Domestic Abuse – children recognised as victims of domestic abuse
Being exposed to domestic abuse has serious consequences for children and young people; and it can affect how they feel, think and behave in harmful ways.
Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, children are defined as victims of domestic abuse if they see, hear or are otherwise affected by domestic abuse.
Children may experience domestic abuse directly, but they can also experience it indirectly by:
- hearing the abuse from another room
- seeing someone they care about being injured and/or distressed
- finding damage to their home environment like broken furniture
- being hurt from being caught up in or trying to stop the abuse
- not getting the care and support they need from their parents or carers as a result of the abuse (Holt, Buckley and Whelan, 2008).
You can find more information about Domestic Abuse on the CSCP website https://cumbriasafeguardingchildren.co.uk/professionals/domesticabuse/default.asp.
Specialist Support for Children is available in Cumbria from the following agencies:
If you are concerned that a child is at risk of immediate harm, you must follow all safeguarding procedures. You can make a referral to either the Cumberland or Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub by following this link https://www.cumbriasafeguardingchildren.co.uk/professionals/concernsaboutachild.asp
|
NWG The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) – What? Why? How?
The CSCP as part of their ongoing specialist training opportunities have commissioned NWG to deliver a short 2 hour course on The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) – What? Why? How?.
The course will explain what the NRM is including what happens when a child becomes an adult and submitting additional information, how the NRM benefits children and where it fits in legislation before taking you step by step through completing an NRM referral.
The course is aimed at practitioners working with children and young people and who may be at risk of child exploitation/modern slavery.
The training will be delivered by Karen Laing from NWG and will take place on
- Tuesday - 26th September 2023 (10am-12pm)
Click here for further details and how to access.
|
Both Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hubs will be launching a 'Request for Information' form from 1st July 2023.
The purpose of this form is so that professionals who require information regarding a child and their family can request information in the correct format required for the staff in both hubs to respond efficiently and appropriately. This will also provide an audit trail for information requested and details provided to ensure compliance with GDPR and data sharing protocols and legislation. This should not detract for the need to share and or request information with the Safeguarding Hubs where there is an immediate safeguarding concern about a child.
Use this form to request information that the relevant Safeguarding Hub may hold about a child and their family such as:
- Social care involvement
- Referral outcomes
- Historic involvement
Do not use this form if you know the child has an allocated social worker or Early Help worker involvement, please contact the relevant worker directly.
Please fill out and submit the request for information form held on the CSCP website (links below).
Once the completed form is received you should expect a response to your request within a maximum of 5 working days. If you have not received this, please contact the the relevant Safeguarding Hub.
Should you have an immediate safeguarding concern about a child please contact the relevant hub to discuss your concerns or make a referral in the usual way.
|
The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a consultation on revisions to the Working Together to Safeguard Children statutory guidance for England. The consultation aims to gather views on updating Working Together to help deliver on the government’s plans to transform children’s social care set out in Stable Homes, Built on Love. It closes on 6 September 2023.
Find out more: Working together to safeguard children: changes to statutory guidance
|
The Department for Education (DfE) has launched a consultation on revising non-statutory advice to support practitioners in the processes of sharing information in England. The consultation aims to gather perspectives on how to make the advice clear and easy to understand so that practitioners feel confident in sharing safeguarding information effectively and appropriately. It closes on 6 September 2023.
Find out more: Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners
The Department for Education (DfE) has updated its Early Years foundation stage statutory framework for school and childcare providers in England. Changes include: statutory minimum staff:child ratios in England for 2-year-olds changes from 1:4 to 1:5; and childminders can care for more than the specified maximum of three young children if they are caring for siblings of children they already care for or if the childminder is caring for their own child. The changes will apply from 04 September 2023.
Read the guidance: Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
What are the Health Risks to young people? Vapes are especially dangerous for young people under the age of 18 as their brains are still developing. Teens who vape are at risk of nicotine addiction, mood disorders, difficulty in paying attention and reduced impulse control which can result in difficulties in learning. Vaping is a gateway drug – this means that young people can progress from this onto smoking cigarettes and cannabis. Vaping can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate flow of blood to the heart and narrowing of arteries, which can lead to an increased risk of strokes and heart attacks. Vaping can also contribute to infections, seizures and lung disease. The full long-term impact of vaping are unknown.
Key Facts
- Having some key facts at your fingertips can help you have a conversation with young people.
- It is illegal for you to purchase vapes for young people.
- Vapes are not licensed for young people under the age of 18 years, on medical grounds – it’s not good for them.
- Nicotine is contained in most vapes and is highly addictive. Nicotine interferes with normal teen brain development.
- Vapes often contain cancer causing chemical, it is not just scented water vapour.
- Vapes can cause lung damage and can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and cancer. Longer-term effects of vaping are still unknown.
- Vaping can cause diarrhoea and really smelly farts.
- Vaping can cause nose bleeds and spread coughs, colds and cold sores if young people are sharing vapes with friends.
Factsheet for Parents and Carers
Factsheet for Teachers and Professionals
The DSM Foundation have produced a short information film for us around vaping –
Vaping resource for Parents and Carers - YouTube
And the survey links are here, if you’d like to provide your feedback as a professional or share the link with Parents & Carers.
Youth Substance Misuse – Parents & Carers Survey
Youth Substance Misuse – Teachers & Professionals Survey
|
NSPCC Learning has published an updated Learning from case review briefing on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). The briefing includes key learning around: identifying children and young people at risk of CSE; recognising and responding to signs of CSE; and the use of victim blaming language. Learning for better practice includes the need for ongoing and child centred support for young people experiencing CSE.
Read the CASPAR briefing: Child sexual exploitation: learning from case reviews
|
An 'end-of-term’ promotion for schools to disseminate to parents with a focus on understanding of a child's brain development and their emotional wellbeing as pupils prepare over the summer to transition.
Online courses developed by clinical psychologists can help parents to understand their child, read their behaviour and help them look after their emotional health.
Understanding your child online course, as part of Cumbria's Reducing Family Conflict programme, can be accessed completely free using the code WORDSWORTH https://inourplace.heiapply.com/online-learning/
School's Out Take an emotional health check
|
Solihull online courses are quick, easy and aimed to support Parents, carers, grandparents and young people themselves!
Solilhull approach online modules are available until April 2025 and can be accessed at https://inourplace.heiapply.com/online-learning/
Parents/carers/grandparents/young people courses:
- Understanding pregnancy, birth and your baby
- Understanding your baby
- Understanding your child
- Understanding your teenager's brain
- Understanding your child's feelings
- Understanding your child with additional needs
- Understanding your relationships
- Understanding your brain (for teenagers only)
- Understanding your feelings (for teenagers only)
- Understanding anger
- Understanding behaviour
- And more!
Professionals courses:
- Understanding trauma
- Understanding attachment
- Understanding brain development
Use Code WORDSWORTH
|
Kooth.com offers free, safe and anonymous access to online wellbeing support and advice for children and young people. The registration process is quick, anonymous and safe. CYP, age 11 – 19 years, can access support, simply by registering at www.kooth.com using non-identifiable information.
Kooth is free to access via any internet-connected tablet, computer or smartphone. There are no waiting lists or thresholds to meet and a referral from a medical professional is not needed. Your child can join Kooth anonymously simply by visiting www.kooth.com.
Kooth offers young people a range and choice of support options under one digital roof.
It has services that are accessible 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This includes one to one text based sessions with experienced counsellors and wellbeing practitioners run from midday to 10pm on weekdays, and from 6 -10pm at the weekend. Appointments can be booked in advance or accessed via a drop-in text-based chat. Kooth also provides a fully safeguarded and pre-moderated community with a library of peer and professional created articles. And there are discussion forums too. All content is pre-moderated and age appropriate.
Kooth covers many topics on the website including relationships, LGBTQIIA+, exam stress, anxiety, eating difficulties, self harm, suicidal thoughts, body image, social media, bullying and family worries. All of these subjects affecting young peoples’ mental health are presenting issues that Kooth and other mental health providers see from all age groups. Kooth is commissioned by Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumberland Council and NHS partners.
|
|
