OSAB 7-minute briefing: supporting people with autism

Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) are pleased to share the next 7-Minute Briefing in a series focused on supporting people with a range of access needs. The new briefing is all about supporting people with autism

The briefing explains autism, the signs of autism, and the importance of supporting people; provides some key considerations for practitioners in relation to communication, social and sensory differences and how to support should a person with autism become distressed; and links to more information and support services.

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.
Serious youth violence & adolescent vulnerability workshop

Join Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership (OSCP) for a high-quality, interactive half-day workshop focused on understanding and responding to serious youth violence and adolescent vulnerability.

Tuesday 30 June 2026, 9:30am – 12:30pm
Venue: Earl Business Centre, Earl Mill, Dowry St, Oldham, OL8 2PF

Why attend?
This session will help you build confidence in recognising risk, understanding vulnerability, and strengthening your safeguarding practice with young people.

You will explore:
- Awareness: Challenging nihilism and addressing online hate and harm
- Voice & vulnerability: Developing emotional intelligence and understanding key risk and protective factors
- Safeguarding practice: Applying learning to better support and protect at-risk young people

Delivered by an expert
The session is led by Ray Douglas, one of the UK’s leading safeguarding trainers. A Home Office approved provider and TEDx speaker, Ray has worked with local authorities across the country and reaches over 10,000 people each year through his organisation - Minus Violence.

He also brings specialist knowledge of emerging risks, including those linked to gaming, AI, and streaming platforms.

⚠️ Places are limited

To book your place email: OSCPtraining@oldham.gov.uk

Book your places for multi-agency training

OSAB are pleased to offer members of staff from all partner agencies the opportunity to attend training focused on key safeguarding topics. Please take a look at the training currently available to book and click on the titles for more information and to book your place.

Are we treating children as adults? understanding adultification bias training

Adultification bias in safeguarding practice with Dr Nicholas Marsh.

Thursday 2 July 2026, 12.30-3.00, Online via Microsoft Teams

About the session
In this session, Dr Marsh explores adultification bias — how children, particularly black children, can be perceived as older, less vulnerable, and more responsible than they are.

What you will learn
• What adultification bias is and where it comes from
• How it shows up in families and professional practice
• The impact on children’s identity, protection, and outcomes
• Practical ways to challenge and disrupt bias in your work.

Why it matters
When children are adultified, their right to care, support, and protection can be reduced or overlooked, putting them at greater risk.

To book email: OSCPtraining@oldham.gov.uk


More information and details of additional training available on the OSCP website 

Public survey: safeguarding awareness and communication

Oldham Safeguarding Adults Board (OSAB) are asking people in Oldham to take part in a short survey about safeguarding awareness and communication. The aim is to improve how we share important messages, understand what people already know, and reach more people in our communities. Can you support us to share details of the survey with residents? There’s a poster available which might help!

It only takes about 10 minutes to complete, and feedback will help shape improvements to safeguarding information locally. People can take part by scanning the QR code on the poster or via this link: 

Complete the Survey!

The survey is open to all residents and community groups and closes on 19 July 2026. Residents’ views really will make a difference. People can send us an email if they’d like to arrange for us to call them so they can answer the survey questions by telephone.

Finally, do you live in Oldham?! If you do, click on the link and tell us your thoughts!

DfE consultation: Information sharing guidance

The Department of Education (DfE) is seeking views on new statutory guidance for the information sharing duty introduced through the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act.

The guidance, which includes a data sharing template, will replace the current non-statutory Information Sharing Advice for Practitioners.

The consultation aims to ensure the guidance is clear, practical and effective, supporting confident, lawful and timely information sharing that improves outcomes for children and families.

The deadline is 14 July 2026. Please take a few minutes to complete the consultation: Statutory Guidance for Information Sharing Duty - DfE consultation

Oldham safeguarding against radicalisation network (OSARN)

OSARN has been established to support the delivery of Oldham's strategic Prevent objectives, support partners to meet their statutory responsibilities and raise awareness and vigilance of how to safeguard against radicalisation across the wider community and borough.

A part of the new network members will gain access to the latest counter terrorism and Prevent guidance, access to in person and virtual Prevent training sessions, in addition to a monthly bulletin and access to CPD opportunities delivered by experts in their fields such as partners from Homeland Security Group and Counter Terrorism Policing. To sign up OSARN Membership Sign Up - Fill in form

Safeguarding Against Radicalisation (Prevent) Training
This training is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, awareness, and confidence to safeguard individuals from radicalisation and extremism. It focuses on the key principle of Notice, Check, and Share, helping staff recognise concerns early, explore them appropriately, and take timely action through the correct channels.

A key focus of the training is understanding how individuals, particularly children, young people, vulnerable adults, and those susceptible to influence, may be drawn into radicalisation.

The session provides an overview of:

  • The current UK terrorism threat level
  • Examines the main forms of extremism, including Extreme Right-Wing, Islamist Terrorism, and Left-wing or single-issue ideologies.
  • Explores emerging and evolving risks such as nihilistic violence, violence-fixated individuals, 3D printed weapons, and the links between incel ideology and extremist narratives
  • How to notice early warning signs, including changes in behaviour, language, or interests; check concerns through professional curiosity and proportionate information-sharing; and share concerns appropriately in line with safeguarding procedures.
  • The growing role of online spaces, social media, and gaming platforms in exposure to harmful content, recruitment, and normalisation of extremist views.
  • How we safeguard individuals locally in Oldham, including the Prevent referral process, partnership working, and how concerns are managed through multi-agency frameworks such as Channel.

Book your place by clicking on the session you'd like to attend below:

Sexual health clinics in Oldham

Sexual health is an important part of overall wellbeing. Providing young people with accurate information and access to support helps them make informed choices, understand consent, and build healthy relationships.

Free, confidential sexual health sessions offering advice, STI testing, and contraception are being delivered at:
• Monday 6.30-8pm weekly at MAHDLO (starting 29th June)
• Tuesday 3-6pm weekly at the Oldham Integrated Care Centre (ICC)
• Wednesday 1.30-4.30pm weekly at Chambers Business Centre (Early Break office)
• Thursday 2-4pm at Positive Steps (starting 4th June) alternative Thursdays

Early access to these services can help prevent health issues and provide reassurance.

Professionals and carers play a key role by creating safe spaces for open conversations, sharing clear information, and signposting to appropriate services.

Posters are available to download  from the OSCP website. Please display these in your settings to help raise awareness and ensure young people know how to access support.