We explore the language that may be used in relation to young women and girls affected by gangs and county lines – “streetwise”, “hard to engage”, “difficult” etc. We share young women’s reflections on how this kind of language influences their experience of working with professionals. We explore how language creates power in the context of attendees’ organisations, and how we can influence culture and society through our use of language.​

This session covers our approach to advocacy, and our work to ensure young women’s needs are met. We explore the ways we work alongside young women to equip them with the skills and confidence to advocate for themselves, and thereby take control and influence the decisions that affect their lives. Professionals will hear how Abianda supports young women to prepare for professionals meetings, and what we do when a young woman is not ready to participate in the advocacy process.​

​This session has been created by young women with experience of secure, who want to share their experiences to help others. We examine the research around secure accommodation and consider it through a contextual safeguarding lens. Attendees will hear feedback from our service users about how they wanted to be supported through a period of secure, and an effective transition out of it.

This module examines the alignment of the principles of contextual safeguarding, and Abianda’s own model of practice. We explore the ways we have embedded a Tier 1 contextual safeguarding approach within our work with young women and girls affected by gangs and county lines, and our progress towards taking a Tier 2 approach. Professionals are supported to consider how they could embed contextual safeguarding within their own work and organisations.

Abianda is part of the VCS collective, working with the University of Bedfordshire’s Contextual Safeguarding programme. This is a space for developing contextual safeguarding approaches and peer learning, in the voluntary sector.