News from March 2020

COVID-19: Latest News and Advice

Salford City Council has created new, dedicated #Coronavirus web pages to keep all information in one, easy to find place - and will update them regularly as this situation changes.

For more info visit: https://www.salford.gov.uk/people-communities-and-local-information/coronavirus/

Follow @salfordcouncil on Twitter for the latest updates.

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Salford Thriving Families and Neglect Strategy 2020-2023

The Salford Thriving Families and Neglect Strategy informed by the Neglect Needs assessment has been published. The Strategy and its associated action plan focus as much on helping families in Salford to thrive as responding to neglect. We are also revising a number of tools and resources to support professionals, parents and children to help towards increasing the number of thriving families and reducing neglect.

A launch and a variety of briefings and training sessions are planned, information will be available on these as soon as possible.

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Are you worried about a child? Don’t ignore it—Report it!

During the Covid-19 pandemic, professionals and volunteers may come into contact with individuals and families they haven’t met before.

If you’re worried that a child is being neglected, abused or is not being looked after properly please don’t ignore it.

Trust your instincts and get in touch with The Bridge team if you’ve seen or heard something that you thought wasn’t right.

Call: 0161 603 4500 (8:30am-4:30pm) outside these hours 0161 794 8888

In an emergency call 999

For more information visit: www.salford.gov.uk/worriedaboutachild or download a copy of Life in Salford (March 2020) magazine

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Coronavirus Act 2020

The Coronavirus Act was passed on the 25 March 2020 to help public bodies across the UK to provide an effective response to tackle the epidemic. The Act makes provision to increase the available health and social care workforce and ease the burden on frontline staff. The House of Commons Library published a series of briefing papers providing an overview of the Bill before Royal Assent including those clauses relating to childcare and education settings; health and social care; and measures and implications for the courts and tribunal.

Read the Act: Coronavirus Act 2020
Read the House of Commons Library briefings: Coronavirus Bill: overview

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The impact of Coronavirus on education and children’s services: inquiry

The House of Commons Select Committee on Education has set up an inquiry to look at how the outbreak of Coronavirus is affecting all aspects of the education sector and children’s social care system and to scrutinise how the Department for Education (DfE) is dealing with the situation. The inquiry has launched a call for evidence to examine both short term impacts, such as the effects of school closures and exam cancellations, as well as longer-term implications particularly for the most vulnerable children. The call for evidence closes on 31 May 2020.

Read the news story: The impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services
Read the call for evidence: The impact of COVID-19 on education and children’s services

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New and updated Coronavirus guidance for schools in England

The Department for Education (DfE) and Public Health England (PHE) have published updated guidance for schools in England. Travel guidance about current overseas trips by students, students and staff considering travelling overseas, students and staff already overseas, and Erasmus+ students has been updated; as has guidance on vulnerable children who have education health and care plans or are in alternative provision settings. New guidance has been published: on social distancing for education and childcare settings supporting vulnerable children and the children of critical workers; and guidance for schools and colleges to support them keeping children safe, including online. A summary of advice has also been produced for school governors.

Read the guidance:

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Talking to a child worried about Coronavirus

The NSPCC has created a new web page with information and advice for parents or carers who are worried a child or young person may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety about Coronavirus. The web page includes information on: talking about feelings and worries; keeping in touch and balancing screen time; ways to create structure and routine; and helping to give children a sense of control.

Read the information and advice: Talking to a child worried about coronavirus (COVID-19)
See also on NSPCC Learning: How to have difficult conversations with children

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Supporting children and young people with their worries and anxiety

Emerging Minds, in collaboration with the University of Reading and the University of Oxford, has published evidence-based advice for parents and carers supporting children and young people with worries about Coronavirus. A resource list from trusted sources is also available which includes links grouped by age category and resources for children and young people with specific needs. Emerging Minds has also shared a podcast from a recent webinar on supporting children and young people with their worries and anxiety.

Read the news story: How can we best support children and young people with their worries and anxiety?
Read the advice: Supporting children and young people with worries about COVID-19 (PDF)
Read the resources list: Recommended resources
Listen to the podcast: How can we best support children and young people with their worries and anxiety?

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Coronavirus Childline counselling

The NSPCC has released figures which show that Childline has delivered 913 counselling sessions to children and young people who were concerned about the Coronavirus during the period 21 January-22 March 2020, of which 597 (65%) of the counselling sessions were with young people who had contacted Childline in the week starting 16 March 2020. The Childline website includes information for children and young people worried about Coronavirus.

Read the news story: Hundreds of children counselled over impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

Visit Childline: Coronavirus: information and advice

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Safeguarding children with SEND training

NSPCC Learning has launched a new introductory course for anyone who works with children who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and additional needs. The online course will help you: identify safeguarding concerns; understand why children with SEND can be more vulnerable to abuse; acknowledge that children with SEND can be abused and know how to act on any concerns.

Take the course: Safeguarding children with SEND training

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Support and resources for BAME Communities

Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation has developed sources of support and resources for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities during the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. For more information visit: www.gmcvo.org.uk/Coronavirus/BAMESupport

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Children’s Commissioner COVID Guide

There have been big changes in our lives because of coronavirus, so we’ve created a children’s guide to coronavirus to help explain the situation. The guide aims to answer children’s questions about coronavirus, tell children how to stay safe and protect other people and how to help them make the best of their time at home.

For information or to download the guide visit: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/publication/childrens-guide-to-coronavirus/

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Salford 4 Good - Emergency Response Fund (COVID-19)

Please share the Salford 4 Good – Emergency Response Fund link throughout your networks. Salford 4 Good is a trusted route for people to donate to Salford’s emergency response to the coronavirus. They’ll be channelling funds throughout our sector to those most in need.

For more info visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/salford4good.

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Update on Gaddum Carers Salford in light of the current national situation regarding Covid19.

We know that this is worrying time for carers and their families, and we would like to reassure them that we are still here to support them.

Our first priority is the health and welfare of our service users and staff team. Gaddum is following all government guidance in order to protect the carers we are working with and their families. This means that our team are all currently based off site, and are practicing social distancing.
All our carers services are now being provided remotely; we are working with carers and families to find the best ways of supporting them. This may be over the phone, through email exchanges and texts, or face-to-face through video calling. We are working to support any carers who are currently struggling due to the impact of Covid19, and we are tapping into local and national resources and services.
We are open to new referrals and re-referrals and our teams are continuing with ongoing cases. New referrals can be emailed to us securely by password protected document, or given over the phone. Please do not post referrals to us, as it may create a delay. Referral forms can be found
Our office phone line 0161 834 6069 (option 2 for Carers, followed by option 3 for Salford) is still open and being answered between 9am – 4:30pm. Outside of those time you can leave us a message and we will get back you by the next working day. Carers can also email questions and queries to carers@gaddum.org.uk

If you have any questions about carers support, please do not hesitate to get in contact.

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GMCA News Bulletin

Download GMCA COVID-19 News Bulletin (24 March, 2020). In response to COVID-19 two websites have been established, one to help coordinate the community response to the outbreak in Greater Manchester and another to ensure businesses can get the support they need.

Also, to help us measure the impact that COVID-19 is having in Greater Manchester two surveys have been created to help us take necessary steps:

The latest Government advice and guidance, including on how to protect yourself and others can be found here.

If you have any comments please email us: news@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk

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Spirit of Salford Helpline

If you need to self-isolate (stay at home) for any length of time, do you have anyone that can help you with day to day tasks? This can be a member of your family, a neighbour or a friend.

Or do you need help with:

Food shopping
Getting essential medication
Getting fuel (if you are on a pre-paid meter for gas or electric)
Looking after pets

Or are you a carer that needs help or advice? If you answer yes to any of the above and you would like to speak to someone, call our Spirit of Salford Helpline on 0800 952 1000, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm or complete the online form.

For more information visit: www.salford.gov.uk/people-communities-and-local-information/coronavirus/spirit-of-salford-helpline/

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Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime. If you need to talk to someone who understands please call the free national helpline on 0808 2000 247 anytime, day or night. See www.salford.gov.uk/domesticabuse for details of other organisations which can support you.

They won't judge, they won't tell you what to do - they are there to listen and support you.

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Salford Assist

If you're struggling to afford food or fuel or in a crisis, please get in touch. Salford Assist is here to help. www.salford.gov.uk/salfordassist

Salford Assist

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Salford Thrive Update

In light of recent developments regarding COVID-19 we are keeping the Emotional Health web page regularly updated with information, links and resources

Please also find attached service updates from:

For more information visit www.partnersinsalford.org/salford-0-25-advisory-board/emotional-health/ or email EHWB@salford.gov.uk

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SSCP Training Programme Update

In light of the current COVID-19 Government advice we will be postponing all SSCP face to face courses/seminars/learning events until 30^th April 2020. We will provide further updates regarding future training events as and when appropriate.

We will be developing alternative ways of learning but in the meantime you can access 7 minute briefings and external E-learning courses

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