August 2022

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

News items are available by month of publication from the menu on the right.

New SSCP Training Officer

Hi everyone, I’m Deb Drinkwater and I have recently been appointed the role of part time Training Officer for Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership.  Although I only started at the beginning of August, the warm welcome I have received, and working alongside familiar faces I knew in previous roles, have ensured that I already feel part of the team.

I have worked in and around Salford for many years in Local Authority roles (including SSCB as it was back then) and working for Salford CVS providing Safeguarding support to the Voluntary & community sector. I qualified as a Youth & Community Worker initially, but the focus of my career has been addiction recovery and community development. Consequently safeguarding has been at the heart of everything I do – raising awareness with communities and frontline workers, and supporting individuals and families to make positive changes.

In my spare time I like walking, live music, a bit of photography and family activities. I recently climbed Mount Snowdon although this is not the norm for me.   It was a challenge I set for my ‘big’ birthday in July – although I absolutely loved seeing the sunrise at the peak, I don’t think I am ready to climb any other mountains just yet – but I do love new experiences and challenges so who knows.

Its great to be back with the team at SSCP – looking forward to meeting and working with colleagues across the partnership and re-connecting with some familiar faces too.

Water Safety - in and outside of the home

As the warm weather continues water safety outside of the home remains a concern.  However there are also still reported drownings happening inside of the home.  At home, younger children are most likely to drown in the bath or garden pond.  Babies can drown in as little as 5cm of water.

The Institute of Health Visiting have produced a useful downloadable document with advice on water safety inside and outside the home.  The Child Accident Prevention Trust have also produced a one page factsheet containing key pieces of advice on keeping babies and older children safe near water.  Below is a summary of the key advice:

• Make sure you have everything you need close to hand (towels, nappies etc.) when you’re giving your child their bath.
• Do not leave your baby alone in the bath, even for a second.
• Don’t rely on another child to watch your baby while you leave the bathroom.
• Make sure your garden is secure so that your child cannot get into neighboring gardens, where there may be ponds or other drowning hazards.
• Supervise young children when they’re playing in a paddling pool, at all times. Always empty the water immediately after use.
• Water butts for storage of rainwater should always have a secure lid on them.
• Hot tubs should always be securely covered when not in use.

Gambling and young people

Although gambling is illegal for those under 18, research shows many young people do engage in gambling through different means.  Big Deal is an online resource which provides information for young people if they are worried about their own or another persons gambling.  They also have an information hub for parents and professionals, in addition to a helpline and live chat option.

To understand the links between gaming and gambling YGAM for parents is a site which offers information, education and safeguarding awareness.

Anti-violence sculpture comes to Salford 

A large bee sculpture made from surrendered weapons will be coming to Salford in September.  Created by The British Ironwork Centre in collaboration with Greater Manchester Police, the sculpture is to serve as an educational tool with an anti-violence message.  All the weapons used were taken from the streets of Manchester.