The Burnout Trap: Why the Best Safeguarding Professionals Burn Out

Burnout is everywhere in safeguarding. But what if the real cause isn’t workload?

In this episode of Safeguarding Redefined, Chris East is joined by former police officer and burnout specialist Jonny Bevan to explore why the very traits that make someone great at safeguarding can also push them towards exhaustion.

Perfectionism. Relentless responsibility. The need to fix everything.

Together they unpack:

• the hidden emotional cost of safeguarding

• why high-achieving ‘fixers’ are most at risk of burnout

• how our definition of strength may actually be making things worse

• why vulnerability is not weakness but a pathway out of burnout

This conversation challenges some of the deepest assumptions professionals hold about resilience, strength and coping in high-pressure safeguarding roles.

If you work in safeguarding, you may recognise more of yourself in this conversation than you expect.

Connect with Jonny Bevan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonny-bevan-348155297/

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• Chris East on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-east-801496174/

• Leah East on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leah-east-cornerstone/

Producers of this episode: Chris East, Leah East

Host of this episode: Chris East