Safeguarding Briefing - 17th May 2021

Dear Colleague,

Northern council reports child exploitation figures (Leigh Journal)

I don't usually pick out specific areas in the Safeguarding Briefing, but a news report from the Leigh Journal took my eye this week. A report from Wigan Council highlighted the work of their complex safeguarding team and shared some of the data they have collected. Wigan has begun to record their data in a much more structured way than previously and this will allow comparisons in the future.

It isn't usually easy to get hold of specific numbers around safeguarding issues. I don't know how representative the Wigan data is compared to other areas, but I think they are quite a stark reminder of the number of children who are affected by serious safeguarding concerns. The population of Wigan is around 335,000 people and 20% of those are under 20.

Wigan Council's complex safeguarding team dealt with 346 young people in the last twelve months, the second highest in Greater Manchester. In total, 193 of these cases were related to child sexual exploitation, 100 were related to child criminal exploitation and there were 34 cases involving both.

A further 10 young people were found to be living within families issued with Threats to Life Notices, which are incidents whereby someone’s life is in real and immediate danger due to their associations with organised crime.

The team directly intervened in three homicide cases involving young people.

There were also three young people subject to forced marriage, two cases of female genital mutilation and one young person involved in radicalisation.

Wigan Council referred 16 young people to the Home Office as potential victims of modern slavery to ensure they receive the appropriate support.

I wonder what the numbers would be for your area?

(Source: https://www.leighjournal.co.uk/news/19297554.hundreds-children-caught-sexual-criminal-exploitation-borough/)

Child and Maternal Health (Public Health England)

If you are interested in data and how your area compares to others, you can access a rich information seam on childhood by going to the Public Health England website.

Once we know the data for our area, it can be used to focus on specific areas as a way to improve outcomes.

The Child and Maternal Health hub will enable you print pdfs of relevant data including:

• Child Health Profile
• Health behaviours in Young People
• Teenage pregnancy and young parents

As an example, reports for Coventry can found here: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/child-health-profiles/data#page/13/ati/302/are/E08000026

To find data for your own area

1. Go to: https://fingertips.phe.org.uk/profile/child-health-profiles
2. Search for your local authority
3. Choose 'View reports'

Online Grooming New Campaign (Internet watch Foundation)

One of the videos I used to use in CPD sessions about online safety was called 'Where's Klaus?' (You can find it on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4GKXsAOYZE) In it, a series of (unsuitable) people turn up at Klaus' house and his mum let's them in. The end of the video is perhaps the most disturbing of all.

A new IWF safety campaign aims to help parents have conversations with their children about keeping their 'door' closed to child sexual abusers. The campaign includes a booklet for parents, explaining the risks, explaining why children are vulnerable, and suggests practice steps that parents can take.

The mnemonic used in the campaign is TALK:

• TALK to your child about online sexual abuse. Start the conversation – and listen to their concerns.
• AGREE ground rules about the way you use technology as a family.
• LEARN about the platforms and apps your child loves. Take an interest in their online life.
• KNOW how to use tools, apps and settings that can help to keep your child safe online.

For further details go to: https://talk.iwf.org.uk/

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VIDEO: Encouraging people to step forward as a safeguarding governor

A few weeks ago I asked for your ideas to address the challenge it can be to encourage people to be the safeguarding governor. We had lots of contributions and brilliantly some people even sent in videos. You can see the video we've created by clicking the image below:
 

NEW ONLINE COURSE - Safeguarding and Governance

I've also finished a new course about safeguarding for governors. It can now be purchased on an individual basis for immediate viewing, and as a whole governors' course.

The hour-long course will help governors and trustees understand their strategic safeguarding role, recognise many of the risks to young people and discover ways to ensure that safeguarding has impact. I'll also answer the top three questions that safeguarding governors ask!

For individuals: (£29.97+vat) BUY NOW

For groups: (£297.00+vat) BOOK NOW

For Safeguarding.Pro members: (No charge for a limited period) ACCESS NOW
 

FREE Addressing self-harm in schools – a priority for all (Association For Child and Adolescent Health)

Tuesday 15th June 2021 4-6pm (Live Only)
Tuesday 22nd June 2021 4-6pm (Live Only)

Nearly three-quarters of teachers are reported to be involved in addressing adolescent self-harm, yet most of them expressed concern on how it should be handled. It is of critical importance that school staff have clear, professional advice on addressing self-harm in schools.

The Association For Child and Adolescent Health are running two seminars with international speakers, each seminar has different content.

Tuesday 15th June 2021 4-6pm

Professor Joan Asarnow – An overview of self-harm and suicide in young people

Dr. Dennis Ougrin – Therapeutic interventions available for young people who self-harm, sources of support for young people who self-harm

Anna – Lived experienced perspective

Tuesday 22nd June 2021 4-6pm

Anne Stewart – Self-harm in young people: How can school staff respond?

Dr. Niki Cooper – Self-harm in young people: scenarios illustrating strategic response strategies

Associate Professor Mina Fazel – The Oxwell survey of 19,000 children about their self-report of self-harm

Anna – Lived experienced perspective

Professor Tamsin Ford CBE

To find out more and to book, go to: https://www.acamh.org/event/self-harm-in-schools-1/

School Staff Safeguarding Quiz (SSSQ App)

Created by school professionals, SSSQ is a free app with bite- sized quizzes tailored for different staff roles, including governors, lunchtime staff, DSL, teachers and more. Individuals can choose relevant quizzes for their role.

Key documents are referenced. Hints are available, alongside an explanation of each answer so that staff develop their knowledge and get instant feedback.

The short quizzes, taking 5 to 10 minutes, cover specific topics and can be used flexibly and quickly. An analysis tool effectively identifies the strengths and gaps in each quiz across the school or for individuals.

Creators of the app have offered a 10% discount to you using the code 'Hall10'. Free trials available.

You can find out more about the safeguarding quiz app here: https://www.schoolstaffsafeguardingquiz.co.uk/

Self-harm Challenges

From time-to-time schools are alerted to dangerous apps or challenges. Sometimes these are said to lead to self-harm or even suicide. Whilst it can be tempting to write to parents, or even speak to children, about these apps, in general it is best to avoid mentioning specific app names or challenges.

In an online article, Mark Bentley from LGfL says that there are three key problems that arise with from headline-grabbing warnings:

• Generating a false sense of security
• Giving free publicity
• Spreading panic

Listen to Mark's explanation here: https://safeblog.lgfl.net/2018/11/parents-scare-or-prepare/

Poster - Scary Challenges Online (LGFL)

LGfL also have a poster summarising the issues here: https://static.lgfl.net/LgflNet/downloads/online-safety/posters/LGfL-DigiSafe-Poster-A3-scares.pdf

DfE Guidance

In February 2021, the DfE issued guidance about tackling 'Harmful online challenges and online hoaxes'. The advice has been developed in collaboration with partners in the UK Council for Internet Safety Education subgroup and the Samaritans.

See the DfE Guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/harmful-online-challenges-and-online-hoaxes/harmful-online-challenges-and-online-hoaxes

Traumatic Bereavement Toolkit (UK Trauma Council)

Traumatically bereaved children and young people experience significant distress and difficulties, over and above a more typical grief. Traumatic bereavement can be easily missed or misunderstood by parents, teachers and even bereavement practitioners, meaning that children’s difficulties are not recognised.

These invaluable resources from UK Trauma Council will give school staff and practitioners the knowledge and tools they need to identify, help and support children and young people experiencing a traumatic bereavement.

Find the toolkit here: https://uktraumacouncil.org/resources/traumatic-bereavement

Five Day Certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health for Designated Mental Health Leads (Trauma Informed Schools UK)

Trauma Informed Schools UK have launched a certificate in child and adolescent mental health. The five-day assessed course takes place in autumn term 2021 and spring term 2022, topics include:

 

• Leadership and Management of mental health
• Curriculum issues
• Student Voice
• Staff Development and Well-being
• Targeted support

For further information, go to: https://www.traumainformedschools.co.uk/designated-mental-health-lead-training-2
 

Forthcoming Courses
 

Advanced Safeguarding for DSLs

 

ONLINE Wednesday, 26 May 2021 BOOK NOW

ONLINE Wednesday, 9 June 2021 BOOK NOW
 

...and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your convenience BOOK NOW

NEW Safeguarding and Governance

In this online course, you'll learn what an effective safeguarding systems looks like, how to ask the right questions to judge impact and the answers to the top three questions that safeguarding governors ask.

For individuals: BUY NOW

For groups: BOOK NOW

Also available as a live course for groups, please email for details.


Safeguarding for Everyone

Excellent as an online safeguarding session for all staff. Set up for your school on request.
For more information, go to: Whole School Safeguarding Course (Online)