A young girl has her arms outstretched, she is looking upwards and smiling.

June City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership Newsletter

You may have noticed that the City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership website has changed!

We are pleased to share our co-produced rebrand. This was a truly collaborative project with a design brief shaped by consultations with the SEND Youth Forum, Police Cadets and Parent Panel.

What was important was a brand that reflects diversity, community and inclusivity. That reflects belonging, nurturing and it being protective.

It was important it reflected our safeguarding principles of being strength based and was both simple and colourful. 14 York College students took up the challenge supported by the City of York Council Web Team and Art of Protest who volunteered their time.

The students created some wonderful and creative designs. Two designs were chosen, the design and the colour palette. Well done everyone that have contributed to delivery such a collaborative outcome that demonstrates York’s ethos.

We love the burst of colour, the community it represents, the link with nature and petals, as well as people coming together.

Please check out the City of York Safeguarding Partnership website

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Thank you to everyone who attended our Masterclass sessions during Safeguarding Week.

A huge thank you also to everyone who delivered a session during Safeguarding Week, it really is appreciated!

If you attended a session this year, we would appreciate it if you could feedback how it went in the survey using the link below:

We do welcome your ideas, thoughts and suggestions for future delivery of Safeguarding Week so if anyone has any views or thoughts around how we can improve and support the partnership during Safeguarding Week then please let us know via email: [email protected].

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MASH Contact Form

The MASH Contact Form has recently been updated. These changes reflect the change to practice which is being implemented as part of Families First.

The Safeguarding Children Partnership website has been updated to advise what you need to consider BEFORE contacting the MASH and explains what you need to consider and include when contacting the MASH.

Please ensure you and your colleagues are using the new MASH Contact form.

Please share and discuss in your teams as appropriate.

Further information is available on the Safeguarding Children Partnership website:

New Safeguarding Children Partnership 7 Point Briefing – Theo

The Safeguarding Children Partnership have recently published a 7 Point briefing to share the learning from a recent Rapid Review.

Themes include:

  • Fabricated Induced Illness
  • Neurodiversity
  • Complex health issues
  • Voice
  • Family Networks
  • Information Sharing and triangulation
  • Professional Curiosity

The briefing is available on the Partnership website:

The Partnership would encourage you and your teams to discuss this briefing in your team meetings and supervisions. Please also share with your colleagues.

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Families First is a national ambitious reform programme developing Family Help, a Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and Family Group Decision Making.

This edition focuses on the launch of Families First Induction, training and development offer. This is open to all partners and can be accessed via MYLO. Remember to watch out for more updates in this newsletter.

City of York Safeguarding Partnership have developed the offer in preparation of the launch of a new way of working.

Following the Partnership workforce we will have a range of offers, including face to face training, e- learning, briefing sessions, and recordings.

This reflects our needs analysis and to make sure everyone understands the changes.

You can access the newsletter here:

If you have any queries or suggestions for training or resources, please email: [email protected]

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The Department of Education are seeking views on the statutory guidance on the information sharing duty introduced in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act.

Why your views matter

They are seeking views on draft statutory guidance, including a data sharing agreement template.

These are designed to:

  • set out the new information sharing duty, and who it’s for
  • help organisations and practitioners to interpret and apply the legislation in practice

The duty will apply from September 2026.

The statutory guidance is intended to:

  • promote consistent implementation
  • support a cultural shift in how information sharing is understood and practised across sectors
  • It will replace the Department for Education’s existing guidance on information sharing. The statutory guidance on working together to safeguard children will still apply.

They are seeking responses from safeguarding organisations and their practitioners.

The survey is accessible on the following website:

In addition, webinars are available to book onto and join – dates and how to book are at the bottom of the above survey webpage

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There’s lots happening at thecity hub for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities and their families.

They are holding sessions on Understanding ADHD and how you can refer for an assessment; help to understand the barriers to school attendance; information on post 16 options and more.

Full list of events:

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New Training Offer

North Yorkshire Youth is pleased to offer a range of free, interactive online training sessions.

Designed for adults who work with, support, or volunteer with young people, as well as those with an interest in the topics being explored, these sessions are delivered from a youth work perspective and provide practical, relevant learning that can be applied in real-life situations.

These courses are suitable for a wide range of roles, including those working in education, youth work, social care, community organisations, local authorities, health services, the voluntary sector, and anyone interested in developing their understanding of issues affecting young people and communities.

Each session lasts around an hour and includes time for discussion, questions, and reflection.

Their workshops are engaging, discussion-based, and encourage participants to share experiences and learn from one another. These are not traditional webinars; active participation is encouraged to help everyone get the most from the training.

To find out more, discuss your training needs, or book a place on a session, please contact:

Panda Gledhill, Youth Work Manager at [email protected]

The following courses are currently available:

Far Right Ideologies in Young People

  • Date: 30 June 2026
  • Time: 11.00am to midday and 6pm to 7pm

Gain an understanding of far-right extremism in young people.

Find out what the far right is and how you might recognise radicalisation of a young person.

Learn what makes a young person susceptible to radicalisation of any kind and how to talk to them about it.

Understand what support is there for you and young people.

Basic Awareness of Misogyny

  • Date: 7 July 2026
  • Time: 2.30pm to 3.30pm and 6pm to 7pm

This workshop supports you to better understand, recognise, and respond to misogyny.

We’ll explore what misogyny means, how it can show up in youth settings, and the impact it can have on young people.

The session will build your confidence to challenge harmful views and behaviours, report misogynistic hate crimes or incidents, and signpost effectively.

A basic introduction to the Incel Subculture

  • Date: 14 July 2026
  • Time: 1pm to 2pm and 6pm to 7pm

This session is designed to help you understand the growing subculture of ‘incels’.

We’ll explore key language, terminology, archetypes, and related ideologies, using real-world scenarios to bring the issue to life.

The workshop includes advice on spotting concerns, supporting young people, and building resilience against harmful narratives.

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Target audience:

  • Professionals working alongside CYP with SEND 0 to 25.
  • Foster carers with CYP with SEN/D. Carers.
  • Educators (Early years staff. Teachers, head teachers, SENCo’s, Teaching assistants. College tutors).
  • Health (CAMHS professionals, any other health professionals that work with CYP with SEND).
  • Social Care professionals that support CYP with SEND (0 to 25years) or parent, carers.

Course outline:

SENDIASS is a statutory service that provides free impartial, confidential, information, advice and support to children, young people and families with SEND, helping them understand their rights, navigate the SEND system, and participate fully in decisions about their education, health and care.

SENDIASS provides information and advice to all professionals about the above too.

Dates: (choose one) 30 June 2026, 8 October 2026, 2 February 2027. All sessions will run from 4pm to 5pm on MS Teams

How do I book on?

Book via MyLO using this link

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A reminder that the Children and Young People Trauma Informed Care Programme training is available, and is provided by Trauma Informed Care.

The following courses are available:

  • Full Day Trauma Informed Training session
  • 2 Day ARC Training (Pre-Requisite to becoming an ARC Champion)
  • Half Day Senior Leadership Training

Further information and dates are available on the Partnership website:

Children and Young Peoples Trauma Informed Care Programmes-E-Learning Trauma awareness E-Learning Training

There is also a 45 minute Children and Young Peoples Trauma Informed Care Programmes-E-Learning Trauma awareness E-Learning Training and this can be accessed by the Humber and North Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership website:

Partnership E-Learning Training

A gentle reminder that the Partnership does offer an online virtual ‘City of York Safeguarding Children Awareness E-learning’ course.

This course has recently been reviewed and is quite in depth. Further information in relation to this course is available on the website:

Developing an Understanding of Harmful Sexual Behaviour

A reminder that the Partnership also offer training in relation to Harmful Sexual Behaviour. Sessions are delivered throughout the year and further information including how to book is on the Partnership website:

Child Death Review Training

This course covers the different components of the child death review including the role and responsibilities of multi-agency professionals and provides the skills to explain it to families.

This is available to all multi-agency professionals across North Yorkshire and York who work directly or indirectly with children and families.

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The survey has been co-designed with Youth Commission members, and forms part of the Youth Commission’s Big Conversation peer-to-peer research, allowing young people aged 10 to 25 across York and North Yorkshire to have a voice on key Police, Fire and Crime Issues.

The survey is fully anonymous, and all responses will support the creation of young person-designed recommendations for change for the Deputy Mayor for Policing Fire and Crime, North Yorkshire Police, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and wider partners.

Survey Link:

Deadline: 14 August

Please encourage any young people, aged 10 to 25 who live, work or study in York and North Yorkshire to take part.

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Something big and colourful is heading to York this summer: Acomb Fest! This new event is set to transform Acomb into an open-air gallery and creative playground from 3 to 5 July 2026, with a packed programme where families are warmly welcomed.

A whole weekend of creativity

Across three days, Acomb Fest will include:

  • 15 venues hosting events and activities
  • 4 live mural paintings from internationally renowned artists
  • 10 art installations popping up across the area
  • A lively mix of live music, DJs and performances
  • Hands-on creative sessions for all ages

At the heart of it all is Acomb’s Front Street, where free street art workshops and family-friendly activities will be running throughout the festival.

Further information including the programme of information is on the Acomb Fest website:

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Healthwatch York’s project exploring the experiences of young people and vaping in York continues and they would love to hear from anyone under the age of 25, whether or not they vape, about their experiences and thoughts.

There has been a significant rise in the number of young people vaping. With mounting evidence that vaping is a serious threat to the health and wellbeing of young people, Healthwatch want to examine why more young people are vaping, the links to smoking cigarettes and other harmful behaviour, as well as the risk of adulterated vapes and unpredictable effects. They are also keen to share information about where young people can get support to stop vaping.

Please complete the survey below to share your views and experiences. Please get in touch with the team (email: [email protected]) if you would like paper copies of this survey.

Survey:

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Offload is a free six-week mental fitness programme that helps men build confidence, resilience, and practical coping skills for everyday life.

Since 2017, more than 15,000 men have taken part, gaining tools to manage stress, improve their well-being, and support the people around them.

Delivered in partnership with York RLFC, Offload combines real-life experiences from former athletes with honest conversations about mental fitness, emotions, mindset, and resilience.

“Offload gave me a way back, a space to talk, tools to cope, and people who got it.”

The free, six-week mental fitness programme for men aged 18 or over, with an adapted version also available for young people at selected sessions for ages 16 to 19 years.

If you are working with someone who would benefit from this programme, further details are available on the York RLFC website

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Babies and infants communicate their needs and feelings in a variety of ways, both verbally and non-verbally.

Listening to the voice of the infant helps us to understand the infant’s lived experience and what they need from the adults around them.

NSPCC Learning has published a series of expert insight videos on the voice of the infant. The five videos include insights on: what the voice of the infant is and why it is important; how practitioners can listen to the voice of the child and incorporate it into their work; and overcoming barriers to hearing the infant’s voice.

Further information about these videos is available on the NSPCC website:

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Barnardo’s has published a report exploring the impact of online misogyny on children and young people’s attitudes and behaviours. The research aims to help ensure that children’s voices about misogyny and masculinity are heard.

The report recommends that Ofcom’s guidance is strengthened into a mandatory Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) code of practice requiring platforms to take proactive, preventative action by embedding safety into the design of their services.

Read the Report:

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Internet Matters has published a report exploring how children who have additional needs can be best supported across their online lives.

The report includes calls for the government to: monitor the efficacy of existing legislation; mandate robust age assurance; and tailor support for parents of children with additional needs in the government’s online safety parent hub.

Read the report:

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NSPCC Learning has published new Talk Relationships resources to help schools engage parents and carers with the sex and relationships education (SRE) being taught, supporting them to talk to their children about healthy relationships.

The resources include: a schools toolkit; an editable presentation; a guide; and five factsheets on specific SRE topics and how parents and carers can address them.

Access the resources:

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The Anti-Bullying Alliance has launched an animated film to help younger children understand bullying and feel confident speaking up. As part of its #There4Every1 campaign, the film encourages children to speak to a safe adult about bullying.

Watch the film:

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