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Welcome to the NYSCP September 2024 edition of our e-bulletin
As the summer holidays draw to a close, many families across the County will be focussing on a return to learning amidst the start of a new academic year. Some of us will be experiencing transitions and new beginnings and the exciting opportunities that await, and it may be that a return to a regular routine brings a sense of relief and a time to regroup!
Our September bulletin focusses on these new beginnings, and so we have shared information to help with navigating changes, having difficult conversations, technology, as well as being aware of the signs of mental health concerns, and how to support this.
This month’s “Do Your Part” has specific focus on suicide prevention linked to World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th. For practitioners and families alike, recognising the signs of suicide is vital for effective intervention and support. This year the IASP (International Association for Suicide Prevention) has issued a call to action to # Start the Conversation, encouraging us all to engage in open, honest discussions about mental health and suicide. The NYSCP website also contains resources and access to the NYSCP Self Harm and Suicide Ideation Pathway for frontline practitioners, as well as support information, and links to specialist organisations for families.
As a team the Business Unit has spent the summer making our own changes to the NYSCP website by both updating and redesigning the Children & Young People’s, Parents & Carers, and Communities pages to make information more accessible. We are in the process of reviewing the content of the pages, We have also added an Information for schools page which collates all the key information for our education and childcare partners.
We would like to take this opportunity to invite you to review the content on the pages and let us know if there is any information you feel is missing or if you would like us to include any additional links to support services from your organisation. If you have any feedback on the website, or need help in finding something, or any ideas for any documents or guidance you would like us to include, please get in touch at nyscp@northyorks.gov.uk.
The NYSCP’s annual Conference for Schools Designated Safeguarding Leads is once again upon us, and we look forward to seeing many of our DSL partners on Friday 13th September. At the time of writing this we do have a few spaces still available and booking will close at midday on 11th September, you can book a space through NYES.
We also continue to work on the changes brought by the update of the Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 document, with regular partnership collaboration to look at implementing those changes and ensuring that they are disseminated across the partnership and to other colleagues. North Yorkshire updates are required to be confirmed and published by December 2024, so please keep a look out for further information in upcoming bulletins and ensure that you and your colleagues attend our learning event in December covering what you need to know.
Wishing partners and families alike all the best for the month ahead.
Stephanie Freeth, Policy and Development Officer
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Jump to…
- Do your PART
- Upcoming Training: Lunchtime learning events
- HOPELINE247
- StreetSafe
- Human Trafficking Foundation Training
- Back to School
- Trusted Adults / Asking an Adult for Help
- Pedestrian Safety
- Keeping children safe without adult supervision
- Technology
- #LookCloser, Programme of Learning events
- WeMatter
World Suicide Prevention Day – September 10th
For September’s do your PART we draw attention to World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD). WSPD was established in 2003 by the International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) in conjunction with the World Health Organization (WHO). The 10th of September each year aims to focus attention on the issue, reduces stigma and raises awareness among organizations, governments, and the public, giving a singular message that suicides are preventable.
As part of the campaign for WSPD 2024-2026, IASP is issuing a call to action: “Start the Conversation.” This call encourages individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to engage in open, honest discussions about mental health and suicide.
We encourage partners to “Do your PART” and view the pathway for self-harm and suicide ideation on the NYSCP website, to help identify and respond to worries, and to be aware of the further resources available to help support starting difficult conversations. The guidance is separated into sections applicable to professionals, schools, children and young people as well as parents and carers.
NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)
Upcoming Training: Lunchtime learning events
Our lunchtime learning events are free monthly online webinars covering a wide variety of safeguarding themes.
Why not check out some of the recordings from our previous sessions on our YouTube channel. NYSCP – YouTube and follow us on our social media channels for the latest updates and news.
11th September, Business Unit Updates: Find out all the latest updates from the Business Unit including audit findings, case reviews and strategy updates. North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NYSCP) Developments in Safeguarding Masterclass Webinars – September 2024 | NYES Info
9th October, Vaping and Young people in North Yorkshire: We will be joined by colleagues who will share with us insights into young people and vaping conducted by the Behavioural Science team based within North Yorkshire Public Health. (NYSCP) Developments in Safeguarding Masterclass Webinars – Youth Vaping October 2024 | NYES Info
16th October (19:00 – 21:00), Early Years: Whilst not at lunchtime this learning event is aimed at all practitioners within the Early Years sector including childminders. This is a biannual evening webinar which features the latest information on best practice, changes to legislation and guidance as well as local, regional and national learning. NYSCP Early Years Learning Session | NYES Info
6th November, Professional Curiosity: Professional curiosity is something that can be applied in all relationships, including with children, young people, parents/carers and adults with care and support needs, wider communities, and networks of support. It also applies to the relationships we have with other professionals and the relationship we have with ourselves. The session will explore what professional curiosity is and why it is so fundamental to practice, it will look at the skills needed for professional curiosity as well as what can be barriers. North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NYSCP) Developments in Safeguarding Masterclass Webinars – November 2024 | NYES Info
4th December (2-hour session 12:00 – 14:00) Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023: In this extended webinar, partners will have the opportunity to learn about the changes that have been implemented across the partnership following the release of the new Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. Statutory partners will each share what the changes to the document have meant in their sector, and the business unit will share key partnership updates in relation to safeguarding structures, documents and processes. Importantly you will learn what the changes mean to you and your practice and how you can continue to disseminate this learning across wider teams. North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (NYSCP) Developments in Safeguarding Masterclass Webinars – December 2024 | NYES Info
HOPELINE247
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. They have launched a new 24hr helpline for young people who are experiencing thought of suicide called the HOPELINE247. One of the things they will do with the young person is to create a suicide safety plan. There is a link in the below information to look at the safety plan they use. You can also order resources online like cards, posters and safety plan booklets.
The unique two-way safety plan is simple to set up, secure and will help to save lives. It is also accessible to users 24/7, meaning that there will be support around the clock for anyone using the service.
The first service of its kind in suicide prevention, HOPELINK is led by the user – allowing vulnerable young people to create and revisit their suicide safety plan, helping to keep them safe when they have thoughts of suicide.
HOPELINK allows young people to work confidentially with HOPELINE247’s trained suicide prevention advisers, empowering them to create their own care plans which they can later revisit.
Previously advisers have been able to discuss steps which help to keep someone safe but were unable to send follow-up emails or texts because of confidentiality. Now, callers to the HOPELINE247 service will be able to access their personalised suicide safety plan after their call with our adviser has ended.
Using the HOPELINK service will help to keep young people safe from suicide by acting as a reminder of the safety plan that they’ve talked through with our suicide prevention advisers and provide a space where vital information and written support services are stored.
HOPELINK is a completely confidential service, our HOPELINE247 advisers do not take any personal details from callers when setting up their personalised account with HOPELINK, they are simply provided with two randomly generated words which will give them access to their safety plan. To set up an account visit their site.
StreetSafe
StreetSafe is an anonymous reporting tool, which allows you to share your concerns with a multiple agency group, which includes Police, about areas where you feel unsafe or want to avoid for any reason.
You may feel that you don’t want to walk down a particular path on your way home from work, as its poorly lit. The bushes are overgrown, there is always dog mess on the ground and there is usually a group of people gathering at the bottom of the road. Generally, this isn’t what you would report to the Police, and a lot of people probably wouldn’t speak about it. However, you can make your feeling heard, through StreetSafe.
You might avoid an area of town as you feel uncomfortable passing groups who gather, or you may be concerned about the signs of drug use, lack of CCTV etc, this is what the survey is for.
The information is passed to the Senior Management Teams to ensure that officers patrol the right places at the right time. You can find the link here: https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/streetsafe
Human Trafficking Foundation Training
The Human Trafficking Foundation is hosting a series of Knowledge Sharing sessions for the anti-slavery sector. The Knowledge Sharing sessions differ from the HTF Advisory Forums by solely having one organisation speaking on a specific topic. Please click the links below for more information on the upcoming sessions and to sign up:
Homelessness and Modern Slavery (The Passage) 18th September 12pm-1pm
Support and Protection for Albanian Survivors of Modern Slavery (Shpresa) 20th September 11am-12pm
Forced Criminal Exploitation: Section 45 Defence(Southwell & Partners) 21st October 12pm-1pm
If you have a topic of expertise that you would like to share with the sector, or if there is a topic that you would like to learn about, please contact divya@humantraffickingfoundation.org.
Exploring a Deeper Understanding of Child Soldiers
Everybody Stands Together is hosting an online event exploring the reality of Child Criminal Exploitation. This is a great opportunity to learn from Award Winning, Expert by Experience Consultant Sosa Henkoma, about the challenges faced by children at risk of exploitation and the key steps needed to safeguard effectively. Wednesday 21st August 7-9pm. Register here.
Half-Day Online Training: Understanding Modern Slavery
This CPD accredited training by Hestia will unlock insights into the global and UK landscape of modern slavery, explore various forms of modern slavery, and help you gain the skills to recognise signs of exploitation, enabling you to identify individuals at risk and confidently take appropriate action. It is aimed at frontline staff who will come into contact with survivors of exploitation in their role. Thursday September 12th 9:30am – 12:30pm. Sign up here.
Back to School
Going back to school after the holidays or a period of time off can be exciting and daunting, we have provided information to help with the transition and resources that may be of help both now and throughout the academic year.
Wellbeing and mental health for young people
The Go to website has some excellent advice and information for children, young people and their families as well as professionals of many different topics in relation to mental and emotional health. The Marketplace provides information in an accessible and easy to read format.
Transitions
Place2Be: Parenting Smart: Helping your child prepare for Secondary or High School
BBC Bitesize – Starting Secondary School
Return to School – Young People with SEND
Supporting special needs children settle into school | Barnardo’s (barnardos.org.uk)
Back to school advice for parents of children with SEND – Family Action (family-action.org.uk)
Financial Support
Back to School support | Turn2us
Trusted Adults / Asking an Adult for Help
With clubs, groups and learning starting again after the summer break the NYSCP have included resources to help reinforce messages to children of how to get help should they need to.
Asking an adult for help | Childline
Pedestrian Safety
Will your child be walking to school?
It’s that time of year when many of us are thinking about the return to school. Perhaps this year will be the first your child is walking alone or with their friends. Or maybe your child is changing school and they have a new route to learn. It can be a nerve-wracking time. But there are things you can do to help your child with the transition and keep them safe. Take a look at the CAPT guidance for further information.
Pedestrian safety | How to help children cross the road safely (capt.org.uk)
Keeping children safe without adult supervision
Deciding when it’s safe for a child to be left home or go out on their own can be difficult. There are so many things to think about – including whether the child feels comfortable and ready. In keeping with this months’ bulletin theme of new beginnings, we have included information from the NSPCC that discusses keeping children safe when they are without adult supervision. Usable for both practitioners and carers alike, it includes additional guidance on children making the journey to school alone, the return to learning, as well as information and a quiz to help parents and carers to decide with their children if they are ready to venture out or be left at home unaccompanied.
Keeping children safe at school | NSPCC
Technology
Technology is undoubtedly pivotal to our lives with many children and young people accessing its various forms from games, videos, and social media. The advancement in technology although often positive and helpful can be difficult to understand and navigate for many of us especially in relation to the online world.
Young people can often use social media and new technologies to build and maintain relationships, and enhance their learning, and with the focus on a return to learning and new beginnings in this month’s bulletin, the NYSCP has selected some useful information to help support with this.
Online Agreement
To help keep families safe online the NSPCC website has information and downloadable resources to support with the digital world and technologies. For a template of an Online Safety Agreement, please see NSPCC Family Online Agreement
Snapchat
Snapchat is a popular way for young people to share information. Users can take photos, record videos, add text or drawings and send them to Friends, “Snaps” can disappear within 24 hours and cannot be retrieved by anyone for any reason. For further information in relation to Snapchat and for some answers to commonly asked questions.
For a free download – Snapchat Checklist – Download or Buy Snapchats Checklist | SWGfL
Snapchat have introduced new features to support users against sextortion and other online harms. These updates include in-app warnings, updated friend request protections, location-sharing options, and improved blocking functionalities.
Snapchat includes new features to protect against sextortion – UK Safer Internet Centre
Making the right #Cyber Choices
The Cyber Choices programme was created to help people make informed choices and to use their cyber skills in a safe and legal way.
The programme focuses on the benefits of technologies and the opportunities balanced with the worries of Cybercrime and the impact it can have, and is aimed and practitioners, children, and their families. The Cyber Choices site has lots of useful resources to encourage young people to develop their cyber skills safely.
The resources have also been added to the NYSCP website online safety pages for parents and carers.
NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk) and for children and young people: NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)
#LookCloser, Programme of Learning events
We are pleased to share details of the Children’s Society’s upcoming #LookCloser Programme of Learning events for October 2024 – March 2025.
#LookCloser is a partnership campaign between The Children’s Society, the National County Lines Co-ordination Centre and the British Transport Police aiming to raise awareness of child exploitation and abuse and to encourage the public and businesses to better identify and report concerns. The campaign also seeks to challenge assumptions and victim stereotypes, highlighting that child exploitation can happen anywhere, and any young person can be a victim.
You can book on to the sessions for free, by clicking on the session titles within this flyer.
WeMatter
WeMatter is a video-based digital service for children and young people (CYP) who have been affected by domestic abuse.
It provides specialist support to 8–17-year-olds who have been affected by abuse within their parent or carer’s relationship, or within the family home.
It’s not suitable for children and young people who are experiencing ongoing domestic abuse or for those who are still living with the alleged perpetrator. For more information on the service or to make a referral visit: WeMatter – Victim Support Details have been added to our support pages for parents and carers: NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk) and children and young people: NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)
Useful Links
- Worried about a child?
- NYSCP Website, including
- NSPCC – CASPAR Weekly updated
- CEOP – Think U Know
- CYPS info
Did you know you can sign up to receive this bulletin directly into your inbox at NYSCP e-Bulletin (mailchi.mp)
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