Dr Jon Needham PhD

National Director of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, Oasis Community Learning

Jon originally trained as a nurse specializing in adolescents with life limiting illness before moving to become an advisor to a large strategic health authority and a commissioner in a primary care trust. He worked briefly as a specialist advisor on two World Health Organization projects before becoming the lead for early help and multi-agency working in a large local authority. He became an education safeguarding advisor 16 years ago managing the support offer to 530 schools and for the past six years has worked as the National Director of Safeguarding & Mental Health for the Oasis Trust. He qualified as a PhD in Education Safeguarding at Liverpool Hope University and has recently published a book on managing sexting in education. He acts as a mentor to five young men starting out in industry ensuring that they develop to their full potential. In his spare time, he is a voluntary youth worker. When (if) he ever relaxes he is a keen fan of Korean dramas (though must use subtitles).

09:20

1 Main programme

Welcome remarks

Welcome remarks from Dr Jon Needham, National Director of Safeguarding and Wellbeing, Oasis Community Learning and Chair of CST's Safeguarding professional community.

15:45

1 Main programme

Final reflections and close

Hall 7a

1 Series two

Safeguarding learners in the digital age: What trust leaders need to know

Online harms are evolving rapidly, from AI-driven risks to image-based abuse and sextortion. This session, facilitated by RM, will equip leaders with the knowledge and questions they need to safeguard their communities. Drawing on insights from the Internet Watch Foundation and trust-level safeguarding expertise from Oasis Community Learning, the panel will share critical data, practical resources, and strategic actions to strengthen online safety across schools. Expect to be challenged with the critical questions that every senior leader should be asking of their safeguarding teams. Delegates will leave with clear takeaways to challenge and support their safeguarding teams.

09:25

1 Main programme

Welcome remarks

10:30

1 Main programme

Keynote: Do managed moves really work?

In this session, we will hear a (former) pupil perspective, as Elliot McKenzie shares his experience of a managed move in conversation with Jon Needham.

15:05

1 Main programme

Principles of an effective safeguarding audit: A trust-led approach

CST's Samira Sadeghi will introduce a project to develop practical new support for trust-led safeguarding audits in partnership with our Safeguarding professional community. She'll set out the vision for a framework and principles that can be used in trusts of all sizes to underpin developmental and supportive audits, and how community members can share ideas and experience to help shape them.

16:10

1 Main programme