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!

Multi-agency practice week - serious youth violence and adolescent vulnerabilities

Taking place during the week commencing 29 June 2026, Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership’s (OSCP's) multi-agency practice week focuses on serious youth violence and adolescent vulnerabilities. This week offers a valuable opportunity to:

  • Learn from experienced professionals.
  • Explore key issues and current challenges.
  • Connect with colleagues from across the partnership.

Whether you want to refresh your knowledge, gain new insights, or share best practice, these sessions are designed to support practitioners at all levels.

Join us for a series of engaging and informative sessions aimed at strengthening and improving safeguarding practice.

Browse the programme and book your place today

More information will be added to the OSCP website page in the lead-up to the event, so please check back regularly for updates.

OSAB 7-minute briefing: supporting people with dementia

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 dementia

The briefing explains what dementia is as well as symptoms and stages; includes details about early diagnosis; explores the STOP approach in relation to distressed behaviour; provides some key considerations for practitioners in relation to communication and environment; 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.

Safer recruitment training – book your place

Safer recruitment is a crucial part of safeguarding and plays a key role in preventing unsuitable individuals from working with children and young people. Ensuring robust recruitment processes helps create safer organisations and reduces the risk of harm.

Why attend?
This training will provide a clear overview of safer recruitment principles and support you to apply them effectively in practice. The session will explore each stage of the recruitment process, including shortlisting, interviewing, and pre-employment checks, with a focus on identifying potential risks and making safer decisions.


You will gain practical guidance to help strengthen your organisation’s approach, improve consistency, and ensure safeguarding remains at the centre of recruitment processes.

When is it?

Thursday 4 June 2026, 9.30 – 3.00, Conference Hall, Rock Street, Oldham

Who should attend?
Anyone involved in interviewing, recruiting, or selecting staff and volunteers.

Places are limited – to register, please email oscptraining@oldham.gov.uk with your name, job role, and organisation.

OSAB priorities for 2026-27

OSAB are currently in the third year of a Three-Year Strategy which set out its strategic aims from April 2024 to March 2027 by identifying the partnership's shared vision and direction for safeguarding adults within Oldham. The strategy also set out how OSAB would work towards these aims.

Take a look at a new one-page summary of the strategy including the vision, the strategic objectives for the three years and the priorities for this third year. Priority areas chosen by OSAB partner agencies include Mental Capacity Act; Empowerment & Participation; Complex Safeguarding & Exploitation; Utilising Local Learning, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Scrutiny and Improvement; Safeguarding Adult Referrals; and Making Safeguarding Personal.

New Childline posters available

NSPCC Learning has published a new series of Childline posters to encourage children and young people to reach out for support when they need it.

The posters are designed for both primary and secondary school settings and include information about the range of support available through Childline. This includes services such as the Calm Zone and the Report Remove tool, which help young people manage their wellbeing and safely report harmful online content.

All posters can be downloaded digitally or printed for display, making them easy to share across schools and other settings.

Background Information
This course is delivered by members of Oldham’s Complex Safeguarding Team and representatives from services supporting adults in Oldham. It aims to equip practitioners with enhanced knowledge and skills to identify and respond appropriately to the exploitation of children, young people and adults.

Aims and Objectives
The purpose of the course is to raise awareness about Criminal, Sexual and Financial exploitation including Modern Slavery and Cuckooing, and to help practitioners recognise the potential signs of exploitation and risk factors. The session focuses on how best to offer help and support, the local response pathways and local practitioner resources available; highlights national and local learning; and covers aspects including the point of view of survivors, complex safeguarding, intersectionality, the importance of language and trauma informed approaches, and transitions planning for young people preparing for adulthood.

Dates, Venue and Booking Your Place
This training course will be delivered in person at Rock Street Resource Centre, Rock Street, Oldham OL1 3UJ and is currently on offer on the following dates:

Places for these sessions are limited. If you are interested in attending, please click on the links above to complete the online booking form. You will then be contacted to discuss availability.

REEL rack: emergency clothing support for people in crisis across Oldham

REEL Rack is Oldham’s emergency clothing provision service and has been supporting people in crisis since 2017. The service provides free, clean, good quality clothing to individuals experiencing urgent need, including people facing homelessness, fleeing domestic abuse, leaving hospital, or experiencing acute financial hardship.

REEL Rack operates as a dignified, non judgemental service, working closely alongside statutory and voluntary sector partners across Oldham to ensure timely access to essential clothing support.

Practitioners are encouraged to signpost or refer anyone they are working with who would benefit from emergency clothing provision.

Further information about the service is available on the REEL Rack website. Details of referral routes are provided below.