May 2023

The April 2023 news page and previous news items are available by month of publication from the menu on the right.

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.

Children's Commissioner Report

This month the Children's Commissioner has published a report titled "Evidence on pornography’s influence on harmful sexual behaviour among children' (May 2023).

“The Salford Safeguarding Children’s Partnership welcomes the Children’s Commissioner’s report and findings, which presents compelling evidence of the harm that children face from accessing pornography.

The Salford Safeguarding Children’s Partnership’s overarching priority is that every child and young person has a right to be safe. We provide and deliver extensive training, guidance and tools for professionals, parents, children and young people to keep children and young people safe and prevent online abuse and exploitation.

We welcome the opportunity to work collaboratively across Greater Manchester, regionally and nationally to support the findings of this report.”   Melanie John-Ross, SSCP Independent Chair/ Scrutineer.

The Children's Commissioner have has also produced an information sheet on Pornography and Young People.

More information on this topic can be found on the Children's Commissioner website.

Professionals online safety toolkit

The SSCP E-safety web page has been updated with new information and links to resources for professionals. It includes sections on:

• CEOP
• Education
• Image Sharing
• Bullying
• Parental guides
• Interactive content

Information aimed at young people is also available on the page 'The online world and you'.

Foster Care Fortnight 

National Foster Care Fortnight runs 15th to 28th May and is The Fostering Network's annual campaign to raise the profile of fostering and show how foster care transforms lives.

Salford City Council is supporting this and holding a number of face to face and online events:

• Friday 19 May - There will be an Advan in a few different places in Salford and anyone is welcome to visit the Advan to find out more about fostering. Times and locations will be on the Salford City Council webpage.
• Tuesday 23 May - 4.30pm to 8pm, Salford Suite, Salford Civic Centre, Swinton. The fostering team and foster carers will be happy to answer questions. They are looking for foster carers to support children supported by the Route 29 team. The children the Route 29 team work with are aged 11 and over, who are coming into care and need short-term help, while their families are being supported.
• Thursday 25 May - 10am to 2.30pm, Woodland Suite, Buile Hill Park. The fostering team and foster carers will be available to offer information on fostering and answer questions. This event is for anyone who is interested in finding out more about fostering generally.

The online events are open to anyone who wants to find out information about fostering and ask questions.

• Wednesday 17 May - online event 1pm to 2.30pm
• Friday 26 May - online event 10.30am to 12pm

For more information and too book a place at an event visit the Salford City Council webpage.

Children's Advocacy

Advocacy Focus provide Independent Advocates and Independent Visitors for Children in Salford.  They have produced a number of information leaflets on the services available:

• Children's Advocacy Services in Salford
• A guide to children's rights and advocacy
• A young persons guide to Independent Visitors

For more information on services contact Advocacy Focus.  Details are available via their website.

SSCP Multi-agency arrangements 2023 -2026

The Salford Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) have published the Multi-agency arrangements for the next 3 years. 

This document sets out how organisations and people in Salford will work together as well as what matters most to the citizens and professionals in Salford.  The model outlined in the document is aimed at reducing time being spent on administrative process and systems and enable a continuing focus on critical safeguarding matters to improve outcomes, whilst being sustainable and realistic.

More information about the SCCP and the Multi-agency arrangements 2023 – 2026 can be be found on the About us page of this website.

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.