- WSCP Understanding Sexual Behaviours Campaign
- WSCP Learning & Improvement Framework Webpage
- NEW - WSCP Bereavement Support for Children & Families Webpage
- NEW - Guidance on Engaging with Fathers, Male Partners or Carers & Other Significant Adults
- Education Updates
- Multi-Agency Training Dates
- FREE Online Safety Session Coming to Wakefield Soon!
- Continuum of Need: A Framework to Support Decision Making Poster
- The Children's Society #LookCloser Programme of Learning & Resources
- Wakefield's Online Universal Parenting Offer
- NWG Safeguarding in Sport & Faith Event
- NEW - WSCP 7 Point Briefings
- Updated - Private Fostering One Minute Guide
- CoramBAAF Private Fostering Awareness Day
- Barnardo's Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship Service - Training Offer
- Modern Slavery Victims Voices Exhibition
- Virtual Reality Headsets - Understand The Risks
- New Children's Observation Hub
- Just Don't Campaign
- Firework Safety
- NSPCC Updates
- Useful Links
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1. WSCP Understanding Sexual Behaviours Campaign
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Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP) is pleased to launch a district wide campaign on understanding sexual behaviour on Monday 6th November 2023.
We’ve recently developed a host of new resources and information for those who work or volunteer with children to use when it comes to understanding the types of sexual behaviour children can display, this includes:
We need your help in supporting the campaign and promoting all of the new resources and information we’ve produced across your staff teams, networks, social media channels and partner services.
Please download the campaign briefing which provides all the relevant information and resources for you to access as part of the campaign including graphics and key messages to share, along with guidance on how you can help us.
Should you have any questions in relation to the campaign please do not hesitate to contact us at wscp@wakefield.gov.uk |
2. WSCP Learning & Improvement Framework Webpage
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Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP) has updated it’s Learning & Improvement Framework (LIF). The framework articulates how quality assurance, learning, improvement and training are linked together as one system, describing the range of options the partnership can utilise to generate learning for those who work or volunteer with children and families to access, along with improving multi-agency child safeguarding systems and practice.
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3. NEW - WSCP Bereavement Support for Children & Families Webpage
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The death of a love one can be one of the most painful experiences a person will ever have to endure. Whether it's a child, sibling, parent or grandparent, the death of a loved one can feel overwhelming, and be a time when you and your family need that little bit extra support.
WSCP have launched a dedicated bereavement support webpage, providing guidance to children and families who have suffered the loss of a love one. On this page you will find information about bereavement and the support services and resources that are available both locally and nationally. There is a mix of services listed which can provide assistance to children, young people, parents, carers and their families, when they are bereaved by death of a child, or a child is bereaved by the death of someone they were close to.
The page covers:
- When a child or baby dies
- Symptoms of bereavement, grief and loss
- Why is my partners grieving differently
- Helping a child cope with bereavement
- Explaining to a child someone has died
- Steps to take when talking to a child about death
- Bereavement support services available for parents, children and family members.
Please click here to take a lookIf you have any feedback or suggestions you want to make in relation to this new webpage please email wscp@wakefield.gov.uk |
4. NEW - Guidance On Engaging with Fathers, Male Partners or Carers & Other Significant Adults
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New guidance on Engaging with Fathers, Male Partners or Carers and Other Significant Adults, has been added to the West Yorkshire Consortium Inter Agency Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures manual. It seeks to bring together research findings in respect of engagement with fathers, carers and other significant adults in interventions, while attempting to reflect the complex nature of modern family structures. Evidence suggests it is not unusual for there to be a lack of visibility of some fathers or significant adults, particularly when interventions relate to welfare of safeguarding concerns. Recent Serious Case Reviews concluded that often there is too much emphasis placed on the mother’s needs with insufficient focus on fathers, their needs and their role within the family dynamic. The guidance is extended to include other significant adults that are in a close relationship with the child’s care giver. Engaging with Fathers, Male Partners or Carers and Other Significant Adults (proceduresonline.com) |
Online Safety Bill
The NSPCC has published an article on the passing of the Online Safety Bill through Parliament. The legislation will require technology companies to ensure their websites are safe for children and protect them from sexual abuse and harmful material. The story contains an outline of the Bill, a statement from Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, and statements from campaigners.
Read the news story: The Online Safety Bill has been passed in "a momentous day for children"Read the government press release: Britain makes internet safer, as Online Safety Bill finished and ready to become law - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Child Exploitation Awareness Film For Adults
Northamptonshire Safeguarding Partnership, in collaboration with Northamptonshire Police, have created a short film for adults (parents, teachers etc) to raise awareness of child exploitation. Child exploitation is when a child or young person is targeted by an individual or criminal gang and manipulated or coerced into committing crimes or sexual acts. The film includes examples of what child exploitation can involve, common signs of possible exploitation and information on how to report concerns. Every child, irrespective of their background or school, is vulnerable to this and has the right to know how to keep safe. Please share this learning with every single child at your school so they understand what exploitation (also known as grooming) looks like and have strategies on how to say ‘no’. To view the film please click hereWater Smart SchoolsSchools can now register to be a part of the Royal Life Saving Society’s Water Smart Schools initiative. This programme provides general water safety education to primary and secondary aged children anywhere in the UK. Lessons are class-based, to account for the various barriers presented with getting children from all backgrounds into swimming pools. The programme covers all bodies of water, including the sea, and gives a broad overview of water safety education, in line with the four points of the Water Safety Code. It’s designed so that schools can tailor it to suit their localities, and RLSS provide materials to suit all requirements. Read more here. |
6. Multi-Agency Training Dates
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This course is designed to increase the participants knowledge and understanding of Working Together 2018 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 hereAvailable course dates & times:
- Watch this space - new dates for 2024 to be confirmed soon!
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.ukAvailable 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, please click here- 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. If you are interested in any of the above modules please download and complete the booking form for autumn and email it to wakefieldcamhs.training@swyt.nhs.uk
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 professionals 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.
Click here to find out more
Available course dates and times:
- Thursday 2nd November, 15:30pm - 17:00pm
- Tuesday 7th November, 09:30am - 11:00am
- Monday 13th November, 15:30pm - 17:00pm
- Wednesday 22nd November, 15:30pm - 17:00pm
- Tuesday 5th December 15:30pm - 17:00pm
- Wednesday 13th December, 10:00am - 11:30am
Reducing Parental Conflict
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.
For more information click here
Available course dates and times
- Monday 20th November, 1pm - 3pm (virtual)
NEW - PACE: Parents Awareness Session
Parents Against Child Exploitation (PACE) are holding a number of Parents Awareness sessions designed to help parents/carers:
- Learn how children are groomed online
- Develop their understanding of behaviours of exploited children
- Develop their understanding about what child exploitation is
- Understand the signs of child exploitation
For more information please click here
Available course dates and times:
- Wednesday 29th November 2023, 19:00pm - 20:00pm
- Wednesday 17th January 2024, 10:00am - 12:30pm
- Wednesday 6th March 2024, 10:00am - 12:30pm (SEND)
NEW - Risk and Resilience Framework Training
This training is delivered by Wakefield Public Health and colleagues from across the Wakefield District. The aim of the training session is to:
- Increase confidence in navigating the Risk and Resilience website
- Explore the support tools, interventions and resources on the website
- Understand how it can support your work
- Share best practice
For more information please click here
Available course dates and times:
- Friday 3rd November 2023, 13:00pm - 15:00pm
- Friday 17th November 2023, 13:00pm - 15:00pm
For all our training and 'on demand' briefings visit our website
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7. FREE Online Safety Session Coming to Wakefield Soon!
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The UK Safer Internet Centre are delighted to partner with Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership to deliver a FREE Online Safety Session, on 24th January 2024
The face-to-face session is open to all who work with children and young people, and will give you the latest in research, legislation, technology, tools and resources along with exclusive access to the presentation, research and resource materials. Safety online is constantly changing and the purpose of Online Safety Live events is to provide access to this information, right on people’s doorsteps. |
The UK Safer Internet Centre understand that everyone is busy and the feedback has been clear that getting time away from work is a challenge – this is why they have organised these events as short briefing sessions. They provide vital information, critically supplemented with access to detailed resources to review later. The team from the UK Safer Internet Centre will also be available to answer any of your questions. To find out more and to book your place please click here
To find out more about other events the UK Safer Internet Centre are hosting please click here |
8. Continuum of Need: A Framework to Support Decision Making Poster
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To compliment the updated Continuum of Need: A Framework to Support Decision Making, Wakefield Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP) is pleased to share with you a new poster which can be displayed in places where those who work or volunteer with children and families operate. This could be in locations such as staff rooms, kitchen areas and offices. The poster includes QR codes which can be scanned to take you direct to the full Continuum of Need: A Framework to Support Decision Making document and guidance on what to do if you are worried about a child. To access the poster, please click here. Please share across your networks. |
9. The Children's Society #LookCloser Programme of Learning & Resources
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The Children's Society are offering a free, year-round programme of learning for any professional working with or overseeing services for children and young people, including those in frontline roles up to strategic leads and commissioners.
Their sessions cover a wide range of issues related to preventing and disrupting child exploitation and abuse. They seek to incorporate and respond to the latest developments in tackling these ever-changing harms and will help equip professionals with the knowledge and tools that they need to address these. To find out more about child exploitation, the #LookCloser Programme of Learning and the associated resources please click here
WSCP have pledged to #LookCloser to protect young people from exploitation.
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By getting to know the signs of child exploitation and how to report any concerns we can help keep children safe. Any child can be exploited and exploitation can happen anywhere. It can be easier to spot in public places like parks, supermarkets or transport but it happens online too. We all have a part to play in helping keep young people safe. If we learn to #LookCloser and take action when we're worried, we can stop this abuse from happening.
Join WSCP and pledge to #LookCloser to help protect children and young people from exploitation. Disruption Exploitation ResourceThe Children's Society Prevention Programme and NWG have shared a Disruption Exploitation resource. This resource gives a brief introduction to disruption measures and why they are essential to tackling child exploitation. Please click here to access this. |
10. Wakefield's Online Universal Parenting Offer
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Wakefield Families Together has partnered with the Solihull Approach to offer free access to expertly designed online courses for parents, carers, grandparents and teens living in the region.
Visit the website linked below to access courses to understand your child’s feelings, as well as your own, as you go through life as a family. Learn to understand the changes in your child’s development and how to support them, whilst also strengthening your relationship.
Wakefield - Solihull Approach
Calling all professionals - please share these resources with any families that you work with. |
11. NWG Safeguarding in Sport & Faith Event
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To mark Interfaith Week taking place on 12th - 19th November, the NWG is hosting a special event focussing on the Position of Trust, taking place on the 16th November 10am - 1pm.
Attendees at this FREE event will benefit from hearing about research and examples of cases involving abuse of position of trust and learn how others have overcome challenges and barriers.
This virtual event is aimed at anyone with an interest in safeguarding children and young people - Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
To find out more and to book a place please click on the button below. |
12. NEW - WSCP 7 Point Briefings
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WSCP have recently published the following 7 Point Briefings:
Concerning An Infant Child (October 2023)
WSCP undertook a Learning Circle concerning an infant child after they attended hospital with injuries from a reported fall. Some of the areas considered within the review include, recognising an accumulation of injuries over a period of time and how non-accidental injury to ambulant children is considered.
To access the & Point Briefing, please click here. Concerning A Baby (October 2023)
WSCP undertook a Learning Circle concerning a baby after they attended hospital with an unexplained bruise on their forehead. Some of the areas considered within the review include, effectiveness of information sharing between agencies and assessing harm to children where there is no previous historical concern.
To access the 7 Point Briefing, please click here. |
13. Updated - Private Fostering One Minute Guide
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WSCP have recently updated the following One Minute Guide (OMG)
Did you know that WSCP have a range of useful OMG's on a variety of different topics. Why not click on the button below to take a look and see what is available. |
14. CoramBAAF Private Fostering Awareness Day
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Set aside 8th November for CoramBAAF's Private Fostering Awareness Day and start planning events in your area now!
A child who is cared for by someone who is not a close relative for more than 28 days is living in a private fostering arrangement. All local authorities have a responsibility to raise awareness of private fostering in their area. CoramBAAF has listened to and liaised with members and is delighted to announce this national Private Fostering Awareness Day.
Open to all
On the 8th November join CoramBAAF for a free and open access Breakfast Briefing – An Introduction to Private Fostering at 9.00am. This 45-minute session will provide key information about private fostering, particularly relevant to social workers new to this area or colleagues working in health and education. This will be followed by a Lunch and Learn webinar at 12.30pm where members can hear about promising practice from different local authorities with the focus on raising awareness. The event will provide the opportunity and momentum for local authorities to consider updating or creating new materials.
CoramBAAF don’t know the exact numbers of children living in private fostering arrangements. But they do know that many people don’t understand what private fostering is or how it differs from kinship care or unrelated foster care. They want to raise awareness to make sure that children and families are getting the support available to them.
Save the date:
Further information on the CoramBAAF News, social media and website will follow as their plans develop so register your interest today using the button link below! |
15. Barnardo's Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship Service - Training Offer
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The Barnardo’s Independent Child Trafficking Guardianship Service (ICTGS) are offering a series of awareness raising sessions aimed at increasing professionals knowledge and understanding of issues relating to trafficking, exploitation and Modern Slavery throughout November. All sessions are free and delivered online via Microsoft Teams.
The sessions include:
- Modern Slavery Act including Section 45
- Role of the ICTG Service
- Overview of the NRM
- Safety Planning and Disruption
Please click here for further information and to book onto a session. |
16. Modern Slavery Victims Voices Exhibition
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The West Yorkshire Anti-Slavery Partnership are hosting a Modern Slavery Victims Voices Exhibition.
The exhibition that is sharing the viewpoints of victims of modern slavery and victims’ voices, will be moving around West Yorkshire between the 16th October and 19th November 2023. Come along to learn about:
- What modern slavery and human trafficking looks like in your community
- How victims are impacted by modern slavery and human trafficking
- What agencies across West Yorkshire are doing to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking
- What you can do to stop modern slavery and human trafficking impacting people in your community
The exhibition is in Wakefield from the 13th to the 19th November at The Ridings Centre, Wakefield, WF1 1YD. However if you are unable to attend on these dates there are other locations available please click here to find out more. |
17. Virtual Reality Headsets - Understand The Risks
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With Christmas just around the corner parents, carers and other family members might be thinking about treating the children in their life to a virtual reality (VR) headset. If so it is important to know the risks associated with VR headsets and get advice so children can use them safely.
Virtual reality (VR) headsets have become popular over recent years and you may have one already or be considering one as a gift for your child. A VR headset is a device that you wear over your eyes, like a pair of goggles. It is used to give you a 3D experience, meaning that you can see all around you in virtual reality. But what is virtual reality?
Virtual reality is a computer-generated 3D world. In this world you can experience different environments like exploring an underwater world or visiting a different country, all from your own home. When you put on a VR headset, you can enter one of these environments and become part of what is happening.
You enter this virtual world by putting on the headset. This blocks out the real world and replaces it with the virtual reality world by creating life-like images and video. Everything you can see in VR moves with you to make you feel like part of the action.
To find out more including tips for keeping your family safe when using virtual reality please click here here |
18. New Children's Observation Hub
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A new children's observation hub is coming to Wakefield. Worried parents could be offered support to look after ill children at home where it's safe to do so thanks to a new children's observation hub being piloted across the district this winter.
The new hub aims to improve patient care for around 140 children and their families every week and reduce unnecessary trips to the emergency department (ED) and children's assessment unit (CAU) at Mid Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Parents and carers of youngsters aged three months to 16 years old who are assessed with amber symptoms of fever, respiratory illness or tummy upset can be referred to the hub by their GP practice or out-of-hours service for remote monitoring or physical observation if needed for a period of time.
Amber symptoms, such as high temperature and vomiting, are treated safely every day by doctors and nurses working in primary care and do not require emergency assessment or treatment in hospital unless they become severe.
From the new children's observation hub, local GPs and nurses working closely with the paediatric team at the hospital, can help parents and carers carefully and confidently monitor their ill child at home through phone, video and face-to-face appointments. The hub is open from 4pm to 12am, seven days a week, providing treatment and reassessment throughout the evening and referring the child to hospital without delay if they start to get worse.
The hub runs as a pilot from mid-October 2023 to mid-February 2024 and is being delivered by Conexus Healthcare CIC, a GP-led, not-for-profit group made up of all GP practices in Wakefield on behalf of Wakefield Council and Mid Yorkshire NHS Hospitals Trust.
If a parent or carer of an ill child is eligible for care in the children's observation hub this winter, their GP or nurse will give them further information at their appointment.
Calling all professionals: Please share this with any families you work with. |
A campaign in Yorkshire has been launched aimed at tackling everyday harassment and inappropriate male behaviour towards women and girls.
The 'Just Don’t' campaign has been launched after statistics showed that 86 per cent of young women in the UK have experienced sexual harassment in public. Research and testing with focus groups found men were "frequently unaware of the issues women face all too often," according to campaign organisers the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA).
The key message calls for men and boys to reflect on their own behaviour as well as that of their friends and family. Women from West Yorkshire spoke to the WYCA about their experiences.
Watch the campaign video below, highlighting types of problematic behaviour. |
To find out more about the campaign and how you can help to improve the safety of women and girls, click here. |
Bonfire Night and Diwali are both quickly approaching. If you are planning to have your own display at home, visit the Child Accident Prevent Trust's (CAPT) firework safety hub for top tips on buying the right fireworks for your garden and ways to keep your family safe. |
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 ReviewsThe NSPCC have added six case reviews to the collection this month featuring issues including infant deaths, co-sleeping and youth violence. Click here to read the reviews.
Childline
NSPCC Learning has published a new page with information about Childline, the UK’s free 24-hour service for children and young people, up to the age of 19, run by the NSPCC. This new page is to help anyone who works with children and young people to signpost to Childline’s support and advice. The page collates information on: Childline and its confidentiality promise; the support provided by the service; and campaigns and posters. Read the webpage: Childline
Non-Accidental Head Injury
NSPCC Learning has published a new blog on the use of the term ‘non accidental head injury’ (NAHI) in place of ‘shaken baby syndrome’ as part of their Why Language Matters series. Discussions include: where the phrase ‘shaken baby syndrome’ came from; why the phrase ‘shaken baby syndrome’ should be replaced by NAHI; and working with parents to prevent NAHI.
Read the blog: Why language matters: using "non-accidental head injury" and not "shaken baby syndrome"
See also NSPCC Learning: Preventing non-accidental head injury training
Safeguarding Concerns
The House of Commons Library has published a briefing on reporting child safeguarding concerns in England. The briefing sets out the current position on reporting concerns and discusses the UK Government’s commitment to introducing a mandatory reporting duty.
Read the briefing: Duties to report child abuse in England
See also on NSPCC Learning: Recognising and responding to abuse |
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