ICYMI: OSAB professional curiosity guidance and training sessions

In case you missed it!.........Did you know Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) offers Professional Curiosity Guidance?  Professional curiosity is about not taking things at face value. Practitioners asking questions and seeking explanation from individuals and carers is something to be valued; healthy challenge is good and can provide assurance that an assessment of a situation is accurate. An over reliance by practitioners on individuals and carers self-reporting involves significant risks of proceeding on false information.

OSAB also offer Professional Curiosity and Unconscious Bias training with sessions planned for 12 August, 28 October and 12 December 2025. Find out more including how to book your place via the training flyer

Some people are neurodivergent, some people are LGBTQ+, some people are both

The Proud Trust delivers training opportunities for teachers and other youth professionals, and creates LGBT+ positive resources for schools, colleges, and other youth settings, to equip them in being fully LGBT+ inclusive in their practice, policy, and curriculum.

The Proud Trust have produced a beautiful downloadable young people's guide to being neurodivergent & LGBTQ+. This guide for young people explores what that means and what it is like to be neurodivergent and LGBTQ+. It contains a selection of information, experiences, advice and signposting to further support. 

Further information and resources for young people, adults and professionals are available on the Proud Trust website

Bee in the loop

‘Bee in the Loop’ is a new information App that can be downloaded, and it takes only minutes to sign up – the app includes everything that GMP are doing where you live locally. Find out more via the Bee in the Loop website

Op Sceptre is an ongoing initiative that we are conducting Weapon Sweeps within Parks around Oldham. Knife arches have been allocated at Tram stops to deter anyone with knives and identify them via searches, which, if caught, will be dealt with.

A Good News Story: Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out a warrant in Oldham this month whereby they discovered 25 Litres of illicit THC with an estimated street value of £2.5 million, with approx. £150,000 in cash. 4 arrests were secured.

An introduction to Intra-familial child sexual abuse

An introduction to Intra-familial child sexual abuse: multi agency response, is a free one day virtual introductory course designed for professionals who work in collaboration with other agencies, to provide an overview of the key issues to support them in identifying and responding to cases of intra-familial child sexual abuse.

There are three dates available: 22 July, 16 September, and 14 October 2025. For further details and to reserve your place please visit the OSCP website

OSAB self-neglect and hoarding training

OSAB have training sessions available to book covering self-neglect and hoarding. The sessions aim to raise awareness of the local Self-Neglect Policy, Procedures and Guidance, Responding to Hoarding Guidance and Self-Neglect Toolkit, and to provide learning opportunities to apply the guidance and toolkit in practice.

Click on the links above to access the training flyers and for details about booking your place.

Preventing gaming and gambling harms among young people

Ygam is an award-winning charity which aims to safeguard young people from gaming and gambling harms. Their fully funded workshops enable practitioners to have proactive conversations with children and young people about their digital wellbeing, with particular focus on gaming and gambling. Topics include the overlap between gaming & gambling and how children are increasingly exposed to harm, the influence of advertising, social media and sporting events, motivation theories for gaming, barriers to seeking help, how to spot the signs of harm and start the conversation and signposting options.

Feedback of these workshops has been brilliant. You can register on an upcoming free workshop by visiting the Ygam website

Social prescribing

Oldham Social Prescribing connects people to community groups, activities and organisations that could support them to improve your health, wellbeing and social connections.

Many things that affect our health and wellbeing cannot be treated by doctors or medicine alone, like loneliness, debt, isolation or stress. Through an allocated Link Worker, Social Prescribing connects people to non-medical support to improve health, wellbeing and social connections through groups, activities and organisations. They also facilitate referral for assessment, and “support to access medical support” available for people who live in Oldham Borough and are experiencing things like:

  • Loneliness and isolation
  • Loss of confidence
  • Anxiety or low mood
  • Life-changing events such as bereavement, having a baby, or retirement
  • Living with long-term health conditions
  • Challenges with finances, work, relationships or housing

Contact the Oldham Social Prescribing team by phone: 0161 339 2345, then Option 1 (Monday-Friday, 9am - 4pm); by email gmicb-old.socialprescribing@nhs.net or, people can self-refer by completing the self-referral form

Free NSPCC intervention for young people up to the age of 19

Do you continue to have contact with children and young people who suffer from social isolation or feelings of loneliness? Building Connections is an online service for young people up to the age of 19, empowering them to find a way through loneliness.

Young people work with a trained befriender, who guides them and champions them each step of the way. Building Connections gives young people tools that can help them build their confidence and better equip them to manage loneliness.

Please contact NSPCC building connection for further information and how to make referral to the service.