Safeguarding Specific Bulletin part 2 of 2. Part 1 published on 3rd February
Working Together 2018 published an update on 9 December 2020.
The update includes:
A new 4th allegation point under the section regarding allegations against people in positions of trust who work with children and therefore the criteria for referral to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
Here's a reminder of when to refer to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
When there is an allegation relating to a person who works with children who has:
1) Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
2) Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
3) Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children
Following the December update, there is now a 4th category which is that they have:
4) Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.
This new category is very wide and can include a number of concerns including:
- Children's Social Care involvement with their own child
- Being the perpetrator of domestic abuse
- Mental ill health or substance misuse issues that may impact the care of children
- Criminal proceedings for hate crime
- Membership of organisations with terrorist or extreme right-wing links believed to cause harm to others.
As with the current three allegation points, the employer must notify the LADO within one working day. The LADO will make contact following the notification being received to provide advice and consider any actions to safeguard children if required. Please note that members of the public can also refer to the LADO as well as employers and the matters causing concern can relate to concerns arising out of work as well as whilst they are in their role working or volunteering with children.
Once contacted the LADO will determine the distinction between a complaint, a concern about the quality of practice and an allegation.
LADO: Hayley Cowmeadow
Tel: 023 9288 2500
Email: lado@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
Managing behaviour
Providers are responsible for managing children's behaviour in an appropriate way. Very rarely should a practitioner need to use physical intervention to prevent children from injuring themselves or others or damaging property. Physical intervention is defined in the EYFS as using reasonable force for the purposes of averting immediate danger of personal injury to any person (including the children) or to manage the child's behaviour if absolutely necessary.
If you should need to use physical intervention, you must keep a record and parents and/or carers must be informed on the same day, or as soon as reasonably practical.
If you are struggling to manage a child's behaviour at your setting and find you are resorting to using physical intervention more frequently please contact our early years' inclusion team for tips and advice about how to support the child appropriately.
eyinclusion@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
First aid training dispensation
There is currently a dispensation given to first aid certificates that would have expired on or after 1 October 2020 – these will now be treated as if they are valid until 31 March 2021. This will come round very quickly so please ensure you book further training soon if required.
NB there are training providers who are currently offering the full paediatric first aid training – contact eyworkforce@portsmouthcc.gov.uk if you need any details.
NSPCC advises…
"Children and young people are normally seen by lots of different adults every day, like neighbours, grandparents and teachers. But due to coronavirus (COVID-19) we're self-isolating, social distancing and spending much more time at home. This means some families might need extra support with parenting. And if a child is experiencing abuse, there aren't as many opportunities for adults to spot the signs and help".
NSPCC has shared some worrying trends…
- Child abuse contacts to NSPCC helpline has risen by 43% since the beginning of the first lock down in March 2020
- Calls to NSPCC about children living in violent homes has risen by 53% compared to pre-lockdown
- 82% rise in the number of contacts made about children experiencing emotional abuse compared to pre-lockdown levels
- Number of recorded child cruelty and neglect offences have increased by 53% over the last three years.
In response to keeping children safe from abuse during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the NSPCC have published helpful guidance to help you spot the signs of abuse and what to do if you're worried about a child.
ICON (Infant Crying, Comfort Method, Crying is Ok, Never Ever Shake your Baby)
Research suggests that some lose control when a baby’s crying becomes too much. Some go on to shake a baby with devastating consequences. The main aim of ICON is to support Children and Parents and to stop abuse head trauma from shaking a baby.
ICON gives the support for professionals to be able to support their families who are struggling. It also gives a support for the parents as there is a Personal ICON Plan, which can bring both parents together and they will be able to make a list on how to comfort their baby when they are crying.
Free resources for professionals and parents and a personal plan are available here.
As a response to COVID-19 the Duty Health Visiting offer has been strengthened.
The Duty Health Visitor is available on the telephone for professionals and parents, Monday through to Friday, 9.00am - 4.30pm, excluding public holidays.
Families can also text the Duty Health Visitor via Solent Pulse; this is an opportunity to anonymously ask non-urgent questions. They also have a duty email address for professionals to refer into their service.
Duty telephone line number: 0300 1236629
Pulse number: 07491163275
Duty email address: snhs.portsmouthhvduty@nhs.net (for professionals only)
All parents having their first baby will be offered a face to face antenatal appointment and all new birth visits will take place, face to face, ideally in the home, depending on parental preference. Health Visiting is currently offering a telephone contact for all Universal 6-8 week contacts with parent/baby. This will mean they are unable to weigh and measure babies at this contact. Please be reassured they are continuing to work with the more vulnerable families within their Universal Plus, Universal Partnership Plus, ECHO and Tier 4 caseloads, however the frequency of contacts will reduce and/or change to virtual/telephone contacts following risk assessment.
Currently they have Healthy Child Clinics running across the city four days per week. They can no longer offer an open clinic at this time but do offer set appointment times where baby and one parent/carer can attend and see a Health Visitor. This is arranged by the parent/carer calling the Duty Health Visiting number.
The service is also extending its working week to include Saturdays at a Family Hub. This is by appointment only.
Until further notice the Paediatric Emergency Department is re-locating to A Level - East entrance within the Children's Assessment unit (CAU) which is accessed by the East entrance of QA (just down the hill from the main ED entrance) footprint at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth.
Staff and your own wellbeing - remember to be kind to others and yourself - when it's quieter (and especially when it's not) remember to take time to support your colleagues and just have a conversation to genuinely find out how things are for them both in and out of work - five minutes spent just checking in with them to see how things are can really make a huge difference.
You may find it useful to use some of these simple techniques - when not at work, take time out to prioritise yourself and do something you really enjoy. Try practising mindfulness, focusing on the present and not worrying about those things you can't change immediately. At work make sure staff and yourself take breaks and most of all make time to listen to other adults (and yourself) and be kind to yourself and others.
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