Listening to the voice of the child
Recent high-profile child death cases that have been in the media this month remind all safeguarding partner practitioners of the importance of hearing the voice of the child; and even where the child is not able to verbalize, to properly understand their lived experience. Salford case reviews relating to incidents that took place during the national lockdown restrictions highlighted that this is still an issue for our local children.
The “Voice of the Child subgroup” works to ensure children and young people can inform learning and drive service improvement. We want young people to have a say in services and any developments. Young people are welcome to join this group and should contact: youth.services@salford.gov.uk for more information.
There are also a number of resources to help support professionals working with children and young people. These are available to access on the SSCP web page entitled “Views & voice” Views and voice | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership
Read this 7 Minute Briefing about a Salford child who was found in neglectful conditions.
This Learning from Lockdown 7 Minute Briefing brings together learning from several incidents where young children were physically harmed by their parents or carers during lockdown.
A national review will take place to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, whilst linking to the national context of other serious incidents. Here are the Terms of Reference for the review which is expected to be published in May 2022.
Listening Hub Update! 
The Listening Hub is about Listening to the voices of children, young people, parents/carers, families and communities in Salford. Salford Standards for Listening to Children, Young People and Families (PDF, 364kb) is an approach for listening which professionals working in the City are asked to adopt.
The first Listening Hub Lunch Bowl was held on 25th November 2021. It focused on the launch of the Listening Hub and the feedback and analysis of the Keeping Children Safe Online Workshop.
Please contact thelisteninghub@salford.gov.uk for more information or see our website page Listeninghub | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership
Education Listening Hub Update!
The SSCP recognises the importance of schools in the safeguarding of children. Funding was secured for a one-year project to consult specifically with schools to ascertain their safeguarding procedures and processes. The consultations are coming to an end and a final report of the findings and recommendations will be produced by the end of December and shared on the SSCP website.
As part of the Education Listening Hub a research project with schools in Salford has focused on safeguarding children. Within the consultation questionnaire, specific questions were added to capture information with regards to peer on peer abuse within schools. The Education webpage on the SSCP website has now been updated to include a section on Peer on Peer Abuse with the recent Ofsted report and includes details of a dedicated NSPCC Helpline to report abuse in Education.
Spotlight on Getting Help and Support
Christmas can be a challenging time for many people for lots of different reasons. Mental health charity MIND explains how the period around Christmas and New Year might affect mental health. They give tips on how to cope and suggestions for supporting someone else.
The Salford Thrive Directory provides a comprehensive list of contact details of services and organisations that provide help, support and advice, with a focus on supporting children and young people’s social, emotional and mental wellbeing.
Christmas Safety Message
Whilst Christmas is generally a time of fun and gathering with family and friends it can also be a time where there is increased risk of harm to children
One of the good things about Christmas is that there are typically more people around to supervise children and, with a little more care and forward planning, most accidents could be avoided.
Please consider sharing these messages with parents, carers, wider family members and Foster Carers who may have caring responsibilities over the Christmas period:
Safety Advice
ROSPA (Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents) have produced some helpful tips to support in keeping children safe over the Christmas period
- Make sure you buy children's gifts for the correct age group and from reputable retailers, and ensure they comply to safety standards
- Remember to buy batteries for toys that need them – that way you won't be tempted to remove batteries from smoke alarms
- Look out for small items that could pose a choking hazard to young children, such as button batteries, which if not caught early, can do serious damage to the gastrointestinal system. Never leave these items lying around and make sure that children know not to put them in their mouths, ears or up their noses.
- Keep decorations and cards away from fires and other heat sources such as light fittings and don't leave burning candles unattended
- Remember, Christmas novelties and decorationsare not toys and they do not have to comply with toy safety regulations - place them high up and out of reach of young hands
- Give yourself enough time to prepare and cook Christmas dinner to avoid accidents that come from rushing, and wipe up any spills quickly
- Have scissors handy to open packaging, so you're not tempted to use a knife, and have screwdrivers at the ready to assemble toys
- Beware of trailing cables and wires in the rush to connect new gadgets and appliances, and always read the instructions. Plan New Year fireworks parties well in advance and follow the Firework Code
- Do not drink and drive, and plan long journeys so you won't be driving tired.
Safe Sleep
Christmas is likely to be a time when alcohol consumption increases and families may be staying away from home. It is important safe sleep advice continues to be followed and babies have a safe place to sleep. Lullaby Trust provide more detailed advice.
Salford Safer Sleeping Policy and Guidance is available on the Policy and Procedures page.
ICON
Christmas can be a stressful time for some families and this may increase the risk to young babies particularly if parents have limited support networks. Remember to share the ICON messages.
Thriving Families Assessment
The ‘Thriving Families Assessment Tool’ is available to those working with families to aid discussions, highlight what to look for and increase confidence to identify neglect. It’s simple and easy to use, strengths based and helps towards a more holistic understanding of needs. A recorded lunch bowl session is now available to view which provides details of the development of the tool and its use.
ACT Early Counter-Terrorism Campaign
As part of their ACT Early campaign, the Counter-Terrorism Policing team have developed three new ‘Letters to my Younger Self’ films, aimed at young people. The films are based on real life stories and are now available to view on the ACT Early website.
UK Disability History Month
Now in its 12th year, UK Disability History Month 2021 runs 18th November till 18th December. Currently the Equality Act 2010 defines disability as “if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.” UKDHM adheres to the social model of disability in which the barriers of attitude, environment and organisation cause most of the disabilism faced.
December 3 marks the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities, highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on pre-existing inequalities and exclusion and calling for an integrated response to ensure that persons with disabilities are not left behind.
World Aids Day
On 1 December 2021, The World Health Organisation (WHO) is calling on global leaders and citizens to rally to confront the inequalities that drive AIDS and to reach people who are currently not receiving essential HIV services.
The theme of World AIDS Day 2021 is “End inequalities. End AIDS”. With a special focus on reaching people left behind, WHO and its partners are highlighting the growing inequalities in access to essential HIV services.
Further information including key messages and campaign information can be found on the WHO website.
Gender based violence
Beginning on 25th November and continuing into December the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the Global 16 Days Campaign. Inspired by the original vision and history of the Campaign, which focused on raising awareness about violence against women (VAW), and considering the continuing impunity for femicide, this year the Campaign will focus on the issue of “femicide or the gender-related killing of women.”
In 2021, in addition to the anniversary theme, the Campaign will continue its program activities to end gender-based violence (GBV) in the world of work by focusing on the link between domestic violence and the world of work, drawing on legal standards outlined in ILO Convention 190 (C190) and the actions put forward in Recommendation 206 (R206).
Useful Links to Training, Information and Resources
The SSCP has developed a Virtual Training Programme offering webinars, spotlight briefings, lunchbowls, practitioner forums and videocasts. Our training programme is complemented by e-learning courses, 7 minute briefings Learning from Practice Reviews, and Learning Events. We will continue to review the possibility of offering face to face training in line with Government advice and local needs.
The SSCP you tube channel has recently been reviewed and updated. The latest upload includes a short narrated presentation for professionals, on how to introduce and discuss the ICON 'Babies Cry, You Can Cope' guidance with parents and carers.
- Visit also Salford Thrive for further Training, Resources and Events including Psychological First Aid, Mindfulness, Helping young people with anxiety, low mood and depression during Covid 19
- The Emotional Health Service Directory will help you access useful resources and services available to support children and young people's emotional health and well-being and to provide guidance when making a referral into services.
- To support us to become more aware of trauma and how we can support resilience across the City, take a look at The Salford Way which includes self care resources for taking care of ourselves and our colleagues.
Safeguarding Resources, Training and Information
- SSCP 7 Minute Briefings: Salford standards for listening, Knife Crime, Young Persons Plan
- SSAB 7 minute Briefings: Cuckooing, Joint Safeguarding Adult Review and Domestic Homicide Review
- Latest Greater Manchester policies Tri-X briefings, Tri-X Circular and Tri-X Resource Hub – includes The Domestic Abuse Act 2021
- Local supporting pathways and policies including Professional Challenge and Escalation Policy
- Lessons Learnt from Practice Reviews including Chronology guidance and Ecogram guidance
Other Updates and Information
Latest news
Details of all the latest news from the Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership.