I am the Named Nursefor Safeguarding Children at Barnsley Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, with over 23 years of experience working with children, young people and families across acute and community settings. My rolefocuses on providing professional leadership, advice and assurance to ensure safeguarding practice across the Trust is strong, consistent and child‑centred.
Safeguarding is not just my role, it is something I care deeply about. I am passionate about creating systems that support staffto recognise concerns early, ask difficult questions with confidence, and work together to keep children safe. I believe good safeguarding is built on curiosity, kindness and a culture where stafffeel supported to speak up and challenge when something does not feel right.
I am also neurodivergent, which I see as a strength in my work. It brings a strong focus on detail, fairness and clarity, and a commitment to systems that genuinely work in practice. Inclusion is important to me for the children and families we carefor, and for our staff and I am passionate about creating supportive workplaces where difference is understood and valued.
Our new Named Midwife will be starting with us at the end of April 2026
See next quarter’s edition for an introduction!
We are proud to have been nominated for the Heart AwardsTeam Outstanding Achievement Clinical Award. We wish all the shortlisted candidates good luck!
A very special shout out to Katie Madej, Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children, who was nominated for the Heart Awa d I di id l O t t di g Achievement C Katie!
The Safeguarding Team continue to visit wards and areas on a regular basis, enabling staffto ask questions, receive ad-hoc supervision and advice.
For further information, please contact the safeguarding team where we can inform you of our next planned visits.
DATE TIME
5 May 2026 th 9:00am - 17:00pm
30 June 2026 th 9:00am - 17:00pm
6 July 2026 th 9:00am - 17:00pm
20 August 2026 th 9:00am - 17:00pm
7 September 2026 th 9:00am - 17:00pm
8 October 2026 th 9:00am - 17:00pm
10 November 2026 th 9:00am - 17:00pm
3 December 2026 rd 9:00am - 17:00pm
How much screen time should my child have?
Our Safeguarding Champions act as a Safeguarding resource and role model for their ward/department area within their own capabilities and competencies. They assist in the education and empowerment of staff to assist in making safeguarding personal for adults and children.
The next meeting for Safeguarding Champions is:
Are you interested in becoming a Safeguarding champion? Email us!
Complex care meetings are multidisciplinary conferences aimed at coordinating care for patients with multiple care conditions, enhancing collaboration among healthcare providers and developing tailored care plans. They are designed to address the needs of high-risk patients with multiple morbidities.
NICE define complex needs in adults as “people over 18 needing a high level of support with many aspects of their daily life and relying on a range of social care services. This may be because of illness, disability, broader life circumstances or a combination of these”.
Under the revised procedure it has been agreed that practitioners will be able to refer into this pathway if a patient requires the specialist input of 3 or more teams. On receipt of this referral the safeguarding team will review within 1 working day and arrange an MDT meeting with appropriate specialist teams within 3 working days to an individualised safety plan.
DIDYOU KNOWTHE SAFEGUARDINGTEAM NOW COORDINATE THE COMPLEX CARE MEETINGS
Men can be both survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse, and both experiences present distinct safeguarding challenges.
Drawing on practice experience from the NSPCC Helpline and Childline, this podcast episode centres on male experiences of domestic abuse. You’ll learn about the challenges of working with male perpetrators of domestic abuse, the barriers that male survivors of abuse face when coming forward, and the effects of domestic abuse on parent-child relationships.
Following a recent fatal fire in South Yorkshire, all staff need to be aware that emollient creams (used for dry skin conditions) can make bedding, clothing, and dressings much moreflammable if residue builds up. The risk is not just from cigarettes, any naked flame, such asfrom cooking, heaters, candles, or matches, can ignite contaminated fabrics quickly and cause serious harm.
Keysafety advice:
• Emollient creams themselves are not flammable, but residue on fabrics is.
• Anyone using emollient creams should keep well away from fire, naked flames, and heat sources.
• Do not smoke or allow smoking near contaminated bedding or clothing.
• Never smoke in bed.
• Avoid sitting too close to open fires, heaters, or candles.
• Do not cook if your clothing may be contaminated with emollient cream.
• Wash bedding and clothing regularly at the highest temperature recommended. Click this link or use
How to videos are available via the safeguarding intranet page to help practitioners complete clinical notes such as referrals on Careflow. Here are a selection...
From the1 April 2026 theYoung Carers and Sibling Support Service will be provided by theTargeted Early Help Service within Childrens Social Care Services.
Bringing the service back within Barnsley Children’s Services marks an exciting new chapter. This development will strengthen alignment with statutory assessment processes and early help pathways, enabling closer integration with wider safeguarding and family support services. The move will also increase our capacity to identify, assess, and support children and young people who provide care to family members. Our aim is to enhance responsiveness, ensure timely assessments of need, and further develop tailored support that improves outcomes for young carers across the borough.
Suicide BereavementUK(SBUK)andPostventionTrustCICarecollaborating tohost theSuicideBereavementUK’s15thInternationalConference.
