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Safeguarding News
July 2018

News  –  Training  –  Learning – Policy Updates  –    

Good Practice  – Voice of the Child – Contact Us

A message from Keith Makin, Chair of NSCB

Welcome to the summer edition of the NSCB Newsletter. I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful, sunny weather and making the most of it while it lasts?

In my last message I talked about the proposed changes in relation to Working Together 2018. At the time of writing we are eagerly awaiting the final version of this key piece of guidance, and you’ll be pleased to know that a lot of work is taking place behind the scenes to ensure a smooth transition is in place as we move from a Safeguarding Children Board to a Safeguarding Partnership with the Local Authority, Police and Health taking the lead. Once the exact structure of the Board is agreed I will ensure this is communicated to you including timescales for implementation.

Despite the changes in relation to Working Together 2018, the work of safeguarding children does not stop ensuring we have the best processes and structures in place to support children and young people in Northamptonshire. One major piece of work currently being undertaken is the revision of the Thresholds document, which is nearing completion and should be in place from September. Look out for the special e-bulletin, events and communications to ensure you are all aware of the new systems in place for you to make an effective referral to MASH.

Below you will find the 6 step briefings for two completed case mapping exercises . These might not always receive the same publicity as a SCR but they still provide important learning for all agencies in the partnership, so I encourage you all to read and discuss these with colleagues and in team meetings.

Finally, a lot of work has been taking place recently with regards to Neglect, resulting in a revised strategy and guidance. Also guidance to support professionals to identify gang activity, which is a growing concern to Board . Please be sure to read these important articles below and use them in you work with children and young people.

NEWS


Operation Aidant - Child Trafficking

Northamptonshire Police is supporting a week long campaign highlighting the dangers of child trafficking.At the start of the week officers conducted a safeguarding visit to a nail bar in the north of the county where four illegal Vietnamese workers were found. Aged between 18 and 31, the two men and two women have been referred to the Immigration Service.


Breck's Last Game - Campaign Update

You may well be aware that Northamptonshire Police is working in a consortia with Leicestershire, Surrey and Essex to produce a short film called Breck’s Last Game, which tells the true story of Breck Bednar, a Surrey schoolboy who was groomed via an online gaming site and murdered by his groomer in 2014.
Click here to read more about the film including when it will be available to schools and the wider public


New Practice Guidance on Gangs Produced

The NSCB have produced new Practice Guidance to assist practitioners when dealing with situations where they suspect a young person may be involved in gang activity. This is the latest in a series of documents listed below to assist with this emerging issue both locally and nationally.


Neglect Remains Key Priority for NSCB

The NSCB has updated its strategy for dealing with Neglect. To support this new strategy a number of supporting documents have also been produced and updated and can be found via the links below. 
NSCB Neglect Strategy 2018 - 2020
NSCB Neglect Toolkit and Guide to the Neglect Toolkit
Practitioner Guidance on Assessment of Neglect
Revised NSCB Neglect Screening Tool


New Signs of Safety Page on NSCB Website

The NSCB have created a page dedicated to Signs of Safety. Here you will find all the information you need including the Signs of Safety Charter, Danger Statement & Organisational Goals and a link to the Signs of Safety Toolkit which is being added to all of the time.
 

Northamptonshire's Pledge to Children in Care and Care Leavers

Northamptonshire's new pledge to Children in Care and Care Leavers is now live. The pledge sets out our commitment to making sure these children and young people receive the same care we would want for our own children at home.
 

Can you Spot the Signs of FGM?

Now is a good time to remind you all of your safeguarding requirements in relation to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), as the summer holidays can be the time girls are most at risk.
Click here to read more about FGM including spotting the signs and download the campaign posters.

TRAINING

 

Face to Face training for 2018/19

The face to face training offer for 2018/19 is currently being developed and will be available to book via the NSCB website once available.

Look out for the special e-bulletin which will contain details of all courses available once confirmed.

E-Learning
The NSCB e-learning training is still available to you and is free of charge. The current offer contains 20 courses to choose from covering a wide range of topics. Below you will find links to the full list of e-learning courses available and our 10 step guide to getting started with e-learning.

Click here to register or log back in to your e-learning account.

NSCB 10 step guide to getting started with e-learning 
NSCB available e-learning courses

LEARNING FROM RECENT CASES


The NSCB regularly carry out reviews of cases and publishes its findings on the NSCB website. The most recent 6 step briefings can be found below:

Child Ai - Case Mapping Exercise - 6 Step Briefing
Child Am - Case Mapping Exercise - 6 Step Briefing
Neglect 2 - Multi Agency Case Audit - 6 Step Briefing
MASH Front Door - Multi Agency Case Audit - Learning Summary

Visit the NSCB website to see the finding of all reviews carried out.

In addition to these local reviews the NSPCC also hold a repository of all SCR's carried out which can be found here. Below are 3 cases that we believe provide learning for practitioners in Northamptonshire.

Chadrack, Hackney SCB - 6 Step Briefing
Fenestra Somerset SCB - Report and Response
Newcastle SCB / SAB - Report and Response

POLICY UPDATES

NSCB Procedures Manual Update 

Link to NSCB Procedures Manual

When was the last time you looked at the NSCB Procedures Manual? The Manual is updated twice a year and should be your one stop shop when considering the action you need to take when safeguarding a child.

Visit the NSCB Procedures Manual today.   


NSCB Tea-Break Guides

The NSCB series of Tea-Break Guides is being expanded all the time and now contains 12 different guides on a range of subjects including our new guide to Signs of Safety. Please continue to use these guides in your internal newsletters / team meetings all of the guides can be found on the NSCB website.

GOOD PRACTICE


Sexting - Guidance for Parents and Carers

Northamptonshire Police are investigating cases involving the sharing of explicit material on social media involving children on a daily basis. The key message is to remind everyone that one click can have a massive impact and young people are being urged to think twice before ‘sexting’ and to pause before they post something on social media sites they may later regret.
Click here to view the full guidance to send to parents and carers.


Calling an Ambulance - Guidance for Schools

Following a Coroners hearing in the South West, the Coroner has asked that guidance on calling 999 for an ambulance be shared with all educational establishments.
Click here to view and download the full guidance to be shared with your staff.

Guidance for Schools - Keeping Children Safe in Education Updated
The revised Keeping Children Safe in Education statutory guidance now provides additional advice to help school and college staff deal with allegations of child-on-child sexual violence and sexual harassment. The revised guidance will come into effect for schools and colleges on 3 September 2018.
Click here to view and download your copy of the document.

VOICE OF THE CHILD

Northamptonshire Police received a report in relation to concerns following a missing episode. As a result to speaking to the victim she went onto disclose that she had been subjected to protracted abuse and control over a two year period which started when she was just 13 years old.

RISE Police took over the investigation. A RISE Engagement worker was allocated to support the young person and a referral was made to Social Care. Follow up work was also undertaken by a Social Worker to support the family. The suspect was charged with 8 offences.

When it came to listening to the voice of the child, she expressed her wish that she ‘just wanted some control back’ she wanted to be in control of the choices being made and have a say. During the trial she read her own VPS (Victim Personal Statement) out in court, this was her wish.

A man from Norfolk was given a 12 year sentence for the grooming and sexual abuse of a child under 16 years old. A Sexual Harm Prevention order was granted and he will be on the sex offender notice for indefinite period.

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Phone: 01604 364036
Email: NSCB@northamptonshire.gcsx.gov.uk
Twitter: @NorthantsSCB
NSCB Business Office:
One Angel Square
4 Angel Street
Northampton
NN1 1ED
 

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The NSCB e-newsletter provides practitioners with key safeguarding information, important learning from Serious Case Reviews and information about relevant training and events.

 
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