MBIMB Safeguarding Conference March 25th 2025

Don’t miss this chance to learn, share, and strengthen your safeguarding knowledge and practices!

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Join us at the Safeguarding Conference on March 25, 2025, to strengthen our South Yorkshire communities by prioritizing the safety and well-being of our children. This event will spotlight innovative, practical approaches to safeguarding, including the My Body is My Body Programme, a unique musical initiative designed to teach children body safety in an engaging, memorable way.

Our lineup of expert speakers will bring a wealth of knowledge and firsthand experience to critical safeguarding topics. Dr. Paul Stewart will address the complexities of child safeguarding in youth sports, exploring how power dynamics can make children vulnerable and highlighting essential steps to protect young athletes. Antonia Noble, creator of the Safeguarding Fundamentals Course, will share her mission to simplify safeguarding processes, making them accessible and effective for everyone. Caroline Flynn, with her 30+ years in social care—20 of which focused on child protection—will discuss trauma-informed practices that have shaped her leadership and learning initiatives in safeguarding.

Additionally, Douglas Blackwood will take us through the evolution of safeguarding in sports, addressing past challenges, current progress, and future advancements that support young athletes. Tracey Hughes from Healthwatch will provide guidance on accessing the advice and resources families need to live healthy and informed lives.

This conference is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals dedicated to creating safe environments for children and building stronger, more resilient communities. 


See details on our speakers below:
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Chrissy Sykes – My Body is My Body Foundation

Learn, Engage, and Have Fun with the My Body Is My Body Programme!
Join Chrissy Sykes, founder of the My Body is My Body Programme, for an unforgettable session that combines learning and fun to make a profound impact on child safety in your community. With lively music, engaging animations, and a powerful, easy-to-follow approach, Chrissy will introduce this internationally acclaimed program that has already empowered over 2 million children worldwide. Discover firsthand how MBIMB’s unique resources help children recognize and respond to unsafe situations, and learn how to effortlessly integrate this life-changing program into your community settings—whether it’s schools, clubs, or after-school programs. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a lasting difference; come ready to be inspired and equipped with tools that protect and uplift children everywhere!

Dr. Paul Stewart – Safeguarding Fundamentals

Introducing Dr. Paul Stewart, a former Premiership footballer who played for some of England’s top clubs, including Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool. He was also capped three times for England during his career. In 2016, Paul courageously waived his anonymity to publicly speak about the physical and sexual abuse he endured at the hands of a youth coach when he was just 10 years old, growing up in Manchester.

At the MBIMB Conference on March 25, 2025, Dr. Stewart will address the critical issue of child safeguarding in sports. Drawing on his personal experiences and his in-depth knowledge of the subject, he will delve into the power dynamics in youth sports that can leave children vulnerable to abuse. His presentation will highlight the steps needed to protect young athletes and create safe environments where children can enjoy sports without fear.

Antonia Noble – Safeguarding Fundamentals

Introducing Antonia Noble, a barrister and safeguarding specialist with
extensive experience working both in the UK and internationally.
Antonia is the creator of the Safeguarding Fundamentals Course and
has dedicated her career to simplifying safeguarding processes to
make them accessible and effective for all.
At the MBIMB Conference on March 25, 2025, Antonia will join Dr.
Paul Stewart to speak on safeguarding in the community with a focus
on sports and other community activities.
Her presentation at the conference will bring together a group of local
safeguarding professionals to share insights and best practices that
can be applied in different community contexts, with a particular focus
on ensuring that all children are safe while engaging in sports and
recreational activities.

Caroline Flynne – Maapp LinkIndex

Caroline Flynn: Championing Accessible, Trauma-Informed Child Protection

With over three decades in social care—20 of which focused on child protection—Caroline Flynn brings unparalleled expertise and commitment to this critical field. Caroline’s leadership has not only shaped teams but has also driven forward essential learning and development, deeply rooted in trauma-informed practices.

Her work led to the development of the MAAPP LinkIndex key ring, an innovative tool designed to support practitioners and families alike. This groundbreaking resource fills a much-needed gap by helping professionals and caregivers connect with targeted services and support, mitigating harm and reducing isolation.

Caroline’s guiding belief, “we don’t know until we know,” underscores her dedication to increasing awareness and accessibility. Her commitment is to make essential resources universally available, empowering practitioners and families with vital knowledge and support networks that enhance their lives and protect children from harm.

Douglas Blackwood – Yorkshire Sports Foundation

Douglas Blackwood will take us through the evolution of safeguarding in sports, examining the past, present, and future with a focus on making sports safer for young participants. Reflecting on early challenges, such as limited awareness and underreporting, he’ll highlight today’s progress driven by heightened media attention and strengthened policies from National Governing Bodies. Looking to the future, Douglas envisions more standardized practices and technology-driven advancements in safeguarding. He’ll outline practical steps for safeguarding, sharing key questions for parents and professionals to ask at children’s clubs—such as the presence of clear policies, a designated welfare officer, and open channels for raising concerns—and information to look for, like coach certification and transparent reporting practices. Douglas will also cover ongoing initiatives within the sports sector, where partnerships between NGBs, clubs, and safeguarding organizations are creating a stronger support network for welfare officers and improving overall safety.

Tracy Hughes – Barnsley CVS and Healthwatch

Barnsley CVS (Community and Voluntary Service) is a dedicated charity that plays a pivotal role in supporting, empowering, and strengthening the voluntary and community sector across Barnsley. By offering a wide range of services—such as funding advice, governance support, training, and volunteer coordination—Barnsley CVS helps local groups and organizations to grow, achieve their goals, and better serve their communities. It also fosters collaboration between charities, statutory bodies, and local government, ensuring that community voices are heard and that services are accessible and responsive to local needs. Whether helping a small community group get off the ground or guiding established organizations through challenges, Barnsley CVS is a vital resource for creating a resilient, connected, and empowered Barnsley.


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