Professional Development – Safeguarding for authors

Abuse and harm can affect anyone, not just children or vulnerable adults. People face risks at different times and in different situations and safeguarding ties directly into respect, inclusion, and kindness. It’s about recognising that one size does not fit all, and how we treat each other both in person and online and is of paramount importance. A safeguarding approach also includes Health and Safety, Food Hygiene, Fire Safety, Security, and CCTV, Employment practices and HR responsibilities as well as preventing bullying, harassment, hate speech, and inappropriate comments. 

This also includes:

• Addressing unwanted or inappropriate touching, and incidents of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
• Respecting diversity and inclusion, disability, gender, sex, age, culture, race, beliefs, pregnancy, and more.
• Protecting vulnerable people from exploitation.
• Preventing financial abuse and fraudulent transactions.
• Knowing what to do if you have a concern.
• Managing allegations, complaints, and reports.
• Responding appropriately in the event of an incident.

#SoAatHome Professional Development events – free for SoA Members

As of Feb 2025, all #SoAatHome Professional Development sessions will continue to be free for members. However, for non-members, the price is £35 including VAT.

Not a member? sign up here with our special #SoAatHome offer and get 20% off for the first year – use code SOAATHOME20.

Programme

• Welcome, introductions and housekeeping from Lilly Brend-Fish – Events and Engagement Manager, SoA (3 mins)
• Presentation by Sharon Birch (60 mins)
• Comfort break (5 mins)
• Q&A with audience (20 mins)
• Summary and closing comments (2 mins)

What will this session cover?

For authors, whether engaging online, at events, or in community settings, understanding safeguarding is essential to creating safe, respectful spaces. 

Who is this session for?

This training will help you to 

• Understand what safeguarding is and your role in fulfilling safeguarding responsibilities
• Become familiar with key safeguarding topics, guidance, legislation and obligations
• Recognise types of abuse and vulnerabilities and incidents
• Know how to respond to an incident or concern
• Learn how to report and record safeguarding concerns correctly
• Gain confidence in promoting a culture of respect, safety, and accountability

Send us your questions

If you would like to send questions in advance, email Lbrendfish@societyofauthors.org with ‘Safeguarding for authors’ in the subject header.

#SoAatHome Fundraising Bookshop

Browse our virtual Bookshop.org store featuring books by authors and speakers taking part in the #SoAatHome. When you make a purchase using our affiliate links, a percentage will go to the Society of Authors’ Access Fund, giving authors support for travel, subsistence, childcare or access needs for events, residencies, and retreats.

The Line-up

Sharon Birch

Sharon Birch is a safeguarding professional with over 40 years’ experience working with the public, children, and families. She is a former police detective, has worked in education since 2006, and with leading organisations such as the NSPCC and national charities. As well as being an author, Sharon is now a consultant safeguarding specialist working across the UK.

Need to know

Accessibility

• Attendees will have the option to turn on the live transcript, to watch with subtitles
• If you require BSL interpretation for this event, please email events@societyofauthors.org

Before the event

• Once registered, you will be sent a confirmation email with the Zoom link
• If the confirmation email doesn’t arrive in your inbox, please check your junk/spam email folder
• Please add events@societyofauthors.org to your Safe Senders list so you receive our confirmation and reminder emails

During the event

• This online event will take place on Zoom Webinar; you will not be visible on screen but will be able to ask questions via the Q&A function or interact via the chat box
• This event will be recorded but you won’t be on screen
• Attendees have the option to turn on the live transcript
• This event is 90 minutes 

After the event

• The hashtag for this event: #SoAatHome
• SoA Members and paid attendees of this event will be able to catch the recording on our Vimeo channel (password protected) or members can access via the SoA website.

Booking

SoA Members: Please use the ‘Register – SoA Members’ form below and provide your details, including your membership number. If you’re unsure of your SoA ID, please email info@societyofauthors.org.

Non-members: Choose one of the two ticket options below, complete the registration form, then fill out the billing info to finalise your payment.

For event or registration questions, email events@societyofauthors.org.

SoA Members – Free

Non-Members – £35