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

September City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership Newsletter

York will be going live with Families First on Monday 28th September which includes the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team and 4 locality Family Help teams (and one Team specialising in Domestic Abuse). The Partnership have put together additional newsletters, so all the updates are easily accessible.

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This edition focused on the launch of the Early Help Practice Guide and Tool. Book onto the Early Help 1 hour briefing sessions and training at MYLO. Dates below:

  • Introduction Briefings: Tuesday 22nd September 8:30am, Wednesday 23rd September 2:00pm, Thursday 24th September 4:00pm, Tuesday 29th September 6pm
  • Full day training dates: 13th November 2026 (education focus), 20th November 2026, 30th November 2026 (education focus), 3rd December 2026, 8th January 2027 (education focus), 15th January 2027 and 20th January 2027 (education focus)

You can access the newsletter here: https://canva.link/ddh112i0elxth82

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will provide joined-up support, ensuring families receive the right help from the right professionals at the right time. You can find out more in the Local Protocol for Assessment. You can access the Family Help newsletter here: https://canva.link/592snfmiacaafvb

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Will provide expertise, oversight and decision-making where there are concerns that a child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm. Multi-Agency Child Protection Team brings together Children’s Social Care (Lead Child Protection Practitioner), Police, Health, Education and other safeguarding partners to ensure timely, coordinated and child centred responses. You can access the Multi-Agency Child Protection Team newsletter here:
https://canva.link/xwi4eru2wzk284r

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Book on MYLO for Wednesday 21 October at 6pm.

You can also access all the updated policies relating to Families First here: https://www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/FamiliesFirst

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

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This guidance outlines the process of the Case Review Sub-Group. The Case Review Subgroup, in accordance with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2026) is responsible for identifying serious safeguarding cases which raise issues of importance to improve Child Protection and Safeguarding Practice within the City of York.

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This one minute guide provides information for professionals about Com Networks, the safeguarding risks they pose to children, and how to recognise and respond to concerns.

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This guidance has been developed in conjunction with City of York
and North Yorkshire partner agencies and seeks to assist professionals when considering safeguarding concerns relating to unborn children.

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This practice guidance sets out how concerns about professional disagreement, decision making, threshold application, or safeguarding practice are escalated within the City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership to ensure children’s safety and timely, effective intervention.

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Guidance for Patients and Carers about the Child Protection Medical procedure.

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The Voice and Involvement Sub-Group have developed a Lundy Model Tool which is a self-assessment resource that helps professionals evaluate how effectively they support children and young people to participate in decisions. It covers 4 areas – space, voice, audience and influence – and includes guiding questions and a scoring system to identify strengths and areas for improvement. There are two versions – one for professionals to use and a simpler one using clear language for young people to use.

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This material compiles a broad range of practical methods for engaging children and young people beyond standard questionnaires, including more creative and interactive approaches.

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We have developed a simple version of the Children and Young People’s Voice and Involvement Strategy which is aimed at young people.

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The Partnership has re-launched the face-to-face Safeguarding Training (replacing the previous Safeguarding Children: Shared Responsibilities and Procedures – Working Together B course).

Course Outline: This face-to-face course is an in-depth and advanced Safeguarding Children course that is aimed at manager/Designated Safeguarding Lead level so please ensure you only book onto this course if this applies to you.

This course is a one-day in-person session and will be anchored in the City of York Safeguarding Partnership’s Vision, Values and Principles.

Course Aim: to equip those working with children at a manager/Designated Safeguarding Lead level in the City of York to understand:

  • The role and main responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
  • Understanding your own values and principles and the impact of these on professional practice
  • Describing the key legislation and guidance that determines your organisation’s policy
  • Exploring safeguarding culture
  • Deciding what steps your organisation needs to take
  • Identifying the barriers that prevent people from reporting abuse
  • Knowing how to respond effectively to reports of abuse
  • Understanding the process should a staff member/volunteer be accused of abuse
  • Developing an awareness of the emotional impact of safeguarding
  • Identifying a network for personal support

The sessions are as follows and are all at West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA:

2 October 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
16 October 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
19 October 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
23 October 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
13 November 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
27 November 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
30 November 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
4 December 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
14 December 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
17 December 2026 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
12 January 2027 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
27 January 2027 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
3 February 2027 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
23 February 2027 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
9 March 2027 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
18 March 2027 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Book your place here: https://york.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=3927

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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 updated to reflect current safeguarding practice. It now includes more in-depth content on a range of key topics, including contextual safeguarding and helping practitioners build their knowledge and confidence in responding to the wider risks that children and young people may face.

Please note: The recommended renewal period for this course is every three years. Should you need to complete the training more frequently, please contact [email protected] before undertaking the course again.
If you have already completed this safeguarding or any other course on Mylo, then you will already have an account. If you have forgotten their password or username, please try the forgotten password link on the log in page or email [email protected] rather than registering for a new account

Further information about the course, including learning outcomes and how to book, is available on the Partnership website: https://www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/learning-development/learning-development-1/2

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Look Closer is a national safeguarding campaign and learning initiative run by the Children’s Society. Its aim is to train professionals and the public to spot and disrupt the signs of child exploitation and abuse in everyday places.

Below is the Look Closer Programme of Learning that is running from October 2026 to March 2027, there are some really great learning sessions planned in, please share this with relevant teams and colleagues that would benefit from the training.

The training is free and is online using Teams.

Tuesday 13 October 14:00 – 16:00 Youth Voice Insights into Education on Exploitation

Thursday 19 November 10:00 – 12:00 Financial Exploitation

Tuesday 8 December 13:00 – 15:00 Transitions to adulthood: Preventing exploitation as a children approach and turn 18

Tuesday 26 January 10:00 – 12:00 Why anti-racist practice is essential in our fight against child abuse and exploitation

Tuesday 9 February 13:00 – 15:00 The Digital Lives of Children and Young People

Thursday 11 March 10:00 – 12:00 Overcoming Gender Assumptions: Tackling Exploitation for Young People of All Genders

If you have any questions about our learning events, please contact [email protected]

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BRIDGING THE GAP: TRANSITIONAL SAFEGUARDING AND EXPLOITATION

Date for Diary: Tuesday 29th September, 2026 9.30 AM – 1.00 PM (Teams)

Following our popular Transitional Safeguarding Masterclass in November 2025, this year’s regional conference will explore how a Transitional Safeguarding approach can strengthen responses to exploitation.

Young people affected by exploitation and other forms of contextual harm often continue to experience significant risks beyond their 18th birthday and into adulthood.

Through contributions from expert speakers and facilitated Q&A, this conference will:

  • Explore the relationship between Transitional Safeguarding and exploitation
  • Examine the experiences and needs of young people moving towards adulthood
  • Consider how children’s and adults’ services can work together more effectively
  • Share emerging learning, research and examples of local practice

This event is free to access and open to all Yorkshire and Humber professionals, including strategic leaders, managers and practitioners working across Safeguarding Partnerships, Children’s Social Care, Adult Social Care, Health, Education, Youth Justice, Policing, Community Safety, Housing and the Voluntary and Community Sector.

Register your place now: https://qrco.de/YHMAST2

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Did you know that many children live in private fostering arrangements that may go unrecognised? Private Fostering Awareness Day 2026, taking place on Wednesday 4 November, is an opportunity to increase understanding, share information and promote support for children and families involved in private fostering.

CoramBAAF offers a range of downloadable resources and a free online briefing to help organisations get involved. We encourage you to print off posters and display them in your workplaces, use email signatures, and help spread the word using the social media templates.
https://corambaaf.org.uk/practice-areas/kinship-care/private-fostering/private-fostering-awareness-day-2026

Private fostering is a private arrangement made by a child’s parent, or by someone with parental responsibility, for the child to live with someone who is not a close relative.

A close relative includes those who are a:

  • grandparent
  • adult brother or sister
  • biological uncle or aunt
  • step-parent by marriage or civil partnership

Private fostering applies to children living with:

  • the parents of friends
  • a parent's ex-partner
  • wider family such as adult cousins
  • friends of the family

Private fostering only applies to children under the age of 16 years old, or under 18 if they have a disability.

Private fostering only applies if the arrangement lasts, or is expected to last, for more than 28 days.

Private fostering resources (Including printable leaflets): https://www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/private-fostering/private-fostering-advice-professionals#resources

Signs a child may be privately fostered: https://www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/private-fostering/private-fostering-advice-professionals#signs

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The partnership are hosting two online presentations to raise awareness of private fostering.

We hope to inspire professionals to feel confident in recognising private fostering arrangements, know what to do and how to support children and young people in these arrangements.

The session will:

  • cover the definition of private fostering
  • explore differing scenarios to put the definition of private fostering into practice
  • enable you to feel confident in your responsibilities when you identify a private fostering arrangement
  • link procedures to frontline practice
  • highlight lessons learnt through the death of Victoria Climbié
  • review how the subsequent Laming Report prompted a strengthening of the legal framework around private fostering

Date and Time: Tuesday 10th November 12:30 – 13:30 and Thursday 12th November 12:30 – 13:30

How do I book on?
Go to the course page on MyLO, click ‘access this course’ at the top of the page and then ‘sign up’ next to the date.
https://york.learningpool.com/course/view.php?id=3358

Managers can book places for members of their team using the ‘allocate place for team’ option.

If you would like to speak to someone regarding Private Fostering, please email [email protected]

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The National County Lines Coordination Centre is hosting a free online webinar on the 30th September between 09:00hrs and 11:00hrs.

This session will provide a brief overview of the following:

  • The County Lines model of drug supply
  • The exploitation of children and vulnerable adults within county lines
  • Indicators of exploitation
  • Vulnerability factors that may offenders may seek to exploit
  • Case studies
  • Signposting to resources and support

This session is suitable for representatives from police, partner agencies, voluntary organisations and other professionals involved in safeguarding work.

The sign up link is here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/3d874cef-928f-4893-b326-89cc9fe75b63@0ce21128-57c4-4758-9f39-69bc679e12bf

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At the City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership Development Day in June 2026, we heard directly from young people about why language professionals use matters. In response, the Partnership has developed a Language Pledge in conjunction with young people and invite all partners to commit to it.

This is a reminder that the words we choose shape the experiences of children and young people. Please use clear, accessible language, avoid acronyms and unnecessary jargon, and consider how your language is understood in both conversations and written reports.

The Voice and Involvement Sub-Group have been active in promoting the language pledge and it’s message within their teams. Here are some examples of how you can do this in your own teams:

  • Share the pledge through existing meetings and forums: include it in operational, service, governance, team and subgroup meetings to raise awareness and keep the use of inclusive, accessible language on the agenda
  • Use the pledge to review existing communications : apply the principles when developing or reviewing leaflets, patient information, reports and other communications, with the aim of putting language “at the forefront” of current work
  • Involve different groups in reviewing language: test and sense-check wording with relevant teams, services, families, young people and other audiences to ensure communications are clear, appropriate and accessible
  • Build the pledge into quality assurance processes: add a specific check to report or document quality assurance forms so that colleagues explicitly consider language as part of the review process
  • Use the pledge to drive wider improvements: consider undertaking a broader review or overhaul of existing patient and public-facing information to ensure language consistently reflects the pledge
  • Revisit the pledge regularly: make it a standing or recurring agenda item at team meetings, particularly when there are new staff members, to reinforce awareness and embed the principles into everyday practice
  • Encourage team leads and champions to promote the pledge: ask leads and managers to share the pledge through their networks and meetings, helping to build consistent practice across teams and services
  • Embed the pledge across services and teams : encourage individual teams and wider centres to formally adopt the pledge and identify opportunities to apply it across their work

View the language pledge here:
https://www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/safeguarding-information/language-pledge

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The Partnership have produced practice guidance and a one-minute guide for a Joint Targeted Area Inspections. A new theme has been announced, and it focuses on younger children living with neglect.

For all information in relation to JTAI please visit our website:
https://www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/learning-development/learning-development-1#inspection

To read the recently published guidance, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/joint-targeted-area-inspections-of-the-response-to-younger-children-living-with-neglect

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Launched in June 2026, the ECHO Survivor Hub provides a coordinated, survivor-centred service for individuals affected by Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). The hub was created to address long-standing gaps in support, recognition and engagement for survivors, many of whom continue to experience harm long after the original abuse due to the ongoing circulation of abuse imagery online.

Research shows that survivors often face re-traumatisation when images of their abuse continue to be viewed and shared, while many remain unaware of investigations or prosecutions involving offenders. Access to specialist support, compensation opportunities and meaningful engagement with the criminal justice system can also be limited.

ECHO is a partnership between the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI), the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and Protect Children, led by Simon Bailey CBE, former National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation.

The hub supports survivors by:

  • Assisting with the identification and removal of abuse imagery online
  • Supporting engagement with the criminal justice system
  • Providing opportunities for survivors’ voices to be heard in criminal proceedings
  • Raising awareness of compensation options
  • Offering survivor-informed digital peer support and wellbeing resources
  • Signposting to specialist services where additional support is needed

The launch comes at a time when online child sexual abuse continues to increase. Recent national research highlights a rise in online child sexual abuse and exploitation offences, alongside growing concerns around image-based abuse and sextortion. Evidence also shows the significant and lasting impact on survivors, with many reporting long-term effects on their mental health, relationships and wellbeing.

ECHO complements existing support services and aims to work collaboratively with safeguarding partners to improve outcomes for survivors, ensuring they have greater agency, choice and control over how they access support.

The service is fully funded and available to UK residents who have reported their abuse to UK police. Young people under 18 can access support with parental or carer consent.

For further information, referral guidance or partnership opportunities, visit the ECHO Survivor Hub website: https://www.echosurvivors.org/. or contact the ECHO Hub Manager Sarah Hegarty, at [email protected].

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Community Kitchen

York Mosque Community Kitchen takes place at York Mosque and Islamic Centre, Bull Lane, York, YO103EN every other Thursday between 12PM to 1.30PM. Delicious meals prepared by volunteer chefs and local businesses who wish to give back to the local community are available to all. They welcome refugees, the lonely, vulnerable, elderly or anyone looking for somewhere to get a delicious home cooked meal in a safe and friendly no frills setting.

The next session is the 24th of September 2026 and continues every two weeks. Please feel free to share this with families that you or your teams work with.

Open Day

On behalf of York Mosque and Islamic Centre, we are pleased to invite you to their upcoming Mosque Open Day on Sunday 20 September 2026, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

As part of the mosque’s ongoing commitment to engaging with the wider community in York, the Open Day provides an opportunity to welcome people from across the city and share more about the mosque, its work and the diverse community it serves. It also helps to strengthen links with local organisations, public services, community groups and civic representatives, while continuing to build positive relationships across the city.

The Open Day will provide an opportunity to learn more about Islam and the mosque, meet members of the congregation, hear about the mosque’s activities and contribution to York, and enjoy informal conversation over refreshments.

The afternoon will be a relaxed and welcoming occasion, offering opportunities to meet, learn from one another and experience the hospitality of the mosque.

Date: Sunday 20 September 2026
Time: 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Venue: York Mosque and Islamic Centre

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York Carers Centre is inviting unpaid carers, partners and members of the community to attend its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026 on Thursday 24 September at the Friargate Quaker Meeting House, York (YO1 9RL).

The event will begin at 5.30pm (arrival and registration from 5.15pm) and will provide an opportunity to hear about the work of York Carers Centre, connect with other carers and professionals, and learn about the support available to unpaid carers across the city.

The evening will include:

  • The Annual General Meeting
  • A carer panel discussion
  • Opportunities to meet York Carers Centre staff
  • Information and advice sessions
  • Networking opportunities
  • Registration and refreshments, including a buffet!

Whether you are an unpaid carer, a professional working with carers, or simply interested in learning more about the organisation’s work, everyone is welcome.

Date: Thursday 24 September
Time: Arrive from 5.15pm, start at 5.30pm, finish at 7.00pm
Venue: Friargate Quaker Meeting House, York, YO1 9RL

Places can be booked here: https://www.yorkcarerscentre.co.uk/activity/agm-2026/

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

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The Department for Education has published the findings of an independent review exploring deaths among care experienced young adults in England. The review analysed all care leaver death notifications in 2025, looking at six cases in more detail, to understand the circumstances surrounding care leaver deaths and identify lessons for policy and practice to help prevent future deaths.

Findings show that many care experienced young people felt alone and that there was a significant reduction in support once they were 18-years-old. The review makes five recommendations for change including reform of the framework for support to young people leaving care, with findings suggesting that the current workforce supporting young people leaving care is not fit for purpose for those with greatest need. The review also calls for the government to consider a mandatory process for reflecting and learning lessons when a young care leaver dies, similar to that required for child
deaths in England.

This can be read here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-early-deaths-of-care-leavers

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Residents, workers and communities across York and North Yorkshire are being encouraged to take part in this year’s Serious Violence Survey.

The confidential survey takes just a few minutes to complete and includes questions on violence, community safety, online safety and Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The results will help inform work to make our communities safer.

It closes 11pm Sunday 27 September 2026

Take part here: https://yorknorthyorks-ca.gov.uk/serious-violence-survey-2026/

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Organised by stem4, Youth Mental Health Day held every year will take place on 18 September. It brings together young people,
schools, families, professionals and organisations across the UK to focus on helping young people thrive.

The theme for YMHD 2026 is #BuildFutureYou.

Find out more here: https://stem4.org.uk/youthmentalhealthday/

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The Anti-Bullying Alliance (ABA) is the official organiser of Anti-Bullying Week and Odd Socks Day in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Anti-Bullying Week 2026 will take place 16-20th November with the theme: Break the Silence.

Find out more here: https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week-2026

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Newsletter sign-up

Please let your colleagues know they can sign up now to receive our newsletter.

If anyone has any items for newsletters going forward, please let us know on email: [email protected].