In this episode, The Social Matters Podcast team takes you inside the launch of the Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding, a two-day international event hosted by Durham University and created by Professor Carlene Firmin.

The Centre marks a new chapter in how we understand and respond to the safety of young people, recognising that protection must extend beyond the home to the spaces where adolescents spend their lives: schools, neighbourhoods, online and among peers.

Joined by a remarkable panel of guests whose collective work has shaped safeguarding policy, practice and research across the UK and beyond, this episode brings together:

Jimmy Paul, Head of the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit and advocate for public health approaches to preventing violence.

Ben Lindsay OBE, founder and CEO of Power the Fight, community leader and social entrepreneur dedicated to tackling violence affecting young people.

Jahnine Davis, Director of ListenUp and national expert on adultification bias and the safeguarding of Black children.

Luke Billingham, youth worker and researcher focused on social infrastructure, education, and youth policy.

Aika Stephenson, solicitor and co-founder of Just for Kids Law, recognised for her pioneering work in youth justice.

Professor Carlene Firmin, founder of Contextual Safeguarding and leading researcher on adolescent safety in social contexts.

Together, these voices reflect the depth and diversity of the global movement for Contextual Safeguarding uniting research, lived experience, and frontline practice to build safer communities for adolescents everywhere.

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to share it, leave a review, and follow. You can also find out more about the great work at the Global Centre for Contextual Safeguarding at https://www.contextualsafeguarding.org.uk/