Safeguarding

Safeguarding is always a popular topic so here are some sources of information that might help. Let's begin with the Chimat website; their Knowledge Hub provides a link to the Safeguarding Children Training Directory  and a list of  key organisations and sources of safeguarding information.   

The DfE website offers resources on various aspects of safeguarding children and young people, whether at home or in an education setting; there is also a list of related publications available. 

A couple of new reports have been published: 'Time to Listen' sets out how collaborative working can help tackle child sexual exploitation. 'Children in need of help or protection,' published by the National Audit Office, this suggests that the DfE has not yet succeeded in their attempt to improve the quality of child protection services delivered by local authorities.

During an online resources teaching session yesterday, a student spotted a particular article which she said was exactly what she needed for an assignment! I thought I would share it here - simply search for 'Completing Your SEF - Safeguarding' in Teaching Times (E-Resources - Athens) :0)

Child Protection

The NSPCC has recently published new reports on sexual abuse: 'Getting Help' highlights the expectations and experiences of children and young people about receiving therapeutic services following sexual abuse; 'Letting the Future In' is an independent evaluation of the NSPCC's therapeutic intervention service for children who have been sexually abused; 'Someone to Lean On'  is a guide created by NSPCC practitioners who deliver the programme for mental health and social care practitioners.

An article published in the Guardian outlines what the government has in mind for child protection; they have also launched a consultation on plans to protect children from seeing pornographic material online.

Roundup: Social Work

The Prime Minister announced yesterday that it would be rolling out the Troubled Families programme across the country, to help more vulnerable families. The government have also committed themselves to long term funding for a proposed centre of expertise, which will aim to address and tackle child sexual abuse. The benefits of delivering action services early on have also been discussed in a new report by Action for Children.

These developments come as The College of Social Work (TCSW) closes its doors due to lack of funding from the Government. The membership charity was established following the 'Baby P' case, to become a beacon of best practice for social workers. Useful resources and advice can still be found on the TCSW website, particularly for those wanting to become a social worker and there are a number of best practice case studies also available.

Meanwhile, a number of charities have criticised the government for continuing to outsource children’s social care as Ofsted this week ceased regulation of third-party providers. In March, The Deregulation Act 2015, became law, stating that providers no longer have to register with Ofsted before taking on local authority contracts. Previously, these providers would have had to meet a number of requirements set out by Ofsted including vetting checks, interviews and a visit to the proposed premises. At the moment, there are five independent providers commissioned to provide social care services, but numbers are expected to grow.

Latest Reports: Sexual Abuse

An inspection report prepared by Ofsted, the HM Inspectorate of Prisons and the Care Quality Commission, has found that young people at Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre in Northamptonshire have suffered degrading treatment and racist abuse at the hands of prison officers. Meanwhile, figures obtained by the BBC from 106 councils show that there have been 4,748 reports of sexual abuse against disabled adults in the past 2 years. The NSPCC has warned these figures could be the 'visible peak' of a much bigger problem affecting disabled children and young people as well as adults. 

The Children's Commissioner's inquiry into child sexual abuse in the family environment, is running a survey for adult survivors of child sexual abuse to share their experiences; the aim is to better understand how to help children and prevent abuse in the future. To help young people keep themselves safe from child sexual exploitation, Barnardo's Cymru in conjunction with the Welsh Government has launched a bilingual guide. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has updated 'Physical Signs of Child Sexual Abuse', otherwise known as the Purple Book, with three new chapters - the first update since 2008.