- Tackling Exploitation Learning Exchange
- Updated Guidance: Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026
- Welcome to the NEW WSCP Training Brochure
- WSCP Website Updates
- Your Feedback is Needed: Transitions Survey
- The Lullaby Trust Updates
- Spotlight On ... #LookCloser Resources
- Education Updates
- IKIDS Research Project - Children's Interactions with Phones & Tablets
- Online Training for Social Workers: How Babies Learn to Regulate their Emotions & the Impact of Trauma
- Support for Dads
- When Something Goes Wrong Online
- Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse - NEW Key Messages from Research on CSE
- Top Safety Tips for Families this March
- NSPCC Updates
- What Would You Like to Hear About?
- Useful Links
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1. Tackling Exploitation Learning Exchange
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As part of Child Exploitation Awareness week, WSCP and partners joined together for an incredible partnership event on the 16th March. The event was a huge success, and was attended by colleagues in health, education, police, children’s services, the voluntary sector and our colleagues from housing amongst many more. Feedback was excellent with many key takeaways relating to the PiP (Partnership Intelligence Portal), police operations, referral pathways and signposting to services, as well as an increased general awareness of child exploitation.
- Protect children and young people from exploitation in all its forms
- Disrupt individuals and networks who seek to perpetrate abuse
- Ensure the right resources, skills and training are in place across the partnership
- Drive forward the activity and priorities outlined within the strategy
We would like to send a special thank you to those who contributed to the event at WX, as this type of partnership work truly strengthens our ability to protect children and young people across our District.
The Learning Exchanges are dedicated to strengthening our partnership response to tackling Child Exploitation. During 2026 we hope to continue delivery covering topics such as, Risk Outside the Home, Transitions and Exploitation, Meet the CET team and more. Please click here to download an infographic summarising all the feedback received after the event. |
2. Updated Guidance: Working Together to Safeguarding Children 2026
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The Department for Education (DfE) has updated Working Together to Safeguard Children, its statutory guidance on multi-agency working to safeguard children in England. The guidance applies to all organisations and agencies in England who have functions relating to children, setting out how they can work together to support and protect children. Changes include: identifying, understanding and challenging racism and discrimination; recognising the specific needs and experiences of babies; understanding the impact of domestic abuse on children and families; information on Operation Encompass; consideration of children experiencing simultaneous harms or multiple harms; strengthened inclusion of children in care; and guidance on Family Help. The DfE has also updated its supporting information for local areas on embedding Working Together to Safeguard Children and its statutory Children’s Social Care National Framework for those who work in local authority children’s social care. To read the full guidance please click here and for a summary of the changes click on the link below:
Working together to safeguard children 2026: summary of changes - GOV.UK
Read the supporting information: Improving practice with children, young people and families
Access the framework: Children's social care national framework |
3. Welcome to the NEW WSCP Training Brochure
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WSCP are pleased to announce the launch of our new Multi-agency Training Brochure which you can find on our website, via email or once subscribed to the e-bulletin. Take a look at all the latest training which features:
- Child Exploitation Learning Exchanges
- Neglect
- Working Together a Shared Responsibility
- Engaging with Men
- Supporting & Safeguarding LGBTQIA+ Young People
- Every Sleep a Safe Sleep
- Relationship Matters: Reducing Parental Conflict Toolkit Training
- Perinatal Mental Health – and the impact on children
- Parental Mental Ill Health
- Ready to Relate / Infant Parents Relationship Cards Training Sessions
- Risk and Resilience Framework Training
- Access to recorded training sessions, podcasts, videos, one minute guides and more
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The WSCP Business Unit have been busy updating the content on some of our published webpages. Please see the links below for the sections that have been updated this month:
- Neglect Page - this now contains more information on affluent neglect
- SEND toolkit – check out the new NSPCC resource that has been added to the page
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5. Your Feedback is Needed: Transitions Survey
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If you, your family, or someone you support has recently moved from Children’s Services into Adult Social Care, your insight can help improve the journey for others.
Please take a few minutes to complete the short survey about your experience. Your feedback will help Adult Social Care understand what worked well and where services can do better. Just scan the QR code on the flyer below to take part. Thank you for helping shape better support for young people moving into adulthood.
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6. The Lullaby Trust Updates
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Baby Check App
Every parent and carer should know about The Lullaby Trust's Baby Check App. It gives parents and carers peace of mind, in your pocket. If you look after a baby that is under six months of age, you can use the Baby Check app to find out if they need to see a health professional. The Baby Check app is already starting to saving lives and has the potential to save many more. Click here to download the free Baby Check App.The Reality of Sleep Deprivation
Say it louder for the people at the back - sleep deprivation is so much more than "just feeling tired". The reality of living with sleep deprivation can come as a shock. It might seem like everyone else's babies sleep more than yours or you may worry that you are doing something wrong, or that there is something wrong with your baby. In fact, by 12 months, about a third of babies will never have slept all night. If you are struggling please know you are not doing anything wrong. Please click on the button below to learn more.
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7. Spotlight On ... #LookCloser Resources
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Did you know that the Children’s Society have an array of excellent resources from guides to quick reads on many child exploitation topics ranging from:
- Guidance: Debt bondage
- The NRM: a guide for parents
- Explainer: Financial exploitation for professionals
- Explainer: Gender and Exploitation
- Building positive relationships with children and young people
To access these and much more, click on the link #LookCloser resources or why not visit our Speak Up. Stand Up. Stop Exploitation! pages on the WSCP Knowledge Hub |
Speak Out, Stay Safe Programme
Speak out. Stay safe is a safeguarding programme that is free and available to all primary schools in the UK and Channel Islands. The programme is for children aged 5-11 and is an effective way to support school’s safeguarding duties. It links directly to the curriculum, helping teachers reinforce key messages about abuse and neglect as part of their school’s teaching on relationships. The programme helps children to:
- Understand abuse in all its forms and how to recognise the signs of abuse
- Know that abuse is never their fault and that they have the right to be safe
- Learn where to get help, including Childline
What’s included:
- Virtual assemblies for children aged 5-7 and 7-11, available in English, Welsh and BSL – delivered by teachers in class
- Follow on lesson plans with engaging activities to help re-enforce and embed our key messages
- Face-to-face workshops for children aged 6-7 and 9-11, delivered by NSPCC volunteers (subject to availability)
- Support from an NSPCC Schools Coordinator who can answer questions and share other resources and training on offer
- A SEND Speak out. Stay Safe programme available
For more information, please contact nspcc.org.uk/speakout where you can register your interest. The NSPCC Schools Coordinator for Wakefield will then be in touch with your school.
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Backseat Boss - Road Safety Initiative
Backseat Boss is a fun and educational road safety initiative for primary school aged children, brought to you by AXA UK. With engaging lessons, games, and activities, students will learn how to be safer passengers and future drivers – all in just 25 minutes! The ready-to-go session makes road safety rules stick, with:
- Fun games and activities
- Simple, memorable safe driving rules
- All lesson materials provided
What's included:The free education pack includes ready-to-teach sessions for KS1, KS2 and SEN pupils. It can be delivered in a classroom, as an assembly or at an after-school, community or holiday club. Each pack contains all the materials you’ll need:
- An easy-to-follow lesson plan that will guide you through your session
- An engaging presentation for the classroom, assembly or club
- A ready-to-go script to help you lead the session with confidence
- Fun activities and games to keep the children engaged and get them moving
- Optional extras for added fun: Steering wheel and sunglasses cutouts
- Certificates to reward children for completing the session
Click here to learn more and access the resources.
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Tips for Transitioning to Secondary or High School
Help children make that huge leap from primary to secondary school with resources that will build their confidence, resilience and self esteem. Click here to learn more and access resources published by Place2Be. |
Reminder: DSL Opinion Form
WSCP are interested in general themes, repeated issues or areas of good safeguarding practice which DSL's experience within Wakefield. This may then be raised at multi agency strategic level meetings. NB this is not the forum for individual case specifics - please raise these individual case details with the appropriate managers in accordance with the professional disagreement procedure. 2.7 Resolving Multi Agency Professional Disagreements and Escalation (proceduresonline.com) These opinion forms are your voice as education settings at the WSCP so if you have anything to share please do complete and submit these forms which are sent out 6 times a year.
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Reminder: DSL Forums & Network Meetings Open to All!
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9. IKIDS Research Project - Children's Interactions with Phones & Tablets
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IKIDS are offering places to parents of children aged 3 to take part in a research project via Sheffield Hallam University on their use of mobile devices and tablets, and how much they shape cognitive development and health outcomes.
To find out more about the research project, please click here to watch a short explanatory video, or visit the IKIDS website which includes details of what to do if your school or childcare setting is interested in taking part. |
10. Online Training for Social Workers: How Babies Learn to Regulate their Emotions & the Impact of Trauma
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Please see the flyer below for details of FREE online training sessions designed to help practitioners learn about the impact of trauma on infants, and consider their role in helping parents understand what their infant needs in order to feel emotionally safe. To book a place please email sally.smith86@nhs.net |
Being a dad can be incredibly rewarding, but it can also come with its challenges. There’s no handbook that tells you exactly how to do things, and balancing work, family life, and your own wellbeing can sometimes feel overwhelming. Every child is different too, which means what works for one might not work for another — and that takes patience, flexibility, and plenty of trial and error. To help, Wakefield Families Together have created a ‘Dadicated’ page full of information, support, and practical resources specifically for dads. Please click here to visit the page and find out more. |
12. When Something Goes Wrong Online
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Skips Safety Net have created the below one page guide titled "When Something Goes Wrong Online - A Simple Action Plan for Parents". It is designed to help parents/carers respond confidently if their child experiences something upsetting online, offering clear guidance on how to talk to their child about what has happened and how to report concerns through the appropriate channels. |
13. Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse - NEW Key Messages from Research on CSE
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Resources for Social Workers
With Social Work Week (16-20 March 2026) coming up, Centre of Expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) have put together a list of helpful CSA Centre Resources designed to support social work professionals identify and respond to child sexual abuse. Social workers play a vital role in supporting children and families affected by child sexual abuse. Take a look at the CSA Centre's practical resources, developed to support professionals effectively and confidently respond to concerns of child sexual abuse:
Child Sexual Abuse: Support Services for Parents & Carers
The CSA Centre has published a report on support services available in England and Wales to non-abusing parents and carers of children who have been sexually abused. The report incorporates findings from two previous research studies and presents data on the 177 services supporting parents and carers towards the end of 2024. Findings include: support for parents was scarce across England and Wales, with considerable geographical variation in provision; almost half of support services were operating a waiting list or were not accepting new referrals for parents; and funding insecurity, increased staff workloads, and issues meeting the demand for support were identified as challenges by services. Click here to read the report, and access an overview of services supporting parents and carers of sexually abused children in England and Wales
To learn more and sign up to the latest CSA Centre webinars, training and workshops, visit the CSA Centre website.
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14. Top Safety Tips for Families this March
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The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) have published the following safety tips for families this March. Calling all professionals - where possible please share this important information with any parents/carers that you work with. Where do you store your cleaning products?Whether you’re a Spring cleaner or not, this is the perfect time to think about where you store your cleaning products. Are they by the loo or under the kitchen sink? Make sure they’re in a high cupboard out of reach. This is especially important if you have a little one who has just started crawling or will be on the move soon. Click here to discover more tips to prevent poisoning. More toys recalled due to asbestos risk
Since the start of the year, many toys and craft items have been recalled as they may contain trace levels of asbestos. Recalls so far have included Stretchers toys, craft boxes and sand art kits. And there may be more to come. Check recalled products. Why are mini eggs a big safety risk?
It’s that time of year again when mini eggs are lining the shelves. But did you know that they’re the perfect size and shape to completely block a small child’s airway and choke them? Or that their hard shell can make it difficult to dislodge with standard first aid techniques? That’s why they aren’t recommended for small children. So, please stay safe and choose another treat for your little one this Easter. Larger, hollow eggs are much safer. Please share this post to spread the word. Save the date: Child Safety Week 2026This years Child Safety Week takes place from Monday 1st to Sunday 7th June. The theme for 2026 is making prevention possible, empowering families to make simple changes without feeling overwhelmed. Watch this space for free resources, which we will share once available. |
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 infant deaths, intrafamilial sexual abuse, children as carers , and abuse in schools. Please click here to read the reviews.
Contextual Safeguarding
NSPCC Learning has published a podcast episode on contextual safeguarding featuring Professor Carlene Firmin. The episode explores how practitioners can incorporate contextual safeguarding practices into their work with children and families. It covers: what contextual safeguarding is; how different contexts affect children’s risk of abuse; how practitioners can build partnerships that facilitate a contextual response; monitoring outcomes of contextual safeguarding response; and examples of contextual safeguarding in practice.
Listen to the podcast: Podcast: An introduction to contextual safeguarding
Listen on YouTube: An introduction to contextual safeguarding
Infants and Unborn Babies
NSPCC Learning has published a CASPAR briefing summarising the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel’s national review into the broader safeguarding issues raised by the death of baby Victoria Marten. The national review sets out learning for safeguarding partners in England. The learning highlights the need for: earlier and stronger pre-birth safeguarding; better trauma-informed practice when working with families; clearer arrangements and multi-agency planning when families move frequently; and better engagement with and support for parents before and after care proceedings.
Read the briefing: Summary of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel's national review into the death of baby Victoria Martin CASPAR briefing.
Family Court Proceedings
Cafcass has published a new animated film as a part of its ‘Taking me seriously’ series aiming to support children and young people who are involved in family court proceedings. Drawing on the voices of children with personal experience of family court proceedings, the episode aims to support children to feel as comfortable as possible when talking about their experiences, wishes and feelings, and encourages them to think about what they would like to discuss with their Cafcass support worker.
Watch the film: New animated film seeks to help children & young people who are involved in family court proceedings
Online Child Sexual Abuse
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation has created a workbook and animated video to support teenagers of a parent arrested for online sexual offences. The workbook for young people includes creative exercises, coping strategies and space for reflection. There is also a guide to help parents and caregivers talk to and support young people impacted by the arrest of an adult they know.
Access the resources: What about us? A new resource for teenagers impacted by the arrest of an adult they know.
Ritualistic Abuse
The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) have published a learning briefing on case reviews involving witchcraft, spirit possession and ritualistic abuse in England and Wales. The briefing summarises learning from nine case reviews and aims to support multi-agency practitioners in recognising risks and improving safeguarding responses. Key learning points in the briefing include: promote professional curiosity and avoid assumptions based on cultural norms; training is needed for professionals to sensitively explore religious and spiritual beliefs, without colluding with harmful practices; and trauma informed practice is essential, especially in culturally complex contexts.
Read the briefing: Witchcraft, spirit possession and ritualist abuse (WSPRA) in serious case reviews (PDF)
Access additional resources: Ritualist abuse
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16. What Would You Like to Hear About?
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What areas regarding child safeguarding do you want to hear about? WSCP welcome your suggestions for content for the partnership e-bulletin. Therefore, if there are any items you would like to be featured in the next edition or to provide feedback which will help us improve the newsletter going forward please email wscp@wakefield.gov.ukThe e-bulletin is circulated on or around the last working day of each month, therefore any suggestions for content would need to be received at the latest the week prior to circulation. |
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