The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel have published ‘Protecting all vulnerable babies better’, our national review into the tragic death of baby Victoria Marten. The review details what we can learn from this deeply distressing incident, and why this matters for the safeguarding system.
Baby Victoria died in early 2023 and her parents were subsequently convicted of gross negligence manslaughter, child cruelty, perverting the course of justice, and concealing the birth of a child. While the circumstances of Baby Victoria's death are very rare, the professional challenges and systemic safeguarding issues involved are not.
Practitioner Briefing_Protecting All Vulnerable Babies Better_FINAL
Protecting all vulnerable babies better - GOV.UK
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The Practitioner Forums bring together professionals supporting children and young people across Westmorland and Furness, providing a space to connect, collaborate and share good practice. By improving understanding of each other’s roles, exploring local services and exchanging ideas, the forums help strengthen partnership working and promote a more coordinated approach to supporting families.
If you would like to be part of the Practitioner Forums, please let us know.
Attendance at previous CSCP Practitioner Forums does not mean you are automatically signed up, so we encourage anyone who wishes to be included to get in touch and register their interest.
To join, email WFSCP@cumbria.gov.uk.
You’re Invited!
Children’s Services have launched the Together in Practice Framework, and we’d love for you to join us to learn more about what this means for how Children’s Services practitioners interact with and support children and families across Westmorland and Furness.
Who should attend?
This session is suitable for any practitioner or partner agency working with children and families in Westmorland and Furness. Together, we’ll explore how we can ensure a consistent, collaborative approach in the way we engage and work with children and families in our area.
📅 Monday 23 March 🕐08:30 - 10:00pm 📍MS Teams
📅 Tuesday 14 April 🕐12:00 - 13:30pm 📍MS Teams
To sign up, please email: wfscptraining@cumbria.gov.uk with your full name, job title, organisation & email address.
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Save the Date!
Monday 8 June – Friday 19 June
Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership, together with our partner agencies, is hosting a Child Sexual Abuse Practice Fortnight.
Across the two weeks, practitioners from all parts of the partnership will have access to a wide range of learning opportunities — including masterclasses, practical guidance, and up‑to‑date information on local pathways and support services. The sessions will focus on recognising CSA, responding effectively, building practitioner confidence, and ensuring children and families receive the right help at the right time.
Full details of the masterclasses, including dates, times, and how to join, will be shared shortly. The best way to stay informed is by subscribing to our newsletters — you can sign up here 👉 Westmorland and Furness Council
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We are pleased to announce the next dates for WFSCP Working Together to Safeguard Children (formerly named Level 3 Safeguarding). This training is designed for professionals working at level 3 competency within their statutory framework.
Dates and Venues:
📅 Monday 9 March 🕐12:30 - 16:30pm 📍Kendal Town Hall
📅 Wednesday 22 April 🕐 12:30 - 16:30pm📍Barrow Town Hall
📅 Wednesday 17 June 🕐 12:30 - 16:30pm📍Voreda House, Penrith
📅 Tuesday 29 September 🕐 12:30 - 16:30pm📍Kendal Town Hall
Spaces are limited, so please book early to secure your place.
To sign up, please email: wfscptraining@cumbria.gov.uk with your full name, job title, organisation & email address.
If you’re supporting parents and carers who feel worried about their baby’s safety, many tell The Lullaby Trust that reading their guidance helps to ease their concerns. This month’s Lullaby Latest is designed to support your conversations by answering some of the common questions families raise — and perhaps a few they may not yet have thought to ask.
You may also find Helen’s Story a helpful resource to share, offering a powerful reminder of why safe sleep advice is so important.👉 Helen’s story | The Lullaby Trust
New Safer sleep essential bundle for new parents This baby safety information bundle contains all the information new or expectant parents and carers need, as well as a handy room thermometer. 👉 Safer Sleep Essential Bundle for New Parents | The Lullaby Trust
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The report shares the most significant findings from 6 joint targeted area inspections (JTAIs) carried out between October 2024 and June 2025.
The report aims to help improve practice, knowledge and understanding for local areas, partners and agencies working in domestic abuse.
Here are five key findings:
- Multi‑agency responses remain inconsistent, with serious and widespread weaknesses
- Practice is not consistently based on a strong understanding of children’s needs
- Children are still not consistently recognised as victims of domestic abuse
- Inspections found challenges in decision‑making and risk assessment
- Despite extensive inspection activity, children do not consistently get the right help at the right time
The multi-agency response to children who are victims of domestic abuse - GOV.UK
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Dr Kate Ward is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with children and young people across North East England. She specialises in supporting young people affected by trauma in complex situations, including those at risk of harm to themselves or others, experiencing relational difficulties, or facing the possibility of inpatient or secure admission or deprivation of liberty orders.
Dr Beverley Barnett-Jones is a social worker by heart and by profession. Over many years, she has worked closely with researchers, academics, and clinicians to strengthen the social care response to children and families where adverse childhood experiences and intergenerational social adversity manifest as trauma, stress, and loss
Rachel is a Professor in Child & Adolescent Mental Health at University College London (UCL). Rachel’s research focuses on complex child trauma and adversity, with a particular focus on the mental health and wellbeing of children who have a social worker
To book, please click here 👉 booking page
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Our 7 minute briefings are designed to keep professionals working with children in Westmorland and Furness informed and up to date on current topics and themes.
Safeguarding children depends on all organisations recognising and responding promptly to concerns about adults working or volunteering with them. This briefing provides a clear overview of the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and the importance of early consultation when allegations or suitability concerns arise. A full, detailed version of the guidance is available on our website via the links provided.
👉 WFSCP 7 Minute Briefing LADO 2026.docx
Westmorland and Furness Council want to hear from YOU. We’re working to make our area a more fun, safe, and supportive place for children and young people — and we need your ideas to make it happen. We’ve created a short survey where you can tell us what life is really like growing up here. The survey is anonymous and open now until 30 April 2026.
What do you enjoy? What needs to change? What would make things better for you and your friends?
Your voice matters, and what you say will help shape future plans, activities, and support for young people across Westmorland and Furness, making it a great place for young people to live and thrive. Sadly we can’t do anything about the weather!
Cllr Janet Battye, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, says: “You know better than anyone what it’s like to grow up here. We want to hear your ideas and your experiences so we can make Westmorland and Furness a place where every young person feels supported and able to thrive. Please take a few minutes to fill in the survey — your voice can help shape a child friendly future.”
Mil Vasic, Director of Children’s Services, adds: “We want to make things better for children and young people and the best way to do that is by listening to you. What you tell us in this survey will help decide what happens next, from activities and spaces to support and services. This is your chance to speak up and help shape a future in Westmorland and Furness that works for you.”
Why get involved?
Because you can help make a difference. By taking part, you can help improve things like:
- Places to meet up together
- Transport and how you get around
- Activities and events
- Feeling safe, online, and offline
- Support in school or the community
- Health and wellbeing services
- Your environment and green spaces
- Career opportunities and planning your future
How to take part
Click the link below and fill out the survey — it’s quick, anonymous, and easy:👉
For 7-10 year olds
For 11-17 year olds
The survey is open until 30 April 2026.
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