A timetable of Masterclass Sessions will be taking place during Safeguarding Week 2026. These sessions are designed to support practitioners across services in strengthening their knowledge and practice.
Each session focuses on key safeguarding themes, offering opportunities to learn, reflect, and engage with current priorities. A brief outline of sessions are detailed below. Please click on the links for further information and to book a place. All are encouraged to book on early.
All sessions are held online via MS Teams. Please book on via MyLO using the links below.
15 June - York’s Drug and Alcohol Service: Change Grow Live
Monday 15 June | 2pm – 3pm | MS Teams
Overview of York’s drug and alcohol services, including our local offer and focus on hidden harm, particularly the impact on children affected by parental or family substance misuse.
Also covers local trends and a brief overview of harm reduction, with a spotlight on key substances: alcohol, cannabis, THC/spice, and ketamine.
16 June - Working with Dads
Tuesday 16 June | 11:30am – 12:30pm | MS Teams
Participants will be encouraged to consider how we work in partnership with dads to achieve positive outcomes for their children.
The session will share experiences of dad’s working with professionals in the safeguarding arena and help us think about positive and practical ways to better include them in all aspects of our work.
16 June - Family Group Decision Making
Tuesday 16 June | 2.30pm – 3.30pm | MS Teams
An overview of Family Group Decision Making and what it means for our work with children and families in York.
17 June - Domestic Abuse
Wednesday 17 June | 11am – 12pm | MS Teams
This session will provide an overview of domestic abuse, including the different forms it can take, and the signs professionals may notice when someone is experiencing abuse. It will also explore the experiences of people with learning disabilities, considering additional vulnerabilities and some of the barriers individuals may face when accessing domestic abuse support.
The session aims to increase awareness and understanding of how domestic abuse may impact people with learning disabilities and autism, and to support professionals to respond appropriately and confidently.
18 June - Preparation for Adulthood and Learning Disabilities
Thursday 18 June | 2pm – 3pm | MS Teams
This session provides an overview of York’s evolving Preparation for Adulthood (PfA) model, focusing on how we are strengthening outcomes for young people with SEND as they move towards adulthood. It will highlight our strategic direction, operational delivery, and the impact of multi-agency collaboration across education, health, and social care.
18 June - Learning from Multi-Agency Case Reviews and Audits
Thursday 18 June | 3.30pm – 4.30pm | MS Teams
This session will provide an overview of national updates including recent publications from the National Panel and will also cover thematic learning and practice recommendations from local case reviews in York that have been conducted when a child dies or is seriously injured and abuse or neglect are suspected.
19 June - Private Fostering
Friday 19 June | 12pm – 1pm | MS Teams
The aim of this workshop is to raise awareness of private fostering. We will achieve this by discussing the definition of private fostering, exploring differing scenarios to put the definition in practice, and feeling confident in your responsibilities when you identify a private fostering arrangement.
Jess will share her experience and expertise of Private Fostering both within the Social Care and Education settings, linking the procedures to frontline practice.
Jess will talk about some of the lessons learnt through the death of Victoria Climbié and how The subsequent Laming Report prompted a strengthening of the legal framework around private fostering.
We hope to inspire professionals to feel confident in recognising private fostering arrangements, know what to do and how to support children and young people in these arrangements.
19 June - Transitional Safeguarding
This session explores the principles and practice of transitional safeguarding, focusing on how services can effectively support young people as they move from adolescence into adulthood. It will highlight the unique risks faced by those approaching 18, particularly where vulnerabilities such as exploitation, mental health needs, or instability remain present beyond childhood frameworks.
The session will encourage practitioners to think beyond traditional service boundaries and consider developmentally appropriate, person-centred approaches that ensure continuity of care and protection. This session is informed by the new Transitional Safeguarding Practice Guidance introduced in March this year.