All child health professionals, no matter their role, must have knowledge and skills in safeguarding. As a designated doctor in child protection, Vicki has particular leadership experience in this area and has recently led the redevelopment of intercollegiate competencies for safeguarding and children in care.

Vicki speaks with host Dr Jonathan Darling about her career, which often took an unconventional path; she worked as a teaching fellow, got involved with the RCPCH trainees' committee and became head of service of a growing community paediatrics team.

Leadership often starts with saying "yes" to opportunities that challenge us. But, as Vicki and Jonathan discuss, we can also ask for help, building collaboration. Prioritising self-care is also important, and Vicki has a simple strategy: three minutes of music to reset (in her case, some 1980s soft rock!).

• Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 8 - on RCPCH website
• See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning

The views, thoughts and opinions expressed in this podcast relates only to the speaker and not necessarily to their employer, organisation, RCPCH or any other group or individual.

About Vicki

I am a Consultant Paediatrician in Mansfield and the Designated Doctor for Looked After Children in Nottinghamshire. I work in the community paediatric service and with children in care. I've held leadership, management and supervision roles within the Trust.

I was appointed to the RCPCH Child Protection Standing Committee in February 2019 working with the College to support paediatricians, progress training and improve health outcomes for children in care, with an interest in education and migrant health. I was appointed as the Assistant Officer for Child Protection (Education) in April 2022, developing and delivering courses and working as the clinical editor for the eLfH level three safeguarding children and young people eLearning. I was project lead for the recent update of the intercollegiate safeguarding children and children in care competencies. A multi-partner undertaking which took two years to complete. I was also co-lead for the development and publication of initial health assessment (IHAs) standards for children in care. I regularly teach on national courses and author journal articles.

Failure, Steve tells us, is a good teacher, and when you get involved in leadership, expect to make mistakes (and learn from them).

In this episode of our monthly series of leadership conversations, Dr Jonathan Darling, RCPCH VP for Education and Professional Development, speaks with Steve about how his academic and leadership roles evolved, starting with a thin CV and stepping up as opportunities arose. He became involved in child health research, first in small groups, and then collaborating with colleagues across the UK and globe. His route to RCPCH President began with other College roles, including Scottish Officer and Registrar.

Steve and Jonathan talk about his leadership values: realistic communication, a flat hierarchy and a culture of respect.

• Read Jonathan's reflections and download the transcript from episode 7 on RCPCH website
• See related resources about 'Leading the Way'- on RCPCH Learning

This month, it's our usual podcast host Jonathan in the spotlight! He's interviewed by Arnab Seal, who featured in our previous episode.

How to pinpoint the start of Jonathan's leadership journey? Perhaps when he was a senior registrar and helped set up a junior doctors' committee to come up with realistic proposals to resolve some of the things that weren't working as well as they could - like rotas. "That was leadership, but I didn't really realise it at the time," he says, "I was just doing what I felt needed to be done to make a difference."

It's a reminder that leadership often starts with small but meaningful actions.

Jonathan went on to become a consultant and senior lecturer in Leeds, and engaged in medical education and safeguarding. Now Vice President for Education and Professional Development at the College, where he enjoys learning from others' expertise and perspectives, he's been at the helm of the RCPCH Thrive Paediatrics programme, which supports paediatricians to promote wellbeing in their work. As Arnab says in his reflections on the episode, "the best leaders are those who lift others up and help them thrive".

• Read Arnab's reflections and download the transcript from episode 5 - on RCPCH website
• See related resources about 'Leading the way'- on RCPCH Learning