-winning, five-time best-selling author, TEDx speaker, and the founder of Louisa Herridge Publishing.
Known as The Expert Writing Coach, she empowers business owners and creatives to harness the power of their story and expertise—guiding them to plan, write and publish books that build authority and drive meaningful impact.

Website: www.louisaherridge.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LouisaHerridgewriting?ref=1
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 all 3 types of reviews covering both children's and adults' safeguarding and domestic homicide and is a 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

What is it like for a family member or someone close to a victim to take part in a safeguarding review? In this episode I speak with Sue, who participated in the Safeguarding Adults Review following her best friend's death. Together we explore what it feels like to contribute after a traumatic bereavement, why family and those closest to the person matter so much, and how meaningful participation can support both the review and those involved.  
In this episode we discuss:
Why she said yes to participating in the review and impact it had 
The value of lived experience. 
How reviews can support healing as well as learning. 
How family engagement enables people to see the whole system for the first time. 
What people need to know if they asked to participate in a review. 

When reviews genuinely value lived experience, they produce richer learning, more accurate narratives and, importantly, give participants the opportunity to know that their voice has made a difference.  


Are you interested in becoming an independent reviewer? Download my FREE workshop 'How to Establish an Independent Review Practice which Aligns with the Next Step in Your Career' here to find out more.


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 all 3 types of reviews covering both children's and adults' safeguarding and domestic homicide and is a 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