What if the system meant to help kids actually pushes them away?
And how do we support those who don’t fit the mould of mainstream education?

In this episode, Chris East speaks with Chris Powell from Bespoke Mentoring - an organisation born from lived experience, supporting young people who’ve fallen through the gaps.

Chris shares how his own school journey shaped his sixth sense for spotting emotional vulnerability, and why personalised, relationship-led support can change everything.

Every young person is different, and so is the support they need.

Bespoke Mentoring helps young people uncover barriers, rebuild trust, and find their path forward.

Connect with Chris Powell:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-powell-6a1b22157/

Website: https://www.bespokementoring.org/

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The Balloon Crew - Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode:  Chris East, Chris Powell

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠

Follow Cornerstone Safeguarding on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

What if burnout isn’t just a side effect of your job - but of your thinking?

In this episode of The Balloon Crew Podcast, Chris East chats with Jane Reason to rethink everything we know about burnout.

Drawing from her own experience, Jane challenges the idea that burnout is inevitable in demanding roles like education, healthcare, and beyond.

What if burnout doesn’t need to exist at all?

What if we could choose a different response?

Jane explores how our environment, our thinking, and the stories we tell ourselves shape how we experience pressure and exhaustion.

Together, they ask:

This episode is a compassionate, thought-provoking invitation to step back, get curious, and see burnout in a whole new way.

Jane is revolutionising self and system leadership through her Leadership Tree and Transformational Coaching.

Connect with Jane:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-reason/

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The Balloon Crew

Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode:  Chris East, Jane Reason

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠

Follow Cornerstone Safeguarding on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

What really shapes our views on sex education - and are schools getting it right?

In this episode, Chris East dives into a raw and real conversation with Becky Blackledge, Founder of 'Get Real Sessions', about why inclusive, age-appropriate sex education is so crucial for young people today.

They explore how personal experiences shape our views on sex ed, and why it needs to go beyond biology - covering healthy relationships, consent, online life, and self-identity.

Becky shares how her four-part programme helps schools meet statutory guidance while making space for meaningful conversations that prepare young people for life.

Connect With Becky:

LinkedIn

Get Real Sessions Website

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Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode:  Chris East, Becky Blackledge

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠

Follow Cornerstone Safeguarding on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Feeling Stuck Finding the Right Support for Vulnerable Individuals?
You're not alone.

In this episode, Chris East is joined by Caroline Flynn from MAAPPUK to reveal a small but powerful tool that’s changing the way professionals connect people to the support they need.

Imagine a simple keyring that gives you instant access to over 1,000 trusted resources - ready to use anytime on your smartphone, tablet, or shared via email.
The ‘LinkIndex’ keyring - a clever bit of kit - puts vital information right at your fingertips exactly when it's needed.

We dive into why early intervention is so important, and why working smarter, not harder is the future of professional support.

With over 30 years of frontline and leadership experience across both the voluntary and statutory sectors, Caroline shares insights from her role as a Child Protection Chair — ensuring the resources she brings are relevant, practical, and powerful.

Connect on LinkedIn:

Caroline Flynn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/safeguardinguk/

MAAPPUK: https://www.linkedin.com/company/maappuk/

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Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode:  Chris East, Caroline Flynn

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠

Follow Cornerstone Safeguarding on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

In this episode of The Balloon Crew, Chris East chats with Sian Jorgensen — Child Protection Consultant, Director of Encompass Safeguarding, and Founder of ©SAFE Interviewing.

With over 20 years of international experience, Sian offers valuable insight into the challenges and responsibilities of safeguarding in international schools and diverse communities.

They discuss the importance of building connections and why everyone has a duty of care — wherever they work.

Sian also unpacks how cultural, legal, and safeguarding expectations can differ globally, and how her work supports senior leaders in navigating these complexities.

Learn how Sian’s SAFE Interviewing programme is transforming child protection responses with trauma-informed, sensitive, and effective interviewing practices.

A must-listen for anyone working in international education or safeguarding — and anyone passionate about creating safer environments for children worldwide.

Connect with Sian:

LinkedIn

Encompass Safeguarding

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The Balloon Crew

Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode:  Chris East, Sian Jorgensen

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠

Follow Cornerstone Safeguarding on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

How do you ensure that a candidate is truly the right fit for a role - not just on paper, but in practice?

In this episode, Helen Bowen, Sian Jorgensen, and Jane Reason dive into the final stage of the safer recruitment process, looking beyond qualifications to assess a candidate’s capability, suitability, and background.

They explore key considerations such as physical capability, organisational fit, and essential background checks, including social media screening and DBS checks.

Plus, they share three key takeaways to help you strengthen your recruitment decisions and uphold safeguarding standards.

Follow our hosts on LinkedIn:

⁠Helen Bowen ⁠– Head of Seniors at The English School of Mongolia.

⁠Sian Jorgensen⁠ – Director of Encompass Safeguarding.

⁠Jane Reason⁠ – Former Head Teacher and Deputy CEO.

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The Balloon Crew

Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode:  Helen Bowen, Sian Jorgensen, Jane Reason.

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠

Follow Cornerstone Safeguarding on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

References play a crucial role in the safer recruitment process—but how do you use them effectively? I

n this episode, Helen Bowen, Sian Jorgensen, and Jane Reason explore the when, why, and how of reference checks, from pre-interview insights to post-selection verification.

They discuss what makes a strong reference, how to spot red flags, and why references should be more than just a tick-box exercise.

Plus, they share three key takeaways to help you strengthen your recruitment process and create a safer culture in your organisation.

Follow our hosts on LinkedIn:

Helen Bowen – Head of Seniors at The English School of Mongolia.

Sian Jorgensen – Director of Encompass Safeguarding.

Jane Reason – Former Head Teacher and Deputy CEO.

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The Balloon Crew

Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode: 

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠

Follow Cornerstone Safeguarding on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

How can we prevent domestic abuse, stalking, and violence before it’s too late?

In this powerful episode, Chris East from Cornerstone Safeguarding is joined by Nick Gazzard OBE, Founder and CEO, and Sara Dillon, Training Manager of the Hollie Gazzard Trust, to discuss the incredible work being done in Hollie’s memory.

At just 20 years old, Hollie Gazzard’s life was tragically cut short by domestic abuse, violence, and stalking.

Since then, the Hollie Gazzard Trust has been dedicated to raising awareness, delivering vital training, and providing life-saving prevention tools, including the Hollie Guard app.

- The importance of training in schools to educate young people on healthy relationships
- How fundraising and community support keep Hollie’s legacy alive
- Practical tools, including the Hollie Guard app, to help prevent violence and protect those at risk.

This is a must-listen conversation for anyone passionate about safeguarding, prevention, and creating safer communities.

Find out more about the Hollie Gazzard Trust at www.holliegazzard.org.

Follow on LinkedIn

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The Balloon Crew

Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode:  Chris East, Nick Gazzard OBE, Sara Dillon

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠

Follow Cornerstone Safeguarding on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Parenting is a never-ending job - but when it comes to safeguarding, how can parents protect their children while still being… parents?

In this episode, Antonia Noble, Founder of The Balloon Crew and Safeguarding Fundamentals, chats with Susan Dunigan, Founder of The Enlightened Parent, to explore how parents and carers can become modern, well-informed champions for their children’s safety and well-being.

From recognising signs of concern to building strong relationships with schools, Susan shares practical strategies for balancing vigilance with trust - so that safeguarding becomes a natural part of daily life, rather than an overwhelming task.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation on creating a safer world for your child - without losing the joy of parenting.

For more info about The Enlightened Parent, you can follow Susan Dunigan via:

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

Follow Antonia Noble on:

LinkedIn

Facebook - Safeguarding In Schools group page

Safeguarding Fundamentals

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The Balloon Crew

Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode:  Antonia Noble, Susan Dunigan

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠

Follow Cornerstone Safeguarding on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Masculinity is evolving - so how can we help boys develop a positive and healthy identity?

In this episode, Chris East from Cornerstone Safeguarding, chats with Richard Pomfrett, founder of The Stay Safe Initiative and Boyz 2 Men, to explore how we can move beyond outdated stereotypes and support boys in developing a healthy, positive sense of masculinity.

Richard explains why shifting the focus from ‘toxic masculinity’ to ‘positive masculinity’ can make a real difference in how boys see themselves and their role in the world.

Key topics include:

• Practical ways parents can support the boys in their lives
• How initiatives like Boyz 2 Men are helping young men navigate their journey
• Encouraging open and honest discussions with boys about masculinity

Want to learn more?

Explore Richard’s work and discover practical tools for supporting boys in your life:

https://thestaysafeinitiative.org.uk

https://boyz-2-men.org.uk

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The Balloon Crew

Soaring To New Heights In Safeguarding

Host of this episode:  Chris East, Richard Pomfrett

Connect via LinkedIn:

Richard Pomfrett

Chris East

The Balloon Crew podcast is produced by Chris East and Leah East from ⁠Cornerstone Safeguarding⁠