"Welcome to the May edition of the CSCP newsletter, which contains a number of really useful and informative items. As well as training offers, news on the work of the Safeguarding Together Action Group and new mental health services, there are also updates on Safer Spaces and the need for foster carers.
Please take some time to read and reflect on the 'Anya' review, as it is learning from such as this important piece of collaborative work that allows us to drive improvement together."
Derek Benson - Independent Chair
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In November 2023 the Safeguarding Children's Partnership published a Safeguarding Practice Review in relation to Anya. Anya was two years old when she was found at home alone after her mother had sadly died in the family home. At the time of the incident, Anya was the subject of a Child Protection Plan. Over two days various unsuccessful attempts had been made to gain access to the home by Children's Services - the local police force were requested to complete an urgent visit. Twenty-four hours later, Anya was found by police. She was physically unharmed although cold, wet and hungry. Family members have said that she continues to suffer with fears and nightmares associated with the trauma of this event.
A short webinar sharing the learning from the Anya Safeguarding Practice Review is available to view.
The full Anya Report is available to view.
The Safeguarding Children's Partnership has recently created an online Exploitation training package for businesses and communities.
The training aims to encourage individuals to spot the signs of exploitation and know how to report concerns.
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The Safeguarding Together Action Group (STAG) is a group comprised of professionals from all different agencies and sectors who come together to receive important safeguarding information and updates. The group meets quarterly via TEAMS. If you are interested in joining this group please e-mail David.Griffiths@coventry.gov.uk with your name, email address and organisation/agency.
On 17 January 2024, we held a STAG on Mental Health services within Coventry. This STAG session had guest speakers from organisations such as Rise and Compass, as well as a brand new mental health directory being launched.
View the January STAG session.
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To support children and young people, parents/carers, and professionals in navigating the children's mental health system, a Mental Health Website and Local Services Directory has been developed with the aim of improving the awareness of local services and providing information and resources for children and young people and their families to live well within the community.
The website is made up:
- Links to mental health services and other related areas of the Council.
- Events page which will highlight the latest awareness days and upcoming events.
- Self-help resources for children and young people as well as their parents, carers and any professionals who may need them in their own work.
- Local directory of services available based on the presenting issue.
The Local Services Directory is made of presenting needs that services have found frequently across Coventry. Each presenting need contains a list of services that can work with that specific need and in turn these service records contain a description of the service, their website, phone number and email.
Visit Children's Mental Health website
There has been an increase in reporting of children and young people, particularly teenage males, being forced into paying money or meeting another financial demand after an adult offender has threatened to release nudes or semi-nudes of them. This is financially motivated sexual extortion, sometimes referred to as 'sextortion', and is a form of child abuse.
The National Crime Agency has issued an alert to education settings that provides advice on how to:
- recognise the signs of financially motivated sexual extortion
- raise awareness and support children to seek help
- support victims
Visit the CEOP Education's website to download the alert and a template letter for parents and carers with advice on how to talk to their child about financially motivated sexual extortion, and how to support them if they become a victim.
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Do you have a spare bedroom? Have you ever thought about fostering but cannot commit full time? How about becoming a part time foster carer?
Coventry City Council's Fostering Service needs more people to become approved foster carers and open their homes and hearts to children who need to be cared for by the local authority. Our new film 'Any of Us' showed that we could all make a difference as foster carers, and now we are asking could you take that caring step? Fostering with Coventry means you are providing Coventry children with a safe, positive, and nurturing home whilst decisions are being made about their future. The essential work conducted by Coventry foster carers means that children can get the stability, support and the care they need, at what can be a challenging time in their lives. There are different types of fostering and the type of fostering you could provide depends on you, your lifestyle and experiences and the needs of your family.
We are especially keen to hear from you if you are interested in our Out of Hours fostering scheme. The Out of Hours fostering rota is designed to meet the care needs of a child/young person outside of the usual office hours. Please visit our webpage for information about the roles and responsibilities as well as what is offered in return.
Alternatively, please give the team a ring on 024 7683 2828 or visit the Fostering Service website.
Thank you
Coventry's Fostering Service
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As part of the work of Child Friendly Cov, we have partnered with West Midlands Police to launch our Safe Spaces initiative across the city. This work has been informed by young people’s voices across the city. Our ‘one big voice’ survey identified that being safe when in our city was the top priority for young people in both primary and secondary schools. Our focus is around young people knowing there are places for them to access if there phone has no charge, young people need to contact parents or something else around not feeling safe.
All venues who sign up are provided with training to outline expectations as well as a welcome pack including a power bank, a window sticker to make young people aware the venue is a ‘safe space’, as well as hygiene and food packs being provided by partners such as Tesco, Asda, Langar Aid, Foodbank.
Training continues to being offered and individual sessions are available, for further information please email safespaces@coventry.gov.uk or access the website www.childfriendlycov.co.uk/safespaces
During the training provided already, it is very apparent that venues would support young people who came into the venue in distress, however our aim is to ensure that young people know that this support is available and as a city we are working hard to help young people feel safer within our city.
Website: www.coventry.gov.uk/cscp
X: @covCSCPandCSAB
Facebook: Coventry Safeguarding Board and Partnership
Instagram: Coventry_lscb
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