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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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You can find anything on the world wide web. For most it is a place of joy, entertainment and education. Sadly, for those people contemplating taking their own lives, there are also websites and other platforms which exploit the vulnerable. We take a look at pro-suicide platforms.Read More →

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Missing and vulnerable children often gravitate to a ‘friendly’ address in their area. Some are safe, many are not. Find out what the law says, when a person persistently ignores requests and warnings by the authorities not to harbour a child. Read More →

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How do we divert children away from gang involvement? What is an Osman warning? How do gang injunctions work? We take a look at some of the methods available to safeguarding professionals, that may help divert young people away from gang involvement. Read More →

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Each year across the UK, hundreds of children are removed from harmful situations by the police and placed into ‘Police Protection’. We take a look at this valuable tool, which if used responsibly, can be a very valuable tool in safeguarding vulnerable children. Read More →

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Whilst overall crime has reduced in the last few years, violent, gun and knife related offences have risen significantly. Youth and gang related violence, together with county lines , have become priorities for many local safeguarding agencies. We look at what a gang is, the structure of a gang, and the dangers children and young people face by being drawn into gang culture and membership.

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