Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership (OSCP) is pleased to offer a programme of multi-agency training to practitioners and volunteers who work with children and families in Oldham. Our training offer includes face to face and virtual training, this includes courses which are part of a rolling programme as well as new courses that reflect the OSCP priorities and the changing agenda for safeguarding children in Oldham.
Please take a look at the OSCP training offer for September to December 2025.
ICYMI: guidance where the individual or family are not engaging with services
In case you missed it!.........Did you know Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) offers Guidance Where the Individual or Family are Not Engaging with Services to assist practitioners with actions to take if someone, who is over 18 years old, is not engaging with services and what to do if there is evidence which suggests non-engagement increases the risk for those involved. It also includes the 'Key Principles of Engagement' that should be adopted by practitioners from all partner agencies in Oldham. This Guidance is designed to complement rather than replace any statutory or specialist guidance.
OSAB training opportunity: introduction to shame competence from the shame lab
Shame is a strong driver of decision-making and behaviour, and as a result is a significant force to consider when delivering services. Power imbalances, vulnerability and the possibility of shameful exposure are often characteristic in interactions between practitioners and people they are trained to support. Understanding shame and its effects is central to understanding post-trauma states and achieving trauma-informed practice. The aim is to engage shame constructively in order to create more engagement, wellbeing, dignity and inclusion.
The Shame Lab will be hosting a session for OSAB at 10:00-12:00, 8 October 2025, via Microsoft Teams. Led by a Professor of Philosophy and Medical Humanities at the University of Exeter, the aim of the session is to introduce the topic of shame and its relevance to professional practice. Find more information about the session from the Shame Lab.
To book a place, please send your name, role, and email address to OldhamSafeguardingAdultsBoard@oldham.gov.uk
SEND preparation for adulthood parent carer guide
OSCP are excited to share the new SEND transition to adulthood guide for parents and carers. This should be shared with families, carers, residential staff who have a young person with SEND from age 14 years. The guide provides detailed information in relation health, social care and educational transitional periods between the ages of 14 and 25.
The guide provides a consistent message and advice for families and carers and so consistency in providing the guide will be key to ensuring this works for our families in Oldham. Therefore, please share this far and wide to ensure we are all working together.
Oldham safeguarding communications strategy 2025-27
OSAB and OSCP are committed to the effective safeguarding of children, young people and adults who may be unable to protect themselves.
To fulfil our objectives and effectively carry out our functions, we need to raise awareness about how everybody can contribute to the safeguarding agenda. We are delighted to publish the Oldham Safeguarding Communications Strategy with the aim of articulating our plan of action for improving and strengthening communication to and from partner agencies and Oldham residents. This involves active listening to and consulting with participants, volunteers, and staff, and ensuring their views and opinions are taken into account.
Child employment rules during the school holidays
School aged children aged 13 to 16 can be employed in a variety of different roles throughout the year, in line with the child employment legislation.
During the school holidays they are allowed to work more hours as long as it is between 7.00am and 7.00pm. Children aged 13 and 14 can work a maximum 25 hours a week, whilst those who are 15 and 16 can work a maximum 35 hours per week.
It is the responsibility of the child’s employer to apply for a child employment licence. This registers them with the local authority, which allows us to see when and where children are working.
For more information and for a Child Employment Licence form please visit the Oldham Council website
Research: opening the “too difficult box”: strengthening adult safeguarding responses to homelessness and self-neglect
"Opening the “too difficult box”" is a research project focused on strengthening adult safeguarding responses to homelessness and self-neglect, particularly among individuals experiencing multiple exclusion homelessness (MEH). The study, conducted between 2019 and 2023, explored how to improve outcomes for this vulnerable group by examining current practices and identifying areas for improvement in local safeguarding responses. Take a look via the King's College London website 
Talk PANTS and help keep children safe
Since 2013, Pantosaurus has helped over six million parents to Talk PANTS and help keep children safe from sexual abuse. Developed with children, parents, carers and teachers, Talk PANTS is here to help children understand that their body belongs to them, and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.
The friendly dinosaur Pantosaurus has visiting local schools recently. If you would like support delivering ‘Talk Pants’ in your setting please contact the OSCP Safeguarding Advisor for Education via stacey.brackenridge@oldham.gov.uk
For more information on the NSPCC’s pants programme please visit the NSPCC website