The Power of Relationships in Safeguarding: A Trustee’s Perspective for Awareness Week

At the start of Safeguarding Awareness Week, I am proud and privileged to have been asked to write this blog as Trustee Safeguarding Lead for Sheffield Futures.

A bit about me and my professional background

Since qualifying as a social worker in the year 2000, I have held a variety of practice and leadership roles working across the country in a range of different statutory and voluntary settings with adults and families. Safeguarding has always been at the heart of my practice. Some examples include direct work with adults and families, co-working with children and families social workers to support parents with a brain injury or a learning disability, working as part of a team reviewing care arrangements for people living in care or nursing homes and when supporting students to develop as social workers.

I qualified as a Best Interest Assessor in 2009, a specialist role under the Mental Capacity Act designed to protect liberty and uphold and protect the human rights of individuals over the age of 18 living in care home or hospital. I also work on a flexible, independent basis as a Court of Protection Visitor which involves safeguarding the rights of individuals who need someone to support them with managing their money or making decisions about their health and welfare.

My current role as Professional Officer with BASW (British Association of Social Workers) England is a national one, with a diverse range of activities focused on supporting the profession and influencing and lobbying for a more just and equal society.

I think it’s fair to say that my passion lies in championing social justice, challenging inequality and advocating for the rights of individuals and communities to live safely, free from abuse and to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

It’s all about Relationships!

The theme for this years Safeguarding Awareness Week is "Safeguarding - walking beside the adult and not walking away"

Social work is rooted in a fundamental belief that relationships have the transformative power to make a difference in people’s lives, it is vital that we are supported and given the time to do direct work with children, young people, adults and communities. Therapeutic, reflective, relationship-

based practice is the best way for social workers to bring effective and positive change to the lives of children, families and adults.

This belief in relationships is an approach that is mirrored by Sheffield Futures which exists to provide a safe, supportive environment for young people, giving them the tools and opportunities they need for a healthy, happy life.

The Charity’s vision is for Sheffield to be a safe, happy and inclusive city for young people where there is accessible support, opportunities and a sense of belonging.

Looking Forward

There are many challenges that lie ahead in achieving the vision including socio-economic factors, poverty, racism and islamophobia, discrimination, homophobia, hate crime and all other forms of oppression affecting young people and communities across the city, including the impact of national and global events.

I am proud that Sheffield Futures champions positive, inclusive approaches to safeguarding which continue to evolve and develop to meet the needs of Sheffield’s young people. From those who access support, the staff and leadership team, through to the board and external organisations and partners, building and sustaining relationships to work preventively and pro-actively to create safe, are principles that underpin approaches not only to safeguarding but all activity at Sheffield Futures.

Working alongside, listening to and learning from the voices and experiences of young people ensures that Sheffield Futures is able to deliver a flexible and responsive service to young adults across the city, creating a safe and inclusive space with services to meet the needs of our diverse population.

I invite you to find out more about what Sheffield Futures has to offer and to see how you can get involved.

Liz Howard

Trustee Safeguarding Lead for Sheffield Futures.