March 2022 | Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership

Statement from Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett about the invasion of Ukraine

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett released a statement on 24th February 2022, regarding the invasion of Ukraine. The statement can be viewed on the Salford City Council website, with a helpline number for Salford residents, who may need help and assistance as a result of the crisis in Ukraine.

Covid-19 and safeguarding children in Salford

In these challenging times, SSCP would like to remind everyone that safeguarding remains a high priority and if you have any concerns that a child is being abused or is at risk of abuse, to follow the appropriate process as normal. A position statement and guidance from Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership set out how the partnership would function during the COVID-19 restrictions.

Safeguarding Children Arrangements during Covid-19 (Adobe PDF format, 420kb)

Salford City Council Latest News and Advice on Coronavirus

SSCP News March 2022

Safer Sleep Week 14^th-20^th March 2022

Download the Safer Sleep Week 2022 display pack which contains:

Our Instagram vs reality poster set
The ABCs of safer sleep
Baby Check app poster
Tips for safer bed sharing
Sofa sleeping poster
Spot the risk game
Easy read safer sleep advice

The Lullaby Trust would welcome your support with spreading awareness on social media too. We’ve put together a folder containing assets you can post on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook containing our key safer sleep advice.

You can download the social media files from Google Drive

If you want a link to the Lullaby Trust website click here The Lullaby Trust - Safer sleep for babies, Support for families

Guidance for parents & carers on talking to young people about the invasion of Ukraine

The invasion of Ukraine is a frightening and worrying time for many of us. This article, by Dr Sheila Redfern, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Anna Freud Centre, shares advice for parents and carers on how to talk with young people about the invasion.

It offers advice on managing difficult feelings, fact checking and maintaining a sense of stability and calm at home. Schools may want to share this with parents and carers to help them manage their response to their child’s worries and questions.

How to talk to your teenager about the invasion of Ukraine

Neglect

Neglect Audit and the Voice of the Child

A recent multi-agency case file audit on the theme of Neglect, showed improvements in the recording of the Voice of The Child and the child’s lived experience, since the first audit completed in 2020. However, it also found there is scope for practitioners to be more creative in recording the voice of the child, where the child is non-verbal or does not wish to engage. To assist practitioners in doing this a range of tools and resources have been to be identified for use, when working directly with children and young people.

To demonstrate how listening to children makes a difference in their lives practitioners can use a Listening Loop. This 7 Minute Briefing explains the use of The Listening Loop and The Listening Loop template is available for practitioners to download and complete.

Neglect Audit and Domestic Abuse

A recent multi-agency case file audit on the theme of Neglect showed that practitioners are not using all the tools available, for working with families impacted by Domestic Abuse. A toolkit of domestic abuse resources is currently available for practitioners to access and further information regarding local polices and pathways can be found on the SSCP Domestic Abuse webpage.

The SSCP is pleased to be hosting 2 new courses on the 2022 training programme, starting in March and April, These are:

Domestic Abuse – A whole family approach AND
Recognising the difference between domestic abuse and parental conflict

Both courses with will be delivered on-line, over 2 half day sessions per course. Further details and how to book a place can be found on the multi-agency training page.

Neglect Seminar

Neglect is one of the most common forms of childhood maltreatment and remains local area priority. On 28th March 2022 the SSCP will be hosting a virtual 'Neglect Seminar', bringing together Salford professionals to share the findings of the most recent multi-agency neglect audit and to highlight key areas for consideration.

Presentations will be delivered on the following subject areas:

- Salford neglect audit findings and outcomes

- Support and Safeguarding Guidance 2022

- Early help and The Thriving Families Assessment Tool.

- The impact of poverty in understanding neglect

More information on who should attend and how to book a place is available on the event flyer below:

Neglect Seminar 2022 Flyer

Neglect Seminar 2022 Accessible Flyer

Self-Injury awareness day

March 1^st is self-injury awareness day. Self-injury, also referred to as self-harm, is often seen as the deliberate act of hurting oneself and can be a way of coping with difficult emotions and experiences. There are various reasons why someone may self-injure and it is not always linked to suicidal feelings. The Salford Thrive directory contains links to a range of support services in Salford that can support young people who self-injure. Young people can also get information and support on self-harm by visiting the Childline website.

International Women’s Day

March 8^th marks the annual International Women’s Day (IWD). International Women's Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. There is also a call to action for equality. On this day groups come together to celebrate women's achievements or promote and campaign for women's equality.

The theme for IWD 2022 is ‘Break the Bias’, inviting people to break the bias in communities, workplaces, schools, colleges and universities.

Greater Manchester Complex Safeguarding week of action

A week of action is taking place across Greater Manchester during the week Monday 14 March to Friday 18 March 2022. The focus for the week will be chosen by each local area but the overarching theme is that ‘exploitation is still happening’.

There has been so much going on in the world, but Child Sexual Exploitation is still happening and it can happen anywhere, to any child. It can be hard to recognise when exploitation is happening. Find out more about the signs, and how to support children and keep them safe: https://www.itsnotokay.co.uk/children/what-is-it/. There is help and support available. You can speak with the police by visiting the GMP website to access LiveChat, use the online reporting tool or dial 101. Young people can also access support from ChildLine 24/7 on 0800 1111 or via their website: https://www.childline.org.uk/

Child criminal exploitation can take many forms, but ultimately it is when children and young people are forced into criminal activity. Organised crime groups and gangs use promises, threats and intimidation to persuade or force people to commit crime. It will look like they are wanting to be friends, but they are trying to gain trust and create a false friendship, leading to the feeling you owe them something. Find out more from Programme Challenger - Criminal Exploitation (Trapped)

Young Carers Action Day

Young Carers Action Day is taking place on 16 March 2022. Everyday across the UK, thousands of young people help look after someone in their family or a friend, who is ill, disabled, has a mental health difficulty or experiences addiction.

The Carers Trust’s 'Young Carers Action Day' is to help young carers stay connected, access the services and support they need and reduce their isolation. A campaign pack is available to help raise awareness of young carers and the issues that are important to them. There are lots of suggestions on how to plan and take action to support the goals of #YoungCarersActionDay. There is an A4 poster for display on noticeboards to encourage others to get involved with Young Carers Action Day and an A4 poster for places such as schools, colleges, youth clubs and GP surgeries.

International Transgender Day of Visibility

International Transgender Day of Visibility (also called TDOV, Transgender Day of Visibility) is an annual event occurring on March 31. International Transgender Day of Visibility is dedicated to celebrating Transgender people whilst also raising vital awareness of discrimination faced by Transgender people throughout the world.

The Proud Trust is an LGBT+ organisation that supports LGBT+ young people in Greater Manchester through youth groups, peer support, mentoring programs and the Proud Connections chat service. Information for young people and adults can be found on the Proud Trust website and includes a section on gender identity.

LGBTQ+ children and young people face the same risks as all children and young people, but they are at greater risk of some types of abuse. The NSPCC has published some best practice guidance for protecting LGBTQ+ young people which includes information and links to resources.

Useful Links to Training, Information and Resources

The SSCP has developed a hybrid training programme offering virtual and face to face courses. Our training programme is complemented by e-learning courses, 7 minute briefings and learning from Practice Reviews. A selection of informative presentations can also be viewed on the SSCP You Tube Channel.

New courses advertised this month include: Child Sexual Abuse, Parental Conflict, and the Neglect Seminar.

A new short video has been produced by the Violence Reduction Unit, for parents and young people, regarding 'speaking out', when a young person is being groomed into crime or exploitation. The video 'speaking out could save a life' has been shared by the GMCA and is now available to view.

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

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