West Yorkshire Safeguarding Awareness Week begins today, Monday, 22nd June. We caught up with our new Head of Safeguarding, Hester Litten, about her background and how it led her to CHFT.

“Growing up I always wanted to be a nurse, but my working life started out as a Nursery Nurse. I had an amazing college tutor who was a Health Visitor by background, and this began my interest in safeguarding and child protection. Five years later I began my adult nurse training with a placement in a women’s refuge which continued my interest in safeguarding, particularly domestic abuse.

“After qualifying as an adult nurse I went into the Royal Navy, completed basic training and ‘passed out’ of HMS Raleigh. I also completed Leading Rate training but changed my mind about being in the armed forces. After working at Nottingham University Hospitals for two years, I went on to qualify as a Health Visitor in 2003. I worked as a Health Visitor for five years, much of which was in areas where there were high levels of criminality, substance abuse, domestic abuse and exploitation that impacted on the families I worked with, which really solidified my passion for safeguarding.

“After that I became the Domestic Abuse and Safeguarding Nurse Specialist at a time when there were only a handful of these posts in the country. I worked closely with the Police and Women’s Aid and was lucky enough to attend the Home Office as multiagency team as we were forerunners embedding Clare’s Law (Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme) and Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Orders. I am really proud of the multiagency working during this role.

“In 2019 I moved into a Patient Safety Investigator role at Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust which gave me fantastic experience of mental health and learning disability services and understanding complaints, HR investigations and Serious Incidents. I then came into the Head of Safeguarding post in 2021 where I worked with some amazing colleagues who were passionate about Human Rights and using least restrictive practices in all settings, embedding robust policies and procedures, training and supervision to ensure safeguarding was seen as everyone’s business.

“From my experience in Sheffield, I will continue to advocate for adults, young people and children with serious mental illness to receive trauma informed care and challenge preconceptions about mental illness. From this role, I was then successful in my application to become the new Head of Safeguarding for CHFT. I have been here since 30th March and have been welcomed into the team and already feeling at home.

“It is difficult to just pick one career highlight! I’ve worked with some truly inspirational people who I have learnt lots from and collaborated with, to raise awareness and improve how professionals respond to Honour Based Violence, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, which were previously hidden types of abuse and often misunderstood.

“I am passionate about safeguarding having worked with, and for, victims and survivors of abuse where I’ve seen the impact of trauma on the person and ripple effect on children and families. I fundamentally believe that everyone has the right to live free from abuse and fear.

“Safeguarding is a difficult topic so when I am not at work, I like to spend time with friends and family, gardening, walking locally, and in the Yorkshire Dales or Peak District.

“As it is Safeguarding Awareness Week I would like to finish by reminding people that every contact counts. Someone experiencing abuse might only have one chance to disclose and we are in a privileged position to help someone – so be curious.”

A reminder of the events running throughout Safeguarding Awareness Week

This year’s programme includes expert-led sessions, current practice insights and practical learning, supporting professionals at all levels – whether you are new to safeguarding or looking to further develop your knowledge and confidence.