There is no legal age at which children may be left home alone, but parents can be prosecuted for neglect if it puts them at risk of injury or suffering. There are a number of factors that parents should consider before leaving a child at home alone including whether the child seems to be responsible and mature for their age; how they would react to an emergency, if they can fix themselves some food to eat, and what they would do if a stranger came to the door. 

The NSPCC have written an excellent guide to help parents decide when htey can leave their children home alone, and tips on how to make sure they remain safe. They have a similar guide on staying safe away from home which outlines the risks that parents should discuss with their children before letting them go to the park or shops alone. 

If you are concerned that a child is not being appropriately supervised call the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01273 290400. If the child is in immediate danger contact the police. 
 

Sea & Summer Safety 

We know that disabled children are at an increased risk of being abused compared with their non-disabled peers. They are also less likely to receive the protection and support they need when they have been abused. Their additional needs must be met to allow them to be properly safeguarded. This course will increase your knowledge and awareness of those needs. There is a focus on how safeguarding practice can be put into place, thus reducing the potential risks. This session will help you: 

• Identify the factors that make children with disabilities more vulnerable to harm and their safeguarding needs
• Describe the attitudes and assumptions that can exist in relation to children with disabilities suffering from abuse and neglect
• Develop understanding of multi-agency roles in safeguarding children with disabilities
• Gain practice skills in communicating with children with disabilities when investigating abuse or neglect

Find out more here or book through the Brighton & Hove Learning Gateway  

Brighton & Hove Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB), and the Safe in the City Partnership, are holding this full day workshop on Harmful Practices to raise awareness of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), and the effect this practice has on victims, as well as a focus on how practitioners can work to safeguard children from this abuse and support families.

We are honoured that Hibo Wardere will be speaking about her own experiences, which she has written about in her book “CUT”, and the current work she does to raise awareness of FGM and the impact on survivors of this abuse.

Find out more here or book through the Brighton & Hove Learning Gateway  

The long summer holidays can be a time of increased vulnerability for girls at risk of FGM. For more information on signs of this abuse, and useful links, please visit brightonandhovelscb.org.uk/female-genital-mutilation-fgm. If you are concerned about a child in Brighton & Hove please call the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01273 290400.   

• Preventing and Disrupting the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People  Tuesday 13 September 2016 
• Safeguarding Children with Disabilities, Tuesday 20 September 2016 
• Child Sexual Exploitation Follow On: Working With Young People At Risk, Thursday 6 October 2016
• ''Hidden'' Children and Young People Working with Invisible Families, Tuesday 11 October 2016
• MAPPA Workshop, Tuesday 11 October 2016
• Child Neglect Training, Thursday 13 October 2016

There is a new way to book a place on our Safeguarding Training - the Brighton & Hove Learning Gateway 

Brighton & Hove City Council staff are able to use their network sign on to access the gateway. Staff from other partner agencies, can quickly create an account here