A day in the life of the Safeguarding team
At Shooting Star, no two days look the same for the Safeguarding team. Their work is unpredictable, emotionally intense and deeply human. But through every shift, one constant remains: a commitment to supporting families. The team, made up of five social workers, with over 40 years of experience between them, work closely alongside our care teams to provide vital support to families navigating unimaginable challenges. Paul Lawrence, Head of Safeguarding, offers a closer look at what it truly means to be part of the team.
“For many families we support, points of crisis are part of their lives. Parents become carers, siblings can feel side-lined and grief weaves into the everyday. The team advocates for more than just safety, they help provide space for families to reconnect, to breathe, to simply be.
“Much of our work begins with a quiet moment: a parent reaching out in distress, a conversation during a care assessment, or a flagged mental health concern. Sometimes, it’s about urgent intervention, but often, it’s about listening. Our teams offer counselling, practical support through difficult systems, always without judgement. We lead with compassion, but we’re transparent. We say ‘this is what I need to report, and here’s why.’ And mostly, parents respond with relief, ‘OK, I know I need help.’”
Most safeguarding issues aren’t malicious, they’re circumstantial. A delayed care package, a sleepless parent or a housing issue that leaves a child’s medical equipment behind a door with a changed locks. All these moments are met with compassion.
Their work doesn’t stop at the edge of what’s easy or comfortable. Paul explains; “We support families facing domestic violence, substance misuse, and involvement with the criminal justice system. These situations require difficult conversations, but they’re necessary and part of our commitment. We attend child protection conferences, strategy meetings, and child-in-need discussions, all integral to our safeguarding framework. As we’re often known these families for years, we bring insight that help agencies understand what a diagnosis means in real life. We help parents find their voice in systems that can feel overwhelming. We know them – their fears, resilience and stories. That history gives them a powerful voice, which our team champions in their stead.
“At Shooting Star, safeguarding is more than a duty. It’s a heartfelt promise, a commitment to walk alongside every family, through every step of their journey.”
