- WSCP Publishes "Annual Report on a Page" 2025-26"
- Spotlight On...16 Days of Activism 2026: Recognising Children as Victims of Domestic Abuse
- WSCP E-Bulletin Evaluation Survey - Your Feedback is Needed!
- Support for Victims Affected by Temporary Changes to Prisoner Release Dates
- WSCP Website Updates
- Invitation to Contribute on Support for Children & Young Survivors of Sexual Violence
- Welcome to the WSCP Training Brochure - What's on Offer this Month?
- Improving CSE Responses for the LGBTQ+ Community Training
- Supporting Food-Insecure Families with Infant Feeding - Webinar
- Professionals Webinars: Technology Assisted CSA, AI and Com Networks
- Young Person's Campaign
- Education Updates
- Child Safety and Parenting Resources
- Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Updates
- Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse - Guidance & Resources
- NSPCC - Useful Guidance
- Help Shape Future Editions of this E-Bulletin
- Useful Links
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1. WSCP Publishes "Annual Report on a Page" 2025/26
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In addition to the full Annual Report for 2025-26, Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP) have published an "Annual Report on a Page". This easy read version summarises the key work undertaken by the partnership 2025-26. To access this version please click here. This version contains a number of hyperlinks, which if you click on them takes you straight to the relevant document/section of the WSCP website.
Please click on the button below if you want to read the full report. |
2. SPOTLIGHT ON...16 Days of Activism 2026: Recognising Children as Victims of Domestic Abuse
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From 25th November to 10th December, partners across the Wakefield District will be supporting the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
This year, Wakefield's Strategic Domestic Abuse Team is highlighting the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people. The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 formally recognises children who see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse as victims in their own right.
The scale of the issue is significant. Research suggests that 1 in 5 children will experience domestic abuse during their childhood, and that by the time children start primary school, there is likely to be at least one child in every classroom who has lived with domestic abuse since birth.
Domestic abuse can have a profound impact on a child's safety, wellbeing, development, education and long-term outcomes. Recognising the signs, understanding children's experiences, and responding effectively are key responsibilities for all professionals working with children, young people and families.
To support this, the Strategic Domestic Abuse Team has developed a programme of learning opportunities and awareness-raising events throughout the 16 Days of Activism campaign. Sessions will explore the impact of domestic abuse on children, amplify children's voices, strengthen professional understanding, and provide practical tools to support effective safeguarding practice.
We encourage all professionals across the partnership to take advantage of these opportunities and join us in raising awareness of children as victims of domestic abuse.
View the full programme and booking information in the attached guide below.
For further details contact DAforum@wakefield.gov.uk
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3.WSCP E-Bulletin Evaluation Survey - Your Feedback is Needed!
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Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP) is inviting feedback on its free monthly safeguarding children e-bulletin.
Since 2021, the e-bulletin has provided professionals and volunteers working with children and families with updates on local and national safeguarding developments, training opportunities, resources and key partnership information.
As part of plans to relaunch the e-bulletin in early 2026 with a fresh new look and feel, WSCP is keen to hear from readers about what works well and what could be improved.
Please take a few minutes to complete the E-Bulletin Evaluation Survey. Your feedback will help shape the future content, format and delivery of the bulletin to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the safeguarding workforce.
You can also view a recent edition of the e-bulletin or browse previous editions on the WSCP website, where you can sign up to receive future issues free of charge.
The survey closes on Friday 27th November, so please share your views before then. |
4. Support for Victims Affected by Temporary Changes to Prisoner Release Dates
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Victims and survivors across West Yorkshire are being reminded that support is available following the introduction of temporary national changes to automatic prisoner release dates that came into effect on the 1st October 2026.
Under new legislation, some offenders serving standard prison sentences may be released after serving one-third of their custodial term, with the remainder of their sentence spent under supervision in the community on licence.
The changes are being introduced to help address prison capacity pressures while supporting longer-term plans to expand prison places and invest in rehabilitation services aimed at reducing reoffending.
Partners across West Yorkshire are working together to ensure victims understand what the changes mean for them, what safeguards are in place, and how they will be kept informed.
Anyone affected can access support through Victim Support West Yorkshire on 0300 303 1971 or via their website. A dedicated national helpline is also available on 0808 168 9280, offering emotional support, practical advice and information about available services. |
The WSCP Business Unit have been busy updating the content on some of our published webpages. Please see the link below for the section that has been updated this month:
Knowledge Hub Updated:
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6. Invitation to Contribute on Support for Children & Young Survivors of Sexual Violence
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RASAC are undertaking a research project to better understand the support currently available across West Yorkshire for children and young survivors of sexual violence who are living with mental health challenges.
As part of this work, they are seeking insights from professionals working within the sector. They are interested in understanding what is working well at the moment, where there may be gaps or opportunities for development, and the needs and experiences that survivors themselves are sharing.
To support this research, they have developed three questionnaires to gather a wider range of views:
Calling all professionals: Please can you share details of the above questionnaires across your networks where appropriate. |
7. Welcome to the WSCP Training Brochure - What's on Offer this Month?
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Take a look at all the latest training for 2026/7, which features:
- Child Exploitation Learning Exchanges November & December offer Understanding Neglect
- Working Together a Shared Responsibility
- Engaging with Men - New dates added!
- Every Sleep a Safe Sleep
- Relationship Matters: Reducing Parental Conflict Toolkit Training
- Perinatal Mental Health – and the impact on children
- Parental Mental Ill Health
- PAIR drop in sessions
- Risk and Resilience Framework Training
- Access to recorded training sessions, podcasts, videos, one-minute guides and more
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8. Improving CSE Responses for the LGBTQ+ Community Training
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Basis are proud to be running their Improving CSE Responses for the LGBTQ+ Community training session at Bradford Mechanics Institute on November 4th 1pm-3.30pm – it’s a free training session that’s open to Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield staff; as Basis supports in each area! You can sign up for the training on the Event Brite page here, it’s limited numbers and first come first served. |
9. Supporting Food-Insecure Families with Infant Feeding - Webinar
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Families across Wakefield are increasingly relying on food banks, baby banks and community support services as the cost of living continues to impact household budgets. As professionals and volunteers working with children and families, we all have a role to play in ensuring parents receive the right support, advice and help when they need it most.
To support this, a short webinar has been developed to increase understanding of the impact of food insecurity on families with babies and young children. The webinar explores the challenges families may face, the important role of food and baby banks, and how we can provide consistent, compassionate, and evidence-based support around infant feeding.
We strongly encourage all colleagues and volunteers who work with children, families or communities to take the time to watch this webinar and reflect on how the learning can be applied within their role. Increasing our knowledge and confidence in this area will help us work more effectively together and ensure families receive the best possible support.
🎥 Access the webinar recording here: Supporting Food-Insecure Families with Infant Feeding
Please share this with your team. By increasing awareness and understanding across our workforce, we can make a real difference to families in our communities and help give every baby in Wakefield the best possible start in life. |
10. Professionals Webinars: Technology Assisted CSA, AI and Com Networks
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WEBINAR SERIES: Understanding the realities of online harm through the voices of victims and survivors
The ACCESS webinar programme has been developed to help people better understand Technology-Assisted Child Sexual Abuse (TACSA). The programme currently includes nine webinars, organised into three themed series for professionals working with children, parents and carers supporting victims of TACSA, and victims and survivors.
Although each series has been designed with a particular group in mind, every webinar offers valuable insight for anyone seeking to better understand TACSA and improve support for those affected.
Series 1: The New Reality of Online Harm is primarily for professionals who want to strengthen their understanding of emerging online harms and the evolving digital landscape.
Series 2: When You Don't Know What To Do Next is designed for parents and carers, while also providing valuable guidance for professionals supporting children and families.
Series 3: Life Beyond Technology-Assisted Child Sexual Abuse is led by lived experience and intended primarily for victims and survivors, while also offering important insight for parents, carers and professionals supporting recovery.
To find out more and to watch the webinars please click here. |
11. Young Person's Campaign
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The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and the West Yorkshire Violence Reduction Partnership have launched a new competition inviting young people aged 11 to 25 to help design a West Yorkshire-wide campaign focused on staying safe from gangs, crime and pressure from others.
The competition offers young people a unique opportunity to use their creativity to influence a campaign that will help raise awareness of serious violence and promote positive choices across the region.
Professionals working with children, young people and families are encouraged to share this opportunity through their networks, particularly during the half-term period when young people may be looking for activities and ways to get involved in their communities.
For details on how to enter and information about the competition, visit the Campaign Competition for Young People in West Yorkshire webpage. Additional background information is available in the press release, Young Creative Minds Invited to Lead Fight Against Serious Violence.
Please help spread the word and encourage young people to get involved in shaping a campaign that could make a real difference across West Yorkshire.
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Invitation to School Leaders: Pol-Ed Programme Information Session
The Strategic Domestic Abuse Team (Public Health) is pleased to be hosting a series of events during 16 Days of Activism 2026.
School leaders and senior education professionals from across the Wakefield district are invited to attend a face-to-face information session with Tom Regan from the Police Education Programme (Pol-Ed).
Pol-Ed is a free educational resource available to schools, providing ready-made lesson plans, activities and materials to support children and young people. The programme covers a wide range of topics including:
- Healthy relationships
- Domestic abuse and coercive control
- Online safety and cybercrime
- Knife crime and exploitationHate crime
- Substance misuse
- Personal safety
- Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)
- Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
- Anti-social behaviour
The session will provide an overview of the programme, demonstrate how resources can be accessed and used within schools, and explore opportunities to support prevention and early intervention work with children and young people.
Places are limited, so we encourage you to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Date: Tuesday 1 December 2026
Time: 2.15pm (maximum one hour)
Venue: Wakefield Suite, Wakefield One, Burton Street, Wakefield
Delivered by: Tom Regan, Sergeant, Police Education Programme (Pol-Ed)
To book: Email DAforum@wakefield.gov.uk
We look forward to welcoming you.
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Anti-Bullying Week
With just three weeks to go until Anti-Bullying Week 2026: Break the Silence, taking place from Monday 16th to Friday 20th November, now is a great time for schools and organisations to start planning their involvement.
The Anti-Bullying Alliance has a range of resources available to help you prepare, including a Get Ready for Anti-Bullying Week webinar for schools, social media toolkit and promotional assets to help spread the message throughout the week. There are also resources, training opportunities, merchandise and an Anti-Bullying Week Pledge to support schools and professionals in raising awareness and taking action against bullying.
Visit the Anti-Bullying Alliance website to find out more and access everything you need to get involved. |
FREE KS1 Lesson Plans to Support Children's Feelings
Togetherness has partnered with Developing Experts to create a FREE ready-to-deliver key stage one lesson series helping young children recognise, talk about and seek support with big feelings. Click here to find out more. |
Youth Violence
The Department for Education has published new guidance to help schools and colleges in England understand, prevent and respond to serious violence including physical assault, carrying or using weapons, and criminal exploitation. The guidance sets out information on forms of serious violence in education settings and the risks; preventing children’s involvement in violence; responding safely to incidents; support for children affected by serious violence; and working with safeguarding partners. It clarifies existing statutory duties and provides practical guidance on how to implement recommended strategies. Click here to read the guidance. |
Road Safety Week
With Road Safety Week approaching, schools are encouraged to access the free Backseat Boss resources, designed to help children develop the knowledge and confidence to stay safe on and around the roads.
The ready-to-use classroom and assembly activities support the RSHE curriculum and help pupils to:
- Recognise hazards and risky driving behaviours.
- Develop the confidence to speak up for safer driving.
- Build road safety knowledge through age-appropriate KS1 and KS2 resources.
A free Backseat Boss webinar will also take place on 3rd November, 3.45pm-4.30pm, offering practical guidance on delivering road safety education and meeting RSHE requirements. Click here to book a place.
Professionals are encouraged to share these resources with local schools and help promote important road safety messages during Road Safety Week.
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13. Child Safety and Parenting Resources
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Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) Updates
- WARNING: Safety Alert Issued for Dangerous Baby Sleeping Bags
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The Office for Product Safety and Standards has issued a safety alert advising parents not to use baby sleeping bags with hoods or without arm holes due to the risk of suffocation, overheating, and death. Nearly 50 of these products have been recalled since 2023, although some remain available online. Professionals working with families are encouraged to advise parents and carers to stop using these products immediately. Click here to learn more.
Halloween can be an exciting time of year for children, dressing up and going out after dark. But, whilst Halloween is supposed to be spooky there are some horrors that families will want to avoid. So, here are CAPT's top tips for a safe Halloween that you can remember for all the right reasons.
Bonfire Night is magical. But with sparklers burning 16 times hotter than your kettle, they can badly burn a child. Many parents aren’t clear what to tell their children about staying safe on Bonfire Night or what to do if the worst happens. That’s why CAPT have created some essential family safety tips to keep little ones safe. Download the tips here. Please also visit the fireworks advice hub. |
The Lullaby Trust Latest
- Your Baby, Your Boundaries: Protecting Babies from Infection
The Lullaby Trust recently marked its annual Infection Prevention Week, reminding us all of the important role we play in helping to keep babies safe from infection.
This year’s theme, "Your Baby, Your Boundaries", focused on empowering parents and carers to set boundaries that help protect their babies' health and wellbeing. Many parents report feeling awkward, embarrassed or even guilty about asking visitors to wash their hands or avoid kissing their baby. However, protecting a baby from infection is never something families should feel they need to justify.
The Lullaby Trust has launched a new webpage containing practical tips and suggested phrases to help families set boundaries kindly and confidently. Please consider sharing this resource with the families you work with.
In addition, the Baby Check app offers reassurance for parents and carers of babies under six months old. The app helps families identify whether their baby may need to be seen by a health professional, providing valuable support and peace of mind when concerns arise. |
Calling all professinals - where possible please share all this important information above with any parents/carers that you work with. |
14. Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Updates
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Quarterly Report Published
The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (the Panel) has published its latest quarterly report highlighting emerging themes, risks and patterns in safeguarding practice in England. Based on an analysis of 60 child safeguarding rapid reviews submitted to the Panel between January and March 2026, death was the most common incident type and babies under one were the most affected. Key emerging themes identified included hidden males within the family and young parents. Click here to read the report.
Persistent Themes in Safeguarding Reviews
The Panel has also published a range of new resources examining the ten most persistent themes in serious child safeguarding incidents in England. The themes reflect recurring challenges that feature across safeguarding practice and the wider safeguarding system, including: understanding the child’s lived experience; understanding the whole family; naming and understanding the harm; and understanding and responding to risk. Each theme on the Panel’s website combines learning from safeguarding reviews with practice insights, actions and reflective questions to support discussion and decision-making. Click on the button below to take a look. |
Webinar Recording: Identifying and Responding to Adolescent Suicide Risk
A recording of the Panel's recent webinar on identifying and responding to adolescent suicide risk is now available to watch. You are encouraged to watch the recording and share it with colleagues. If you have not yet explored the Panel's learning resources on adolescent suicide, you can find them on their learning hub. |
15. Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse - Guidance & Resources
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As summer draws to a close, it's a good opportunity to revisit some of the resources that The Centre of Expertise has published so far this year. Over the past few months, they've continued to develop practical tools and guidance to help professionals identify, respond to and support children affected by sexual abuse, and also strengthen support for parents, carers and adult survivors.
Whether you're returning from annual leave or looking for resources to share across your team, below are some highlights from 2026 so far.
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16. NSPCC - Useful Guidance
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Take a look at some of the latest resources, guidance and learning opportunities recently published by the NSPCC.
Case Reviews
Eight new case reviews have been added to the collection this month featuring issues including child sexual abuse, extra-familial harm, malnutrition, and domestic abuse. Please click here to read the reviews.
Parental Substance Use
The Department of Health and Social Care has updated its guidance on safeguarding children affected by a parent or carer’s alcohol or drug use. The guidance aims to help commissioners and providers of adult alcohol and drug treatment and recovery services in England to: understand the steps they should take to protect the welfare of children affected by a parent’s or carer’s alcohol or drug use; understand the implications and requirements of child statutory and practice guidance for adult alcohol and drug services; and improve joint working between social care and alcohol and drug services. The guidance now also includes a self-assessment checklist to help local partnerships assess their policies and practices for safeguarding children.
Read the guidance: Safeguarding children affected by a parent's alcohol or drug use
Advocacy Services
The Department for Education has updated its statutory guidance on advocacy services for children in care, children in need and care leavers in England. Aimed at local authorities, children’s services staff and independent advocates, the guidance aims to ensure the provision of effective advocacy services, not just when a child wishes to make a complaint but whenever they want advocacy support to express their views, wishes and feelings. Updates reflect changes to advocacy rights and access that have occurred since 2004. The guidance should be applied alongside the ten national standards for the delivery of advocacy services as set out in National standards for the provision of children and young people’s advocacy services.
Read the guidance: Advocacy services for children and young people
Take a look at some of the latest resources, guidance and learning opportunities recently published by the NSPCC.
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17. Help Shape Future Editions of this E-Bulletin
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The WSCP e-bulletin is here to support professionals across the partnership, and we want to make sure we're covering the topics that matter most to you. Whether there's a safeguarding issue you'd like to learn more about, a resource you'd recommend, or an example of good practice you'd like to share, we'd love to hear your ideas. Send your suggestions or feedback to: wscp@wakefield.gov.ukGot a suggestion for next months e-bulletin?
Your feedback helps us shape future editions and ensure the e-bulletin remains relevant, informative and useful for practitioners across Wakefield. To be considered for inclusion, please send your content or ideas by the week before publication. The e-bulletin is usually circulated on or around the last working day of each month.
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