Updated Operational Guidance
An updated version of the Welsh Government Operational guidance on the delivery of Children’s Social Care for local authorities and partners involved in safeguarding children has been published in Welsh and English on the Welsh Government website today. The links are below:
https://gov.wales/childrens-social-services-during-covid-19-pandemic-guidance
https://llyw.cymru/gwasanaethau-cymdeithasol-i-blant-yn-ystod-y-pandemig-covid-19-canllawiau-0
Together we’ll keep children and young people safe as we rebuild from Covid-19
Non-statutory guide for practitioners
The Welsh Government has produced this non-statutory guide to remind practitioners working across agencies of their responsibilities to safeguard children and to support them in responding to concerns about children at risk.
https://gov.wales/keeping-children-and-young-people-safe-non-statutory-guide-practitioners
The coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19) has presented new and difficult challenges for everyone. Many households have been put under strain or have faced adversity because of the social, psychological and economic impact of the pandemic and of lockdown. We know that practitioners working across agencies in the statutory and third sector have had to adapt quickly to new ways of working, continuing to make sure that children and families get support. Services have done everything they can under difficult circumstances but we know that sadly some children will have come to harm without us knowing.
Many practitioners are very experienced in safeguarding practice; others may not feel as confident in this area of practice. This guide includes information that many practitioners are already aware of but we hope that pulling this together I nto one guide will be helpful.
This guide links to and should be used with the national Wales Safeguarding Procedures . You can download the procedures onto your mobile phone. Links for downloading the App are at the bottom of the landing page on the website at the link above. Once you have downloaded the App you do not need to have a Wi-Fi connection to view them.
Lessons from Lockdown: new report from Action for Children Cymru and Barnardo’s Cymru
Please select this link to access a joint report by Barnardo’s Cymru and Action for Children Cymru, on the importance of partnership working between schools and family support services to support pupil’s mental health, wellbeing and learning.
Covid-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities, with those living in the most deprived communities affected most by exposure to the virus, the measures to contain it and the economic impact that comes in its wake. These children and young people are more likely to experience loss, to be caring for unwell relatives, to worry about contracting the virus, and to be living in families experiencing loss of employment and financial crisis.
This joint report draws on detailed insights from surveys of more than 200 school-based staff in Wales and over 1,000 Barnardo’s UK practitioners during lockdown.
For further information please contact Menna.Thomas@barnardos.org.uk and Lee.Bridgeman@actionforchildren.org.uk
Child Sexual Abuse in the context of COVID-19 Webinar
Please see below a link to a webinar from the SWIFT (a specialist assessment and intervention team working with families with complex needs, including child sexual abuse) Team in East Sussex. https://youtu.be/rgGx24RBRnU
Safeguarding is about protecting children and adults from abuse or neglect and educating those around them to recognise the signs and dangers. There is a wide range of specific topic areas to support learning and understanding for people in social care work at all levels.
Select this link for further information and training.
SCIE's COVID-19 hub contains more relevant information including safeguarding, supporting people who are isolated and vulnerable, and infection control. It can be used when supporting and safeguarding adults and children during COVID-19, and can also be shared with community groups.
Reporting Child Protection Concerns
If any person has knowledge, concerns or suspicions that a child is suffering, has suffered or is likely to be at risk of harm, it is their responsibility to ensure that the concerns are referred to Children Services or the Police, who have statutory duties and powers to make enquiries and intervene when to necessary.
The Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board's Child Protection Referral Form (C1) and guidance is listed below in the 'Related Documents' section.
NSPCC Support During Covid-19
The NSPCC has published a letter providing details on support during Covid-19. This letter can be found in the 'Related Documents' section at the bottom of this page.
Operational Guidance for Children's Social Services
Welsh Government has published guidance on how children's social care providers can change their services to support young people during Covid-19.
Advice for health professionals in adoption, fostering and LAC
Public Health Wales has produced advice for health professionals working in adoption and fostering and with looked after children and young people, in view of the Covid-19 outbreak.
This advice can be found in the 'Related Documents' section at the bottom of this page and also on the PHW website via this link.
Update from Welsh Government (08.04.20)
Welsh Government has set live web pages which sets out information regarding vulnerable children and safeguarding from an Education perspective.
This is a link to the vulnerable children webpage: https://gov.wales/vulnerable-children-and-safeguarding-coronavirus
This is a link to the safeguarding in settings webpage: https://gov.wales/education-safeguarding-guidance-coronavirus
Update from the Carers Trust (06.04.20)
The Carers Trust has produced a briefing on young carers and Covid-19. this is available in the 'Related Documents' section at the bottom of this page.
Update below from Welsh Government
During the coronavirus outbreak, new arrangements are being put in place for emergency childcare and for staff from different agencies to work together to support people. Some practitioners will be working in services or buildings that are new to them and with children and young people they do not know.
It is crucial that everyone working with children and young people has clear information about how to report a safeguarding concern. We have prepared information for practitioners on how to respond to a safeguarding concern. We have also prepared a poster so that everyone in the service or building can be clear on who the Designated Safeguarding Person for the day is. This person may obviously change as and when people need to self-isolate.
Safeguarding children is a critical area of business for Social Services and Emergency and Duty teams will remain in operation to receive calls about children at risk of harm, abuse or neglect.
You can also read further information on line about:
The contact information for local authority Social Services is on the right side of this page.
Mental Health and Well-Being of Our Young People
The following documents are useful for professionals who may be concerned about a young person's mental health and wellbeing:
Education Pyschology
RCT and Merthyr Tydfil's joint Education Pyschology Service has put together guidance and information which has been shared with schools and local authority colleagues as part of their Keeping In Touch processes. This information is listed in the Related Documents folder below (all beginning with the number 1).