On 1 October 2020 Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) in partnership with the NSPCC launched a twelve-month long campaign to tackle child exploitation in Cumbria.

The 'IT'S NOT OK' campaign will have an initial focus on child criminal exploitation, before moving on to topics including healthy relationships and online safety.

The county wide campaign is being communicated through a variety of channels including PR, social media, online, print as well as via a coalition of partners. Campaign materials are aimed at a range of ages and audiences including young people, parents, carers and practitioners, with the aim to make people aware of the signs of child exploitation and how it can be reported, to help reduce child exploitation in Cumbria.

Further information and how to support and promote the campaign can be found on the CSCP website here

The Children’s Commissioner for England has published a report examining the impact of the coronavirus crisis on children and young people in areas including education, social care, health, youth justice, housing, and family life. The report includes specific recommendations in each area to help children recover from their experiences, and calls for: a comprehensive recovery package for children and young people; children to be put at the heart of planning for further lockdowns; and children’s rights and protections to be upheld. Separate blogs highlight the impact of the pandemic on children in care and care leavers who contacted the Children’s Commissioner’s Help at Hand helpline and how lockdown affected children’s stress and anxiety.

Read the news story: A comprehensive recovery package is needed to tackle rising tide of childhood vulnerability caused by the Covid crisis

Read the report: Childhood in the time of Covid (PDF)

Read the blog: Help at Hand spotlight: championing the rights of children in care under Covid-19

Read the blog: How lockdown affected children’s stress and anxiety

The Marie Collins Foundation (MCF) and the NWG Network have published resources for professionals and parents and carers working with issues of online sexual harm and young people. The guidance contains information about what online harm is, the specific issues facing young people, and ways professionals and parents and carers can engage with and support young people.

Read the news story: Help for parents and professionals

Read the guidance for professionals: Online sexual harm reduction guide (PDF)

Read the guidance for parents and carers: How can I help my child? (PDF) ​​​​​​​

See also on NSPCC Learning  > Social media and online safety

NSPCC Learning has put together some principles outlining best practice to help with recognising and responding to peer-on-peer sexual abuse. The content includes information on: what peer-on-peer sexual abuse looks like; how to respond appropriately and proportionately to concerns or instances of peer-on-peer sexual abuse; how to help prevent peer-on-peer sexual abuse occurring; and an overview of the legislation and guidance to help practitioners recognise and respond to peer-on-peer sexual abuse across the UK.

Read the news story: Protecting children from peer-on-peer sexual abuse

See also on NSPCC Learning  > Protecting children from harmful sexual behaviour

Childline has published a webpage with information for children and young people about child trafficking and exploitation. The page discusses what child trafficking and exploitation is, where children and young people can get support and what to do if they are worried about someone else.

Visit the webpage: Child trafficking and exploitation ​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​

See also on NSPCC Learning  > Protecting children from trafficking and modern slavery

Earlier this month an online blended learning course that has been developed for Safeguarding Responsibilities, Threshold Guidance & Referral Process - Level 2 has gone live.  You can access the instructions to enrol on this course here.  Practitioners can complete this course at home or in the workplace at a time that is suitable to the practitioner.  

Please note that if you are an agency outside of Cumbria County Council you will need to set up an account on My Learning if you have not done so already.  If you are already enrolled, please check that all your details are correct including, name, organisation and email address. 

The Department for Education (DfE) has published a report collating evidence from a range of government, academic, voluntary, and private sector organisations on the wellbeing in children and young people aged 5 to 24 in England over the period of March to August 2020. Indicators covered in the report include: personal wellbeing; relationships; health; education and skills; personal finance; and activities.

Read the press release: Effect of pandemic on children's wellbeing revealed in new report

Read the report: State of the nation 2020: children and young people’s wellbeing ​​​​​​​

See also on NSPCC Learning  > Promoting mental health and wellbeing