Purpose
The practice leaders group emerged from a research project (Sustaining Social Work), which evidenced the need for a reflective space where Contextual Safeguarding practice leaders could receive peer support and experience solidarity. No preparation is needed. Members are invited to share how they are doing around a specific work-related prompt/ stimulus. The focus is less on problem-solving or answering questions about implementing Contextual Safeguarding, and more on supporting each other as human beings doing difficult work – you don’t need to have all the answers! Group members have one foot in practice and the other in active management/ system change: a particularly challenging position because it involves holding a sense of responsibility for both serious interpersonal harm and multiple system barriers. The group provides a safe space to acknowledge the human toll of this and offers reassurance that others are going through the same thing. We hope it encourages members to keep going.
Meeting arrangements
Online, an hour and a half, three or four times a year
How to join
This group is currently closed to support safety and relationship building, but please register your interest via gccs.enquiries@durham.ac.uk