Resources for Safeguarding Children
Practice guidance, websites, research, e-learning
Statutory Guidance
Working Together to Safeguard Children (March 2013)
The latest Government guidance for organisations to inter agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004.
Working Together to Safeguard Children (DCSF March 2010)
Sets out how organisations and individuals should work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in accordance with the Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004.
An interactive, web-based version of Working Together is available at http://www.workingtogetheronline.co.uk/index.html Links to background documents and legislation are also provided through this link.
Arrangements to safeguarding and promote the welfare of children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 (DfES 2007)
Guidance for senior managers in all the bodies named in section 11 of the Children Act 2004. Sets out key arrangements that must be in place to ensure that services provided have regard for the welfare of children.
Changes to CRB's and Barred List Checks
The Protection of Freedom Act came into force from 10 September 2012, and this has made changes to the agencies that processed Criminal Records checks and Barred list checks. If you employ people or use volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults then these changes will affect you.
- The CRB agency and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) have merged to form the
Disclosure and Barring Service
- CRB checks will now only be completed for people over 16
- The definition of regulated activity has changed; this has implications for whether you can
apply for a barred list check
- The eligibility for applying for a CRB check has not changed however the government plans to bring
in a new on-line checking service and to make CRB's portable.
In order to ensure that you are compliant with the changes to the DBS and to avoid being fined or having your organisations status as a registered body for requesting CRB and barred list checks removed you will need to ensure that you are clear about which of your job roles fall within the new definition of regulated activity.
You may also wish to review your recruitment policy, job descriptions and ensure that at least one person with responsibility for recruitment has undertaken some safer recruitment training. For voluntary, community and faith organisations KSCB offer a free half day training course which is run in conjunction with the Kirklees Safeguarding Adults Board and covers the recruitment of people working in either the children's or adults sector.
To book on this course click on training course management system.
For more information on the changes to the DBS including detailed information on the new definition of regulated activity go to http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/disclosure-and-barring/leaflet-england-wales?view=Binary
Posted on 22 February 2013.
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Supplementary Practice Guidance
Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation (DCSF 2009)
Safeguarding Children in whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced (DCSF 2008)
Safeguarding Children who may have been Trafficked (DfE 2011)
Safeguarding Disabled Children (DCSF 2009)
Safeguarding Children from Abuse Linked to a belief in Spirit Possession (DCSF 2007)
Safeguarding children and young people who may be affected by gang activity (DCSF 2010)
Handling cases of forced marriage (HM Government 2009)
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Government Review of Child Protection
The Munro Review of Child Protection: a child-centred system (Professor Eileen Munro, May 2011)
This work was commissioned by the Department for Education in June 2010. The final report recommends a fundamental shift in the way the child protection system works, moving away from a tick-box culture and prescriptive timescales, to enable professionals to focus on the needs of children, young people and families and how to give them the best possible help. The recommendations are aimed at creating long-term change to the child protection system.
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Useful Websites, Research, E-Learning
What happens when texting goes wrong :(
Information booklet and Helpline contacts for when texting goes wrong.
SCIE E-Learning Resources
A range of free e-learning resources are available on the Social Care Institute for Excellence website . Modules include: Parental Substance Misuse; Parental Mental Health and Families; An Introduction to Residential Child Care; Poverty, Parenting and Social Exclusion.
Department for Education
News, publications, consultations, statutory guidance and legislation.
Research in Practice
This website provides research papers, literature reviews, and a variety of e-learning courses.
Reconstruct Research Service
Free research to help all childcare professionals keep abreast of current developments in practice and policy.
Action for Children
Action for Children supports and speaks out for the UKs most vulnerable and neglected children. Two reports will be of particular interest to professionals:
Seen and now heard: Taking action on child neglect (2010)
Neglecting the issue: Impact, causes and responses to child neglect in the UK (2010)
NSPCC inform
Child protection publications and research for anyone working with children, young people and families.
Anti-bulling alliance
Works to develop a consensus around how to stop and prevent bullying. Resources, help and advice.
Child Accident Prevention Trust
Useful resources for frontline staff, and support available to senior practitioners and policymakers.
