Welcome to the online home of
Dr Deborah Webster

Deborah is a consultant, trainer, researcher, author and conference speaker with expertise is in the areas of safeguarding and digital wellbeing.

Based in Northern Ireland, her work takes her around the UK, Ireland, Europe and further afield supporting and advising a wide range of organisations, government bodies, groups and individuals in the community, voluntary, faith based, and private sectors.

Safeguarding
Deborah has over 15yrs experience in safeguarding. Her expertise includes organisational policy writing, bespoke training development and delivery, local and international conference speaking as well as general and emergency safeguarding consultancy.

Digital Wellbeing
Deborah’s gained her PhD from Queens University, Belfast in 2021. Her research explores the relationship between social media and the wellbeing of young people. She is an advocate for Digital Wellbeing, regularly writing, speaking and coaching individuals and groups in how to become more digitally aware, wise and resilient. Deborah is also the founder of Thrive Academy.

Publications

Deborah has been published in various publications. Several of which are linked here.

Webster, D., Dunne, L. & Hunter, R. (2020) Association between social networks and subjective well-being in adolescents: A systematic review. Youth & Society.

Webster, D., Dunne, L., & Hunter, R. (2020). A qualitative exploration of social media and adolescent subjective wellbeing: listening to the voices of young people. Children’s Research Digest, 6(2), 22-24.

Purdy, N., Ballentine, M., Lyle, H., Orr, K., Symington, E., Webster, D., York, L. (2023) Growing up Online: Children’s online activities, harm and safety in Northern Ireland – an Evidence Report. Belfast: Stranmillis University College/Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland.

Webster, D. and Purdy, N. (2023) ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People in a Digital World: Addressing the Challenges’ [ch.16] in D. Trotman, N. Purdy and P. Jones (Eds.) Pastoral Care in Education: Time for Change. Cambridge Scholars. [pp251-270]

Webster, D. and Symington, E. (2024) Spotlight Report on the Screen Time Debate (Growing up Online) Belfast: Stranmillis University College/Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland.

Using her unique skill set and extensive experience, Deborah has a strong track record of helping individuals, groups and organisations to be equipped with the information and knowledge they need to confidently carry out their roles.

Services

Deborah will work with your organisation to review and develop policies, deliver training, write blogs posts and articles or speak at conferences on the following areas:

Safeguarding children
Safeguarding adults at risk
Health, safety and risk assessment
Wellbeing
Digital Resilience

The bespoke training that she offers is tailored to each organisations’ specific needs. Her training is conversational in style with the use of original training materials to make the sessions both interesting and interactive. Rates are reasonable, please enquire for a quote.

As well as training and consultancy, Deborah is the founder of a social enterprise called Thrive Academy which aims to improve young people’s wellbeing by providing education in digital resilience. These workshops are provided for schools, youth and community groups and faith based organisations as well as individuals. To find out more about this work, please visit www.thriveac.org

Current roles include

Part-time Lecturer at Stranmillis College Belfast
Chair of the Methodist Church in Ireland Past Cases Review
Associate Trainer for Volunteer Now
Founder and Director of Thrive Academy

Previous work includes

Review of child protection policy for New Irish Arts
Delivering training on Adults at Risk for volunteers of Portstewart Baptist Church

What others say about my work…

New Irish Arts recently asked Deborah to conduct a comprehensive review of our Child Protection policy. We were impressed with the extent to which she was able to get inside our heads and meet the very specific needs of our organisation. Her analysis was thorough, her suggestions were practical, realistic and helpful, and her manner was extremely helpful and supportive. We cannot recommend her services highly enough.

Jonathan ReaCreative Director & Chief Executive New Irish Arts

Deborah recently came to our church to deliver some training on safeguarding adults at risk. We work with some of the refugee community and this training was so insightful and hugely practical as we learned how to best support and care for those we minister amongst. Deborah’s experience along with her engaging delivery was greatly appreciated by our volunteer team.

Pastor Jonny McGreevy Portstewart Baptist Church

It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Deborah to Aiglon College. Deborah‘s wealth of experience and knowledge coupled with her innate sense of how to engage many different cohorts of students led to pertinent and productive conversations about how young people can navigate and thrive in the digital world. Deborah was also willing to speak to our staff body and parents over the two-day programme. Moreover, she was able to adapt to all of our demands and changes to the programme which are all part and parcel of life at a busy school. We highly recommend her as a valued source of expertise in the area of digital resilience.

Nicola SparrowSchool Director, Aiglon College.

Availability

Deborah has availability during weekdays, evenings and weekends.

Training and conference speaking can be delivered in person or online and she is willing to travel.

Deborah is committed to continuing professional development and holds professional indemnity insurance.

Contact

Email hello@drdeborahwebster.com to find out how I can help meet the needs of your organisation and the people you work with.

Welcome to the online home ofDr Deborah Webster