BF Safeguarding Board Bulletin No. 2

Can't see images? View online

Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board


Bracknell Forest Safeguarding header image

Bulletin No. 2            April 2020


Brian Boxall

Message from the Independent Chair and Scrutineer - Brian Boxall

The Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board has continued to coordinate the safeguarding responses by statutory agencies and other partners during the Covid 19 shut down. This week I also chaired a meeting with the representatives of the statutory safeguarding partners of Bracknell Forest, Slough and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. This meeting will now take place regularly over the coming weeks to ensure a consistent approach to gathering information and communications across East Berkshire during this period.  

The main difficulty faced by professionals at this time is not being able to undertake face to face visits with those who may be at risk, be it children or adults. Therefore, it is important that family, friends and members of the community remain vigilant and report any safeguarding concerns they may have. It is difficult in normal circumstances for victims to report that they are being subject to abuse (including domestic abuse) and it has become even harder in the current environment. You may be the only person that they can report it to so please respond.  

The additional key messages identified at the meeting were: 

  • The risk of not seeking medical advice/treatment 

All partners are asked to continue communicating the importance of contacting GPs / health professionals via 111 if people are worried about anyone who is unwell. More serious conditions (such as sepsis) may have symptoms that appear similar to those of Covid-19; urgent medical assistance must be sought by dialling 999 in these circumstances.

Domestic Abuse Female
  • The risk of Domestic Abuse

All those living and working in the borough to act as our ‘eyes and ears’.  By recognising the signs of domestic abuse and knowing how to share concerns we can all help protect those at risk. Information to support such efforts can easily be accessed through the Bracknell Forest Council website. 

  • The risk of Online Abuse

With the large number of children and young people now being educated online it is important that everyone remains vigilant to identify and report on-line abuse. 

 

This bulletin also contains links to vital information/messages produced by the Board and partner agencies. We are aware that not everyone has access to the online resources so please print off and display any posters or leaflets that may be relevant to your service.  Board leaflets are available on our website.  

Links to support services can be found on the Board website. Please take some time to make yourself aware of what is available and how to report concerns.  

Finally, I would like to thank all the professionals and volunteers once again who continue to work hard to keep vulnerable people in Bracknell Forest safe. 


Frimley parenting guides

Frimley Health and Care Parenting Guides

To everyone working with parents-to-be, children, young people, families and carers across Bracknell Forest there are now free online guides available for families across Frimley Health and Care ICS.

The Solihull Approach online course for parents is the first to be awarded the UK government’s CANparent Quality Mark. It is intended to complement rather than replace existing resources and could be a valuable additional tool while normal services are limited due to Covid-19. The format is a series of short modules that allow users to return as they wish with no expiry date.

There are four courses covering children of all ages, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The guides are available in a number of different languages.

The Solihull Approach can be accessed via www.inourplace.co.uk using the free ‘access code’ Parenting (or Acorn if you have a Surrey postcode). Users will need to set up an account on the website.


Nursing Home

Social Care Guidance  

The Coronavirus (COVID-19): social care guidance is a link to all guidance available for the social care sector. It includes: 

  • Social care guidance 
  • Guidance for unpaid carers 
  • Other relevant guidance (including social distancing, shielding and protecting the medically vulnerable & infection control) 

CQC Guidance 

The CQC has produced updated guidance for providers and the public outlining the changes they have made to the way they are working during the pandemic.  This includes how they do their job and the support given to providers to keep people safe. It also affects how people communicate with them or send applications or information.  


Take Five to Stop Fraud

Take Five to Stop Fraud 

Take Five is a national campaign that offers straight-forward and impartial advice to help everyone protect themselves from preventable financial fraud. This includes email deception and phone-based scams as well as online fraud – particularly where criminals impersonate trusted organisations.   


 Bracknell Forest Safeguarding Board • Time Square • Market Street • Bracknell • RG12 1JD

Manage preferences or unsubscribe  |  Help