Practitioner Forums help people who work with children and young people learn from each other, understand each other's roles and responsibilities and what local provision is available in each part of the county.  The Practitioner Forums are free to attend, you can attend any practitioner forum across the county, why not give one of the forums a try?

Cumberland (Allerdale, Copeland & Million)

• Friday 26^th April 2024 (10am-12pm) MS Teams

Cumberland (Carlisle) 

• Wednesday 24^th April 2024 (12.30-2.30pm) Cumbria House, Carlisle and MS Teams (hybrid session)

Westmorland and Furness (Barrow & South Lakes)

• Monday 22^nd April 2024 (10.30am-12pm) - MS Teams

Westmorland and Furness (Penrith)

• Wednesday 1^st May 2024 (1.30-3.30pm) - Penrith Rugby Club, Penrith

The forums are being delivered either face to face or via Microsoft Teams.  If you have not had an invitation before or you have not attended a Practitioner Forum but would like to join one of the forums please email practitioner.forums@cumbria.gov.uk and we will send you an invitation. 

We look forward to seeing you.

For more information - Practitioner Forums 

North Cumbria Health Professionals Network would like to extend the invitation for any professional working within the Cumbrian footprint to attend the next session in support of the National Child Exploitation Awareness Day on the 18^th March 2024.

The session will have national, regional and local guest speakers talking about exploitation through the lifespan and how we can best support.

The session will run on the 4^th April 2024 2pm-4pm, if anyone would like to be added onto the guest list please contact Kate Allen on kate.allen31@nhs.net

Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council, in partnership with SafeLives, are offering the opportunity to complete 'Responding Well' Domestic Abuse Training, throughout 2024-2025. 

SafeLives are a UK-wide charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for everyone and for good. They are independent, practical and evidence-led, with survivor voice at the heart of our thinking. They work with organisations across the UK to transform the response to domestic abuse.

Click here for further details, dates of sessions and how to book your place.

The Department for Education (DfE) has published new guidance for schools in England on prohibiting the use of mobile phones by pupils. The guidance explains how to develop, implement and maintain a policy that prohibits the use of mobile phones and similar smart devices during the school day. It aims to help schools reduce distractions and disruption caused by mobile phone use, as well as reduce the risks of peer pressure and bullying. Alongside the guidance, there are case studies, a toolkit and information on creating a mobile phone-free school environment. 

Read the guidance: Mobile phones in schools

Read the blog post: Mobile phones in schools: are they being banned?

The Home Office has announced plans to make mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse a legal requirement in England. Everyone involved in regulated activity relating to children in England, such as teachers, will be legally required to report child sexual abuse (CSA). Under the proposals, those who fail to report CSA face being barred from working with young people and anyone who actively protects child sexual abusers could face a prison sentence. The new measures will be introduced as amendments at report stage of the Criminal Justice Bill in the House of Commons.

Read the press release: Tougher laws to protect children from sexual abuse  

See also on NSPCC Learning > Protecting children from sexual abuse

The UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) and Department for Science, Innovation and Technology  have updated their non-statutory guidance for schools in England on responding to incidents involving the sharing of nude and semi-nude images. It is aimed at Designated safeguarding leads (DSLs) and senior leaders in educational settings in England. The document includes guidance on: risk assessing incidents; safeguarding and supporting children and young people; handling devices and imagery; recording incidents; and providing education on the sharing of nudes and semi-nudes. 

Read the guidance: Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people