CYSCP
Latest news
Stay up to date with the latest news relating to safeguarding children and young people in York.
Read our recent news:
- Virtual Keynote: Working with Adolescents
- Learning Masterclasses: Children's Rights
- Updated Early Help Assessment and Team Around The Family Forms
- Local protocol for assessment
- York Carers Centre - LOVE January Festival
- CYSCP Annual Reports 2024
- Updated Exploitation Guidance
- Updated protocols
- Death of a Care Leaver Process
- Have your say on what should be done to stop Violence Against Women and Girls
- The Children's Commissioner: The School Survey 2024
- Identifying and supporting carers: introducing York Carers Centre
- Young Carers Covenant
- Prevent training January to April 2025
- Prevent Newsletter
- Language Pledge
- Baby Week
- Anti-Bullying Week
- There’s no such thing as a ‘normal’ family
- Yormind services
- Free Webinars - York's Neurodiversity Project
- HMP Askham Grange Networking Event - 14 November 2024
- Identifying and supporting carers: introducing York Carers Centre - Training Session
- Early Help Launch Event - Friday 15 November 2024
- Learning Masterclass: Voice of The Child
Virtual Keynote: Working with Adolescents
Published 15 January 2025.
On Monday 27 January 2025, 11.00am to 1.00pm, Dez Holmes will be presenting a keynote on working with adolescents and those experiencing extra-familial harm.
Dez is the Director of Research in Practice, a not-for-profit organisation that since 1996 has been supporting those who work with children, families and adults to use evidence in their practice and leadership.
This session will be a valuable learning opportunity for any professionals working with young people. Attendees will deepen their understanding of the challenges faced by adolescents in extra-familial contexts, such as peer influence, exploitation, and community-based risks.
Book your place on the Working with Adolescents virtual session.
Please note: if you're already booked on to the Contextual Safeguarding Launch in the Hudson Room at West Offices on this date, you don't need to book onto this separately as this keynote will be streamed into the room as part of that session.
Learning Masterclasses: Children's Rights
Published 31 December 2024.
The CYSCP are proud to present 2 upcoming Learning Masterclass sessions, which will be held online via Microsoft Teams.
These sessions will introduce York’s Children’s Rights Toolkit, a practical framework designed to help you embed children’s rights into everyday practice, evaluate where you stand on supporting children’s rights, and what steps you can take to realise them in meaningful ways.
The sessions are presented by Niall McVicar, Head of Innovation and Children’s Champion, and Dr. Jo Williams, Educational and Child Psychologist, both from the City of York Council.
Part 1: Introduction to children’s rights and the research evidence for rights-based approaches
Date and time: 18 February 2025, at midday.
Take part in Part 1 online via MyLO
Part 2: Rights in action - Introducing the children’s rights toolkit
Date and time: 12 March 2025, at midday.
Take part in Part 2 online via MyLO
To book a place, go to the course pages and select ‘Access this course’, then select ‘Sign-up’ next to the course date.
If you have any queries, contact us on email: [email protected].
Updated Early Help Assessment and Team Around The Family Forms
Published 20 December 2024.
Following consultation with early help colleagues and partners we're pleased to launch the updated Early Help Assessment and Team Around The Family Forms. An Early Help Assessment is a way of exploring with families what they would like support with. It can also help you to understand what is going well for a family, what they may need help with and who or which services can help them. The Assessment is a tool that can help organise these thoughts, create a plan of support and identify a possible team around the family, if needed.
We hope practitioners find the forms more user friendly but also more effective in identifying and coordinating support for families. This revised approach much better aligns with the Building Brighter Futures Practice Model and helps us all work together to keep children safe.
Full Guidance in the use of these new forms is also available. We would ask that partners delete copies of previous blank forms as we move to this new paperwork. Should you require any further help, contact the Supporting Families Team by email: [email protected] and a member of the team will respond to you; provide your phone number if you would prefer a call back.
To further support practitioners in the city, the Supporting Families Team has produced and is now sharing an “Early Help Resource Pack” The pack is available as a resource for anyone working with children, young people and families in the city.
It contains advice about early help processes and offers a range of tools and information about early help including assessment tools, sources of information to support families and ongoing workforce development opportunities.
Find these resources on the support for partners in delivering Early Help for families page.
Please note: these downloads may not be accessible to users of assistive techology. Request these documents in an accessible format.
Local protocol for assessment
Published 19 December 2024.
Information for professionals We know that navigating Children’s Services can be complex therefore this protocol has been developed to aid practitioners understanding of:
- what happens when a child is referred into Children’s Services
- the ‘Building Brighter Futures’ Practice Model and communication with children and their families
- lead practitioners
- reponses to specific needs
- communication with children and their families
- how children and their families can make a complaint
This protocol should be read alongside the Continuum of Need document, CYSCP Procedures, Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 (.pdf) and the Children’s Social Care National Framework.
Read the local protocol for assessment.
York Carers Centre – LOVE January Festival
Published 18 December 2024.
York Carers Centre are excited to share information about their upcoming LOVE January festival – a month-long celebration of wellbeing and self-care, thoughtfully designed to rejuvenate carers after the busy festive season and encourage them to take some much-needed time for themselves.
It’s all about helping carers restore their incredible resilience and take some much-needed time for themselves, with opportunities for peer support, kindness, and fun.
Highlights include:
- adult carers – Wellbeing Hubs
- young adult carers – York Mind YorChoice visit and York St. John University carers café and campus tour
- doorstep drops (thanks to donations from Lush Cosmetics)
- FoodCircle pickling workshop
- young carers – youth club
- Mama Mia cinema trip
- mindfulness for all
Visit the York Carers Centre website for further information.
CYSCP Annual Reports 2024
Published 17 December 2024.
The CYSCP Annual Report 2023 to 2024 and the Annual Report of the Independent Scrutineer 2023 to 2024 have both been published and are now available to view on our website.
Updated Exploitation Guidance
Published 5 December 2024.
The CYSCP has updated their Child Exploitation Guidance for 2024 to 2026.
Updated protocols
Published 2 December 2024.
Read the following updated protocols:
- Missing from Home and Care Joint Protocol with North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership and North Yorkshire Police for 2024 to 2026
- Out of Area Young People Arrested who Appear to be at Risk of Criminal Exploitation joint Protocol with North Yorkshire Safeguarding Children Partnership for 2024 to 2026
Please note: these downloads may not be accessible to users of assistive techology. Request these documents in an accessible format.
Death of a Care Leaver Process
Published 26 November 2024.
North Yorkshire and City of York local authority areas have agreed that any notification of a child or young person who was a Care Leaver (up to the age of 24) at the time of their death will be reported via CDOP. All agencies and practitioners who work in either local authority areas and are or become aware of the death of a care leaver up to the age of 24 then you are responsible for completing the Child Death Form.
Read more about the Death of a Care Leaver Process. We also have a one minute guide on the Death of a Care Leaver Process.
Have your say on what should be done to stop Violence Against Women and Girls
Published 26 November 2024.
Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zoë Metcalfe, in partnership with local organisations, has launched an online survey to gather the public’s views on Violence Against Women and Girls, and how we can make a real difference to people’s lives across North Yorkshire and York.
Violence Against Women and Girls refers to any act of violence or abuse that disproportionately affects women or girls and is usually perpetrated by men, including but not limited to domestic abuse, stalking, sexual violence, abuse or exploitation. However, we recognise that men and boys, transgender and non-binary people can also be victims of these crimes, and that women can also be perpetrators.
Although we'll use the term ‘Violence Against Women and Girls’ throughout this survey, we welcome responses from anyone – every gender, every age and every situation – to ensure everyone is given the opportunity to have their views represented.
This new survey seeks to understand the difference we have made to-date since a Joint Strategy to Address Violence Against Women and Girls was launched in June 2022, and if there is anything else the public think should be done locally to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls. We would also like to hear about your specific experiences of violence or abuse, and in particular, the type of response and support you received if you have reported what happened, in order to ensure your views and personal experiences remain central to shaping and driving our local projects and activities.
More information on what Commissioner Zoë and local statutory partners are doing to address violence against women and girls in North Yorkshire and York can be found on the Commissioner’s website.
The Violence Against Women and Girls survey is anonymous and will be reviewed at least every 6 months by the Strategic Governance Board.
The Children's Commissioner: The School Survey 2024
Published 26 November 2024.
The Children’s Commissioner has launched the biggest ever survey of schools and colleges in England, to capture up-to-date information about children’s experiences of school and to drive improvements in how they receive support.
All mainstream, special schools, alternative providers, and colleges in England will be required to answer questions relating to support and resources offered to pupils and their families, the staff roles and responsibilities at school, and the characteristics and vulnerabilities of pupils. Take part in the Children's Commissioner: The School Survey 2024.
Identifying and supporting carers: introducing York Carers Centre
Published 26 November 2024.
This training session is an opportunity for professionals to learn more about York Carers Centre, and the support available for unpaid carers across the city.
- Target audience: anyone working in health or social care
- Course outline: this training will help to improve your understanding of the role of carers and the effect this role has on their lives. It also offers an opportunity to explore how Adult Social Care professionals can:
- help identify carers early
- recognise carers as ‘partners’ in care
- help carers look after their own health and wellbeing
- Details: MS Teams, both from 10.30am and 12.30pm on Tuesday 14 January 2025
To book, go to the course page on MyLO and click ‘access this course’ at the top of the page and then ‘sign up’ next to the date that you want to attend. Book a place on the Identifying and supporting carers: introducing York Carers Centre course. Managers can book places for members of their team using the ‘allocate place for team’ option.
Young Carers Covenant
Published 26 November 2024.
The Young Carers Covenant was launched on Young Carers Action Day in May. It's a series of 10 outcomes that young people with caring responsibilities from across the UK have highlighted as being key to improving their lives.
The Covenant was developed by young carers working with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Carers.
Signing up to the Covenant shows your support for young carers and young adult carers and your commitment to doing what you can to help make these outcomes a reality.
Both individuals and organisations can sign the Covenant and signatories pledge to take practical and meaningful action to support young carers and young adult carers so they can have the same life opportunities as other children and young people.
Sign up to the The Young Carers Covenant.
Prevent training January to April 2025
Published 26 November 2024.
A number of training sessions are scheduled for January to April 2025. Book a place on the Prevent training.
Training will include:
- Introduction to Prevent
- Introductory Guide to Incel Subculture
- Introduction to Prevent for Education Settings
Further training sessions will be added throughout the year. Find out more about Prevent training.
Prevent Newsletter
Published 26 November 2024.
The North East Prevent monthly newsletter is produced by the Prevent Education Coordinator working for DfE, Christopher Sybenga.
This free resource supports educational providers to be Prevent compliant for OFSTED inspections. The newsletter highlights free courses delivered by Department for Education, free Prevent resources and linked articles. In addition it highlights related media articles within the North East.
As a school or provider feel free to sign up to the Prevent Newsletter.
Language Pledge
Published 26 November 2024.
Earlier this year the City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership held a Development Day which was attended by senior leaders at our relevant agencies.
Young people attended this Development Day and delivered a powerful presentation on the impact of language when working with children and young people.
Senior leaders committed to producing a multi-agency pledge for all partners.
The Voice and Involvement Sub-Group has subsequently prioritised this and developed a ‘language pledge.'
We would encourage all our partners to commit to this pledge, and share and discuss within your meetings.
Baby Week - Thursday 14 November to Wednesday 20 November
Published 8 November 2024.
Baby Week is coming to York for the first time this November. The national initiative, Thursday 14 November to Wednesday 20 November 2024, celebrates services working with young families and raises awareness of the importance of early childhood.
As a host city, York will celebrate the work of local maternity and early years services, helping to give every baby the best start in life. Parents and carers across the city will be able to find out more about the amazing range of services available to young children and their families, and take part in local events and activities including storytime, stay and play events and a nearly new sale of children’s toys and clothes.
A reminder that the CYSCP also has a dedicated section of the website which contains resources for professionals in relation to babies and pregnancy.
Anti-Bullying Week - Monday 11 November to Friday 15 November
Published 8 November 2024.
Anti-Bullying Week is observed every year in the third week of November. This year it is held from Monday 11 November to Friday 15 November 2024.
Recognizing that bullying has a long-term effect on the victim’s mental health and quality of life, the holiday seeks to combat bullying by encouraging a zero-tolerance policy. Schools and communities can set up systems to eradicate bullying and build a safe community that welcomes everyone with open arms.
Anti-Bullying Week takes place in the UK and involves thousands of schools, coordinating with hundreds of volunteers at the student and teaching levels.
This year’s theme is ‘Choose Respect’. The Anti-Bullying Alliance website has further information.
There’s no such thing as a ‘normal’ family
Published 21 October 2024.
National Adoption Week showcases adoption journeys and family structures of all kinds. City of York Council and One Adoption North and Humber, the regional adoption agency for York, North Yorkshire and the Humber, are supporting this year’s National Adoption Week (Monday 21 to Sunday 27 October 2024).
This year, the You Can Adopt campaign is highlighting adoption journeys and family structures of all kinds, including the people who have played an important role – from social workers and birth families, to foster carers and grandparents.
By raising awareness of modern adoption and showcasing the diversity of adoptive families today, the campaign shows that the journey to a family is not always a traditional one. This is reflected in new data commissioned for National Adoption Week, which shows in Yorkshire and the Humber that 66% of people say there is no such thing as a ‘normal’ family and 51% come from a ‘non-traditional’ family structure themselves.
The latest data from England shows there has been a 22% increase in the number of children with a plan for adoption who are not yet matched with an adoptive family. With fewer potential adopters coming forward (which is believed to be a result of the cost-of-living crisis), children of all ages are facing delays of over 18 months to find their forever home. In the North and Humber region there are 46 children waiting for their forever home, with more than 50% of those being in groups of brothers and sisters.
To mark the week, a new film has been created featuring adoptive families onboard a train, reflecting on their journeys and the people who have been, and continue to be, part of it. Just like all families, adoptive families come in all shapes and sizes and go through ups, downs and detours during their journey. What makes every adoption journey unique is the people who are part of that experience, forming the ‘village’ which supports the family.
If you would like to learn more about adoption, One Adoption North and Humber will be holding an online adoption information event on Wednesday 23 October between 6pm and 7pm, where the adoption team and an adoptive parent will be on hand to answer your questions. Book your place on the online adoption information event or telephone: 0345 305 2576 for more information.
Yormind services
Published 18 October 2024.
The following 2 services from Yormind are open for referrals.
Expressive Minds
Young peoples support groups. A 6 week early intervention project to support young people through a mix of art media ranging from sculpture and watercolours to collage and painting.
- The group is designed to develop:
- confidence
- communication skills
- self-esteem
- self-expression
They also offer an opportunity to connect with others.
For young people aged 11 to 18 who are experiencing mental health challenges. Please make referrals by October 31 2024 for the first group. If you require further information on this initiative email: [email protected]. Other group dates will be advertised via our website, so please keep an eye out!
YorChoice drop-in support
A mental health drop-in for young people aged 14 to 21 (up to 25 if you have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities).
It exists them to understand how to manage their mental health, help them find an appropriate service for them in York or as a safe space where they can feel listened to.
Mondays outreach drop-in from 4.00pm to 7.00pm. From 1 July these will be held at Tang Hall Explore Library. On Thursdays these will be Home drop-ins from 4.00pm to 7.00pm. The home drop-in will be at York Mind Highcliffe House.
If you would like further information regarding YorChoice email: [email protected].
Further information about either services is available on the Yormind website.
Yormind voice and involvement
There are a number of different ways young people can get involved in the development of services and bettering the system.
On the voice and involvement section of Yormind we'll use this space to showcase what young people have created through corproduction and how to get involved in shaping services and changing the system to help and support other young people. This might be in a specific area that you are interested in or more widely about services and support.
Free Webinars – York’s Neurodiversity Project
Published 18 October 2024.
As part of York’s Neurodiversity Project, City of York Council are pleased to offer a range of free webinars hosted by the ADHD Foundation Charity.
These 3-hour, live support sessions, are designed to help education practitioners in York to understand and support neurodiverse children and young people.
From understanding and supporting neurodiversity in early childhood and primary school settings to navigating attachment and trauma, and addressing the unique challenges faced by neurodiverse students in secondary schools.
They will offer insights and practical strategies for educators, caregivers, and professionals.
The sessions are open to all practitioners working with children and young people in York or supporting York based schools and Early Years providers.
They will not be recorded so please book your place so you don’t miss out!
Attend the:
- Attachment and Trauma webinar – Wednesday 6 November, 12.30pm to 3.30pm
- Understanding and support Neurodiversity in secondary school settings webinar - Tuesday 3 December, 12.30pm to 3.30pm
Book your tickets for the York’s Neurodiversity Project webinars you'd like to attend.
HMP Askham Grange Networking Event - 14 November 2024
Published 18 October 2024.
HMP Askham Grange are hosting a networking event on the Thursday 14 November 2024.
The Family and Significant Other team support, help to maintain and develop prisoners’ relationships with family, significant others, and friends, by using a range of methods and interventions.
Supporting prisoners’ relationships outside of prison is considered to help prevent reoffending and reduce intergenerational crime.
Prisoners, their family and significant others, all internal and external staff, and service providers are encouraged to work in partnership and share good practice, to enhance opportunities for prisoners to develop or enhance positive relationships.
This service can include physical, digital, and other forms of communications such as phone calls and letters.
HMP Askham Grange are wanting to showcase how they achieve this in a custodial setting, and invite you to attend and see the work they do, but also to give you the opportunity to network with other agencies that work with those in custody.
You can book tickets for the HMP Askham Grange Networking Event online. To be able to book a ticket you'll need to use the password FSO24. If you would like further information contact the FSO team via email: [email protected].
Identifying and supporting carers: introducing York Carers Centre - Training Session
Published 18 October 2024.
This training session is an opportunity for professionals to learn more about York Carers Centre, and the support available for unpaid carers across the city.
- target audience: anyone working in health or social care
- course outline: This training will help to improve your understanding of the role of carers and the effect this role has on their lives. It also offers an opportunity to explore how Adult Social Care professionals can:
- help identify carers early
- recognise carers as ‘partners’ in care
- help carers look after their own health and wellbeing
- details: (MS Teams, both from 10.30am to 12.30pm) on Tuesday 5 November and Tuesday 14 January 2025
To book, go to the identifying and supporting carers: introducing York Carers Centre - Training Session course page on MyLO and click ‘access this course’ at the top of the page and then ‘sign up’ next to the date that you want to attend. Managers can book places for members of their team using the ‘allocate place for team’ option.
Early Help Launch Event - Friday 15 November 2024
Published 18 October 2024.
Due to popular demand, another Early Help launch event has now been arranged for: Friday 15 November from 9.00am to 12.30pm in the Hudson Room, West Offices.
At this launch event, we will set out City of York’s vision for Early Help, detailing the levels of needs for families and responses by professionals, our shared priorities for children and young people, and how we'll measure our success.
We plan for this to be an interactive session, with multi-agency partners sharing within small groups how Early Help is delivered within their service, with a focus on feedback from families.
To book, go to the Early Help Launch Event course page on MyLO and click ‘access this course’ at the top of the page and then ‘sign up’ next to the date that you want to attend.
Learning Masterclass: Voice of The Child
Published 18 October 2024.
CYSCP are proud to present a lunchtime learning masterclass for professionals or volunteers working with children and young people in York.
The Voice of The Child Masterclass is being held on 20 November, from midday to 1.00pm.
The focus of the session is the voice of the child and will cover 3 topics, presented by experts working in Children’s Social Care and the York Carer’s Centre:
Children’s Rights:
Gain an understanding of the rights of children and young people, and how these rights shape the way we engage with and support them. We’ll discuss key principles and how to ensure their rights are respected in all aspects of our work and how York is becoming a right-based city.
Mind Your Language:
Learn how the language we use can influence a child’s sense of safety, belonging, and identity. This segment will provide insights on how to use inclusive, respectful language that encourages trust and openness when communicating with children and young people. We will also present the City of York Safeguarding Children Partnership language pledge.
Young Carers and the Young Carers Covenant:
Learn about the unique challenges faced by young carers, how best to support them and how in signing up to the young carer’s covenant, organisations are committed to improving outcomes for young people with caring responsibilities. Understand the importance of recognising young carers' roles and ensuring their voices are heard in the services and support they receive and find out what support the York Carers centre offers.
Book a place on the session online: MyLO - Learning Masterclass: Voice of the Child.