Understanding Lived Experience

Paula McCreary is an independent safeguarding consultant, trainer and educator with extensive experience in child and adult safeguarding. Through training, research and consultancy, she supports organisations and practitioners to strengthen safeguarding practice, professional curiosity and learning from reviews. 

Presentation Summary

Paula's presentation explored how lived experience can strengthen safeguarding practice and improve outcomes for children, young people and adults. Drawing on learning from Child Practice Reviews, Adult Practice Reviews and current research, she highlighted the importance of professional curiosity, meaningful engagement, effective communication and understanding the whole person beyond labels, diagnoses and presenting concerns. 

During the event, participants were invited to reflect on the barriers and enablers to understanding lived experience in safeguarding practice. Their contributions have been captured through interactive activities completed during the session.

What stops us?

Participants shared their thoughts through a Slido exercise, identifying factors that can make it difficult to fully understand a person's lived experience, including organisational, communication and practice challenges.

View reflections here. 

What helps us?

Participants also contributed to a Padlet activity exploring the approaches, behaviours and conditions that help practitioners understand lived experience and build meaningful relationships with the people they support.

View the Padlet reflections and ideas here.