OSAB annual report 2025-26
As required by the Care Act 2014, all Safeguarding Adults Boards must publish an Annual Report. The Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) Annual Report 2025-26 sets out the Board's work between April 2025 and March 2026, evaluating its effectiveness in achieving its strategic objectives and highlighting how partner agencies have worked together to improve the safety and wellbeing of adults at risk of abuse and neglect.
The report also looks ahead to the Board's priorities and plans for 2026-27. In addition, Single Agency Statements provide valuable insight into the safeguarding activity, achievements, priorities, and emerging challenges of each OSAB partner organisation.
Take a look: OSAB Annual Report 2025-26
ICON week 2026: supporting parents, protecting babies
ICON Week 2026 takes place from 21-25 September, bringing together health and care organisations across the UK to help parents and carers understand infant crying and cope safely during challenging moments.
This year’s focus is on improving engagement with fathers and men, while promoting consistent, high-quality delivery of the ICON programme across services. Dr Suzanne Smith, nurse, health visitor and founder of ICON, said: “Persistent infant crying can be stressful and exhausting for any parent or carer. “ICON Week is about reassuring families that they are not alone, helping them understand that crying is a normal part of infant development, and reminding them that support is available.”
The ICON message is simple:
I – Infant crying is normal
C – Comforting methods can help
O – It’s OK to walk away if your baby is safe
N – Never, ever shake or hurt a baby
Find out more and access resources on the ICON website
Hourglass webinar available to watch online: LGBTQ+ older people, abuse and violence: invisible voices?
Hourglass regularly hosts free webinars, each one focusing on a different aspect of the abuse of older people. Their latest webinar ‘LGBTQ+ Older People, Abuse and Violence: Invisible Voices?’, is available to watch online. The panel featured Eileen Chubb (Compassion in Care), Ciara Murphy (Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard), and Poppy Everton (Hourglass), who shared valuable insights and expertise on issues affecting older LGBTQ+ victim-survivors.
Continuing the conversation after world suicide prevention day
Yesterday marked World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September 2026), a global awareness day dedicated to promoting suicide prevention, encouraging mental health support, and helping to break down stigma. Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership (OSCP) is pleased to remind partners that we now offer STORM Skills training in self-harm and suicide prevention for children and young adults.
This training is designed to support professionals in recognising and responding to self-harm and suicide risk among children and young people. For more information about STORM skills training, visit the STORM website.
OSCP are currently prioritising training places for staff working in schools, colleges, the voluntary sector, and local authorities who support children and young people experiencing distress. To register your interest, please contact: Ellen.weedon@oldham.gov.uk
Every conversation, awareness activity, and act of support can make a difference. Thank you to everyone who continues to champion suicide prevention, raise awareness, and help connect children, young people, and families to the support they need.
NHS England easy read newsletter article about the learning disability register and guidance for general practice on improving identification of people with a learning disability
NHS England's Easy Read Newsletter recently included an article about the Learning Disability Register which signposts readers to the 'Find out more about the Learning Disability Register leaflet' and encourages them to think about whether their child or someone they care for could be considered to have a learning disability and should be on their local GP practice’s Learning Disability Register, to help them get the help they need. OSAB encourages practitioners and agencies to share these resources with people they are working with.
In addition, NHS England have recently published new guidance for general practice on improving identification of people with a learning disability
Places still available on OSCP neglect advanced training
OSCP is pleased to share its Multi-agency training offer for September to December 2026, offering a range of face-to-face and online learning opportunities designed to strengthen safeguarding knowledge, skills and multi-agency practice. OSCP encourage all partners to explore the programme and book early to secure their place.
Places Available: Neglect advanced training
Date: 5 October 2026
Time: 9.30am to 4.00pm
Venue: Rock Street Resource Centre, OL1 3UJ
Neglect remains a key priority for OSCP. This advanced course is aimed at professionals involved in assessing and supporting children and families. It focuses on:
- Identifying and assessing risk and protective factors
- Understanding what constitutes a good quality assessment
- Developing effective plans and interventions
- Strengthening engagement with children and families where neglect is a concern.
Book your place
To book a place or for any training enquiries, please contact: OSCPtraining@oldham.gov.uk
For details of all available courses and training dates, visit the OSCP website
Safeguarding adults week 2026
Safeguarding Adults Week is a time for organisations to come together to raise awareness of important safeguarding issues. Working in partnerships allows us to share our knowledge of safeguarding, learn from others, and work towards creating safer cultures. During this year’s event, the Ann Craft Trust will be collaborating with partners to explore a different safeguarding theme each day.
They will be running a series of free online seminars. Each will explore some of the week's key themes, along with their focus on Every Voice and Every Choice. Click on the links below to find out more and book your places.
Monday 16 November
• 10:00 am - Safeguarding Adults Week 2026 Official Launch - Safeguarding Starts With Listening
• 12:00 pm - OXIL Research share the latest findings from their research into financial abuse
Tuesday 17 November
• 12:00 pm - The Where I Want to Live Toolkit: Moving beyond assumptions and enabling informed decision-making
Thursday 19 November
• 10:30 am - Dementia Carers Count: Professional Curiosity: Improving support, safeguarding and outcomes with Dementia Carers Count
• 12:00 pm - Professional Curiosity in Practice: Recognising and Raising Concerns About Attorneys and Deputies - Q&A with Office of the Public Guardian
Friday 20 November
• 11:00 am - UK Sports Institute: Listening to and learning from victims of abuse
Look out for information about Safeguarding Adults Week activity locally in future Oldham Safeguarding Bulletins.
What’s changed? EYFS and KCSIE updates for 2026
Two key pieces of statutory safeguarding guidance came into force on 1 September 2026: the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework 2026 and Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2026. The updated guidance introduces a range of changes for education and early years providers, reinforcing responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
Key Changes in EYFS 2026
- Sleeping arrangements
- Responding to concerns about children's safety and welfare
- Suitable people requirements
- Children's screen use
Key Changes in KCSIE 2026
- Safeguarding requirements on school premises
- Supporting children with mental health needs
- Young carers
- Children questioning their gender
- Safer recruitment and regulated activity
Professionals working with children are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the changes and consider any implications for their safeguarding practice, policies and procedures. Further Information:
Read the NSPCC CASPAR briefing EYFS
Access the full Department of Education guidance EYFS
Read the NSPCC CASPAR briefing KCSIE
Access the full Department of Education guidance KSCIE