Sefton SCP Business Unit Team

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership Business Team:

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership is supported by staff within the business unit, comprising of:

Rick Bolton, Interim Sefton SCP Manager

Donna Atkinson, Sefton SCP Administrator

Louise Roberts, Sefton SCP Learning & Development Officer

Vacant, Sefton SCP Performance & Improvement Officer

Elle Morris, Sefton SCP Apprentice Administrator

If you wish to contact a member of our team, please email SSCP@sefton.gov.uk. 

Sefton SCP
Magdalen House
Trinity Road, Bootle
L20 3NJ

Sefton SCP - Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements

Introduction

The Children and Social Work Act 2017 replaced Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs) with new local safeguarding arrangements, led by the three named statutory safeguarding partners Local Authority; Police and Integrated Care Boards (Health) operating in the Sefton area.  The three partners formed Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) as the statutory body for the new arrangements.

The publication of Working Together to Safeguarding Children 2023, required local arrangements to be updated in light of national reforms. Sefton SCP's updated arrangements are published in the document below.

Click here to view Sefton SCP -  Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements (2024)

Sefton SCP Strategic Plan 2024-2027 / Priorities

Sefton SCP Strategic Plan 2024-2027

The purpose of the Sefton SCP Strategic Plan is to set out the three strategic priorities for Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) for the period 2024-2027, and how these will be achieved through the work of the partnership overseen by the relevant subgroups.  

Sefton SCP's ambition is to help the many people and organisations across the borough who care for and work with children and families - helping them to learn, work and succeed together.

Sefton SCP Annual Report

Sefton SCP publishes an yearly report on the business of the partnership and effectiveness of the safeguarding arrangements.

The most recent version of the Sefton SCP Annual Report is published below:

View Sefton SCP Annual Report 2023-24

Learning from Reviews / Serious Child Safeguarding Case PATHWAY

In Sefton the partnership is committed to child centred practice and learning, and this is reflected in all our work. We believe this child centred approach is reflected in our approach to Rapid Reviews as they give an opportunity for the partnership to learn about every child and to understand events from their unique experience to improve our partnership working.

Safeguarding reviews are undertaken to learn from past events and consolidate understanding about what is working well and what presents challenges to organisations, working with children and families in Sefton.  Central to all Sefton's reviews will be a focus on trying to understand the journey of events from the child's perspective.

Sefton SCP will determine when to trigger a Rapid Review process or another appropriate alternative case review process.

Sefton SCP has a procedure which sets out the Pathway for Rapid Reviews and Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (LCSPRs):

Sefton SCP Rapid Reviews & Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews PATHWAY

REFERRAL FORM for Serious Child Safeguarding Case or Request for Reflective Review by PRG (Appendix A)

Sefton SCP has a sub group (Practice Review Group) which oversees and quality assures reviews undertaken by the partnership, and provides advice on whether the criteria for conducting a review have been met.

Sefton SCP have created leaflets for families explaining what a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR) and Reflective Review is and what to expect if one is undertaken on their child/family. 

Leaflet for Families (LCSPR)

Leaflet for Families (Reflective Review)

Multi-Agency Audits & Learning & Improvement Framework (LIF)

The role of Sefton SCP is crucial in undertaking multi-agency audits to be assured that children are safe, that practice with children and families is good and in line with Working Together 2023 and agencies are working collaboratively. The findings from audit are used to improve practice with children and families and multi-agency working.  

Multi-Agency audits provide a robust and systematic approach to quality assurance and the modelling of a cycle of continuous learning through constructive challenge will establish a culture which will permeate through to front-line practice.

Sefton SCP undertake multi-agency audits and have produced a 'Guide for Professionals'

Safeguarding Partnerships should maintain a local learning and improvement framework which is shared across local organisations who work with children and families. This framework should enable organisations to be clear about their responsibilities, to learn from experience and improve services as a result.

Click to view the Sefton LIF

 

• Sefton SCP Learning & Improvement Framework (LIF)

Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP)

Merseyside and Isle of Man CDOP

Purpose of CDOP

The death of a child is a devastating loss which profoundly affects all those involved. Since April 2008, all deaths of children up to the age of 18 years, excluding still births and planned terminations are to be reviewed by a Child Death Overview Panel in line with the national guidance and statutory requirement set out in the Child Death Review Statutory and Operational Guidance published in October 2018. Child Death Overview Panels should “review the deaths of all children normally resident in the relevant local authority area, and if they consider it appropriate the deaths in that area of non-resident children.” Child Death Review Statutory and Operational Guidance published in October 2018.

Responsibility for reviewing child deaths across Merseyside and the Isle of Man sits with the following statutory partners:

Knowsley Borough Council
Liverpool City Council
Sefton Borough Council
St Helens Borough Council
Wirral Borough Council
Isle of Man
NHS Cheshire & Merseyside ICB (Integrated Care Board)
Merseyside Police

Merseyside CDOP have produced a leaflet for parents/carers explaining what CDOP does when a child dies.

Further information on Merseyside & IOM CDOP can be found on Liverpool Safeguarding Children Partnership's website link below. 

https://liverpoolscp.org.uk/scp/about-us/merseyside-child-death-overview-panel-cdop

 

Contact Details

CDOP Team
Gerard Majella Courthouse
Boundary Street
Liverpool
L5 2QD

Merseyside Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) Manager - Stephanie Quinn (Email: stephanie.quinn@liverpool.gov.uk

Merseyside CDOP Administrator - Helen Fleming-Scott Email: Helen.Fleming-Scott@liverpool.gov.uk

 

Sefton SCP Structure

Sefton SCP Structure

 

 

Child Protection Conference Report

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) acknowledges that some agencies experience difficulty in structuring and providing a written report to Child Protection Case Conferences. The template below, with guidance notes, is designed to assist agencies in providing key relevant information for CP Case Conference. 

Click on the link below to download the template:

Agency Report to Child Protection Conference Template

Level of Need Guidance (November 2024)

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership Level of Need Guidance (November 2024)

The Level of Need Guidance is intended to assist the children's workforce and all those who come into contact with children in Sefton to respond appropriately to concerns and make timely decisions about how to respond to the needs of the child/ren and families they are working with.

Download a copy of the Level of Need Guidance (November 2024)

Materials for Child Protection

Materials for Child Protection (Developed by Sefton Young Advisors)

Sefton Young Advisors have developed materials and resources to use with Children, Young People and Families who may become involved in the child protection system.  These materials are to support practitioners who work with children and families.

Child Protection Conference

For Parents & Carers - A guide to Child Protection Conferences - Information Pack

For Children & Young People - A guide to helping you understand your plan

For Children & Young People - Child/Young Persons report for the Child Protection Conference (Your chance to share your views)

A guide to 'Who's Who' - (template to record who everyone is at meetings)

Expectations of agencies contributing to child protection conferences - Poster

For use by Practitioners

My Report (for looked after children & young people to use within LAC Reviews)

Letter to Young Person (for use by Independent Reviewing Officer)

SEFTON CHILD EXPLOITATION (CE) SCREENING TOOL

Sefton Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (CE) Screening Tool

The purpose of the tool is to enable professionals to identify indicators which suggest a child is experiencing, or is at risk of, exploitation, in a consistent way which facilitates sound judgement. The screening tool can be used for all children (male and female) at any point in the child’s journey and with young people up to 21yrs. It can be used by any practitioner working with and supporting children or young people where there is a concern a child may be exploited.

If you have concerns that a child is experiencing or at risk of exploitation, download and complete a copy of the Sefton CE Screening Tool

Please find guidance on when to complete a CE Screening Tool (link)

Online Safety Strategy

"Children and young people need to be empowered to keep themselves safe. At a public swimming pool, we have gates, put up signs, have lifeguards and shallow ends, but we also teach children how to swim."                                      (Dr Tanya Byron, Safer Children in a Digital World (2008))

As part of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the Children Act  and Working Together to Safeguard Children, Sefton Safeguarding Children’s Partnership have developed this online safety strategy built on four key areas:

• Policies, practices, and procedures.
• Education and training.
• Infrastructure and technology.
• Standards and inspection.

As a partnership we are committed to raising awareness of online safety issues to all partner organisations and promoting good practice to reduce risks to children and young people when they are online or when using digital electronic technologies.

CLICK HERE to download Sefton SCP's Online Safety Strategy (2023)

Multi-Agency Working Agreement

This purpose of the 'Multi-Agency Working Agreement' is to strengthen ‘working in partnership’ with family members and professionals to improve the lived experience of a child and improve outcomes.

The agreement is applicable to interventions across the safeguarding continuum: Early Help / Child in Need (CIN) / Child Protection & Core Group / Care Planning

Click to view Sefton's MULTI-AGENCY WORKING AGREEMENT.

Children/Young People & Families Assessment Information

As a professional, you may identify safeguarding children concerns and need to make a referral to Children's Social Care. 

Sefton Children's Services have produced information leaflets for families regarding Children, Young People and Family Assessments which are helpful to explain to families what is involved in assessments and plans etc.  Professionals can use this information for families when referrals are being considered to explain what is involved. #MakeADifference

Click to download:

CYP&F Assessments - Information for Families (1)

CYP&F Assessments - Information for Families (2)

If you have a concern about a child and wish to make a referral to Children's Social Care Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership - Worried about a child? (seftonscp.org.uk)

Sefton's Neglect Strategy

Sefton has a strong commitment to partnership working with children and young people and their families. We have a clear strategy led by the local authority and supported by partners regarding Early Help and Intervention. Neglect is an issue that requires a detailed strategic approach to assist partners to be clear on what neglect is.

The impact of neglect on children and young people is enormous. Neglect causes great distress to children, potential injury, developmental delay, increased risk of teenage pregnancy and increased risk of sexual, domestic or physical abuse, leading to poor health, educational and social outcomes and is potentially fatal. Lives are affected and their ability to attend and attain at school is reduced. Their emotional health and wellbeing is often compromised and this impacts on their success in adulthood and their ability to parent in the future. Neglect is unacceptable because of the lasting damage it can have and also because it is avoidable harm which is within our power to address.

Sefton's Neglect Strategy 2020-25

Sefton's Neglect Screening Tool

Sefton's Neglect Screening Tool is intended for use by frontline practitioners within ALL partner agencies to quickly identify areas of concern that may indicate a child or adolescent is being neglected. The tool is designed to be applicable to all age groups. The tool is not a full assessment of risk and should be used alongside the levels of need document and your own safeguarding procedures.

View and Download the Screening Tool  Neglect Screening Tool

Child Neglect - Be Professionally Curious (Investigators/Practitioners Guidance Note)

Early Help

Early Help is about taking action as soon as possible to tackle problems for children and families before they can grow into something that is more difficult to overcome.  It is about identifying children and families that may be at risk of running into difficulties and providing timely and effective support.

Sefton has a good offer of Early Help which means that families get help when they first need it. All information on Early Help can be found on Sefton Council's website. 

Domestic Abuse

Domestic Abuse is defined as an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading and violent behaviour, including sexual violence, in the majority of cases by a partner or ex-partner, but also by a family member or carer.  It is very common and in the vast majority of cases it is experienced by women and is perpetrated by men.

Please see Sefton Council's website for more information about domestic abuse and find out what support is available.

View Sefton's Domestic and Sexual Abuse Strategy 2023 - 2028

Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance was published on 8 July 2022 and is issued under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.  The guidance is aimed at statutory and non statutory bodies working with victims, including children or perpetrators of domestic abuse.  It is designed to support organisations, such as the NHS, to identify and respond to domestic abuse, as well as promote best practice.  

CLICK HERE to view NHS England KEY MESSAGES on the Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance.  

Managing Allegations - Local Authority's Designated Officer (LADO)

Role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

Click to view Sefton LADO Annual Report 2023-24

Local Authorities should have a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) to be involved in the management and oversight of individual cases. The LADO should provide advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations, liaising with the police and other agencies and monitoring the progress of cases to ensure that they are dealt with as quickly as possible, consistent with a thorough and fair process;

• any allegation should be reported immediately to a senior manager within the organisation. The LADO should also be informed within one working day of all allegations that come to an employer’s attention or that are made directly to the police; and
• if an organisation removes an individual (paid worker or unpaid volunteer) from work such as looking after children (or would have, had the person not left first) because the person poses a risk of harm to children, the organisation must make a referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service. It is an offence to fail to make a referral without good reason.

The LADO role applies to paid, unpaid, volunteer, casual, agency and self-employed workers. The LADO is involved from the initial phase of the allegation through to the conclusion of the case.

Their role is to give advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations; liaise with the Police, when necessary and other agencies, and monitor the progress of cases to ensure that they are dealt with in a timely manner and consistent with a thorough and fair process.

The LADO helps co-ordinate information-sharing with the right people and will also monitor and track any investigation, with the aim to resolve it as quickly as possible.

The LADO should be alerted to all cases in which it is alleged that a person who works with children has:

• behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child;
• possibly committed a criminal offence against children, or related to a child;
• behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may post a risk of harm to children; 
• behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.

What does the LADO do?  CLICK HERE TO VIEW A BITE SIZE VIDEO OF THE LADO ROLE

Provides an ‘Initial Discussion’ which allows for the giving of advice and guidance relating to the most appropriate way of managing the allegation or concern, and most importantly will help establish what the ‘next steps’ should be in terms of investigating the matter further. See flowchart regarding managing allegations process.

To contact Sefton's LADO tel: 0151 934 3783.

Sefton's LADO REFERRAL FORM - Please return completed referral form via secure email to safeguardingunitadmin@sefton.gov.uk

Managing Allegations Information Leaflets:

Leaflet for Employers

Leaflet for Employees

Leaflet for Parents/Carers

Leaflet for Foster Carers

 

To view the Managing Allegations Procedures, visit Sefton SCP  Multi-Agency Safeguarding Procedures.

Prevent Duty Guidance

Prevent Duty Guidance for Schools

The Prevent Duty Guidance (under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 ) was released by the Government in March 2015 which places a duty on schools, and other agencies, to “have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism”.  The duty placed on schools covers 4 areas:

• Risk Assessment
• Working in Partnership
• Staff Training
• IT Policies

The Prevent Duty Guidance can be accessed here: Prevent Duty Guidance 

The DfE, Prevent Duty departmental advice and DfE, Social Media guidance has been issued to help schools keep children safe from the risk of radicalisation and extremism.  This departmental advice complements the statutory guidance and intends to help schools and childcare providers by:

• clarifying what the prevent duty means for schools and childcare providers
• outlining what they can do to help protect children from the risk of radicalisation
• making clear what schools and childcare providers should do to demonstrate compliance with the duty
• informing them about other sources of information, advice and support

Policy paper; Preventing extremism in the education and children’s services sectors

Within this paper, there is also a link to some additional resources that the DfE has produced that are available to schools via the TES website. 

Licensing

Sefton Safeguarding Children and Quality Assurance Unit is responsible for matters relating to the protection of children from harm under the Licensing Act 2003, it must be notified of all license variations and new applications for the sale and supply of alcohol and public entertainment.

Safeguarding children – from birth to their 18th birthday – is a national licensing objective. This is not only about selling alcohol to children, but concerns wider safeguarding concerns such as:

• Sexual exploitation
• Substance Misuse
• Witnessing or being victims of crime
• Anti-social Behaviour

Licensed premises are those that have been have been licensed under The Licensing Act 2003, and include:

• Cinemas
• Clubs
• Department stores
• Festivals
• Hot Food Takeaways
• Off Licenses
• Pubs
• Restaurants
• Shops
• Sports venues

To view Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council Licensing Policy Statement

Multi-Agency Policies & Procedures

Sefton SCP has a separate platform hosting multi-agency policies and procedures.

CLICK to access the platform and view the contents page.

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership Multi-Agency Procedures | Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures Manual

Child Safety in the Home

Child Safety in the Home

The NIDirect Government Services website has information on "Child Safety in The Home"  which provides information about child safety covering subjects such as:

• Blind cord safety
• Choking
• Fire safety advice
• Guarding children against trips and falls
• Keeping children safe during a flood
• Burns and Scalds
• Poisonous substances
• Leaving children at home alone
• Trampoline Safety

CSE Leaflet for Parents/Carers

Child Sexual Exploitation

Barnardo's have produced a leaftlet for parents and carers providing information on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Child Sexual Exploitation.

Coping with 'Self Harm'

 

Coping with Self Harm - A Parents/Carers Guide (Developed by Researchers at the University of Oxford)

This guide was developed by Researchers at the University of Oxford from talking to parents and carers of young people and is aimed at helping parents, carers, other family members and friends cope when a young person is self-harming. It includes information on the nature and causes of self-harm, how to support a young person when facing this problem and what help is available.

 

 

Dog Safety

#DogSafety  Leading animal welfare organisations have teamed up to produce a shareable infographic to encourage safe interactions with dogs.

Due to several tragic dog attack fatalities, it’s paramount that families are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to enjoy spending time with their dogs safely. 

The Canine and Feline Sector Group Dog Safety Code highlights three crucial messages that all dog owners and families need to know:

• Be alert – Always keep an eye on your dog around kids. Never leave them alone together  
• Be aware – Dogs use signals to tell us how they feel – What is your dog telling you?
• Be safe – Any dog can bite. Accidents happen fast.

More information can be found at: https://www.cfsg.org.uk/dog-safety/

Harm Outside the Home (Information)

Worried about your teenager?

It can be difficult for parents to tell whether their teenagers are just "being teens" or if there is something more serious going on. For information on eating disorders, depression and ways to help your teenager see the NHS website.

Tests and exams can be a challenging part of school life for children and young people but there are ways to ease the stress. For information on how to support your child through their exams see the NHS website.

NYAS Portal

Home - Help at Hand (childrenscommissioner.gov.uk)

Child Exploitation

• Child sexual exploitation | Merseyside Police great links on this page that we could signpost to via Police website or add links to our page, would be good for professionals and families
• May be good to have following clear on website ‘Let’s all be part of the change. Everyone can do something to challenge the abuse of women and girls. Home | ENOUGH

Violence Reduction Partnership 

• Campaigns | Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership (merseysidevrp.com)

There are also charities who specialise in this area:

• Childline0800 1111
  NSPCC 0808 800 5000
• Crimestoppers0800 555111
• Childrens Society 
• SPACE – Stop & Prevent Adolescent Criminal Exploitation 
• Barnado’s 
• CEOP 

For further information on cycling safely via www.sustrans.org.uk:

• A guide to cycling in the dark
• Cycling safety for children
• How to choose your child's first bike and kit

Children and Young People

Child Sexual Exploitation
View the leaflet produced by Barnardo’s on Child Sexual Exploitation. for young people

What is Safeguarding Children and Young People all about?
The UN Convention states that Children and Young People have rights, such as

• The right to life
• The right to be treated as equal citizens
• The right to live in a safe environment
• The right to be educated without fear
• The right to be protected from abuse and neglect

HOPELineUK
Tel. 08000 68 41 41 for support and practical advice to anyone concerned that a young person they know may be suicidal. Calls are free from BT landlines. Other networks and mobile rates may vary.

Bullying & Cyber Bullying

Are you being Bullied?

What can you do?

If you are being bullied and you don't know what to do, don't suffer in silence you can talk to bullybusters - 0800 1696928

Talking allows you to get things off your chest and we can give you helpful and practical tips.

REMEMBER it is not your fault, it is the person who is bullying you who has the problem, not you.

Some helpful tips:

Support for Alcohol, Drugs and Mental Health

Change Grow Live (CGL) offer a service called 'Rise Up' for Sefton young people and families which is a free and confidential service for young people 25 and under providing support with their own or somebody else's drug or alcohol use.

Rise Up – Sefton Young People and Families Service | Change Grow Live

KOOTH is an online mental wellbeing community offering free, safe and anonymous support kooth.com

Suicide Prevention

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life and 'Thinking of Suicide'? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINE247 0800 068 41 41

You can contact PAPYRUS and get help.  PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.  No young person should have to struggle alone with thoughts of suicide. 

Visit: Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)

Sefton SCP Multi-Agency Procedures

Click to view Sefton's Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership Multi-Agency Procedures | Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership Procedures Manual

Practice Guidance Support for Professionals

In order to support the multi agency workforce, Sefton SCP (with thanks to Sefton Safeguarding Children Unit) has developed a suite of detailed Practice Guidance Support documents in a wide range of safeguarding children topics.

The Practice Guidance is primarily to up skill professionals (who work with children, young people and families) to increase their knowledge and allow additional information to support and improve practice.  (The guidance does not substitute Sefton SCP Procedures but are to support practitioners).

1	Child Sexual Abuse
2	Child Exploitation of Boys and Young Men
3	Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
4	Children's Views - Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
5	Disguised Compliance
6	Domestic Abuse
7	Harmful Sexual Behaviour
8	Hidden Male
9	Learning Disability CSE
10	Neglect
11	Parental Alcohol Abuse
12	Parental Capacity to Change
13	Parental Conflict
14	Parental Drug Abuse
15	Parental Mental Health
16	The Child's Voice
17	Preventing and Treating Poor Mental Health (LAC)
18	Resilience in Children
19	Returning Children Home from Care
20	Special Guardianship Disruption
21	Together or Apart Assessment
22	Non-Offending Parent - capacity to protect
23	Child Development
24	Assessing the Child's Lived Experience
25	Domestic Abuse and Coercive Control
26	Working with Parents who have a Learning Disability

Children Missing Education

Welcome to Sefton's Children Missing Education (CME) Guidance 2023.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SEFTON CME GUIDANCE (2023)

The 2016 DfE Statutory Guidance for Children Missing Education provides a clear definition for missing in education:

“All children of compulsory school age who are not on a school roll, nor being educated otherwise (e.g. at home, privately or in alternative provision) and who have been out of any educational provision for a substantial period of time”

Information for SCHOOLS

Model Policy Framework for Child Protection in Sefton Schools

(Sefton MBC) has developed a model policy framework for child protection in schools. The framework is aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE). 

The model policy framework is written with the local context for schools to utilise and adapt for their individual setting.

Click HERE to download the Whole School Model Child Protection Policy  (updated September 2024) and adapt to your individual school setting.

Weapons Guidance for Schools 

Merseyside Police have produced a guidance for schools when a young person is found with a weapon.  This guidance informs schools what to do if a weapon is found and also provides additional information.  Weapons Guidance for Schools

Model Policy for Bereavement and Loss

Sefton MBC has developed a model policy for schools to utilise for Bereavement and Loss.

Click to download the Model Bereavement and Loss Policy and adapt for your individual school setting.

The Role of an Appropriate Adult

When a person under the age of 18 (or vulnerable adult) is arrested and taken into custody by the Police, the Custody Officer is responsible for identifying vulnerable people and provide an 'appropriate adult' to accompany a young person during police interview and key stages of investigations.   Sefton MBC has provided guidance on the role of an Appropriate Adult (Sept 2022).  CLICK HERE to download guidance. 

Talking to Children and Young People about Terrorism Attacks

We know that young people are informed by what they see and hear, particularly online and research shows that while children are becoming more aware of online threats, they aren't sure what to do when they see something online that upsets them.  Social media has changed the way we consume information.  h2b Safer have created a guide with advice on how to talk to children and young people about terrorist attacks, with a focus on exposure to information online.  Download the guide here.

Tackling Race and Faith Targeted Bullying Face To Face and Online: A Guide For Schools

A short guide for schools about how to respond to bullying connected with race or faith, whether it occurs online or offline.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tackling-race-and-faith-targeted-bullying-face-to-face-and-online-a-guide-for-schools

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass is an early intervention safeguarding partnership between Education and the Police. Set up in 2011, the original aim of Operation Encompass was to ensure schools were informed, before the start of the next school day, if the police had been called out to a child or young person’s house the previous evening due to a domestic incident and to ensure that children are recognised as victims of Domestic Abuse in their own right and receive the support they require.

Since January 2022 Sefton have extended Operation Encompass to all early years education settings including private, voluntary and independent early years settings.

Operation Encompass provides an efficient, confidential network of communication between the police and Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) within schools and early years settings. This ensures that the designated practitioners are there to recognise and offer appropriate support if required, and to ensure the school/setting is a secure, supportive and emotionally connected environment to help reducing the wider effects of abuse.

Operation Encompass Helpline for School Staff

A Teachers’ and Early Years Worker Helpline aims to provide free, confidential consultations for school staff when supporting children who are victims of domestic abuse.

So a school receives an Operation Encompass notification about a child in your school and you are unsure of the best way to support, you can access FREE advice from an Education Psychologist about how best to support them, by calling the Operation Encompass Teachers’ National Helpline on 0204 513 9990 (Monday to Friday, 8am-1pm)

For more information about the helpline and how they can best support please click here

Operation Encompass Key Adult Training

All schools and early years settings are now part of Operation Encompass. All Designated Safeguarding Leads are expected to complete the free online training, which will also count towards your yearly CPD hours. This training is also available to anyone wishing to complete it and takes approximately 2 hours to complete:

On Line Key Adult Training: Operation Encompass

Always remember to follow your safeguarding procedures when you have any concerns about a child. If you are in any doubt always consult with your Designated Safeguarding Lead or contact Sefton Children’s Services Integrated Front Door on 0345 140 0845.

For guidance and resources for schools please visit the national Operation Encompass website: https://www.operationencompass.org/school-participation

You can access information provided to schools below:

Sefton School Briefing (JUNE 2023)

Operation Encompass CPD Presentation Slides (JULY 2023)

 

Working Together 2023

Sefton SCP have produced a 60 second rundown reflecting on the changes made in Working Together 2023. You can view the clip using the link below, or view the full guidance on the right-hand side of this page. 

Sefton SCP WTG 2023 60 Second Rundown (youtube.com)

SEFTON CHILD EXPLOITATION (CE) SCREENING TOOL

Sefton Multi-Agency Child Exploitation (CE) Screening Tool & Child Exploitation Pathway

The purpose of the tool is to enable professionals to identify indicators which suggest a child is experiencing, or is at risk of, exploitation, in a consistent way which facilitates sound judgement. The screening tool can be used for all children (male and female) at any point in the child’s journey and with young people up to 21yrs. It can be used by any practitioner working with and supporting children or young people where there is a concern a child may be exploited.

If you have concerns that a child is experiencing or at risk of exploitation, download and complete a copy of the Sefton CE Screening Tool. 

Please find guidance on when to complete a CE Screening Tool.

You can also view the Sefton Children Exploitation PATHWAY. Click the link to download a copy. 

Please see Sefton's Child Exploitation PROCEDURE.

SWAY Briefings - Digital Learning

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) have created digital briefings on various safeguarding children themes below:

PLEASE BE ADVISED, we are aware of technical issues that are preventing access to SWAY briefings. Please be assured we are working to fix this problem as quickly as possible. 

Forced Marriage Briefing (Harmful Practice)

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Briefing (Harmful Practice)

Honour Based Abuse Briefing (Harmful Practice)

Breast Flattening or Ironing Briefing (Harmful Practice)

Pan Merseyside Pre-Birth Protocol Briefing

Protecting Children from Neglect Briefing

Peer on Peer Abuse Briefing

 

Sexting Briefing

Harmful Sexual Behaviour (HSB) Briefing

Bullying Briefing

SWAY Briefings (Pan Merseyside) - Learning from Reviews Emerging Themes

Merseyside Safeguarding Children Partnerships have collaborated and developed SWAY briefings on Learning from Reviews Emerging Themes.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Green (Merseyside Police) introduces the SWAY launch and explains in this video (CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO) the importance of this work. 

The SWAY briefings launched on 20 September 2022 containing 5 separate themes.  Please take few minutes to click on each theme and share the learning.

Pan Merseyside Practice Learning Reviews: Theme 1 Voice & Lived Experience of the Child    Go to this SWAY

Pan Merseyside Practice Learning Reviews: Theme 2 Professional Curiosity & Challenge   Go to this SWAY

Pan Merseyside Practice Learning Reviews:  Theme 3 Contextual Safeguarding   Go to this SWAY

Pan Merseyside Practice Learning Reviews:  Theme 4 Recording and Decision Making   Go to this SWAY

Pan Merseyside Practice Learning Reviews:  Theme 5 Information Sharing  Go to this SWAY

Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a difficult topic and one that hopefully never crosses your mind.

The reality, however, is that it does cross the minds of many young people, including schoolchildren. In fact, suicide is the leading cause of death among young people and in children the numbers are alarmingly high. Over 200 schoolchildren are lost to suicide every year in the UK.

Cheshire and Merseyside CHAMPS (Public Health Collaborative) have a website with useful information and resources.  Their aspiration is for Cheshire and Merseyside to be a region where all suicides are prevented, where people do not consider suicide as a solution to the difficulties they face and where people have hope for the future.  Suicide Prevention | Champs Public Health Collaborative

See Cheshire & Merseyside CHAMPS Suicide Prevention Strategy 2022-2027

CHESHIRE & MERSEYSIDE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS SELF-HARM PRACTICE GUIDE (click to download)

This guidance will support practitioners to keep children safe by outlining:

• What self harm is
• The triggers for self harm
• How to support children and young people who self-harm

Self Injurious Behaviour in Children with Intellectual Disability have produced a briefing and factsheet to help parents and carers of children with an intellectual disability to understand what self-injury is, what the causes are and which interventions are effective.  Download a copy HERE

Child Sexual Abuse

The Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse offers a wide variety of resources and information on the varying forms, signs, indicators and impact of child sexual abuse. Linked below are a series of information guides to support multi-agency practitioners in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse concerns or disclosures. 

'Signs and Indicators' - A template for identifying and recording concerns of child sexual abuse

'Communicating with Children' - A guide for those working with children who have or may have been sexually abused

'Communicating with Children' - A guide for education professionals when there are concerns about sexual abuse or behaviour

'Supporting Parents & Carers' - A guide for those working with families affected by child sexual abuse

Contacting Sefton Children's Help & Advice Team (CHAT) 

Professionals in all agencies should use their knowledge and agency resources to contact children's social care or the police about their concerns directly and to make a referral through the Children's Help and Advice Team (CHAT), by calling 0151 934 4013. 

In such circumstances, a formal referral to Sefton Children's Social Care, the police or accident and emergency services (for any urgent medical treatment) must not be delayed by the need for consultation with management or the nominated safeguarding children adviser, or the completion of an assessment.

All professionals in agencies with contact with children and members of their families must make a referral to Sefton Children's Social Care if there are signs that a child or an unborn baby:

• Is suffering significant harm through abuse or neglect;
• Is likely to suffer significant harm in the future.

The timing of such referrals should reflect the level of perceived risk of harm, not longer than within one working day of identification or disclosure of harm or risk of harm.  

In urgent situations / out of office hours, the referral should be made to the Sefton’s Children's Social Care emergency duty team / out of hour's team (0151 934 3555). 

You can find further information on this topic, including the Pan Merseyside Child Sexual Abuse Pathway HERE.

Forced Marriage

What is 'Forced Marriage'?

A forced marriage is where one or both people do not or cannot consent to the marriage and pressure or abuse is used to force them into marriage.

Everyone has the right to choose whether to marry, who they marry and when they marry.

HM Government have useful information, support and guidance on forced marriage:

What is Forced Marriage? (Information and what you can do)

Forced Marriage: A Survivor's Handbook

Multi-agency Practice Guidelines: Handling cases of Forced Marriage

The National Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Centre have published a leaflet on:    Child abuse linked to faith or belief

ICON (Coping with a Crying Baby)

BABIES CRY! Infant crying is normal and it will stop!  You can Cope

A baby's cry can be upsetting and frustrating.  Babies start to cry more frequently from around 2 weeks of age.  Crying may become more frequent and peak at about 6-8 weeks.  Every baby is different, but after about 8 weeks, babies start to cry less and less each week.

ICON campaign is to provide professionals with knowledge, information and skills to discuss ICON: 'Babies cry, you can cope' messages with parents/carers.

Below are resources to support professionals deliver the ICON campaign messages to support parents when coping with a crying baby:

ICON Train The Trainer Powerpoint slides (select the 'speaker' icon for audio)

ICON leaflet for parents

7 Minute Briefing - ICON

For further information access ICON website:  www.iconcope.org

Safer Sleep for Baby

 

 

 

 

 

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the sudden and unexplained death of a baby where no cause is found.  While SIDS is rare, it can still happen and there are steps parents can take to help reduce the chance of this tragedy occurring.

Sefton SCP has a 'Conversation Tool' to enable all professionals who might be going into a home to spot any potential unsafe sleep environments for babies and young children.  The tool was developed by the Pan Merseyside Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) and is to support professionals to have simple safer sleep conversations with families and know how and where to get additional advice and support, if needed. CLICK HERE to download the Sefton tool.

Sefton SCP has produced some 'Safe Sleep Advice and Guidance'.  Advice and guidance is offered to parents and carers at each contact (pre birth to 1 year old).  Contacts and assessments will include practitioners offering to view baby's sleeping arrangements for both day and night sleeps in their current/planned sleeping environment.  All professionals will take responsibility to provide safe sleep advice and guidance.  CLICK HERE to download Sefton SCP SAFE SLEEP ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (including flowchart on 'what to do and what actions to take'.

‘Safer Sleep for Baby’ is based around six simple steps, that will help parents and carers keep their baby safe:

1. Keep baby away from smoke, before and after birth.
2. Put baby in a cot, crib or Moses basket to sleep - never fall asleep with them on a sofa or chair.
3. Never fall asleep with baby after drinking or taking drugs/medication.
4. Put baby to sleep on their back with their feet to the foot of the cot.
5. Keep baby’s head and face uncovered and make sure they don’t get too hot.
6. Breastfeed your baby - support is available if you need it.

Safer sleep messages are also available from midwives, health visitors and children’s centre staff in a variety of forms such as cot cards, room thermometers, bookmarks, postcards and posters.

Multi-Agency Safe Sleep Pathway Guidance (March 2017)

More information is available online at:

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-week 

Poster - Safe Sleep (6 steps to safer sleep for baby)

 

Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Communities

The safety and wellbeing of children and young people is a concern for everyone.  Whatever their background, most parents and carers of children want the very best for their children and most do their utmost to ensure that they are achieving, developing well and growing up safe from harm.

Sefton SCP has collated some useful resources to support raising awareness of safeguarding children in BAME communities.

CLICK HERE to access and download the information and resources.

Private Fostering

What is private fostering?

Private fostering is a private arrangement between a parent and a carer.  When a child aged 16 or under, (or under 18 if a child is disabled) is cared for and provided with accommodation by an adult who is not a relative, for 28 days or more, it is called 'private fostering'.  

Sefton Council's Statement of Purpose (Private Fostering) outlines the duties and functions of the Local Authority in relation to Private Fostering arrangements.

What situations can be classed as private fostering?

• Children sent to this country for education or health care by birth parents that live overseas.
• Children living with a friend’s family as a result of parental separation, divorce or arguments at home.
• Teenagers living with a family of a boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Parent is ill
• Parent is in Prison
• Child is living with Parent's partner (who is not legally married) and the Parent is absent

What the law says

Your child is privately fostered - if she/he is under 16 years of age (18 years of age if the child is disabled), and is living with someone who is not a close relative, e.g. a grandparent, aunt or step parent, for longer than 28 days.

You must inform the Local Authority:

• as soon as possible after making an arrangement for your child to live with an alternative carer,
• within 48 hours, if the arrangement is made in an emergency,
• when the arrangement ends.

If you are caring for someone else's child but were unaware of this requirement, please contact Sefton Children's Social Care Tel. 0151 934 4013.

The Local Authority will check that the child/ren are kept safe, well cared for (in appropriate accommodation) and happy.

To find out more, view Sefton SCP's procedure for Private Fostering

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) have produced information power point slides to support agencies in raising awareness of Private Fostering arrangements, click here to download a copy of the presentation slides.

Sefton SCP has produced the following leaflets in relation to Private Fostering:

Private Fostering - Leaflet for Carers

Private Fostering - Leaflet for Parents

Private Fostering - Leaflet for Professionals

Private Fostering - Leaflet for Young People

 

 

Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) Resources

Raising Awareness of Unaccompanied Migrant Children and Child Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery.  Sefton SCP has produced a suite of resources for practitioners to utilise to raise awareness and provide an understanding of UASC and associated issues.                      To access the table of resources CLICK HERE.

Safeguarding Children in Sport

Sefton Local Safeguarding Children Board fully recognises and supports the opportunities that grassroots sports clubs offer to children across Sefton, providing ways for them to gain new skills, build confidence and improve their health through the enjoyment of sport. Grassroots sport also provide great benefit to adults in the community, and this includes those with physical disabilities and learning disabilities who may be accessing them with support. However, recent events have reminded us of the importance of keeping children and vulnerable adults safe whilst they are involved in these beneficial activities.

As a parent or carer, you will want to be sure that your child’s safety is the highest priority for any sports clubs that they may attend.  You may find it is useful to ask them the following kinds of questions:

Safe After School Campaign

Sefton Council’s ‘Safe After School’ campaign aims to give parents and carers advice on how they can ensure their child/ren are safeguarded in clubs which take place after school or out of school term time.

After school activities can offer so many benefits including physical and educational as well as helping to nurture social skills and confidence. However, whilst many providers are safe, there are some who may not have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.

This campaign offers a range of resources for parents and carers to refer to when choosing a club and helps them to feel confident that their child/ren are safeguarded in a setting.

This includes a list of questions to ask providers before allowing their child/ren to participate.

These resources also include information and practical advice for providers. Settings can use this information to allow them to feel confident that their club has robust procedures in place or help them to develop safeguarding policies and procedures.

Please click the following links to access our ‘Safe After School’ resources:

Advice & Guidance

Advice and Guidance for Parents/Carers (Choosing clubs, activities or personal tuition for children)

Questions for Parents/Carers to consider (When choosing a club, tutor or coach for your child)

Leaflet - Ask the Right Questions

Posters/Resources (For displaying in your setting)

Poster 1 

Poster 2

Poster 3

Poster 4

Poster 5

Poster 6

HM Government have published safeguarding guidance for providers of activities, after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings:

Keeping children safe in out-of-school settings: code of practice

 

Dog Bites

Dog bite incidents have increased across the North West and a number of cases have sadly resulted in fatalities of children and adults. 

Merseyside Police have launched a campaign Taking The Lead which aims to reduce the number of dog bit incidents in Merseyside.  The campaign promotes responsible dog ownership and safe behaviour from people around dogs by highlighting the practical steps we can all take to keep everyone (including dogs) safe and looked after.

To support the campaign, there are two factsheets that can be shared with families in relation to dogs and child safety provided by Child Accident Prevention Trust.

CLICK below to download factsheets:

Child Safety Around Dogs 

Your Dog and Your New Baby

Criminal Exploitation of Children: County Lines Guidance

County lines is the Police term for urban gangs supplying drugs to suburban areas and market coastal towns using dedicated mobile phone lines or "deal lines".  It involves child criminal exploitation (CCE) as gangs use children vulnerable people to move drugs and money.  Gangs establish a base in the market location, typically by taking over the homes of local vulnerable adults by force or coercion in a practice referred to as 'cuckooing'.

County lines is a major, cross-cutting issue involving drugs, violence, gangs, safeguarding, criminal and sexual exploitation, modern slavery, and missing persons; and the response to tackle it involves the police, the National Crime Agency, a wide range of Government departments, local government agencies and VCS (voluntary and community sector) organisations. 

County lines activity and the associated violence, drug dealing and exploitation has a devastating impact on young people, vulnerable adults and local communities.

The Home Office has produced a guidance: Criminal Exploitation of Children and Vulnerable Adults: County Lines Guidance for frontline professionals on dealing with county lines, part of the government's approach to ending gang violence and exploitation.

CrimeStoppers have produced a number of leaflets/posters in relation to County Lines and these can be downloaded below:

County Lines  Leaflet - Drug gangs are exploiting vulnerable people in your area

County Lines A5 Leaflet

County Lines  Leaflet - Drug gangs are exploiting vulnerable people in your city

County Lines A3 posters

 

Leaving your Child Alone

Going out or staying home alone

As your child gets older, it's likely they will want a bit more independence or want to explore alone during the summer holidays.  But are they ready to stay home or go out alone?

A child who isn't old enough or who doesn't feel comfortable should never be left home alone. If this is the case, it's best to look into childcare options that might work for your family. 

There's no legal age a child can be left home alone, but it’s against the law to leave a child alone if it puts them at risk. Every child matures differently, so it would be almost impossible to have a "one size fits all" law.

NSPCC has lots of information, guidance and tips on this topic to support parents/carers and professionals.  

YouTube Channel (Sefton SCP)

You can view our YouTube Channel HERE!

Professional Challenge & Multi-Agency Escalation

Click on the image below to watch our quick and easy rundown on why, when and how to escalate concerns! 

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)

Click on the image below to view a quick breakdown of the changes set out in Working Together 2023 and how your responsibilities and role may be impacted. 

Signs of Child Sexual Exploitation 

Click on the image above to view a powerful animation produced by Childline, portraying sexual exploitation and the signs someone may be experiencing this. With insight into the thoughts and feelings a victim may be having, this is a great resource and can be shown to our young people and used to build understanding of sexual exploitation.