Age related milestones relevant to safeguarding children – a guide
2019-10-23
Age related milestones that are relevant to safeguarding children – a guide. Read More →
Protecting children from harmful content on television – Guide and Resources
2019-09-26
Protecting children from harmful content on television – a guide and links to useful resources.
Sextortion – Guide and Resources
2019-09-13
Sextortion – a guide and links to useful resources. Read More →
Gillick Competence and Fraser Guidelines – Guide and Resources
2019-09-03
Gillick Competence and Fraser Guidelines – a guide and links to useful resources.
DVPOs and DVPNs – Guide and Resources
2019-08-17
Domestic Violence Protection Notices (DVPNs) and Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPOs) – a guide and links to useful resources. Read More →
Stalking and Domestic Abuse – use of covert surveillance
2019-08-03
The use of covert surveillance by stalkers has become more prolific as technology advances and surveillance equipment becomes more accessible. What exactly is available? How easy is it for a stalker to obtain? How can safeguarding professionals respond?Read More →
Scammed – it can happen to anyone
2019-06-22
If you care for a vulnerable person, how do you protect them from fraudsters? What exactly should you tell them? Where do you get the information you need to improve your own knowledge and inform others? How do you become ‘scam aware’? Read More →
Missing Adults – the law
2019-06-03
About 90,000 adults are reported missing to the police each year. What powers do police have when a missing adult does not want to be found and return to their family or friends?
Secure Children’s Homes – sometimes the only option
2019-05-24
Excerpt
In the UK each year a small minority of children are ‘locked up’ in Secure Children’s Homes. But what does this actually mean for the child and what are the processes in place to safeguard their welfare?
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Stalking – The five motivation types.
2019-05-16
There are five types of stalking motivations. Find out more with our ten-minute briefing. Read More →
Extreme Body Modification – the law is clear, well sort of!
2019-05-01
What age can a young person get a tattoo or body piercing? What is the law around body modification? What are the safeguarding implications? Read More →
Assistive and GPS Technology’ – Factsheet
2019-04-19
A basic factsheet that takes a look at the different types of Assistive Technology that help reduce the likelihood of a person going missing, and GPS which enables carers and emergency services find a missing person quickly and safely.Read More →
Type 4 FGM – mixed messages
2019-03-28
Is labia stretching a form of FGM? What are the views of the World Health Organisation? Is it against the law?Read More →
Missing and exploited children – Out of Area placements
2019-03-20
Children who are looked after should be accommodated in care provision that meets their needs and is in their best interest. Does placing a child many miles away from their home area weaken safeguarding measures? What are the correct procedures? Read More →
Momo Challenge – 2019 Media Frenzy
2019-03-12
February 2019 – Momo fever gripped the UK. A few days later it was declared Fake News by several leading charities. Was it real or an elaborate hoax? Read More →
County Lines – 2019 update
2019-03-05
The NCA have produced their latest assessment into county lines drug supplies. Find out more here.
Missing Children – the controversial issue of restraint
2019-03-02
Is it lawful to prevent a child from leaving a care or foster home? Can anything be done if you believe that they might come to harm? Read More →
Chatbots – a safeguarding aide?
2019-02-21
Chatbots used in the protection of children and vulnerable adults. What are they, what can they do? Are there any pitfalls and will they bring anything of value to the safeguarding arena?
Clare’s Law – an underused safeguarding tool
2019-02-15
The murder of Clare Wood in 2009, prompted the introduction of the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme – Clare’s Law. Figures show that it is underused compared to the number of domestic incidents each year. As safeguarding professionals, we need to change that. Read More →
Clever Never Goes!
2019-02-06
The new Clever Never Goes programme, developed by the charity Action Against Abduction, seeks to moves the focus away from strangers and instead teaches children to recognise when someone (anyone) is asking them to go with them.Read More →
Online safeguarding news update – January 2019
2019-02-05
Catch up with the online safeguarding news stories that occurred in January, in easy to read bitesize news segments. Read More →
Not all emojis are cute
2019-02-04
Emojis are now part of everyday life, but used in the wrong way and by someone with malicious or exploitative intentions, they can be become threatening, coercive and harmful.Read More →
Safeguarding within Children’s Homes
2019-01-30
The number of children taken into local authority care has risen by 24% in the last decade. A lack of Foster Carers means that many children are placed in residential homes. For a care home, safeguarding the children in their care should be their primary objective. Read More →
Gaslighting – a basic guide
2019-01-26
Gaslighting – a form pf psychological manipulation and abuse in which the perpetrator makes the victim question and doubt their own perceptions, memory and sanity.Read More →
What is the law on: Paedophile Manuals?
2019-01-22
In March 2015, section 69 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 closed a gap in the law by making the possession of a paedophile manual illegal. Find out more.
The Burglars Code – myth or fact?
2019-01-16
Have you ever seen strange marks on walls and pavements outside your home? For many years police forces have warned that some of these marks may be linked to burglars. Most recently these symbols have been dismissed as harmless highway maintenance drawings. Is this true or is there a form of ‘burglars code’? Read More →
Doxing – what is it?
2019-01-10
What if the private information contained in your social media accounts is hacked, stolen and then published online. Some of your most intimate moments published on the web for thousands to see. This is known as ‘Doxing’. Find out more in this article.
Online safeguarding news update – December 2018
2019-01-04
Catch up with the online safeguarding news stories for December, in easy to read bitesize news segments. Read More →
The Empowering Internet Safety Guide for Women
2018-12-23
Doxing, catfishing, trolling and revenge porn are just some of the dangers that women face when using the web. In this article we signpost you to an online resource that provides great advice for keeping you cyber-safe. Read More →
Missing Abroad – The Lucie Blackman Trust
2018-12-19
In December 2018 two British women, Amy Gerrard and Grace Millane were reported missing overseas. Amy disappeared in Tenerife, whilst Grace was last seen in Auckland, New Zealand. Both cases ended tragically. What support is available for families who find themselves with loved ones missing abroad? This article highlights the excellent work of the Lucie Blackman Trust. Read More →
Modern Slavery Apps
2018-12-13
The public have a key role to play in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery. We need to find new ways of empowering and encouraging the public to report their concerns. We take a look at three smartphone apps that do just that. Read More →
Online safeguarding news update – November 2018
2018-12-11
Catch up with the online safeguarding news stories for November, in easy to read bitesize news segments. Read More →
Missing – ‘Don’t drink and drown’
2018-12-06
Each year many people go missing on a night out with friends. Most turn up a few days later, but some missing cases end fatally. Alcohol is a major factor and the optimum time for fatal disappearances are the winter months of – December, January and February. Read More →
Victim Blaming Language
2018-11-29
When dealing with a vulnerable child or adult, safeguarding practitioners will create and update numerous documents. If the investigation leads to a criminal case, what information is recorded about the victim could well be disclosed to the accused. What professionals write about the victim is important and we should avoid ‘victim blaming language’. Read More →
Wise up – don’t use ‘streetwise’
2018-11-27
The term ‘streetwise’ is often mentioned in missing children cases. It wrongly gives the impression that a child is wise to the risks they may face, and able to get themselves out of dangerous situations. It is mistakenly used to justify a reduced response from safeguarding professionals. This can lead to tragic circumstances. Read More →
Barnahus UK – where did it go?
2018-11-17
Imagine a place where children who have been sexually abused can receive the response that they need, under the one roof. A place where all the safeguarding agencies work together, not only to ensure the welfare of the child, but also secure evidence the best evidence to bring perpetrators to justice. That is ‘Barnahus’, the Icelandic model being introduced into the UK. Read More →
Paedophile Hunters – Lawless vigilantes or safeguarding angels?
2018-11-13
Significant increases in the number of children being groomed online has led to the rise of self-styled ‘paedophile hunters’. Members of the public who take it upon themselves to act as child decoys online, arranging to meet and then publicly confronting the abuser. Many of these confrontations have ended in serious incidents. So, are paedophile hunters’ lawless vigilantes, or safeguarding angels? Read More →
Updated guidance and resources for County Lines
2018-11-04
Updated guidance and resources from the home office. Includes posters for different sectorsRead More →
Online safeguarding news update – October 2018
2018-11-01
Catch up with the online safeguarding news stories for October, in easy to read bitesize news segments. Read More →
Vulnerable Missing People – Assistive and GPS Technology
2018-10-30
Advances in smart technology has proved a valuable tool in keeping vulnerable people safe. Where missing people are concerned, assistive technology aides a problem-solving approach in preventing a person from going missing in the first place, whist GPS tech provides police and search teams with an important means of locating a missing person quickly and safely. Read More →
Dementia – Sundowning
2018-10-26
For most people the end of British Summer Time signals the start of the long dark British winter. For many living with dementia, the clocks turning back an hour can affect routine, one of the possible causes of a pattern of behaviour known as ‘Sundowning’. This can potentially cause a person with dementia to wander and subsequently go missing. Read More →
Child Sexual Exploitation – Operation MakeSafe
2018-10-22
Hotel and B&B rooms are often used to groom and abuse young people. Those that work in the hotel business have a responsibility to safeguard and prevent the sexual exploitation of children. MakeSafe is an initiative that equips hoteliers with the necessary skills to spot potential signs of exploitation and take preventative action. Read More →
Missing Children – the law
2018-10-16
Can the police search addresses for missing children? What powers do police have to return missing children safely home? Can they use force? What exactly is the law around missing children? Read More →
Gone cunch – what does it all mean?
2018-10-11
Street slang has evolved into an extensive vocabulary, a combination of slang words and phrases, supplemented by texting jargon, hashtags and emojis. We ask how safeguarding professionals can understand street slang. Read More →
Child Care Orders – a simple guide
2018-10-04
There are numerous pieces of legislation, both civil and criminal which deal with the protection of children. This article looks at the various court orders that can assist us in our safeguarding role. Read More →
Online safeguarding news update – September 2018
2018-10-03
Catch up with the online safeguarding news stories for September, in easy to read bitesize news segments. Read More →
Parental Child Abduction
2018-10-03
A father takes his child out of the UK without the permission of the mother and refuses to return. Parental Child Abduction is more common than you think. What can the mother do? What is the law? Who can help? Read More →
Missing Children – Risk Management
2018-09-25
There are approximately 130,000 missing incidents involving children each year in the UK. It is impossible for the police and social care to provide the same level of service to every missing and returning child. Proper risk assessment is the key to identifying and responding to those children who are the most vulnerable. Read More →
Child Abduction Warning Notices (CAWN’s)
2018-09-15
Many missing children are harboured by adults when missing. We take a look at Child Abduction Warning Notices (CAWNS), what they are used for, the processes involved and the law if they are breached. Read More →
Online safeguarding news update – August 2018
2018-09-12
Catch up with the online safeguarding news stories for August, in easy to read bitesize news segments. Read More →