Safeguarding Adolescents in London (SAIL) Talking Heads
Welcome to the SAIL Talking Heads section – your single point of access to all the Talking Heads across SAIL with links to the associated content so that you can explore the content most relevant to you.
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SAIL Talking Heads
The SAIL Talking Head Videos have been provided by a wide range of multi-agency practitioners, partners and regarded specialists working across London and adolescent safeguarding. They offer a range of perspectives and give voice to elements of the content and practice examples included within respective topic areas.
This dedicated SAIL Talking Head’s page provides a single point of access to all the Talking Heads across SAIL with links to the associated content so that you can explore the content most relevant to you.
Talking Head: ‘Don’t allow you passion to be dimmed’ – Nana Bonsu, Director of Relational Practice
The Your Choice programme emphasises the importance of working creatively to engage, motivate and support young people to engage in positive, pro social behaviours, aligned with their values, interests and aspirations.
Hear from Nana Bonsu, Director of Relational Practice in her video prepared for SAIL where she promotes the importance of creativity and new ideas in your practice.
Nana Bonsu – Director of Relational Practice at LB Camden – ‘Don’t allow your passion to be dimmed’
Talking Head: ‘Families First reforms and Adolescents safeguarding, a Lewisham pathfinder perspective – Sara Rahman, Director of Families, Quality and Commissioning’
Sara Rahman describes the approach which is being taken in Lewisham where, as a Families First for Children pathfinder, the children’s services partnership has designed and implemented a Multi-Agency Adolescent Protection Team at the heart of its reformed services.
Sara Rahman – Director of Families, Quality and Commissioning at LB Lewisham – ‘Families First reforms and adolescent safeguarding, a Lewisham pathfinder perspective’
Talking Head: ‘Contextual Safeguarding is a way of doing things in order to build safety and meet need’ – Dr. Carlene Firmin, Professor of Social Work at Durham University
Contextual Safeguarding is term introduced by Professor Carlene Firmin in 2015 to describe her vision of a safeguarding system that would be able to assess and intervene to create safety in the extra-familial contexts where young people often experience harm.
Learn about Contextual Safeguarding from Professor Carlene Firmin herself.
Professor Carlene Firmin – Professor of Social Work at Durham University – ‘Contextual Safeguarding is a way of doing things in order to build safety and meet need’
Talking Head: ‘Transitional Safeguarding – Not just protecting young people but preparing them’ – Dez Holmes, Director of Research in Practice
Transitional safeguarding is a term coined by Dez Holmes, Director of Research in Practice, in 2018 which describes an approach to safeguarding adolescents and young adults across the life stage between mid-teens and mid-twenties.
In her video prepared for SAIL, Dez Homes gives a brief overview of transitional safeguarding and shares her aspirations and encouragement to practitioners and service leaders in London to seize the opportunities to shape systems which give young people the best chance of making a smooth and safe transition to adulthood.
Dez Holmes – Director of Research in Practice – ‘Transitional Safeguarding, not just protecting young people but preparing them’
Talking Head: ‘Transitional Safeguarding – a Lewisham pathfinder perspective’ – Sara Rahman, Director of Families, Quality and Commissioning
In the accompanying video from Sara Rahman you will hear how services are being shaped in Lewisham, as a pathfinder for the Families First reforms, to give their young people the best support as they move into adulthood, informed by the transitional safeguarding principles outlined by Dez.
Sara Rahman – Director of Families, Quality and Commissioning at LB Lewisham – ‘Transitional Safeguarding – a Lewisham pathfinder perspective’
Talking Head: ‘Child First in Practice: Creating Conditions for Change’ – Michael O’Connor, Director of Child First Consultancy’
This video features Michael O’Connor, Director of Child First Consultancy, explaining the principles of a Child First approach in youth justice practice. It focuses on how professionals can help children build positive identities, reduce stigma, and collaborate effectively. Recorded as part of a webinar about the new HMIP inspection framework, the session provides an opportunity to consider how to incorporate Child First principles into practice.
Michael O’Connor – Director of Child First Consultancy – ‘Child First in Practice: Creating Conditions for Change’
Talking Head: ‘Understanding Prevent – spotting the signs’ – Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan from Counter Terrorism Policing in London
This video explains the Prevent strategy, focusing on how professionals can identify early signs of radicalisation and safeguard individuals at risk. Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan shares practical insights on what to look for and why timely intervention matters, helping practitioners play a vital role in keeping communities safe.
Detective Superintendent Jane Corrigan from Counter Terrorism Policing in London – ‘Understanding Prevent – spotting the signs’
Talking Head: ‘Mattering’ – Luke Billingham, Youth Worker at Hackney Quest & Researcher, Open University
This video explores the concept of mattering – why it’s essential for young people to feel valued and significant in their communities. Luke Billingham shares insights from his work and research, highlighting practical ways professionals can foster belonging and purpose, which are key to positive youth development.
Luke Billingham – Youth Worker at Hackney Quest & Researcher, Open University – ‘Mattering’
Talking Head: ‘Adapting your communication Style when working with Neurodivergent young people’ – Claire Richmond, Director for London, National Network of Parent Carer Forums
This video highlights practical strategies for adapting communication approaches to better support neurodivergent young people. Claire Richmond shares insights on creating inclusive environments, fostering understanding, and tailoring interactions to meet individual needs – helping professionals build trust and engagement.
Claire Richmond – Director for London, National Network of Parent Carer Forums – ‘Adapting your communication Style when working with Neurodivergent young people’
Talking Head: ‘Keeping Neurodivergent Children calm during a session’ – Claire Richmond, Director for London, National Network of Parent Carer Forums
This video offers practical guidance on supporting neurodivergent children in challenging situations, focusing on strategies to maintain calm and reduce stress during sessions. Claire Richmond shares tips for creating a safe, predictable environment and adapting approaches to meet individual needs – helping professionals foster positive engagement.
Claire Richmond – Director for London, National Network of Parent Carer Forums – ‘Keeping Neurodivergent Children calm during a session’
Talking Head: ‘Creating a safe sensory environment for neurodivergent children and young people’ – Claire Richmond, Director for London, National Network of Parent Carer Forums
This video focuses on how to design sensory-friendly spaces that support neurodivergent children and young people. Claire Richmond shares practical tips for reducing sensory overload, promoting comfort, and creating environments that help individuals feel secure and engaged – essential for positive participation and wellbeing.
Claire Richmond – Director for London, National Network of Parent Carer Forums – ‘Creating a safe sensory environment for neurodivergent children and young people’
Talking Head: ‘Adolescent Safeguarding in London: A parent’s perspective” – Sam Nair, Head of Learning Academy & Principal Social Worker at LB Tower Hamlets’
This video shares a parent’s perspective on adolescent safeguarding, highlighting the importance of collaboration between families and professionals. Sam Nair discusses key challenges and practical approaches to building trust, ensuring safety, and supporting young people effectively within the London safeguarding context.
Sam Nair – Head of Learning Academy & Principal Social Worker at LB Tower Hamlets – ‘Adolescent Safeguarding in London: A parent’s perspective’
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Get In Touch with the SAIL Team
SAIL guidance aims to bring together the principles and practice that, as statutory safeguarding partners, we believe should underpin the work of agencies in London. Anything that helps multi-agency practitioners work better with and for adolescents will be included in this digital resource. It will continue to move with the times as new research and evidence of what works continues to emerge.
If you’d like to directly contribute to SAIL then we’d love to hear from you – whether it be providing written content, sharing links to other resources and websites or being part of the ‘Talking Head Series’ – you can read more about the ‘SAIL talking head’ series here!
