The 1st Black & Diverse Safeguarding Conference

Le' Siran Edwards

My Journey Into Social Work

My professional journey began in childcare, a field where I felt deeply connected to nurturing young minds Starting with out-of-school clubs and nurseries, I eventually moved into nursery management It was in this role that my path began to shift towards safeguarding, a responsibility that quickly resonated with me on a deeper level

Safeguarding was more than a nursery management task; it became a profound duty Protecting children and supporting families was not just a job but a calling The satisfaction of ensuring their safety and well-being motivated me to pursue further education, leading to a BA in Early Childhood Studies This degree enriched my understanding of child development and family dynamics, preparing me for the next step: a Master’s in Social Work

The Master’s program was a natural progression, allowing me to engage more meaningfully with children and families. Social work provided the tools to help people navigate life’s challenges and build better futures With an extensive background in childcare, transitioning to a children’s social worker felt like the perfect fit I wanted to be on the front lines, offering guidance, hope and support directly

Over 25 years, I’ve worked with children and families, witnessing their resilience and supporting their journey to stability My belief in people’s potential and capacity for growth drives me every day Social work isn’t just what I do; it’s who I am and it remains one of the most rewarding aspects of my life.

My Journey Into Coaching

My dedication to social work came with significant challenges. After years of hard work, I found myself burned out and exhausted I’d placed my well-being second! It was a difficult and isolating place, where the passion I once had seemed overshadowed by exhaustion

A pivotal conversation with a friend changed everything. They asked if I would continue complaining or do something about my situation This question struck a chord, making me realise I had the power to change my circumstances I sought out coaching, which was transformative I discovered that the issue wasn’t social work itself but my work-life balance.

Coaching played a pivotal role in helping me identify and address these challenges, empowering me to make meaningful changes in my life My growing passion for coaching led me to pursue formal training and certification For nearly a decade, I have had the privilege of coaching social workers, entrepreneurs, organisations, and clients overseas Throughout this time, I have also organised empowerment events for business owners and women and authored several books My coaching practice has continued to evolve and my commitment to this work has only grown stronger

Coaching revealed a critical need within our professional community. Social workers often neglect their own well-being while focusing on others I aimed to provide coaching alongside planners, journals, events, my Dear Social Worker Podcast and workshops to make our jobs easier and our lives more balanced I wanted to offer the same confidence and empowerment I experienced, helping to maintain retention, support emotional and physical health and minimise burnout. I’m proud to say I offer now this full time through my organisation, the Social Work Coaching Hub Coaching has been a gift, and I’m passionate about sharing it to empower social workers and leaders to thrive

The Birth of the Black Safeguarding Conference

As a Black social worker, I’ve faced the harsh realities of colourism and racism within the system Many times, I felt unsupported and isolated, experiences that deeply impacted me Despite my efforts to seek change through Black social worker groups, real progress seemed blocked The racial trauma many of us carry only deepened when I transitioned into full-time coaching. Through my coaching practice, I became a confidante for Black and diverse professionals across the country I heard stories of isolation and frustration, realising that these experiences were continuing to grow Many felt unsupported at work and unable to share their struggles with family or colleagues, who didn’t grasp the nuances of workplace racial trauma

It became clear that these professionals needed more than individual support they needed a community This led to the vision of a national conference where Black and diverse safeguarding professionals could unite, share experiences and create change Although anti-racism leaders exist throughout the UK, gathering in one space, could be powerful!

With this vision, I created a registration link for what I hoped would be the UK's first Black and Diverse Safeguarding Professionals Conference. I set a goal of 30 registrants, but nearly 200 signed up and counting!

This overwhelming response confirmed that the space was needed What started as notes and idea in a notepad had grown into a significant event, with professionals from across the UK coming together. Your feedback has guided my mission, showing a desire for a supportive environment and for those outside the Global Majority to learn how to be better allies

The conference aims to create a safe space for honest, solution-focused conversations. It’s the beginning of a movement to reshape the future of safeguarding and support each other in meaningful ways Join us for this historic event, where we can make history together and build a more inclusive and supportive profession

A Movement Towards Change and Empowerment

The inaugural Black and Diverse Safeguarding Professionals Conference represents a historic milestone As the first event of its kind, it addresses the unique challenges faced by Black and diverse safeguarding professionals

This conference creates a space to come together, share experiences and work collaboratively toward solutions that enhance our well-being and effectiveness

My experiences as a Black social worker have been shaped by colourism and racism, leading to feelings of isolation and lack of support These challenges are widespread among diverse professionals, yet a unified, national platform specifically for safeguarding professionals has been lacking

One reason for this gap might be our reliance on localised support structures While local initiatives provide valuable help, they often fall short of addressing broader systemic issues on a national scale. Equality officers, though crucial, may face their own challenges, including job security concerns This conference aims to fill that gap by providing a dedicated, safe space for support and dialogue

The Black and Diverse Safeguarding Professionals Conference addresses these needs by offering a comprehensive platform to discuss experiences, seek guidance, and develop strategies for overcoming barriers It’s a place to connect with others who understand our challenges and work together for positive change

This event celebrates our shared experiences and fosters a sense of community. It’s an opportunity to build networks, exchange ideas, and develop solutions that benefit us all By coming together, we can address systemic issues, support each other’s well-being, and make a meaningful impact on the lives of the children and families we serve

The Black and Diverse Safeguarding Professionals Conference is more than a gathering it’s a movement towards the support and change we need I invite you to be part of this historic event and help shape a more inclusive and supportive future for our profession

The Vision Behind the Black Safeguarding Conference

The inaugural Black and Diverse Safeguarding Professionals Conference marks a historic milestone As the first event of its kind, it takes a bold step towards addressing the unique challenges faced by Black and diverse safeguarding professionals This conference is designed to be a space where we can come together, share experiences, and collaboratively work on solutions that enhance our well-being and effectiveness in the field

My journey as a Black social worker has been shaped by personal experiences of colourism and racism experiences that often left me feeling isolated and unsupported Unfortunately, this feeling of isolation is all too familiar to many of my colleagues from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Through my coaching practice, I’ve come to realise that these challenges are far more widespread than I initially imagined Despite the increasing presence of equality officers and a growing focus on diversity, a unified national platform specifically for safeguarding professionals has been absent.

Similar to my Empowering Social Workers events in London, this conference is designed to fill a gap It’s a dedicated and safe space for us to have the candid conversations that we may not feel comfortable having in our workplaces

Here, it’s an opportunity to connect with others who truly understand our challenges, build allies and work toward real, lasting change in our profession

More than just a professional gathering, this event is about building a supportive community, that will not just benefit us but the vulnerable communities we serve. It’s acknowledged all issues and challenges cannot be addressed and solved in a one day conference but it’s a start

The Black and Diverse Safeguarding Professionals Conference is more than just an event it’s a movement By coming together, we have the power to shape a more inclusive and supportive future for our profession. I invite you to join us at this historic event and be a part of creating the change we all need.