News

February 2026

Previous news items are available by month of publication from the news tab.

Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership circulate monthly E-Bulletins; if you would like to be included on the distribution list, email sscp@salford.gov.uk.

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation 6 February 2026

On 6 February 2026, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme, together with partners, calls on everyone to renew commitments, safeguard hard-won progress, and ensure that every woman and girl can live free from female genital mutilation.

Share your stories, strategies and investment with the hashtags #Invest2EndFGM and #EndFGM to propel a vital movement that leaves no one behind.

NESTAC Support Our Sisters (SOS) Project works with and supports vulnerable women affected or at risk of FGM providing cross-cultural therapeutic support to women and help them recover from mental pressures related to FGM.

The Guardian Project co-ordinates care and support for girls and young women (up to the age of 21 years) affected by or at risk of FGM.

Local tools and resources are available on Female Genital Mutilation | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Child Protection Authority Consultation - Have Your Say

The Department for Education is consulting on proposals for a new Child Protection Authority (CPA) - a national body designed to strengthen child protection across England. The CPA aims to provide clear leadership, unify the multi-agency system, and drive continuous improvement through evidence-based support.

What’s being consulted on?

• The CPA’s scope, design principles, and governance.
• How it will lead and oversee the child protection system.
• How it will support learning and improvement.
• How it will engage with other organisations.

Why your views matter Your feedback will help shape the future of child protection. The consultation is open for 12 weeks and welcomes responses from children and families, practitioners, local authorities, inspectorates, professional bodies, and voluntary/community organisations. Deadline: 5 March 2026 Respond here: Child Protection Authority - Department for Education - Citizen Space

Please share widely within your networks.

Advocacy Focus - Independent Visitor Service

The Independent Visitor Service is a volunteer led service provided by Advocacy Focus, supporting young people in the care of Salford Local Authority. 

The Volunteer Independent Visitor role allows individuals to provide support, friendship, and guidance to children and young people in care. It provides incredible opportunities for young people who are matched with a volunteer to take part in activities and days out whilst helping to develop new interests and build confidence and self-esteem.

The service is looking to recruit more volunteers and you can help! If you know any friends, family members, or colleagues who may be interested in becoming an Independent Visitor, please encourage them to get in touch for more information: Volunteer Independent Visitor - Advocacy Focus

Referrals are also being accepted for any cared for young people you think would benefit from this service, aged 8-18 years old. For more information and to make a referral.Independent Visitor - Advocacy Focus

Social Media, Online Safety and Mental Health 

Childline launches new campaign supporting young people’s online wellbeing

Childline has launched Race to a Milli, a social‑media‑focused campaign designed to help young people manage pressures related to likes, online comments and peer influence. The campaign includes practical discussion prompts for professionals working with children in schools, clubs and youth settings. Between April 2024 and March 2025, Childline delivered 82,882 counselling sessions on mental wellbeing.

Read about the campaign: Help young people navigate the mental health challenges of being online
Read the news story: More than half of all Childline counselling sessions support children with mental health struggles

RCPCH releases new screen‑time and online‑harms guidance

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has created a new webpage bringing together key resources on screen use and online harms. The hub includes guidance for under‑fives, advice for parents and tools to support conversations with families about digital wellbeing.

Read the guidance: Screen time and online harms: resources for members | RCPCH

Government consultation launched on children’s social media access

The UK government has opened a national consultation to improve the safety and wellbeing of children using social media. Proposals include:

• minimum age requirements or potential bans
• improved age‑assurance technology
• restrictions on addictive platform features
• stronger support for parents

Ofsted will also check mobile‑phone policies during every school inspection, with schools expected to move toward phone‑free environments. Organisation like the NSPCC emphasise the need for greater accountability from technology companies.

Read the news story: Government to drive action to improve children’s relationship with mobile phones and social media
Read the NSPCC’s response: A social media ban would punish teenagers for tech platform’s failures

Further information and training: E-safety | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership

Salford Trauma Informed/Responsive Practice Training

Various Dates | ⏰ Mix of AM, PM and All Day | ⚲ Online and Face to Face
Salford City Council and partners have commissioned Dignifi to deliver a trauma awareness training programme over the next year. This programme has been developed using your feedback, supporting our journey towards becoming a trauma informed and trauma responsive city.

For more information and to book your space please visit Salford Trauma Informed Practice Training | Partners in Salford

Mental Health and Counselling Service Update

Check out latest updates from Kooth.com and Qwell.io, online mental health and counselling services.

Emotional Health Service Directory Update

The Salford Thrive Directory has been updated. The Directory has been developed to support anyone working or volunteering with children and young people. The directory will help you access useful information about different types of resources and services that are available to support children and young people's social, emotional health and well-being and to provide guidance when making a referral into services. For any queries about the directory please email EHWB@salford.gov.uk

Shining a Light on Suicide

We’re bringing suicide out of the dark in Greater Manchester because it affects us all. Whether you’re feeling suicidal, worried someone else is, or have lost someone to suicide, you’re not alone. Whatever you’re going through, get the advice and support you need - Shining a Light on Suicide

Domestic Abuse 

Domestic Abuse - Inspectorates highlight inconsistent support for child victims of domestic abuse

A joint report from Ofsted, CQC, HMICFRS and HMIP has reviewed multi‑agency responses to unborn babies and children aged 0–7 experiencing domestic abuse. While strong examples of practice were found, particularly within midwifery and early years settings, the report concludes that children are not always recognised or supported as victims in their own right. The inspectorates call for improved information‑sharing and more consistent multi‑agency working to support child victims of domestic abuse

Read the news story: Children not always recognised as domestic abuse victims in their own right, inspectorates warn
Read the report: The multi-agency response to children who are victims of domestic abuse

Further information and training: Domestic abuse | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership

Youth Violence 

The Youth Endowment Fund has released a systematic review analysing 25 years of UK research into serious youth violence. It highlights five key pathways into and out of violence, including difficult life experiences, hypermasculinity, financial pressures and desistance journeys.

The review identifies significant gaps in evidence, particularly around girls, minority ethnic groups and migrant young people.

Read the news story: Insights from YEF’s first systematic review of UK qualitative research
Read the report: Children and young people’s accounts of their involvement in serious youth violence in the UK

Further information and training: Child Exploitation | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership

Child Friendly Salford - One Year On

December marked a major milestone in our Child Friendly Salford work - it is one year since the project launched.

Child Friendly Salford is about bringing everyone together to make Salford a great place for children and young people to grow up, feel safe, cared for, heard and have quality opportunities to learn, work and play.

The celebration event hosted at Salford Youth Zone saw over 200 children aged 8 to 12 take part in activities such as building Salford in Minecraft and writing a rap song about Salford, while telling us what they would like to see to make the city a better place to grow up in.

The thoughts, wishes, and insights shared by children during the event - along with feedback gathered throughout the year - will directly shape our priorities and actions for Child Friendly Salford in 2026.

🎥 Watch the short video to see highlights from the celebration event. You can find out more on our Child Friendly City webpage, and we’ll continue to share updates as the programme develops.

New Neglect Information Page for Young People

Boost Your Knowledge and Confidence in Safeguarding - Explore SSCP Training!

Are you a professional or manager working with children, young people, families, or adults?

Explore a  wide range of multi-agency courses The Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) Training Programme is here to help you:  

✅ Stay informed about existing and emerging responses to safeguarding 
✅ Build confidence in practical strategies for safeguarding
✅ Network with professionals across agencies and share best practice
✅ Support a whole-family approach: Think Child, Think Adult, Think Family

👉 Check out the full programme: SSCP Training Programme

Looking for more?

Alongside SSCP Training Programme, we also recommend complementary external courses available locally, across Greater Manchester, and nationally. These opportunities are designed to deepen your knowledge and strengthen your safeguarding practice.

👉 Explore External Training Opportunities: External Training | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership

7 minute Briefings and Case Review updates

Reflect: on the learning also spotlighted in the CSPR Panel annual report and the NSPCC Recently published case reviews including the national case review collection- Updated case reviews added this month featuring issues including sibling sexual abuse, suicide, neglect identification & intersectionality. emotional abuse, child neglect, cultural competency, and children who have disabilities.

The SSCP produces 7 minute briefings to offer insights from case reviews and themed learning, along with challenge questions for agencies, teams, and individuals to reflect on and consider in their practice. The briefings can be used in a variety of ways:

 

• Individuals can use the briefing independently for their own learning and development and share with others.
• Teams/Managers encourage circulation and use for information and development and share learning amongst their team i.e. team meetings, supervision, peer support to reflect and improve practice and systems.
• Use at a structured event during training and/or briefing sessions to complement overall learning and development

New and updated 7 Minute Briefings include;

• Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) - New
• FGM (updated January 2026)
• Child Yvonne
• Operation Encompass 

• Building Relationships
• Corporate Parenting Principles
• Escalation and Professional Challenge
• Equality Act
• Making a good referral
• Managing allegations against adults who work with children (LADO) - Updated guidance
• Parental Mental Health includes Think CHILD tool
• Positive Fatherhood
• Unknown Males

You will also find these new briefings and tools from the SSAB useful.

• Newly-published Briefing Document for SAR Harry (2025)
• Managing Allegations Against People in Position of Trust (PiPoT) in Salford 7-minute briefing and Short video (6 mins 10 secs) explaining the PiPoT process in Salford
• New Self-Neglect Guidance and toolkit

Think Family, Professional Curiosity and Cultural Consciousness

In partnership between the SSCP nd the Salford Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) we have produced a joint webpage with information on Think Family Professional Curiosity and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion 

Action: Take a look at these resources and share them with your teams / colleagues. These pages are under development, so if you have any comments or suggestions, please let us know by emailing shahanara.begum@salford.gov.uk

Calls to Action: National/Local Updates and Learning

Salford Turns 100 in 2026

Exciting plans are underway as Salford prepares to celebrate a century since becoming a city. A full year of cultural, civic and community events. Salford 100 will honour our past, celebrate our present, and imagine our future. Residents, schools, businesses and community groups are all invited to get involved and help shape this once‑in‑a‑lifetime celebration! ✨

Find out more and join the journey toward Salford’s next 100 years Salford 100

Right Care Right Person

Whether it’s help with housing, money worries, food, mental health, domestic abuse, or getting the right care fast - find the support and help you need help from the right place Quick help – get the right care from the right person•Salford City Council

Keep Warm and Well

Don't suffer in the cold - to keep warm, follow the tips on Keep warm and well and make sure you're claiming all the help that you're entitled to.

Health and Wellbeing - Practical Information for Independent Living’. The guide is for you if everyday tasks are becoming more difficult. It is about support and services that are in your community. As well as family and neighbours, many groups and organisations in Salford can help you stay independent and well. Our guide has details of these organisations and how to contact them.

Hate Crime Awareness - Ending Hatred, Amplifying Hope

Hate crimes can affect anyone. Whether you’ve experienced one or know someone who has, we’re here to help you understand what they are, how to report them, and how to support others.

Hate crime is a criminal act that is motivated by hostility or prejudice.

Find out more information on ways to report a hate crime including how to become an ambassador Hate crime•Salford City Council,

The British Muslim Trust (BMT) has launched a new helpline service in the wake of increased anti-Muslim hate in the UK. The helpline will be used to support victims to help them report their experiences in a safe environment.

👉 SSCP Cultural Consciousness Guidance

Self Care: Trauma Responsive Workforce

Whatever you have planned during and following the festive period, try and make time to pause, reflect and take care of yourself

Alongside support, supervision and services available to us in our organisations to support you and your colleagues, you should also prioritise taking better care of yourself and pay attention to what you need.

The following information and resources have been identified to support the wellbeing of our people and teams in the workplace including how we look after ourselves.

• Self care resources | Partners in Salford
• Stress - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Managing stress and building resilience - tips - Mind
• Greater Manchester Resilience Hub - health and care staff wellbeing service
• Greater Manchester Wellbeing Toolkit | Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership
• Togetherall
• Six Degrees Social Enterprise – Supporting Your Mental Health (six-degrees.org.uk)
• Meditation and Sleep Made Simple - Headspace
• Trauma Responsive Greater Manchester (trgm.co.uk)

WorkWell in Salford

WorkWell is a free offer designed to support people with health conditions or disabilities whether a mental health or physical health concern such as a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition. The experienced WorkWell team will help you stay in work or return to work if you are employed, self-employed or recently unemployed and facing health related challenges to either remain in work or return to work. This includes:

• a personal assessment to understand the best support for your needs
• tailored plans to address your physical and mental wellbeing
• access to local health services, wellbeing activities, and community support
• careers advice and guidance to help you progress in your current job or explore new opportunities
• tailored support from a dedicated Work and Health Coach

For more information visit WorkWell (Health and Work Support)

Information and learning on a variety of subject matters related to safeguarding children and adults, can also be accessed through the SSCP Training Programme, 7 minute briefings, learning from Practice Reviews and the SSCP YouTube Channel.

All enquiries concerning the welfare or safety of a child or requests for information MUST BE SENT DIRECTLY to the Bridge Partnership.

The Bridge Partnership can be contacted on 0161 603 4500. All referrals and requests for support must be completed on the online referral form. The Bridge Partnership is available Monday to Friday 8.30am - 4.30pm. If you need to speak to someone outside these times, please contact the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0161 794 8888. If a child is in immediate danger of being harmed or is home alone, call the police on 999.

If you are worried about an adult - Report abuse or neglect by telephone on: 0161 206 0604. For further information visit the Safeguarding adults page on the Salford City Council website.