From knowledge to action: what works in tackling child sexual abuse

About the lecture

One in ten children in England and Wales are victims of some form of child sexual abuse before the age of 16, yet most of this abuse is currently not identified or responded to. Early identification and effective response to concerns of child sexual abuse are vital to minimizing the short- and long-term impacts of it and, as social workers, we are in a unique position to do this.   

We are or will be involved with children and young people who are at risk of, or who have been sexually abused right throughout their journey – from family help, through assessments and investigations, to those who may become looked after and beyond.  We are   fundamental to the support, protection and recovery of children and young people from sexual abuse. 

• This lecture is ideal for social work students, lecturers, and early career social workers and will improve understanding of the scale and nature of sexual abuse, the challenges in practice and what we can all do about it.   

We hope you can join us! 

In memory of Liz Jones 

This lecture is in memorial of a dear colleague and friend at the CSA Centre, Liz Jones. Liz was a passionate advocate for children, families and adult survivors, hugely knowledgeable and with a depth of experience in the field of child sexual abuse that few could match. She had the rare combination of knowledge and skill in both social work and child sexual abuse and was fundamental in the development of many of our teaching materials and training courses. Liz believed in the importance of supporting social work students to understand how child sexual abuse is integral to their profession. She championed the need for child sexual abuse to be a wider part of social work education seeing it as fundamental to strengthening and preparing the next generation of social worker in what she recognised as a cornerstone of social work practice. 

Guest speakers 

Alongside CSA Centre practice experts, we are delighted to welcome three guest speakers who have improved social work practice in the field of child sexual abuse across. 

Dame Annie Hudson 

Annie was Chair of the national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (CSPRP) from 2020-2025. Formerly Director of Children’s Services at London Borough of Lambeth and Bristol City Council, Annie is an experienced children’s services leader. A social worker by background, she has worked as a social work practitioner, researcher and senior manager. 

Annie is co-chair of the Board of Oxfam GB. She is currently undertaking an independent review of social work regulation. Annie was awarded an OBE in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2025. 

As Chair of the CSPRP, Annie was closely involved in the Panel’s national review ‘I wanted them all to notice’: Protecting Children and Responding to Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment’ (November 2024). The Centre of expertise in child sexual abuse undertook this review on behalf of CSPRP. 

Albert Heaney CBE, Chief Social Care Officer for Wales 

Albert was appointed the first Chief Social Care Officer for Wales in June 2021; a role which brings national leadership to social care and amplifies the voices of those who are often not heard. 

Since qualifying as a social worker in 1988 Albert has held a variety of practice and senior leadership roles, including President of the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSS Cymru) and Corporate Director Social Services, leading on Children’s and Adults Services. He is a member of the Family Justice Board and Chair of the Family Justice Network Wales 

As Chief of Social Care Officer for Wales, Albert wants to help shape a sector that is always learning and improving.  He is committed to promoting inclusive practice and embraces collaborative working to ensure that social care services are delivering for the citizens of Wales. 

Paul d’Inverno, HMI, Specialist Adviser for Child Protection, Ofsted 

Paul is the specialist adviser for child protection in the regulation and social care policy team. He is a qualified and registered social worker and has worked in a number of different roles within children’s services, local authorities, the voluntary sector, inspection and regulation.

Paul has experience of leading and being a team member on a range of inspections. He was previously the national lead for fostering and adoption and is currently the specialist adviser for child protection. He is the lead for joint targeted area inspections which includes developing the methodology and authoring thematic reports. Paul has an MBA and postgraduate degrees in Education and Social Work. 

About the CSA Centre 

The CSA Centre aims to create a future where children are free from the threat and harm of sexual abuse by improving how we prevent and respond to the issue through understanding its causes, scope, scale and impact. Working alongside researchers, policy makers and practitioners we are identifying and bridging gaps in evidence and knowledge and applying that learning to practice.