February 2023

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.

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.

For any problems related to the portal contact worriedaboutachild@salford.gov.uk 

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

Learning from a Neglect themed multi-agency audit

A recent Salford multi-agency audit on the theme of Neglect looked in detail at how a range of partners respond to children experiencing Neglect in the home. The audit found that whilst there were some excellent example of partners working together and going the extra mile to support families, it also highlighted ways that multi-agency practice can improve. This includes:

• Recognising the impact that poor parental mental health can have on the daily lived experience of a child – take a look at the Parental Mental Health page on the SSCP website
• Remembering to include Housing Providers in assessments and keeping them informed about changes in household circumstances. Take a look at the resources on the Housing page on the SSAB website.
• Consider the impact that living in poverty can have on children and families. Further information and support can be found on the Welfare Rights and Debt Advice

Further resources and information about how to support children experiencing neglect can be found on the Neglect page of the SSCP website.

Salford Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Unit

Salford Safeguarding and Quality Assurance Unit continue to mobilise the ethos of ‘working in a place’ finding accessible spaces to hold family meetings.  The aim is to hold all family meeting in a space closest to the where the family live and have the necessary equipment to hold blended meetings. 

Following the successful launch of the North and South Locality spaces, coupled with the continued support from the Gateways and IT Services, the Unit are pleased to launch Phase 3 in the West Locality. The new family meeting room in Walkden is now ready for all familiy meetings to be held, this includes Child Protection, YPP and when a family have a CINCO allocation. The dedicated room has an array of toys & games for families to access.  At the centre families are invited to a family waiting area, and can access a range of services and facilities. This includes welfare and debt advice on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a well-equipped library and computer stations.

The Unit are working on Phase 4 with a plan to secure dedicated space in Central Locality within the next few weeks.  If you can donate any toys, games or materials please contact cpru@salford.gov.uk for information on donation sites.

Awareness weeks

There are a number of awareness campaigns this month on a range of different topics:

International FGM Zero Tolerance Day Monday 6^th Feb 2023

The World Health Orginaisation (WHO) highlight that the International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation (FGM), observed annually on 6 February, provides an opportunity for all those involved in ending FGM to celebrate achievements, advocate for abandonment of the practice and raise awareness.

The FGM Task Group have produced an FGM Assessment Toolkit with accompanying guidance.  Its purpose is to support in multi-agency assessment of whether FGM has taken place or there is a risk of FGM to an adult, child or close family member.  

The aim of the toolkit is to: 

• support sensitive discussion with those who have experienced or may be at risk of FGM
• strengthen multi-agency assessment, decision making and signposting of those who have experienced or may be at risk of FGM
• avoid survivors being repeatedly questioned regarding their experiencing thereby preventing further trauma
• provide robust information to inform decision making at Bridge
• assist in determining the level of risk and ensure cases managed at the appropriate threshold

Professionals are encouraged to submit the appropriate assessment tool alongside referrals made to Bridge / Adult Social Care Contact Centre to assist in screening and decision-making process and store a copy on records. 

The toolkit which includes pathways for both adults and children, a 7-minute briefing, a recorded information session and information regarding support services are available on the Female Genital Mutilation page on the SSCP website. 

Race Equality awareness week 6th-12th Feb 2023

Race Equality Week is an annual UK-wide movement uniting thousands of organisations and individuals to address the barriers to race equality in the workplace. This years’ theme is #ItsEveryonesBusiness because tackling race inequality is just that. 

Race Equality Matters are promoting their '5 day challenge' which consists of 5 Challenges for 5 Minutes for 5 Days.  They suggest activities the workforce can engage with each day of Race Equality Week – they include videos, articles, and activities to help employees reflect and take action to drive Race Equality.  Each daily activity is 5 minutes and their are downloadable PDFs for each day that can be distributed to employees.

Childrens Mental Health Week 6th-12th Feb 2023

This week is Children’s Mental Health Week (6 to 12 February) and the 2023 theme is ‘Let’s Connect’.   

Place 2B say that 'Let’s Connect is about making meaningful connections. Human beings thrive in communities, and this connection is vital for our wellbeing. When we have healthy connections to family, friends and others, this can support our mental health and our sense of wellbeing. When our need for rewarding social connections is not met, we can sometimes feel isolated and lonely – which can have a negative impact on our mental health.'  They have produced a number of resources to help people participate in the week. These include activity ideas and assembly guides to top tips and videos.  Their free resources will help you explore mental health and wellbeing with the children and young people around you. 

To coincide with Childrens Mental Health Week Kooth are promoting their Digital Health Support offer.  They have released a number of digital resources on Kooth Promotion Central including e-posters you can download for your organisation's website and social media (including a social media guide).

The NSPCC have a number of webpages dedicated to supporting children with their mental health including recognising and responding to concerns, and how to take appropriate action to support children's and young peoples mental health.

For other local resources in Salford for young people you can access the Salford Thrive Directory .

Greater Manchester Hate Crime Awareness Week 6th-12th Feb 2023

A hate crime incident is an offence committed against a person or property that is motivated by an offender's hatred of someone because of their:

• race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins
• religion
• gender identity
• sexual orientation
• disability
• alternative sub-culture

Hate crime incidents include:

• physical attacks - to people or property, including offensive graffiti or arson
• the threat of attack - including offensive letters, telephone calls, online messages or groups of people hanging around to intimidate
• verbal abuse or insults - including offensive leaflets and posters, abusive gestures and bullying at school or in the workplace

Hate incidents can be verbal abuse but if the victim feels threatened or is caused distress, this could become a hate crime.

You can get more information on support available and how to report a hate crime by visiting the Salford City Council Hate Crime information page.

LGBT+ History Month

Throughout February LGBT+ History Month 2023 #BehindTheLens is about celebrating "LGBT+ peoples’ contribution to cinema and film from behind the lens. Directors, cinematographers, screen writers, producers, animators, costume designers, special effects, make up artists, lighting directors, musicians, choreographers and beyond.  At a time when LGBT+ lives are in the media we also encourage you to look ‘Behind the Lens’ and listen to LGBT+ peoples’ lived experiences."  LGBT+ History Month, funded by Schools Out, have developed a number of resources for schools and orgnisations which can be downloaded form their website for free.

External Training

SIDS training

This FREE training programme delivered by The Lullaby Trust is open to ALL staff working in the North West region and particularly those who have interaction with children and families.

If we are to prevent child deaths then safer sleep messages MUST be delivered by all professionals working across health, education (including early years and nursery providers), social care, voluntary and community organisations, police, housing officers and anyone who engages with families following the birth of a child.

To book a place on the interactive sessions use the Multiverse booking link in the table below. A certificate of attendance will be provided to all delegates who join the interactive session:

Date	Time	Multiverse Booking Link
Tuesday 14th March (annual safer sleep week)	12pm – 12:45pm	NW region SIDS and Safer Sleep - NHS England Events
Wednesday 29th March	12pm – 12:45pm	NW region SIDS and Safer Sleep - NHS England Events
Tuesday 25th April	12pm – 12:45pm	NW region SIDS and Safer Sleep - NHS England Events

Operation Encompass online training for schools

Operation Encompass have developed an online training package in partnership with Virtual College. This free training is available to all schools and education settings.- even if your school is not yet part of Operation Encompass. The training updates staff members' knowledge of child victims of domestic abuse.

This training will  assist you in developing the skills and knowledge to fully embed Operation Encompass in your school or education setting.  To register visit the Operation Encompass website.

More information for education settings on Operation Encompass and a range of other topics can be found in the Education section of this Website.

Spotting the signs and indicators of child sexual abuse

There is a Free webinar series - CSA Centre available on Spotting the signs and indicators of child sexual abuse and three dates on Speaking to children about child sexual abuse, from April to September 2023.

The NSPCC have also highlighted a piece of research 'Letting you share when you need to share: navigating the potential and precarity of friends and peers for UK young people after sexual abuse in adolescence' (Warrington et al, 2023) which shows the importance of friendships as a source of support for young people who have experienced sexual abuse.

An Introduction to Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD)

NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care is offering Free virtual FASD training, in February and March 2023, for anyone working directly with children and families in Greater Manchester.  Booking for the event is available through Eventbrite.

Further multi-agency training on a range of safeguarding topics is available on the SSCP Training Programme | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership

Equality and Diversity Statement

Our vision is to make Salford a fair and inclusive city where everyone has an equal voice, access to services and opportunities, and are included and represented in decisions that affect them, irrespective of their age, disability status, ethnicity, faith, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation or socio-economic background. Salford has a strong commitment to tackling inequality which is reflected in The Salford Way, a city-wide approach to ensure partners work together to build a fairer and more inclusive Salford for all. A key part of this approach is the Salford Equality Strategy our catalyst for change to ensure we work together to build a fairer and more inclusive Salford for all.

All partners of the SSCP are required to ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are a thread through all our priorities/activity, as are the views and voices of young people.