I am absolutely delighted to announce a new collaboration for 2026.
Safeguarding has never been a static field. If the last few years have taught us anything, it is that the risks facing our young people are shifting rapidly. We are moving away from a sole focus on physical safety and visible harm toward something far more complex: emotional resilience, the neurobiology of stress, and the invisible pressures of the digital world.
To meet this challenge, I have partnered with Samantha Garner to deliver a series of three bespoke CPD workshops. These sessions are designed for education professionals who want to go beyond the standard compliance checklists and truly understand the lived experiences of the children in their care.
We developed this series because we saw a gap. Too often, training focuses on what to do after a crisis. We wanted to create a space to discuss prevention, understanding, and the subtle signs that are so often missed in the busyness of a school day.
Here is what we have planned for the Spring Term of 2026.
1. The Hidden Hurt: Recognising Affluent Neglect
Date: Tuesday 3rd March 2026
We often hold a stereotype of what “neglect” looks like. We imagine poverty, chaos, or visible deprivation. But in environments of high academic pressure and material wealth, neglect can be effectively camouflaged by excellence.
In this workshop, we are going to tackle the concept of “supervisory neglect” and the unique vulnerabilities of the affluent child. These are students who may have every material need met—the best tutors, the latest devices, the smartest uniforms—but who are suffering from a profound lack of emotional presence or attachment.
We will look at the neurobiology of the high-achieving brain and how chronic pressure manifests as high-functioning anxiety or detachment. This session is vital for staff who want to move beyond stereotypes and identify the “hidden hurt” that money often masks.
2. Digital Due Diligence: Embedding Robust Online Safety
Date: Tuesday 24th March 2026
For a long time, “online safety” in schools meant firewalls, filters, and blocking bad websites. But in 2026, effective safeguarding is no longer just a technical issue. It is a psychological one.
This session moves the conversation to where it needs to be: the mental health and welfare of the student. We will explore the “dual edge” of connectivity and how digital stress directly impacts the developing adolescent brain.
We won’t just talk about the risks. We will look at practical strategies for teaching digital resilience and “netiquette.” We will also discuss the specific vulnerabilities of students with SEN in online spaces and how we can protect them without excluding them. This is about ensuring your digital strategy supports the whole child, not just their internet history.
3. Early Years Safeguarding: Sharenting & Mental Health
Date: Wednesday 22nd April 2026
The protection of a child’s digital identity now begins long before they own a smartphone. In many cases, it begins before they are even born.
This unique workshop addresses the “Safeguarding Triangle” of online safety, parental digital habits, and early mental health. We will cover the rising issue of “sharenting”—where parents over-share details of their children’s lives online—and the long-term risks this poses to privacy and identity.
Crucially, we will also look at attachment theory in the digital age. We will examine how parental phone use affects early language and emotional development and how Early Years practitioners can navigate these sensitive, critical conversations with parents.
Booking and Investment
These sessions are designed to be accessible yet high-value, providing specialist knowledge that feeds directly into your school’s safeguarding culture.
- Cost: £250 + VAT per delegate
- Early Bird: £225 + VAT (if booked up to 1 month before the event)
We know that safeguarding is a team effort, so we have arranged a 20% discount for second and subsequent delegates from the same setting. Additionally, if you book to attend multiple events in this series, you will receive a 10% discount.
Important Booking Information: All bookings for this collaboration are being managed through Samantha’s website. Please use the links below to reserve your place.
Book Your Place via SamanthaGarner.co.uk
I really look forward to seeing you there and exploring these vital topics together.
Ella
