ICYMI - OSAB 7-minute briefing: defensible decision making
In case you missed it…..Did you know Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) have developed an essential 7-Minute Briefing about defensible decision making? The briefing explains defensible decisions; the importance of analysis and critical reflection and recording; and key considerations including unconscious bias and decision fatigue.
7-Minute Briefings are based on research which suggests that seven minutes is an ideal time span in which to concentrate and learn. Learning for 7 minutes is manageable in most services and often more memorable as it is necessarily brief and not clouded by other issues and pressures. These short, safeguarding snapshots can be a helpful way to support team learning. Please discuss this briefing within your teams, complete the OSAB 7-Minute Briefing Team Discussion Feedback Form to record and evidence how you have used the briefing and send a copy to OSAB.
Understanding the LADO: what you need to know
The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) oversees concerns or allegations about anyone working with children, whether paid staff or volunteers. The LADO provides advice, liaises with Police and partners, and oversees case progression. Please note: the LADO does not investigate allegations.
Referrals must go to the LADO in the Local Authority where the incident happened with 24 hours, if someone working with children in Oldham has:
- harmed or may have harmed a child.
- possibly committed a criminal offence against a child.
- behaved in a way that may pose a risk to children.
- behaved in a way that suggests they may be unsuitable to work with children.
Details on how to contact the LADO is available on the Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership (OSCP) website, together with 7 minutes briefings and further guidance.
Greater Manchester complex safeguarding hub – week of action 16–20 March 2026
GM Complex Safeguarding Hub have organised a week of free safeguarding webinars, and there’s still time to book. All sessions are open to anyone in Greater Manchester. Please share across your networks to help raise awareness of exploitation. Each session title below is a clickable link to book your place.
Mon 16 March
Session 1. 12.00-14.00 Trauma Informed Practice Through a Neuroaffirming and Culturally Considerate Lens
Session 2. 14.00-15.00 Safer Spaces for LGBTQ+ young people's voices and experiences in Sport Safeguarding
Tues 17 March
Session 3. 13.00-14.00 Witchcraft, Spirit Possession and Ritualistic Abuse
Wed 18 March
Session 4. 10.00-11.00 Creating Safe Foundations: Autism-Informed Puberty and Relationship Information for Autistic Girls
Thu 19 March
Session 5. 10.00-11.00 National County Lines Coordination Centre - An Introduction to the County Lines Model of Drug Supply
Session 6. 12.00-13.00 Responding to Adult Exploitation and use of the Care Act: promoting autonomy, understanding coercion, and importance of disruption
Session 7. 14.00-15.00 Understanding the Ketamine Crisis Through Lived Experience: Implications for Safeguarding Practice
Fri 20 March
Session 8. 10.00-11.30 Our Stories Travel - Romani Gypsy and Irish Traveller experiences of safeguarding and addressing institutional harms
Session 9. 13.00-14.00 Hydrant Programme Review Team – How we can help you
Support for carers - what's on
Did you know there is a weekly Carers Drop-In runs every Tuesday, 10am–12 noon at the Link Centre? It’s a relaxed space to pop in for a chat, get support, or connect with others. On the second Tuesday of each month, colleagues from Welfare Rights will also be on hand to offer information and advice around benefits.
There is also a helpful online session coming up about Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney, and Trusts at 6pm-7.30pm on Monday 8 April 2026 via Microsoft Teams. If you, or people you support would like to understand more about planning for the future, this is a great opportunity.
For more information or to book onto any of the above, please contact: Jennifer.Cocker@oldham.gov.uk
Free emotional support for children impacted by domestic abuse and crime
OSCP are pleased to share a range of free emotional support, counselling, and advocacy services available across the UK from embracecvoc for children and families affected by domestic abuse and other serious crimes.
- Free, online emotional support and counselling for children affected by serious crimes, including sexual and domestic abuse. Available for children aged 11+.
- Children must not already be supported by CAMHS, including those on waiting lists.
- Due to the short term, online nature of support, they cannot work with young people presenting with suicidal thoughts or high risk of self harm.
Professionals, police, parents, or schools can make referrals. You can refer a child using the online form
Please share this information with colleagues and partners.
Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership training programme: April – July 2026
We are pleased to share the OSCP quarterly training programme for April to July 2026. The OSCP multi-agency training is designed to strengthen partnership working by building shared understanding, improving professional practice, and supporting better outcomes for children across Oldham.
You can view the OSCP training programme, and eLearning modules on the OSCP website
Why you shouldn’t miss the mental capacity law & policy shedinars
Looking to build your confidence in applying the Mental Capacity Act and deepen your understanding of complex decision making? The Mental Capacity Law and Policy Shedinars, created by leading barrister and educator Alex Ruck Keene, offer clear, accessible, 20 minute learning sessions designed specifically to demystify the most challenging areas of mental capacity practice.
Each shedinar provides focused explanations of key topics making them ideal for busy practitioners who want high quality training without a huge time commitment. These sessions include rich discussions with Independent Mental Capacity Advocates (IMCAs), academics, clinicians, and specialists in ethics and human rights, offering insight into real world dilemmas workers face every day. Topics range from complex capacity assessments to advance decision making and the lived experience of people subject to the MCA, giving you reflective, practice enhancing learning straight from national experts.
Take a look via the Mental Capacity Law and Policy website
Complete the OSAB workforce confidence survey 2026
OSAB want to hear from YOU!
Twelve months after an initial survey, Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) are keen to hear from frontline staff and operational managers across statutory and wider partners who work with adults at risk. This is an opportunity for you to have your say on adult safeguarding in Oldham.
OSAB would really like to hear your views. The survey is anonymous so please try to be honest about how you feel, rather than how you think you should feel. OSAB want to hear from you whether you completed the 2025 survey or not.
The anonymous results will be shared with the OSAB membership and used to inform its priorities and work, particularly when developing multi-agency practitioner resources and training.
There are only a handful of multiple-choice questions. Completing the survey should therefore only take a couple of minutes.
OSAB encourage each member of staff to respond for themselves however if you would like to discuss and/or complete the survey with your team then please feel free.
Complete the OSAB Workforce Confidence Survey
Why didn't she just leave? webinar
Why didn't she just leave? Five words that speak volumes. Sometimes said casually, said frequently, said by people who are genuinely curious and maybe don't understand - and that's part of the problem.
A free online session at 12.30 on 19 March 2026 cuts through the myths and gets to the truth about domestic abuse, coercive control and the very real link to suicide risk for both male and female victim-survivors. The session will look at the statistics that should make every organisation sit up and pay attention, and talk honestly about what it means for the people sitting in your teams, walking through your doors and in contact with your people.
This session is for you if you want to understand more how to make a genuine difference to the safety and wellbeing of colleagues, both male and female, and the people you work with and to help us shine a light in a dark corner and make a positive difference to others.
Join the free Lunch n Learn session by registering via the Zoom website