- Safeguarding Week 2024
- Water Safety - Be Water Wise This Summer
- Drowning Prevention Week 2024 - Save the Date!
- Education Updates
- Multi-Agency Training Dates
- NEW - Reducing Parental Conflict Toolkit
- Coming Soon - SIDS and Safer Sleep Training by The Lullaby Trust
- PEEP Learning Together Programme
- #LookCloser Programme of Learning
- Exploitation in Sport: What do Volunteers Need to Know
- ICON: Babies Cry, You Can Cope
- Top Tips for Buying and Using Second-Hand Baby Products
- Parents Urged to "Start the Conversation"
- Child Safety Week 2024 - Resources Now Available!
- Child Safety Advice
- NSPCC Updates
- Shocking Rise in the Sextortion of Boys
- Keep Children Safe Around Dogs
- Our Year - Wakefield District 2024
- Useful Links
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1. Safeguarding Week 2024
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During Safeguarding Week 2024 (24th to 28th June) Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership will be hosting a masterclass exploring what Serious Youth Violence looks like in Wakefield and the wider district. Join us at this event being held on the 26th June 9am - 12pm where will take a deep dive into the lived experience of children and their families, restorative practice and learning from audit with input from:
- Violence Reduction Partnership - The local picture
- West Yorkshire Police - Disruption and working with young people
- Youth Justice Service - "Behind the Blade", the triggers and impact of knife crime and effective interventions (case study led)
- St Giles Trust - Gain a deeper understanding of the service, what they offer and referral pathways
- Ivison Trust - Lived experience of children and their families
Please see the flyer below for further details: |
To register for this event please click here
Click on the image above to check out the timetable for the rest of the week and to access workshops from Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Bradford. |
2. Water Safety - Be Water Wise This Summer
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Water safety is important throughout the year, but more so as the weather starts to get warmer and more children are tempted to swim/play in open water sites. Drowning accidents are especially high in the summer months and over the last few years, there has been too many tragedies that could have been avoided. See the poster below for 10 shocking facts in relation to child drownings. |
WSCP wants to remind all children and young people that even in the summer months water, particular at open water and inland sites, such as canals and reservoirs, is often much colder than it looks. Entering cold water can cause cold water shock, reducing the ability to swim and self rescue.
Watch the short video below which brings home the hard hitting realities of what can happen when swimming in open water. |
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In this short film created by Wakefield Council and partners, we see a child jump into the water following peer pressure from his friends.
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What can you do to help children be water wise and stay safe this summer?
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Visit the WSCP dedicated water safety webpage, and access the important safety information for children and young people about how to stay safe in and around water. There is also additional advice and information about what to do if they get into difficulty.
- Do you work with adolescent males? If so it is really important that water safety is discussed with them. As the facts above state, 79% of children who accidentally drown in the UK are male. This is a trend also seen in the Wakefield district, therefore it is important to have discussions about the dangers of swimming/playing near open water.
- Are you a school? If so did you know about and have you accessed Yorkshire Water's live events specifically tailored for primary and secondary school students. These water safety live events offer an introduction to staying safe, both in and around the water and in the wider landscape. Click here to find out more about these live events. Please keep reminding/discussing with your pupils the dangers of swimming/playing in open water and share the relevant water safety resources with them.
- Advise children that if they are going to go swimming to do this in a safer place where there are lifeguards present. There are a number of Aspire swimming pools located across the Wakefield district which are open to the public and also offer swimming lessons. To find out more, including the costs, please click here.
- Parents/carers should also be reminded to check their homes for drowning risks. Drowning can happen very quickly and in less that 2cm of water, so filled bath tubs, swimming pools, hot tubs, garden ponds and even buckets of water can be dangerous.
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Planning to go on holiday? If so water safety is still very important, in 2021 more that 85 British Nationals drowned abroad. Whether holidaying abroad, or at home in the UK and Ireland, follow these RLSS basic principles to help ensure your family stays safe whilst having fun in, on or around water.
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Please help us to prevent future accidental drowning with your friends, family and any children you work to help communities enjoy water safely this summer. Please watch the video below in which Chorley mother Beckie Ramsay speaks about losing her son Dylan to drowning in 2011. This video highlights the devastating impact of drowning on friends and family, and reminds us all of why educating children about water safety is so important. |
3. Drowning Prevention Week 2024 - Save the Date!
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This years Royal Life Saving Society's (RLSS) Drowning Prevention week campaign takes place from the 15th - 22nd June. This is one of the largest summer water safety campaigns taking place across the UK. The campaign is designed to explore a multitude of opportunities to proactively raise awareness of water safety ahead of a summer outdoors. Starting in May, through the summer, the risk to the public through accidental drowning increases significantly. Therefore please put the campaign date in your diary and give thought to how you and your service can support/promote it to raise awareness.
Please click here to read more about Drowning Prevention Week and ways to get involved. |
Safeguarding Practice in Schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has opened a call for evidence on safeguarding practice in schools in England. The DfE is seeking views from schools and other professionals on safeguarding practice development to help inform Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) 2025 guidance.
Find out more: Safeguarding children in schools and colleges
VapingWest Yorkshire Police have had a number of concerns raised in relation to children vaping in school. They are aware of vapes which have a dangerously high (99%) THC level and other drugs have been found in vapes which are being used by children, sometimes with side effects which have required hospitalisation. If a child has a negative reaction to smoking a vape it is very likely it contains an illicit substance and should be reported to the police. The Dangers of Vaping is an interactive information page which can help to educate children on the risks associated with vaping. You can also request delivery of the WYP Vaping and Smoking input to be delivered by your Safer Schools Officer.
School Attendance
The Department for Education (DfE) has published guidance on its tool to monitor school attendance. The tool aims to help schools in England identify attendance trends and any pupils who may need support. The guidance explains how schools, academy trusts and local authorities can use the tool.
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5. Multi-Agency Training Dates
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Multi-Agency Neglect: A Shared Responsibility Training
This course will explore how we identify neglect, what to consider, tools to use and how best to respond to Neglect through robust assessment and information sharing. This training encourages collaboration, professional curiosity, challenge and discussion. It is suitable for anyone who works or volunteers with children and their families.
*Please note: This is NOT Neglect Toolkit training.
Before attending this training, it may be useful to watch the new and updated recorded training, ‘How to’ guide for the WSCP Neglect Toolkit.
To access the Neglect Toolkit pages, please click here. Available course dates & times: - Wednesday 26th June - Wednesday 25th September - Tuesday 26th November |
This course is designed to increase the participants knowledge and understanding of Working Together to Safeguard Children and other key legislation, including the West Yorkshire inter-agency procedures and local guidance. It is delivered by the WSCP Business Unit. Please note: There is a pre-recorded video to watch prior to the training titled 'WSCP Safeguarding Children Basic Awareness'For more information click here
Available course dates & times:
- Tuesday 14th May 2024, 9.30am - 4.30pm
- Tuesday 25th June 2024, 9.30am - 4.40pm
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Managing Allegations Against Staff Training
This session aims to provide employers and mangers with an introduction to the systems and procedures that are in place for responding to allegations made against people who work with children. This course is delivered by the Wakefield Council Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and the WSCP Safeguarding Advisor for Education Vicki Maybin. If you are interested in this training please email wscpevents@wakefield.gov.uk
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Multi-Agency Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) Training
The Learning Academy, alongside Focus CAMHS, are proud to announce two multi-agency Sexual Behaviour courses for professionals in Wakefield. These courses are:
1) Introduction to Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB)
Available course dates & times:
- Thursday 9th May 2024, 10:00am to 13:00pm (for residential home staff and foster carers only)
2) Introduction to Technology Assisted Harmful Sexual Behaviour (TA-HSB)
Available course dates & times:
- Wednesday 10th July 2024, 09:30am to 12:30pm
To find out more about the above HSB courses and to book a place please click here
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Domestic Abuse Training
Available training on topics such as: Domestic Abuse Awareness, Coercive Control, Stalking, Harassment & Honour Based Violence, Sexual Abuse, FGM, Domestic Homicide, Male Victims of Domestic Abuse, Domestic Abuse Act, MARAC Awareness and CAPVA.
For more information including dates and times, please click here
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Future In Mind Workforce Development Training (CAMHS)
CAMHS are delivering training on the following subjects, with dates available throughout the year:
- An Introduction to Child and Adolescent Mental Health
- Understanding and Working with Anxiety in Children and Young People
- An Introduction to Depression and Low Mood in Children and Young People
- Supporting Children and Young People who have experienced Bereavement or Loss
- The Impact of Sleep on Emotional Wellbeing
- An Introduction to Attachment in Children and Young People
- An introduction to Self Harm
- An Introduction to Suicide and Awareness and Prevention
These sessions will be hosted on Microsoft Teams. For further information including dates and times, and to download a booking form please click here
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Relationship Matters: Reducing Parental Conflict Toolkit Training
Relationships affect everyone; they are part of being human and are one of the hardest to navigate around as both a child and an adult.
This course is designed to increase the participants knowledge and understanding of what parental conflict is, how to recognise it as well as encouraging participants to develop a range of practical strategies in supporting families to address conflict with the help of Wakefield’s Relationship Toolkit. Click here for more information including how to book a place. Available course dates and times:
- Tuesday 28th May, 13:30 – 15:30 – Online via Ms Teams - Thursday 25th June, 09:30 – 11:30 – Crofton Youth Centre
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YGAM Training - Gaming and Gambling Harms
Ygam’s mission is to ensure that every young person is resilient to, and safeguarded against, gaming and gambling harms. They do this through awareness raising, education and research.
This training equips you with the knowledge and confidence to deliver the programme directly to young people. The workshops are 100% fully funded and on completion all trained staff will gain access to resources to use with the young people you support and City and Guilds certification. The training is aimed at a range of youth-facing professionals, including teachers, youth workers, practitioners, universities, faith leaders and health professionals. Please click here for more information Available course dates and times:These are virtual workshops with various dates available in March. Please click on the link above for more details.
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6. NEW - Reducing Parental Conflict Toolkit
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7. Coming Soon - SIDS and Safer Sleep Training by The Lullaby Trust
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WSCP will soon be launching some new dates for practioners to attend the SIDS and Safer Sleep Training. Please see the flyer below for details of what this training course covers and who it is aimed at.
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To register your interest in this training course please email wscpevents@wakefield.gov.uk and once we have bookable dates available we will then share these with you. |
8. PEEP Learning Together Programme
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Wakefield Council's Strategy and Transformation service have arranged for additional PEEP training to take place on the 10th and 11th July 2024. The PEEP Learning Together Programme helps parents, carers and practitioners make the most of the learning opportunities in everyday life, supporting their babies' and young children's learning through play. The training is around encouraging play in the home and improving speech and language. Please click here to find out more about this training programme. |
9. #LookCloser Programme of Learning
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The Children's Society are delighted to invite you to join them for their latest #LookCloser programme of learning. They have developed their sessions based on learning from The Children's Society and wider partners to tackle the issues of child exploitation and abuse.
All sessions are free of charge and delivered on Microsoft Teams Live which means:
- Interaction with the presenters and participants will be limited
- There will however, be a Q&A function
- They will use tools such as Menti to provide opportunities for engagement and discussion.
Click here to access the timetable of learning events which has links to each one on Ticket Tailor, where you can book on to as few or as many events as you please. All of their sessions have been designed for various professional audiences, so please share these events with anyone you think would benefit from attending.
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10. Exploitation in Sport: What do Volunteers Need to Know
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On the 20th May, the NWG will be hosting an insightful online event designed specifically for people working in the sports sector.
This free event aims to shed light on the issue of exploitation in sports and provides valuable information for volunteers.
A basic safeguarding awareness may be useful before attending this course but it is not essential.
During the event, NWG will explore the various aspects of exploitation in sport, including the challenges faced by volunteers.
By participating in this event, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the signs of exploitation which could indicate that a child is being exploited and learn how to respond effectively.
This session will end by sign-posting people who want more information from relevant sources.
Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference! Click here to find out more and reserve a place. |
11. ICON: Babies Cry, You Can Cope
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ICON have developed an excellent eLearning module on their website which has recently been updated. The new training is web-based and includes a certificate upon completion. Click here to complete the training. Please note - You will first need to register by clicking “Get Started” then “Register” on the log in page before you can progress to the training itself - your “username” is your own choice.
ICON have also released the short video below which reminds parents and carers that babies need handling by someone with a careful touch. Parents/carers are reminded that when responding to a crying baby its okay to stop at the door and make sure you are calm before picking them up, if needs be walk away for a minute.
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Visit the WSCP safeguarding babies and infants webpage to find more information, guidance and resources in relation to safer sleep and prevention of accidental injuries, which help to reduce Sudden Unexpected Death in Children (SUDIC) in the Wakefield district. |
12.Top Tips for Buying and Using Second-Hand Baby Products
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Using second-hand baby products is a great way to save money and it’s better for the environment too. We also know that lots of families kindly pass on items to friends and family once their baby has outgrown them, which can be a huge help. However, The Lullaby Trust are advising parents/carers that there are a few things they need to be aware of before using something pre-owned. If you’re gifted items from friends or family, it’s a good idea to look up the product online to ensure it complies with safer sleep advice. And if you’re going shopping for second-hand baby products, we would recommend taking a phone with you so that you can have peace of mind before you buy. Here is a quick list of things to check:
- Instructions - Make sure you can get hold of the product’s instructions. They can often be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
- Standards - Make sure the product meets the relevant British safety standards. It should be stated on the product itself, or the product’s packaging or website.
- Safety - Search online to ensure the product hasn’t been recalled or deemed unsafe to use. You can search ‘product recalls’ on GOV.UK to see if any problems have been identified.
- All in one piece - Make sure the product is in good condition with no broken or missing parts.
In addition, any second-hand items you use should be smoke and pet free. To find out more about second-hand baby products please click here. |
13. Parents Urged to "Start the Conversation"
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Last year West Yorkshire Police and partners launched a campaign to encourage parents, carers and guardians to have simple conversations with their children which could help keep them safe when they go online. Most of us tend to think of our online and offline lives as separate, but children today are growing up with technology and the internet as a natural part of their lives. To them there isn't a separation. It's all just life. The internet is now part of the real world. Talking to your child about what they do online is just as important as as asking where they are going when they go out with their friends. It can be difficult starting the conversation with your child about their online activities. Technology keeps changing and you might find it overwhelming trying to keep up with it all, but you don't need to. You just need to take an interest in what apps and games your child is using. That's the best place to start. Click here to find out more about how to start the "start the conversation" with your child. |
14. Child Safety Week 2024 - Resources Now Available!
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Save the date: Child Safety Week 2024 runs from Monday 3rd to Sunday 9th June.
Child Safety Week is the Child Accident Prevention Trust’s (CAPTS) annual community education campaign, acting as a catalyst for thousands of safety conversations and activities UK-wide.
CAPT want to help families build confidence and skills in managing the real risks to children’s safety. They want all children to have the freedom to grow and learn, safe from serious harm. Families should feel confident that, with one small change, they can stop a serious accident. And be clear what they need to do to keep their children safe. That’s why, for Child Safety Week 2024, the theme is Safety. Sorted! To learn more about child safety week 2024, including how you can get involved and to access your resources please click here
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The Child Accident Prevention (CAPT) have recently published the following reminders to help parents and carers keep children safe.
Are your windows open yet?
As the weather starts to get warmer it will be great to open windows and let the fresh air in. But toddlers and young children are at greatest risk of falling out and suffering serious injuries. Partly because their heads are heavy compared with their body so they can easily topple. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much to keep them safe, click here to find out more. Where do you leave your hair styling tools to cool?
New data from Children's Burns Trust shows a shocking 20% rise in burns to children from hair straighteners. Hair straighteners and curling tongs can reach temperatures of over 200oC – that’s as hot as an iron. And they can still burn even after they’re unplugged. Where can you put yours so they’re safely away from curious little fingers? Find a spot and get in the habit of leaving them there each time. Learn more including what to do in an emergency. Prevent Poisoning
Detergent capsules, cleaning products, everyday painkillers and prescription medicines can cause serious harm if a small child gets hold of them. Suspected poisoning is one of the most common reasons for young children to be taken to A&E. Discover ways to reduce the risks and keep children safe with CAPT's free resources, click here to take a look. |
The NSPCC have recently released the following updates which may be of interest to professionals working with children and families, and to share with parents/carers where applicable. Case Reviews
Eight new case reviews have been added to the collection this month featuring issues including youth violence, infants deaths, optimistic behaviour and suicide. Click here to take a look. Parent Infant Relationships
The Department of Health and Social Care has published guidance to help frontline practitioners in England explore parent/carer and infant relationships. The guidance is aimed at social workers, health visitors and family support workers. It includes conversation prompts and sets out a framework to help identify parent-infant relationship difficulties.
Read the guidance: Parent-infant relationships: starting conversations (practitioner guide)
Language & Online Safety
NSPCC Learning has published a blog post looking at why it’s important to explore what young people mean when they talk about ‘friends’ they’ve made online, as part of its Why Language Matters Series. The blog discusses how the term could mask safeguarding concerns and explores changes in language that professionals can make to reflect the voice of the child and describe concerns.
Read the blog: Why language matters: how referring to online ‘friends’ can mask safeguarding concerns
Physical Abuse Statistics
NSPCC Learning has updated its briefing looking at data and statistics about physical child abuse in the UK to help professionals make evidence-based decisions. This briefing covers the scale of the issue and what data tells us about children who have been physically abused.
Read the briefing: Physical abuse: statistics briefing
Multi-agency working and information sharing
NSPCC Learning has published a briefing summarising learning from case reviews to support improved practice around multi-agency working and information sharing. The briefing examines a sample of case reviews published between 2017 and 2023 where issues around multi-agency working and information sharing were key factors. Learning identified includes the need for professionals to be clear and concise when sharing information; to build strong multi-agency relationships; and have adequate resources and clear guidance to navigate processes and pathways.
Read the briefing: Multi-agency working and information sharing: learning from case reviews
Unpacking Complex Trauma Webinar
This webinar, organised by the UK Trauma Council, will explore what complex trauma means and the impact on children and young people. It takes place on the 16th May 2024 online and is free to attend.
Find out more: UK Trauma Council
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17. Shocking Rise in the Sextortion of Boys
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In the first 6 months of 2023, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) received more reports involving ‘sextortion’ than in the whole of 2022 – a 257% increase. Older teens (14-17 years old) are the most at risk, with boys being targeted most often. Sexually coerced extortion, or “sextortion” as it’s often referred to, occurs when sexually explicit images are exchanged online and the victim is subsequently blackmailed with threats to share the content with friends and family or more widely on the internet if they don’t pay or provide more nude images. Boys are tricked by perpetrators pretending to be female peers. The emotional impact of sexual extortion on a child can be devastating, placing vulnerable victims in danger of self harm or suicide.
Click here to read the full report. How can you help
Ensure children know about Childline’s Report/Remove. Talk through the rise in figures, how it happens and look at the Childline's Report/Remove page with children.
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18. Keep Children Safe Around Dogs
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Dogs and children communicate very differently but they can be great friends and help children develop kindness, understanding and respect for living things. Dog companionship can improve a child's social skills with people while caring for a pet can encourage responsibility. Because of this, many families have dogs. Children quickly understand and learn to treat the dog as part of the family, but its important that parents teach children how to stay safe around dogs, to protect both child and dog. The RSPCA have six golden rules for keeping your children safe and your dogs happy. These are: 1. Stay with your children around dogs 2. Interact with dogs at the right times 3. Be gentle 4. Play nicely and teach tricks 5. Give your dog space if they need it 6. Don't let children approach dogs they don't know. Remember - dogs like a break sometimes! To find out more about each of the points above and to download a handy poster on keeping your children safe around dogs please click here. For information on best practice on how to best care for a dog, including a guide on the legislation please click here. Watch the short video below with top tips from the RSPCA's Samantha Gaines, mother to a toddler, dog owner and dog welfare expert. |
19. Our Year - Wakefield District 2024
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Our Year – Wakefield district 2024. It’s Our Year…to enjoy live music! As much as we love Spotify, nothing beats attending live music.
As the sun comes out and the evenings get longer, why not explore live music taking place on your doorstep? From alternative pop to classical – there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Click here to take a look at the musical events that are coming up across the district this summer.
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