WFSCP: Our First Newsletter!

Westmorland and Furness Council sent this bulletin at 08-09-2025 02:30 PM BST

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Friday 5th September 2025

In this week's edition:

TOP STORY: WFSCP website launch - Monday 6th September
In other news...

TOP STORY: WFSCP website launch - Monday 6th September

We are pleased to announce that the Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership (WFSCP) will be launching its new website on Monday, 8th September.

The WFSCP is a multi-agency body dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children across the Westmorland and Furness area, covering the footprint of Westmorland and Furness Council.

Our new website will provide clear information, resources, and guidance to support professionals, families, and the wider community in working together to keep children safe.

We look forward to sharing this important development with you.

Welcome | Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnersh ip

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WFSCP Training Offer

We are in the process of arranging a series of face to face training events.

We have a multi-agency pool of trainers who deliver a wide range of training for all partner agencies across services and interventions achieve the very best for our children and young people in Westmorland and Furness.

Scheduled Courses:

Safeguarding Level 3

Thursday 13th November 2025, 9:30am – 12:30pm, Kendal
Monday 1st December 2025, 1:30pm – 4:30pm, Barrow

Child Exploitation Level 2

Tuesday 18th November 2025, 10:00am – 1:00pm, Kendal

Tom’s Story – Learning from a Domestic Homicide Review

Thursday 2nd October 2025, 10:00am – 1:00pm, Kendal Town Hall
Thursday 29th January 2026, 10:00am – 1:00pm, Barrow Town Hall

Non-Fatal Strangulation (via Microsoft Teams)

Monday 29th September 2025, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Tuesday 11th November 2025, 12:00 – 1:00pm

Booking & Enquiries:
Email WFSCPTraining@cumbria.gov.uk to reserve your place or for further information.

In other news...

Designated Safeguarding Lead Conference

Children Partnership Designated Safeguarding Lead conference on Friday 3 October 2025, 09:30-15:30 at Junction 36 Conference Centre.
Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

The full-day conference is designed to support those in the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The conference will focus on the role of DSLs in identifying concerns and supporting children and families to access support early. Themes covered during the day will include the role of the Multi-Agency Children’s Hub (MACH), Family Help, children
who are victims of domestic abuse and the role of schools and settings in supporting children at risk of exploitation.
This conference is open to all DSLs in early years settings, schools, and colleges in Westmorland and Furness.

To register your interest, please complete the following form: Registration for Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership DSL Conference

National Suicide Prevention Week - 7th - 13th September 2025

This year’s theme is “Changing the Narrative on Suicide”. The aim is to move from the silence and stigma surrounding suicide towards openness, understanding and support through having open and honest conversations.

If you are feeling suicidal or are worried about someone else, please know that help is available:

Talk to your GP for support

Call Samaritans – 116 123 (open 24/7)

Call Breathing Space – 0800 83 85 87 (24 hours weekends, 6pm–2am weekdays)

NHS 24 Mental Health Hub – Call 111

Contact Papyrus HOPELINE (young people) – 0800 068 4141

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999

Be cautious of seeking help from AI chatbots. They have not been validated as medical devices

ICON Week - 22nd - 26th September 2025

ICON is about helping people caring for babies cope with crying. ICON stands for:

I Infant crying is normal
C Comforting methods can help
O It’s OK to walk away
N Never, ever shake a baby

Speak to someone if you need support such as your family, friends, midwife, GP or health visitor.

More information and a wealth of resources are available on the ICON Cope website: www.iconcope.org

Domestic Abuse and Operation Encompass Awareness Sessions for Settings

The Early Help Team and Domestic Abuse Team are able to deliver an awareness session to staff at schools, colleges and settings around the following Domestic Abuse topics:

Introductions and role of the DA Team
Definitions of abuse
Indicators and types of abuse
What is controlling and coercive behaviour?
Stages of change model
Domestic abuse and the impact on children and child’s voice
DASH & MARAC process
Support for families and children
The Operation Encompass process

Support from the Early Help Team

This awareness session is available to all staff with DSL responsibility or who work directly with families.

Dates of sessions:

Monday 6^th October - 3:30-5pm

Tuesday 14^th October - 3:30-5pm

Thursday 23^rd October - 3:30-5pm

Tuesday 4^th November – 3:30-5pm

Wednesday 12^th November – 3:30-5pm

Monday 17^th November 3:30-5pm

Thursday 27^th November 6-7:30pm

All sessions are from 3:30pm - 5pm on Microsoft Teams. Please email the following Mailbox to book your place and include DA Awareness Session in your email title and request which session you would like to book on to.

Family.Help.WAF@cumbria.gov.uk

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