Welcome to Deborah Udakis Early Years Consultancy,
Inspiring Confidence, Delivering Results
Telephone: 07983 231584
Resources to buy in The Professional Library
County Lines: Recognise Exploitation
County Lines is a form of child criminal exploitation in which grooming, coercion and control are used to draw children into criminal activity. Apparent cooperation does not mean that a child has freely chosen the situation.
Professional Curiosity
Professional curiosity begins where assumptions end. It means looking beyond the obvious, exploring uncertainty and asking: What might this child be experiencing?
Prevent in Early Years
Prevent is part of everyday safeguarding. It is about recognising when a child—or someone connected with their family or setting—may be susceptible to radicalisation and responding proportionately.
So-Called ‘Honour’-Based Abuse
There is no honour in abuse. So-called ‘honour’-based abuse can involve coercion, threats, intimidation, isolation and emotional, physical, sexual or financial abuse—sometimes involving several perpetrators.
Child Abuse Linked to Faith or Belief
Child abuse linked to faith or belief can involve harmful practices, accusations of spirit possession or witchcraft, and beliefs that a child requires punishment or spiritual intervention. Faith itself is not the concern—the focus must remain on harmful behaviour, its impact and the child’s safety.
Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is a serious form of child abuse and a criminal offence in the UK. Early years practitioners have an important role in recognising possible risk, responding sensitively and taking prompt safeguarding action.
Seeing the Child
Are children simply busy — or deeply involved?
Do they appear happy — or do they genuinely feel safe, secure, confident and at ease?
And what can the quality of children’s well-being and involvement tell us about the quality of the experiences we provide?
Online Safety in Early Years.
Online safety is safeguarding — and it begins in the early years.
Young children are growing up surrounded by technology. Tablets, apps, streaming platforms, connected toys, smart speakers, cameras and increasingly AI-enabled technology can all form part of their everyday world. Early years professionals therefore have an important role in helping children experience the digital world safely, positively and appropriately.
High-Quality Safeguarding:
High-Quality Safeguarding: Recording, Reporting & Referrals in Early Years
Good safeguarding depends not only on noticing concerns — but on what happens next.
This comprehensive professional development presentation explores the essential journey from recognising a concern to recording, reporting, referral and follow-through, helping practitioners, childminders, DSLs and leaders strengthen the quality of safeguarding practice across their provision.
Child Sexual Exploitation
Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It can happen online or in person, affect children of any age or gender, and may not be recognised by the child experiencing it.
This updated presentation has been created specifically for early years leaders and practitioners. It explores grooming, power and control; possible signs and indicators; how young children may communicate concerns; and the essential steps practitioners must take to record, report, share and escalate.
Early Years Training & Professional Development
High-quality, practical training that strengthens practice, develops confident leaders and improves outcomes for children.
My training and professional development programme is designed specifically for early years leaders, practitioners, childminders and organisations.
Training is available live online via Zoom and can also be commissioned for individual settings, groups of settings, organisations and Local Authorities. Sessions can be adapted to reflect your priorities, your team and your professional development needs.
Latest Training
Safer Sleep in Early Years
Protecting babies through safe practice and professional vigilance
A vital safeguarding session exploring current safer sleep guidance, the evidence behind recommended practice, expectations within the EYFS and what this means for everyday practice. The training considers sleep environments, risk assessment, supervision, monitoring, professional vigilance and working effectively with parents.
Continuous Provision Curriculum (CPC)
Creating environments, interactions and experiences where children can thrive
A practical and thought-provoking programme exploring how to develop high-quality continuous provision that is purposeful, ambitious and responsive to children.
We explore key questions including:
- What do we mean by an ambitious curriculum?
- What is continuous provision – and what should it achieve?
- What is pedagogy?
- What makes a curriculum inclusive?
- What is the role of the adult?
- How do observation, assessment and responsive teaching work together?
- How can leaders evaluate the quality and impact of provision?
The training complements my Continuous Provision Curriculum: A Practical Guide, providing settings with a strong foundation for developing, evaluating and leading high-quality practice.
Other Training & Development
My wider programme includes:
- Leading a Successful Inspection
- Creating a Magical Curriculum: Inspiring Awe & Wonder
- Strong and Effective Leadership
- Creating a Culture of Well-being
- STEM in the Early Years
- Managing Poor Performance
- Effective Learning Walks
- Outdoor Play and Learning
- Leading Improvement & Change, including SMART Action Planning
- Dealing with Significant Events
Bespoke Training for Your Setting or Organisation
All programmes can be adapted or combined to create training specifically for your team.
Whether you are looking for a single workshop, whole-team development, leadership support or a longer programme of professional development, please contact me to discuss your requirements.
Investing in professional development is an investment in children.
Every child. Every day. A curriculum that inspires.
New Downloads for 2026
Safer Sleep Guide
My Safer Sleep Guide is much more than a handout. It is a comprehensive professional resource designed to strengthen knowledge, confidence and practice around safer sleep — recognising that sleep arrangements are not simply a matter of routine care, but an important safeguarding responsibility.
The guide brings together current guidance from the Department for Education, the EYFS statutory framework and The Lullaby Trust, translating key expectations into clear, meaningful guidance for everyday practice.
Alongside essential safer sleep guidance, it includes inspection questions, reflective activities, audits, checklists, case studies and leadership guidance, as well as important learning from serious safeguarding reviews. It provides practical tools to help settings review their arrangements, identify potential risks, strengthen staff knowledge and ensure safer sleep practice is understood, implemented and consistently maintained.
Ultimately, the guide is designed to help leaders and practitioners move beyond simply knowing the guidance to being able to apply it confidently, challenge unsafe practice and protect every child in their care.
National Dyslexia Awards 2026
Founded by Elizabeth Wilkinson MBE, the National Dyslexia Awards celebrate the achievements, talents and contributions of dyslexic individuals, while raising awareness and promoting a greater understanding of dyslexia.
I was incredibly proud and privileged to be invited to serve as a judge for the 2026 National Dyslexia Awards.
Being part of the judging panel provided an opportunity to learn about some truly inspiring individuals, entrepreneurs and organisations – people demonstrating innovation, resilience, creativity, determination and a commitment to making a difference in their communities.
As an Early Years Specialist Consultant, inclusion has always been central to my work. I believe passionately in recognising individual strengths, removing barriers and creating environments in which children and adults are valued for who they are and have opportunities to fulfil their potential.
It was an honour to contribute to the 2026 Awards and to help recognise and celebrate such an impressive range of achievements.
Contact us
Deborah Udakis Consultancy Ltd
Inspiring Confidence, Delivering Results.
Telephone: 07983 231584
Email: deborah.udakis@btinternet.com
website: www.deborahudakis.co.uk
Address: 24 Shelton Gardens, Bicton Heath, Shrewsbury. SY3 5AG
