VODG Quality and Safeguarding Network Meeting | December 2025

The next meeting of the Quality and Safeguarding professional network is now open for booking!

For our first session we are delighted to welcome Professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne who will share insights from the Victoria and Stuart Project—a pioneering initiative focused on end-of-life care for people with learning disabilities. This session will explore how we can ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, receives the care, respect, and support they deserve at the end of life. From planning with empathy to advocating for dignity, Professor Tuffrey-Wijne will guide us through the challenges, breakthroughs, and human stories that shape this vital work.

In our next session, we’ll create space to reflect on the emotional toll of working in Quality & Safeguarding, where exposure to distressing stories is part of the job. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to support wellbeing—for ourselves, our colleagues, and the teams we lead. From building resilience to fostering a culture of compassion, this conversation is about equipping managers and staff to navigate trauma-informed work with empathy and strength.

After these challenging topics, in our final session we will hear uplifting stories from the experts by experience at The Orpheus Centre about what good support looks like, and what a difference it has made to their lives. They will also be choosing the best festive jumper or prop on display on the day – no prizes, just a fun way to end the final event of the year.

Book your place now to avoid missing this vital event.

Draft Programme

14.00

VODG Welcome and Housekeeping

Sue Howarth, Membership and Marketing Officer at VODG

14.05

Introductions

VODG Co-chairs

14.10

End of life planning

Professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, The Victoria and Stuart Project

15.50

Trauma Informed Supervision

Breakout room discussion

15.25

Positive Safeguarding

The Orpheus Centre

15.45

Future Topics

VODG Co-chairs

15.55

Final round-up

Sue Howarth, Membership and Marketing Officer at VODG

16.00

End

 

Speakers

Professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne

Professor Irene Tuffrey-Wijne

Professor of Intellectual Disability and Palliative Care, Kingston University, The Victoria and Stuart Project

Accessibility

Please note, should you have any accessibility requirements, we will do our best to make necessary arrangements to support you; however, we may require up to four weeks notice, so please list your requirements on the booking form. Closed captions are used as standard in online meetings. If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

VODG Quality and. Safeguarding Network Co-chairs

Sam Owen

Head of Care, The Orpheus Centre

Shona Beaton

Shona Beaton

Director of Quality and Experience, Walsingham Support

Simone McCaskill

Simone McCaskill

Head of Quality, PSS (UK)