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Publication date March 2026

NSPCC Learning has published an updated statistics briefing on child neglect. The briefing looks at data and statistics about child neglect in the UK to help professionals make evidence-based decisions, covering the scale of the issue and what data tells us about children who have been neglected. Findings include: the total number of police recorded child cruelty offences is increasing, and that neglect is the most common form of abuse. you can access the information here

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How many children experience neglect?

It's difficult to measure exactly how many children in the UK experience neglect. However, research with 2,275 young people aged 11- to 17-years-old about their experiences of neglect suggests around 1 in 10 children in the UK have been neglected.

Adults in a child or young person's life may not recognise the signs of neglect and the child may be too young, too scared or feel ashamed to tell anyone what is happening to them.

This briefing looks at what data and statistics are available about child neglect to help professionals, and the organisations they work for, make evidence-based decisions. This includes information from different sources such as services that work with children and research into children's and adults' self-reported experiences.

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Statistics on child neglect | NSPCC Learning

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​Pulls together all the data available about child neglect, including the scale of the issue and the characteristics of children who experience child neglect.

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For Baby’s Sake – Trauma in Children and Adults

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For Baby’s Sake – Trauma in Children and Adults

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For Baby’s Sake has published an article looking at trauma in children and adults. The article explores the impact of trauma on children and how childhood maltreatment can affect brain development, including attachment issues, behaviour problems, and an inability to self-regulate.https://forbabyssake.org.uk/news/2026/02/11/spotting-trauma-in-children-and-adults/

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Spotting Trauma in Children and Adults: Breaking Down the Signs - For Baby’s Sake

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Domestic abuse in childhood can have lasting effects into adulthood. Learn how to recognise the signs of trauma early.

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Child Protection Scotland Podcasts on forms of child abuse

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Child Protection Scotland Podcasts on forms of child abuse

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Child Protection Scotland Podcasts on:

grooming

domestic abuse

lasting effects of childhood abuse

online abuse

non-reporting

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Podcasts Archives - Child Protection Scotland

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A national grouping of professionals who work together to improve the protection of children in Scotland

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Dundees' New Approach for Protecting 16/17-Year-Olds

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Dundees' New Approach for Protecting 16/17-Year-Olds

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To ensure a consistent approach for supporting young people aged 16/17, we are implementing a new process through Child Protection (CP) procedures. This new approach is aligned with the National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland and recent legislative changes, ensuring that each young person receives the right support from the outset. this can be found here

https://rise.articulate.com/share/_PpfTvqSUMW3lPBXFWlh9XfH8pHG1xqB

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New educational resources on the safe and responsible use of AI

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New educational resources on the safe and responsible use of AI

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The UK Safer Internet Centre has created new educational resources on the safe and responsible use of AI ahead of Safer Internet Day 2026 on 10th February. The resources have been designed for use with children and young people of different age groups from 3 to 18-years-old. The resource packs, available in Welsh and English, include presentation slides and activities. https://saferinternet.org.uk/blog/launching-brand-new-resources-on-ai-for-safer-internet-day-2026

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Launching brand new resources on AI for Safer Internet Day 2026 - UK Safer Internet Centre

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To help you deliver sessions for Safer Internet Day, we have created a range of free, engaging and interactive resources on this year’s official theme: Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI

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Children’s Screentime and Online Harms

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has published a new web page on screen time and online harms bringing together key resources to help inform conversations with families and guide practice. The resources include screen guidelines for children under five as well as guidance for parents on online harms. https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/screen-time-online-harms-resources-members

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The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

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The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

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Screen time and online harms: resources for members

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This page brings together key resources on screen time and online harms to help inform conversations with families and guide clinical practice across the UK. We will continue to monitor developments and update these resources as new guidance emerges.

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The Scottish Government has announced an independent review of children's care legislation in Scotland, which will be led by Professor Kenneth Norrie, a leading authority on family law in Scotland, and CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection. The review intends to improve and clarify the legislative framework around children's care by gathering evidence directly from the sector. https://www.gov.scot/news/review-of-legislative-landscape-for-children-in-care/

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Review of legislative landscape for children in care

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Improving outcomes for children and families.

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An Introduction to the Children's Hearings System - online learning

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An Introduction to the Children's Hearings System - online learning

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Link to animations:

An introduction to the Children's Hearings System - SCRA

Six short animations introducing professionals to the Children Hearings system.

Introduction to the Children's Hearings System - 2:36

The Children's Hearings System - 2:18

The Role of the Reporter - 2:36

Definition of a child in the Hearing System - 2:18

What is a Children's Hearing - 1:07

People in the Hearing Room - 4:46

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Blood Red Sky Paperback – 4 Nov. 2025

by Sara Cullen (Author)

Blood Red Sky is a story of love, loss, humour and hope and makes you wonder; what should we do with teenagers who cross the line? Should we lock them up, or take time to find out the truth?

An important read about the glamour free YOI custody experience in Scotland for young people, anyone working around or concerned with youth justice (we all should be!).

Fiona Dyer, Director, Children & Young People’s Centre for Justice, says:
Despite the darkness that Blood Red Sky explores, this is not a hopeless book. What Sara has done so well is to balance truth with hope and show that with the right support, change is possible. Cycles can be broken. Futures can be reimagined. Relationships can heal. This is not wishful thinking – it is a reflection of what happens when compassion, courage, and understanding meet action.

Chris Wild, National Youth Advisor for Young People and author of ‘The State of It’, says:
Blood Red Sky shines a harsh light on youth justice in lockdown – a powerful story of love, loss, and the fight for truth.

Jennifer Horgan, author of ‘O Captain, My Captain': One Teacher's Call for Change…’ says:
Realist fiction at its most powerful.

Gwen Adshead, co-author of BBC Book of the Week, ‘The Devil You Know’, says:
A necessary light of compassion in the dark shadow of social exclusion.

Gráinne Murphy, author of 'Winter People', says:
A deeply affecting look at the impact of intergenerational poverty and violence on family bonds and teenagers' perceptions of inevitability and their own power and choices.

Nicola Garrard, author of 'On the Edge', says:
Hard-hitting, immersive and poignant.

About the Author, Sara Cullen

Sara Cullen is an Irish writer living in Fife, Scotland. Sara’s commitment to writing for social justice began in her teens when she joined Amnesty International and corresponded with a pen pal on death row in Oklahoma. Inspired by To Kill a Mockingbird at age 13 (thanks to her English teacher), Sara pursued a degree in English Literature from University College Cork and later spent 17 years teaching English in Scottish high schools. She also served as a Guidance Teacher in areas of high deprivation.

Sara’s dedication to child welfare led her to work in the Public Protection Unit and earn a qualification in Child Welfare and Protection from the University of Stirling. Her writing reflects her belief that books have the power to change the world and her commitment to amplifying the voices of care-experienced children who have encountered the justice system at a young age.

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Scotland’s Vision for Kinship Care

The Scottish Government has published a draft version and public consultation of 'Scotland’s Vision for Kinship Care', which puts forward the government's proposals to provide consistent and fair support for families caring for children.

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Scotland’s Vision for Kinship Care: Our Offer of Support for Families - For engagement and consultation

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Kinship care plays an essential role in delivering The Promise, this draft vision for kinship care in Scotland and offer of support is informed by research, the lived experience and local partners, including work by the Kinship Care Collaborative.

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Improved Responses to Self-Harm

The Scottish Government has published a tool designed to help leaders consider and support local improvement in response to self-harm, in line with the Scottish Government and COSLA Self-Harm Strategy and Action Plan. Supporting improved responses to self-harm: A reflection and improvement tool - gov.scot In addition, a mid-term review of the Self-Harm strategy and Action Plan was also published in December.

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Supporting improved responses to self-harm: A reflection and improvement tool

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This tool is designed to help leaders consider and support local improvement in response to self-harm, in line with the Scottish Government and COSLA Self-Harm Strategy and Action Plan.

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Needs of infants, babies and young children in the Hearing System

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Needs of infants, babies and young children in the Hearing System

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Needs of infants, babies and young children in the Hearing System

Children’s Hearings Scotland has published new guidance for panel members - developed in partnership with CELCIS - on responding to the needs of infants, babies and very young children who are entering the Children’s Hearings System. responding-to-needs-of-infants-young-children-chs.pdf https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r02/___https:/www.chscotland.gov.uk/media/hdcnzgj4/responding-to-needs-of-infants-young-children-chs.pdf___.YzJlOmR1bmRlZWNjOmM6bzphZjI4Y2Y1YjhhOWQwMzNlMWEzNTliYzdjMmEyMDljNjo3OjZhY2I6MmMyYTIyODMxZDk4MjViOGNmMjIzMDU2YzBhMDA3MGNiN2ZjZDkwYTE1ZTZmZTZlMTQ1YmQ3NDU3ZGZlZmVlMDpwOkY6Rg

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Child sexual extortion cases in the UK soar

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Child sexual extortion cases in the UK soar

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Child sexual extortion cases in the UK soar

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Charities warn threat of sexual extortion (or sextortion) against children ‘not diminishing’ as new data show sextortion cases soar 72% in a year.

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Changes to legislation:

Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 14 August 2025. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date.

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Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024

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The cookies on legislation.gov.uk do two things: they remember any settings you’ve chosen so you don’t have to choose them on every page, and they help us understand how people browse our website, so we can make improvements and fix problems. We need your consent to use some of these cookies.

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Online safety

Source: Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Date published: 01 August 2025

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has published a press release outlining how the Online Safety Act aims to help keep children safe online. The press release sets out information on: data privacy; virtual private networks; legal adult content; and support for the Online Safety Act.

Read the press release: Keeping children safe online: changes to the Online Safety Act explained

See also on NSPCC Learning
> Online safety

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Physical and verbal abuse

Source: Guardian and BMJ Open

Date published: 05 August 2025

The Guardian has published a news story discussing findings from a research study analysing the impact of childhood exposure to verbal and physical abuse published in BMJ Open. The study draws combined data from seven general adult population surveys in England and Wales between 2012-2024. Key findings include: parents who ridicule, threaten or humiliate their children risk leaving them with a 64% higher chance of having poor mental health as an adult; and the prevalence of low mental wellbeing for those who had experienced no abuse stood at 16%, rising to 22.5% for those who had experienced physical abuse, 24% for verbal abuse, and 29% for both physical and verbal abuse.

Read the news story: Verbally abused children more likely to have poor mental health as adults, study finds
Read the study: Comparative relationships between physical and verbal abuse of children, life course mental well-being and trends in exposure: a multi-study secondary analysis of cross-sectional surveys in England and Wales

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Domestic abuse and poverty

Source: Community Care

Date published: 01 August 2025

Community Care has published an article exploring links between poverty and domestic abuse in child protection. The article outlines findings from the Rethinking domestic abuse in child protection (RDAC) research project, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, which examined these links. Research was undertaken with three local authorities, two in England and one in Scotland. Findings include that children living in poverty were more likely to come into care and that domestic abuse was an important factor in this; yet, the system often failed to recognise and examine how inequalities shaped families’ experiences and needs. The research also highlights the need to implement domestic abuse strategies that address poverty, engage with communities and place families’ voices at the heart of developments.

Read the news story: The overlooked link between poverty and domestic abuse in child protection: findings from research

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Financially motivated sexual extortion

Source: NSPCC Learning

Date published: 05 August 2025

NSPCC Learning has published a podcast episode discussing how to protect boys and young males from targeted online blackmail and extortion, featuring experts from Childline and CEOP Education, part of the National Crime Agency (NCA). The episode covers: what online financial sexual extortion is; how to spot the signs of online blackmail and extortion; how to support boys who are experiencing online sexual extortion; and how to report real and AI generated images.

Listen to the podcast: Podcast: Protecting boys from financially motivated sexual extortion
Listen on YouTube: Protecting boys from financially motivated sexual extortion

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Children at Risk Committee Multi- agency Audit 2024 (7 min brief)

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Children at Risk Committee Multi- agency Audit 2024 (7 min brief)

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Direct link for DCC:

https://app.tessello.co.uk/Dundee-learning/login#/CategoryId=5474&ProgrammeId=31446&ResourceId=196516

Link for outwith:

https://rise.articulate.com/share/YYxmEatkLp9RfQEv61aaChn8KOwOEhZ9

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Child sexual abuse material generated by artificial intelligence. An essential guide for professionals who work with children and young people

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NSPCC Learning has published a podcast episode looking at domestic abuse in pregnancy and improving support for families affected by it. The podcast features a discussion with a panel of experts from the NSPCC Helpline and the For Baby's Sake Trust on research into domestic abuse. The discussion covered: the difficulties with working out exactly how many babies are impacted by domestic abuse; identifying concerns and providing support; taking a trauma-informed approach; and blockers to parents seeking support. https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/news/2025/may/protecting-babies-domestic-abuse?utm_campaign=20250602_KIS_CASPAR_June02&utm_content=Protecting%20babies%20from%20the%20effects%20of%20domestic%20abuse&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra

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Podcast: Protecting babies from the effects of domestic abuse | NSPCC Learning

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Learn more about abuse in pregnancy and how to improve support for families affected by it. You’ll hear from the NSPCC’s Paddi Vint and Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of the For Baby’s Sake Trust.

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Talk Relationships supports all UK secondary education settings to confidently deliver inclusive sex and relationships education.

We want all young people across the UK to understand healthy behaviours in relationships and recognise their right to be safe, heard and respected. And we want them to know how to get help from a safe adult if they need it.

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Talk Relationships: resources to deliver sex and relationships education | NSPCC Learning

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Training, lesson plans, a whole-school approach framework and a dedicated helpline to support secondary teachers and leaders to embed sex and relationships education across their whole school.

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New child child protection guidelines 16/17 year olds 

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New child child protection guidelines 16/17 year olds 

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New child child protection guidelines 16/17 year olds

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Home Education 7 minute briefing DCPOs March2025

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Home Education 7 minute briefing DCPOs March2025

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Home Education 7 minute briefing DCPOs March2025

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Making sense of Scotlands Child Neglect Data

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Making sense of Scotlands Child Neglect Data

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Published: 9 December 2024

An updated version of CPCScotland and CELCIS publication A Review of Scotland’s National Indicators Relating to Child Neglect plus CPCScotland Neglect sub group chair Alan Small’s blog Making Sense of Scotland’s Child Neglect Data

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Learning About Neglect Event Series – Webinar 7 – A strengths-based approach to working with children and families in Glasgow City

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Learning About Neglect Event Series – Webinar 7 – A strengths-based approach to working with children and families in Glasgow City

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Published: 21 November 2024

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Learning About Neglect Event Series - Webinar 7 - A strengths-based approach to working with children and families in Glasgow City - Child Protection Scotland

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A series of four webinars where child protection practitioners across Scotland engage with key speakers and organisations on child neglect and practice.

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Learning About Neglect Event Series – Webinar 6 – Exploring the complexities and challenges of dental neglect for children and young people

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Learning About Neglect Event Series – Webinar 6 – Exploring the complexities and challenges of dental neglect for children and young people

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Published: 7 October 2024

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Learning About Neglect Event Series - Webinar 6 - Exploring the complexities and challenges of dental neglect for children and young people - Child Protection Scotland

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A series of four webinars where child protection practitioners across Scotland engage with key speakers and organisations on child neglect and practice.

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Podcast - Domestic abuse and impact on children

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Podcast - Domestic abuse and impact on children

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CPCScotland podcast series – episode two now live

The second CPCScotland podcast is now live. This episode features John Devaney (The University of Edinburgh), Marsha Scott (Scottish Women’s Aid) and Emily, a survivor of domestic abuse. The discussion focusses on how Scotland’s child protection system attempts to address domestic abuse and its impact on children.

These podcasts will be of interest to all professionals as well as members of the public who wish to gain a deeper understanding of key topics in child protection. CPC Scotland podcast episode 2 – domestic abuse

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CPCScotland podcast #2 - Domestic Abuse - Child Protection Scotland

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The second in a series of child protection themed podcasts. In this edition, the discussion is about domestic abuse…

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CPCScotland podcast series – episode one now live

The first in a series of CPCScotland podcasts is now live. This episode features Daljeet Dagon and Stuart Allardyce (The Lucy Faithfull Foundation) discussing the topic of grooming.

These podcasts will be of interest to all professionals as well as members of the public who wish to gain a deeper understanding of key topics in child protection. CPC Scotland podcast episode 1 - grooming https://www.childprotection.scot/publication/cpcscotland-podcast-1-grooming/

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CPCScotland podcast #1 - Grooming

Published: 18 March 2025

The Child Protection Scotland website is administered by Child Protection Committees Scotland (CPCScotland).

CPCScotland is a national grouping of professionals who work together to improve the protection of children right across the country.
About CPCScotland

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CPCScotland podcast #1 - Grooming - Child Protection Scotland

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The first in a series of child protection themed podcasts. In this edition, the discussion is about grooming.

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Ahead of a webinar Research in Practice will be running, they have published a blog post on practitioner identification and response to child sexual abuse (CSA) in the family environment, highlighting practice challenges, and recommendations for change and further action.

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Lauren Beamish Lauren Beamish is a Research and Development Officer at Research in Practice.

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Identifying and responding to child sexual abuse in the family environment | Research in Practice

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For many children who experience sexual abuse in their family environment, they remain unheard.

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The NSPCC has published a news story about boys’ vulnerability to sexual extortion, or ‘sextortion’. Sexual extortion is a form of online blackmail that involves the threat of sharing nude or semi-nude images or videos to extort money or force someone to do something against their will. Data from Childline counselling sessions between April and December 2024 reveals that boys were more than twice as likely as girls to seek help and advice from the service for worries about sexual extortion. In response, Childline has launched a campaign aimed at encouraging boys to contact the service for support if they are affected. The news story includes tips from Childline to help young people stay safe online.

Read the press release: Childline data reveals boys are most vulnerable to ‘sextortion’

Watch the campaign video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl-iRm9iTh8

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Can The Charvas work out who is REAL and who is FAKE? | Childline

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Keeping children safe in Scotland – Guides for younger children, young people and parents 

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Keeping children safe in Scotland – Guides for younger children, young people and parents 

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childprotection-resource-scotland.co.uk | Guides for younger children, young people and parents and carers

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This website has been created to provide information about keeping younger children and young people safe in Scotland. It includes separate sections for children, young people and parents or carers.

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Future Men has released a podcast episode looking at how to engage fathers in safeguarding practice and involve them in support for children and young people. The episode explores current research, engagement strategies and the impact this can have on children, families and communities. Listen to the podcast: Effectively engaging fathers in safeguarding practice podcast

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Effectively engaging fathers in safeguarding practice Podcast - Future Men

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Head of Programmes Owen Thomas sat down with Carly from ECP Safeguarding to discuss the value of engaging and involving fathers in support for children and young people. Looking at

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The Scottish Government has published updated Home Education Guidance, which outlines the responsibilities of local authorities and considerations which need to take place when a request is made to withdraw a child from school. Home education guidance - gov.scot

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Guidance for local authorities and parents on home education.

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Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones

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Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones

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Provides an insight into children and young people using phones and the impacts and harms social media has.

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Emma and Matt Willis challenge a group of Year 8 pupils at the Stanway School in Colchester to give up their smartphones completely for 21 days

Emma and Matt Willis and a group of Year 8s start a 21-day phone-ban challenge. Will removing the devices make the kids happier, healthier and ready to learn?

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Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones

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Emma and Matt Willis challenge a group of Year 8 pupils at the Stanway School in Colchester to give up their smartphones completely for 21 days

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Sextortion is a type of online blackmail.

Adult criminals, often from overseas organised crime groups, will threaten to share nude or semi-nude images and/or videos of a young person, unless they pay them or carry out some other demand.

Children and young people of all ages, genders and sexualities are being targeted worldwide. Including in Scotland.

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It can be easy when talking about nude image sharing to lean hard on it being illegal to send or receive nude images under 18 but this can make young people hesitant to speak up if they are victim of sextortion or another form of intimate image abuse.

If you are talking about the Law, please consider adding that even if they do send images under the age of 18, it's not ok for those images to be used to blackmail or control them and that there is non-judgement support available to them.

Whilst it's illegal to send, share and receive nude images of someone under 18, if they've been tricked, threatened or pressured into doing it- like in a sextortion case - they will not face charges or blame.

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Empower youth and enhance community safety with Fearless Scotland by CrimeStoppers UK. Explore tailored resources and initiatives for professionals committed to making a positive impact on the lives of young individuals. Join a collaborative effort to create safer environments and foster resilience.

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NES GIRFEC e-learning resource flyer December 2024

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‘The Chat’ WebinarAn opportunity to hear more about the parental engagement project called the Chat and our report available at www.thechat.scotThursday 21st November 202412.30pm - 1.15pm Microsoft Teams: Registration Powered by Webropol

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Website to Support Parents and Carers to have discussions with children around sexual health

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It's Not Love: teaching resources about positive relationships

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It's Not Love: teaching resources about positive relationships

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Topics: Schools Safeguarding and child protection

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It’s Not Love: teaching resources about positive relationships | NSPCC Learning

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Our It’s Not Love teaching resources can be used with children and young people aged 11+ and is designed to help them recognise concerning behaviour and identify characteristics of positive relationships.

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New research highlights the need for increased support for Scotland’s kinship families

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New research highlights the need for increased support for Scotland’s kinship families

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For the first time, a body of data about Scotland's children and young people with experience of care has been brought together to better understand the picture of kinship care in Scotland.

The information is in a new report - Growing Up in Kinship Care - published today (8 October) by CELCIS, the Centre for Excellence for Children's Care and Protection, for SCADR, the Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research.

Being cared for by family or friends is the most common arrangement for children in care in Scotland. This study looked at the data of over 19,000 children and young people who had lived in kinship care over a ten year period. Over that time, the proportion of children and young people needing care and protection who were being cared for by family and friends increased substantially, from around 1 in 6 (16%) of children in care in 2008, to almost 1 in 3 (29%) in 2019. The research found that 40% of children who have been cared for by kinship carers did not experience any other form of alternative care such as foster care or residential child care.

The research team brought together anonymised records for 'looked after' children, and linked these to records for the same children across education, Children's Hearings, child protection, and health visiting datasets. Combining and analysing the data has given a much clearer picture and a greater understanding of the experiences and needs of these children and young people. The researchers found that:

While many children and young people living in kinship families thrive, kinship carers are often supporting children with complex needs, and it is important that tailored support is in place for the children and their carers

Despite substantial improvements in the educational outcomes of children who had lived with kinship carers over the years studied, this remains an area where many children and families would benefit from additional support

There is substantial regional variation in terms of how likely children are to live with kinship families, with higher numbers seen in areas of high deprivation

There are many children in Scotland living with kinship families who are not 'looked after' by their local authority, however there is far less data available on their experiences.

Dr Robert Porter, Principal Investigator for this study at CELCIS said:

"More children being able to live with family and friends in kinship care is in line with both The Promise of the Independent Care Review and current Scottish Government policy and guidance, which sets out the commitment to children and young people being cared for within their own families and communities wherever this is possible.

"This is the first time data from different sources has been linked together to give a clearer picture of kinship care in Scotland. While data alone does not give a full understanding of the experiences and details of the lives and circumstances of children, young people and their carers, it can help us to understand what support might be needed and where investment in this should be provided."

Morag Treanor, Children's Lives and Outcomes research programme lead, SCADR said:

"Scotland made a promise to care experienced children and young people: that they will grow up loved, safe and respected. To know whether that promise is being kept, we need to know and understand as much as we can about the care journeys children make. Much of what we know so far comes from looking at information on an annual basis. This is the first research project to use the journeys of kinship care, over time, to provide a vital insight into growing up in kinship care. This report provides an excellent summary of essential information to build on, with a need for further work in this area, to help us understand more on how to support and benefit children and young people living in kinship care."
Read the report

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New research highlights the need for increased support for Scotland’s kinship families

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For the first time, a body of data about Scotland’s children and young people with experience of care has been brought together to better understand the picture of kinship care in Scotland.

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New research reveals new understanding of non-compulsory care of children and young people in Scotland

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New research reveals new understanding of non-compulsory care of children and young people in Scotland

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Non-compulsory arrangements for caring for children and young people in need of care and protection in Scotland are used more commonly and for a wider range of reasons than previously understood.

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Learn more about the Educational Psychology Service on the link below

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Dundee Educational Psychology Service believes that Every Dundee Learner Matters. Through applying psychology and working collaboratively with others, we aim to empower children and young people to improve their learning and wellbeing outcomes.

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Creative Conversations with CYCJ: Episode 12 - Fiona Dyer and Cédric Foussard by CYCJ

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At the CYCJ's National Youth Justice Conference in June 2024, CYCJ Director Fiona Dyer hosted a discussion with keynote speaker Cédric Foussard. 

An esteemed international expert in youth justice, Cédric serves as the coordinator of the Global Initiative on Justice with Children and Advocacy and as the Global Learning Senior Advisor for Terre des Hommes. 

His influential work has significantly shaped global discourse and policies on child rights, particularly for children in conflict with the law.

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Tackling child poverty - place-based, system change initiatives: learnings published 4th June 2024

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Tackling child poverty - place-based, system change initiatives: learnings published 4th June 2024

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This report provides early evidence and learning from a range of initiatives that aim to tackle child poverty through working in partnership to provide holistic, person-centred support for parents and families.

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Executive Summary

Background

There are a wide range of factors that influence levels of child poverty. The landscape of support services is complex and interconnected and we know that a combination of policies and support, working seamlessly together, is likely to help tackle child poverty.

Support for families living in poverty needs to be better integrated across a range of services, such as housing, education, employability and health. Support also needs to be part of a coherent package in order to ensure that it is working for families.

The 2nd Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan, Best Start, Bright Futures, recognised this complexity in child poverty support systems, and the need to work differently to meet the 2030 child poverty targets. It committed to:

Ensuring the design and delivery of services is based on the distinctive needs of individual communities through a place-based approach

A holistic and person-centred approach to the provision of support that wraps around the needs of the individual

Partnership working from across the public, third and/or private sectors and between local and national partners, with join-up in the range of support provided to help move people out of poverty

A move away from crisis responses towards more preventative action

The Delivery Plan committed to a number of actions and initiatives focused on delivering this 'system change' and testing different approaches to providing person-centred solutions for families in poverty.

This report provides a first step in assessing the evidence we have so far on place-based, system change initiatives aimed at tackling child poverty.

System change initiatives are those which focus on making 'structural and procedural changes to the organisations which support families, which in turn are intended to improve the services provided to families. This can include (but is not limited to) changes in:

The types of services available

The ways in which families are contacted and brought into the system

The extent to which the right families are reached

Methods of identifying and targeting families that need support

The complexity and length of families' journey through the system.'

There are eight initiatives in scope for this report. These are:

Dundee Child Poverty Pathfinder

Glasgow Child Poverty Pathfinder

Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund

Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy

No One Left Behind

School Age Childcare

Social Innovation Partnership & Clackmannanshire Family Wellbeing Partnership

Whole Family Wellbeing Funding

This report provides a first, baseline, report of our approach to assessing progress towards system change in the context of child poverty.

Implementing place-based, system change initiatives

The findings to date show that for those initiatives at the implementation phase, there are encouraging and positive signs that they are laying the groundwork for longer term system change. This includes greater partnership working with a shared sense of purpose; regular and clear communication and strengthened relationships; and recognising and building on the knowledge and experiences of local communities.

Enablers

The key enablers to successfully implementing place-based, system change initiatives related to effective partnership working and effective place-based working.

Effective partnership working was seen to be crucial in driving forward system change. From increased partnership working arose a greater awareness among partners of the range of key stakeholders and other service/delivery partners locally, which minimised duplication of effort. Further, a shared and common sense of purpose, and building clear lines of communication, were seen to be crucial in aligning interests across partners in order to enable longer term and sustainable change. Taking time to develop these strong partnerships and relations from the outset was seen to be essential in enabling longer term, sustainable delivery of system change initiatives.

Effective place-based working, drawing upon local knowledge and experience in order to deliver the right services and support for local areas, was also viewed as critical, because this allowed partners to recognise the strength and uniqueness of local areas - and then to use this to provide support that meets the needs of local families in their local context.

Challenges

The key challenges that were identified to successfully implementing initiatives focused on the long-term nature of implementing system change. This meant it took time to see progress and embed structural change and this did not always align with funding timeframes. Another challenge concerned workforce investment, particularly relating to the recruitment and retention of staff, often due to the fixed-term nature of appointments as a result of the temporary nature of funding. A further challenge was the difficult socio-economic context in which initiatives were delivering their services (e.g. the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis). This context is likely to be increasing the levels of need felt by people using these services.

Emerging impacts of place-based, system change initiatives

Most initiatives studied are at the early stages of design and implementation and, as noted, systems change is by its nature a long-term endeavour, so impacts would be expected to be limited at this stage. Nonetheless, it was evident from the early findings that there were emerging impacts for a range of stakeholders across the system, including service users, service providers, partners and policy stakeholders.

Individuals and families using services

For individuals and families accessing services, early findings suggest that the changes made were viewed positively, with people expressing satisfaction with the support they received. This was related to the holistic and personalised nature of the support, in particular the 'no wrong door' approach. This is based on the principle that regardless of where, how and why an individual or family engages in the system, that interaction then becomes a gateway to receiving holistic, consistent and comprehensive support.

Factors that appeared to be limiting the impact for families using the services included the time taken for system changes to take effect, alongside the stigma felt by some individuals when accessing support, due to previous negative experiences.

Engagement with beneficiaries

In terms of engaging with individuals or families who might need support, the learning so far suggests the value of a key worker, or one single point of contact for individuals accessing services. This key worker can be crucial in not only initial engagement with individuals and families, but also in sustaining engagement.

Service providers need to be flexible and adaptable in order to ensure appropriate levels of engagement with different groups, for example, using a combination of methods to tailor their approaches to different groups. Ensuring maximum reach of the initiatives and accessibility for 'hard to reach' and minority groups were common issues. Particular issues included: challenges in accessing data that could help to identify families for proactive targeted engagement; the effective promotion and advertisement of services, including through outreach; and reducing the stigma that some families felt in accessing statutory services.

Service providers

Early evidence suggests that service providers found multiple benefits in the closer, and more aligned, partnership working that developed as a result of these initiatives. In particular, providers welcomed closer partnership working, with the sharing of resources and the creation of new access routes for families seen to be important in supporting new ways of working. There was also a sense of increased job satisfaction, from seeing positive effects on the lives of families seeking support from their services, and this was seen to be a fundamental cornerstone to ensuring the longevity of the changes in ways of working.

However, building these close relationships did not come without struggle. For example, in some instances, not involving key local partners and stakeholders in the early stages of design and development of initiatives, led to duplication of effort. Therefore, it was seen to be important to take time to resolve issues, and ensure strong relationships between partners, before moving into the delivery phase of an initiative.

Policy stakeholders

For policy stakeholders, early findings suggest lessons that need to be considered in order for benefits to be fully realised. These include consideration of: the dissemination of good practice and learning across system change initiatives; ensuring alignment between national level strategic aims and the delivery of local services; and ways to ensure the sustainability of initiatives beyond time limited funding periods.

Assessing effective approaches to place-based, system change

Given that most initiatives are in the early stages, it is too early at this point to say which approaches to system change are the most effective or have resulted in positive outcomes. However, those initiatives that had started delivery had begun to put in place systems for assessing effectiveness, through monitoring and evaluation processes.

The emerging learning from these experiences identified two key challenges in monitoring and evaluating system change initiatives:

Firstly, the capacity of local partners in implementing monitoring frameworks, for example, having the staff capacity to collect and analyse data.

Secondly, how to effectively measure long-term system change. In particular, there was a challenge in collecting the 'softer' outcomes of system change (for example changes in culture or behaviour), as well as in collecting data across complex, evolving and often loosely defined initiatives, often spanning multiple services and partner organisations.

None of the initiatives had experience yet of scaling up system change initiatives. However, early views were that it would be important to base scale-up endeavours on the principles and values behind the initiatives, rather than aiming for exact replicability, as this would be seen to be working against place-based and person-centred values.

Conclusions and next steps

The findings from this synthesis of the early evidence on system change initiatives show that there are early signs of positive developments and implementation, with those initiatives already delivering reporting positive signs of changing structures and cultures, which were seen to be creating the building blocks for longer-lasting system change.

However, it is clear from the learning so far that system change initiatives also take time to implement, and embed, which is likely to limit early impacts. It is also important to bear in mind the context in which these initiatives are being developed and implemented - against the socio-economic challenges arising from the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis. This context is likely to be increasing the levels of need felt by people using these services.

The evidence so far highlights that alignment across local and national levels is important for the successful design and implementation of system change initiatives, and that partnership working, in particular collaboration and relationship building, takes time to embed. A key learning is the importance of taking the time to develop strong partnerships and relations from the outset in order to enable longer term, sustainable change.

Evidence on impacts at this stage was limited. However, families accessing support appeared to be satisfied with the holistic and personalised nature of support, while service providers spoke positively about the benefits of working in partnership, which resulted in less duplication of effort and enabled the development of new services to better meet the needs of local families.

It will be important for local and national partners, as they continue to implement and develop these initiatives, to further assess the outcomes for different groups in their communities, in order to provide greater understanding of the extent to which they are reaching and having positive impacts for families living in poverty and those most at risk of poverty. This should include consideration of the priority family groups and those facing multiple and intersecting disadvantages. This should enable ongoing improvements to delivery in order to enhance the impact on poverty reduction.

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Tackling child poverty - place-based, system change initiatives: learnings

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This Scottish Government report provides early evidence and learning from a range of initiatives that aim to tackle child poverty through working in partnership to provide holistic, person-centred support for parents and families.

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The voice of the child in social work practice  Podcast

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The voice of the child in social work practice  Podcast

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The voice of the child in social work practice | NSPCC Learning

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NSPCC has published a news story on how Childline supports young people in relation to gender and sexuality.

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NSPCC has published a news story on how Childline supports young people in relation to gender and sexuality.

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NSPCC has published a news story on how Childline supports young people in relation to gender and sexuality. Data from Childline shows that in the past 12 months, there were 2,419 counselling sessions related to gender and sexuality. Top concerns discussed included: coming out; questioning sexuality/gender identity; gender dysphoria; and bullying based on gender or sexuality. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/news-opinion/2024/childline-supports-thousands-young-people-gender-and-sexuality/?utm_campaign=20240701_KIS_CASPAR_July01&utm_content=Childline%20supports%20thousands%20of%20young%20people%20on%20gender%20and%20sexuality&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Adestra

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The Poverty and Inequality Commission NEW REPORT 

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The Poverty and Inequality Commission NEW REPORT 

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The latest scrutiny report by the Poverty and Inequality Commission says that the Scottish Government has made limited progress on child poverty and is unlikely to meet targets. Find the report here https://povertyinequality.scot/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Child_Poverty_Delivery_Plan_progress_2023-2024_Scrutiny_by_the_Poverty_and_Inequality_Commission.pdf

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The Promise Scotland has now launched Plan 24-30. This is intended to drive the next stage of progress to realise the ambitions of The Promise and improve support and care for Scotland's children, young people, their families and carers. The plan can be found here https://www.plan2430.scot/

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Voice of the child: learning from case reviews

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Voice of the child: learning from case reviews

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The voice of the child: learning from case reviews

Summary of learning for improved practice around the voice of the child

Publication date May 2024

Listening to and capturing the voice of the child is essential for effective safeguarding practice. It helps professionals to understand children’s lived experiences, hear their views about their lives and circumstances, and take effective action to support or safeguard them.

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“Let’s Explore Our Rights” teaches young children about their human rights. The book which features iconic Scots landmarks is aimed at children aged up to five. It was beautifully illustrated by Corinna Campbell and takes readers on a journey to discover rights like having a safe home, being healthy, learning, and playing. The book will support early years practitioners to spark first conversations about human rights with very young children.

The book was created in response to requests from early years practitioners for a resource to help them talk about human rights with children. The book aims to explain in a gentle, age-appropriate way what rights are and why they are important, and to support even very young children to understand their rights and to challenge adults in power when they feel their rights aren’t being respected. The children from Lochardil Primary School Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) played a vital role in creating the book, with their ideas helping to create and refine the illustrations, and some of their own drawings included. The book will be provided to every local authority nursery in Scotland before the end of term, with a Gaelic edition in production.

You can download or view a copy of the book below. We also have some physical copies available to order. Please email administration@cypcs.org.uk to find out more. Download here https://www.cypcs.org.uk/wpcypcs/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Lets_Explore_Our_Rights_2023.pdf

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1.   Online Gaming

The UK Safer Internet Centre has published a blog post about online chats in games, highlighting some of the risks to children and young people. The blog provides practical suggestions for keeping children safe when using online chats.

My child is gaming with strangers – what should I do?

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My child is gaming with strangers - what should I do? - UK Safer Internet Centre

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In this blog, Childnet Education Officer Georgia offers advice about gaming and chat within games.

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The Education (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 4th June; the Scottish Government reforms make provisions for a new qualifications body and independent inspectorate to be established by Autumn 2025 designed to create 'strengthened governance arrangements and increased accountability for learners and teachers' which Education Secretary, Jenny Gilruth says “will ensure the knowledge and experience of pupils and teachers are central to decisions taken on qualifications and assessment”.

Education reform legislation published - gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

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They killed our son': Online scammers tearing families apart as sextortion cases soar | ITV News

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They killed our son': Online scammers tearing families apart as sextortion cases soar | ITV News

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Mark and Ros Dowey said their 'world has been shattered' since losing their son to suicide in December 2023, as Digital Producer Sam Leader reports Play Brightcove video
When Murray Dowey left his parents watching television downstairs to go up to his bedroom he was a happy sixteen-year-old boy.

Just hours later, Murray had taken his own life, having become the latest victim of a surge of sextortion cases in the UK.

Murray, 16, from Dunblane was contacted on social media by someone claiming to be a young girl but was actually a scammer, who tricked him into sending an intimate image and then blackmailed him with it.

Speaking for the first time about their son's case, Murray's parents told ITV News their "whole world has been shattered".

At Murray's local football club, Stirling Albion, where he spent every weekend with his friends, Mark and Ros Dowey said they "don't want this to happen to any other family" and called on social media platforms to up the safeguarding for teenagers "immediately".

They share their story as ITV News are given exclusive stats that reveal the UK's only helpline dedicated to helping victims of intimate image abuse received 54% more sextortion reports in 2023, than the previous year.

Sextortion, is when intimate images and/or videos are recorded and used for financial exploitation and coercion; It is mostly committed by organised criminal gangs overseas.
'The next thing I heard was Ros screaming, screams like I've never heard in my life before'
Reports to The Revenge Porn Helpline doubled last year reaching nearly 19,000, but sextortion made up over a third of those reports, and is the main form of intimate image abuse reported to the helpline - 93% of those cases were reported by men.

Mark and Ros Dowey said there 'world has been shattered' since losing their son

Murray had been enjoying festive celebrations last year with his parents and his two brothers, before going up to his room as normal, but his family "never for a minute thought that was the last time [they] were going to see him."

Ros Dowey, Murray's mother, said: "That evening we were just chatting and watching rubbish on telly... We were just a normal family of five.

"To the next morning, we're down to four people with a huge Murray-shaped gap that's never going to go away.

"He's my little boy. To think of my little boy in such distress and not to reach out for help, it's awful."

Murray took his own life on December 30, 2023, just hours after he was blackmailed by a scammer.

Mark Dowey, Murray's father, said he was "sitting watching the football, next thing I heard was Ros screaming, screams like I've never heard in my life before... it was horrendous."

"He was a very normal, easygoing, helpful boy, had a great sense of humour... I can't believe he's gone.
'We thought we were dealing with suicide... [it was] absolute torture'
"One of the reasons it is so devastating as it comes into your house, exactly where Murray should have been safest in his room, asleep. So there's very little you can do to protect them."

For two weeks, before police confirmed that Murray had been a victim of sextortion, Mark and Ros were left questioning everything they knew about their son's mental wellbeing.

Murray was a season ticket holder at his local club Stirling Albion Credit: Family handout

Ros told us: "He was a normal, happy teenager... he had plans. He had everything to look forward to... he was talking about saving up for a summer holiday with his friends.

"The panic and terror he must have been in for however long this went on, whether it was minutes or hours, I'm devastated for him, that he was just obviously in such a state that he thought taking his life was the only thing he could do.

"We'd had lots of conversations with our boys about online safety [and] social media... you'd never, ever imagine it's going to hit you because you're just a 'normal family' and these things don't happen."Mark said: "We thought we were dealing with suicide... [it was] absolute torture... indeed he did take his own life but he was very much taken to that point by these criminals."

"As parents, were very good at telling kids what not to do, but maybe not so good at telling them what to do if they do do it.
'I just think they're evil...those criminals killed our son.'
"I think that's something we really need to take away from this, that you need to give them that information, that if they do step over that line, don't panic. Don't do what Murray did."

Police Scotland are working with authorities in Nigeria to find the perpetrator responsible and to get justice for Murray.

Murray's parents, Mark and Ros, stand next to his seat at Stirling Albion FC

Sextortion scams can be perpetrated by individuals but the majority are committed by organised crime groups operating overseas, who often target young men with fake images, before blackmailing them for money.

Ros Dowey said: "I just think they're evil...those criminals killed our son. they can't just be anonymous people behind the keyboard thousands of miles away.

"There has to be consequences and there has to be consequences to deter others from doing this."

Mark said: "That demographic has been chosen very specifically by these criminals for their vulnerability to this crime."

In a statement to ITV News, Superintendent Joanne McEwan, from Police Scotland's Partnerships, Prevention and Community Wellbeing Department said: "We are experiencing an increase in the number of sextortion incidents being reported and organised crime gangs based overseas are often responsible, although individuals are also involved.
'It just breaks your heart that that's what his last moments on earth were... just that terror'
"People shouldn't panic, there is support available from policing and from third party organisations. We encourage victims to come forward. They will be treated with respect and dignity and the circumstances investigated professionally."

Not only do Murray's family now face a battle to get justice for their son, they want to put pressure on social media platforms to do more for young peoples safety, and ensure no other family loses a child under these circumstances.

Mark Dowey said: "I think the the platforms that these criminals are using need to up the safeguarding, up the protection for young people immediately. I think they know exactly how they could do that. It's been mooted by many an expert, but nothing's been done about it.

"We're starting to see a lot of young people dying through this crime."

Mark added: "I would very much like to say to young people if this is happening to you, that is your absolute route out of it, just switch the phone off and walk away from it. Get help. Go and get help."

Ros Dowey said: "There's all sorts of technologies they can be using because these criminals have a real pattern of behaviour... But I also think the [social media] platforms need to make it easier for children to report a scam and then they act on it really quickly.

"More needs to be done in schools and other forms of education to raise awareness to young people that that this can happen and this is what you do when this happens...

Murray's parents described him as the 'peacemaker' and the 'glue' between his two brothers Credit: Family Handout

"And for parents to be aware of it and to not sit there and think it's some abstract thing that couldn't happen, you know, it can happen to anybody."

Ros now wants other young people to know that if they do become a victim to sextortion, that "nothing is that bad, that it's worth taking your own life".

She added: Murray "hated being the centre of attention, so the thought that they were going to share this with all his contacts would have felt like the end of his world, but it wouldn't have been.
Revenge Porn Helpline's Amanda Dashwood explains what to do if you are a victim of sextortion
"We'd have gotten over it. We'd have helped him through it... rather than what we have now which is no Murray, and we have to live with that for the rest of our lives."

(Campaign Against Living Miserably) - Helpline: 0800 58 58 58

provides to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Information line: 0300 123 3393

is an organisation offering confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Phone 116 123 (a free 24 hour helpline).

How to get help if you have been affected by the issues mentioned in this article:

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'They killed our son': The devastating impact of sextortion scams as cases soar | ITV News

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Murray Dowey, a 16-year-old from Dunblane, took his own life after he was "sextorted" by a scammer. | ITV National News

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This report explores working with 16 and 17 year olds, who might be eligible for support through Adult Support and Protection (ASP) legislation and Child Protection (CP) guidance.

The report provides a Guidance and Legislation table, as a practical tool for social workers of all levels, and other professionals working with 16 and 17 year olds, to view the policy and guidance options available to them. This is complemented by a discussion of the tensions and challenges around supporting 16 and 17 year olds, through a qualitative understanding of some of the experiences practitioners encounter in their work with this age group.

Together, the table and the discussion begin an analysis on what the overlap in ASP and CP means for 16 and 17 year olds, and the practitioners supporting them.

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Understanding age in Child Protection guidance and Adult Support and Protection legislation

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This report explores working with 16 and 17 year olds, who might be eligible for support through Adult Support and Protection (ASP) legislation and Child Protection (CP) guidance.

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Hopefully you will have heard the Dundee's Child Protection Committee recently launched a Children and Young People's Charter.

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Unaccompanied Children Good practice guide

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Unaccompanied Children Good practice guide

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No Knives - better lives - self directed learning hub

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No Knives - better lives - self directed learning hub

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Whatever's on your mind, we're here - Togetherall

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Need urgent help? Contact one of these crisis support services

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Children and Young People Charter Framework Guidance

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Children and Young People Charter Framework Guidance

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Children and Young People Charter Framework

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Children and Young People Charter Framework

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National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 and Dundee Inter-agency CP Procedures

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National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 and Dundee Inter-agency CP Procedures

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Changes made in 2023

When this Guidance was published in 2021, a commitment was made to review and update it when required by significant legislative, policy or practice changes to ensure it remains relevant and up to date. Since the 2021 guidance contained some significant revisions from the 2014 version, for this first update, issues raised by local areas implementing the 2021 Guidance were also considered. Input was sought from individuals and organisations who had contributed to the 2021 publication, members of the National Child Protection Guidance Implementation Group and their colleagues, policy leads and organisations with expertise in specific areas. Where necessary, focussed engagement on specific areas was conducted.

The table below shows the updates that have been made, colour-coded and given acronyms as follows based on the significance of the change:

Significant additions or amendments ( SA) that might require a change in practice

New text ( NT) to be aware of

Minor amendments ( MA) or additions to existing sections

Updates ( U) to links/publications

Para 3.15

Para 3.25

Added that an IRD should be held in cases of concerns about exploitation or trafficking, and that decisions not to conduct an IRD must be recorded in writing.

Para 3.45

Para 3.58

Added links to Care and Risk Management ( CARM) and Age of Criminal Responsibility (Scotland) Act ( ACRA) guidance.

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National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland 2021 - updated 2023

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This guidance describes the responsibilities and expectations for all involved in protecting children and will support the care and protection of children.

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Oor Fierce Girls Safe Spaces in Schools animation

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Oor Fierce Girls Safe Spaces in Schools animation

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Speakeasy is a free course which helps parents and carers of children of any age to tackle the difficult and often confusing issues of growing up, sex and relationships. The project provides information, resources and support to help parents/carers to confidently chat about these things at home. It is funded by NHS Tayside and delivered by trained facilitators from various backgrounds including Community Learning & Development and Health.

The primary aims of the Speakeasy programme are to increase positive child/carer communication and to support healthy development of our young people as they grow.

Parents and carers take part in an 8 week groupwork programme where each session lasts 2 hours. They will also receive age appropriate resources to encourage discussions in the home and put learning into practise. Courses are delivered in various locations.

The programme covers:

Week 1: Culture and Messages About Sex

Week 2: What Do Children & Young People Need To Know?

Week 3: Answering Difficult Questions & Helpful Resources

Week 4: Safety

Week 5: The Online World, Young People & Relationships

Week 6: Puberty

Week 7: Contraception & Sexually Transmitted Infections

Week 8: The Role of The School

An additional menu of sessions is also available to those who have already participated in the programme or who are looking after/working with older young people. These cover:

The Adolescent Brain & Risk

Young People & Pornography

Young People, Sex & Technology

LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender)

If you would like to find out more about the Speakeasy project please contact Linzi McKerrecher (Speakeasy Co-ordinator) on linzi.mckerrecher@nhs.scot or on 07920 503897. More information about the project can be found at our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Speakeasy-1651052668445100/?ref=bookmarks

For more information on what we offer read our Newsletter
Speakeasy Newsletter 2017

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Speakeasy is a free course which helps parents and carers of children of any age to tackle the difficult and often confusing issues of growing up, sex and relationships. The project provides information, resources and support to help parents/carers to confidently chat about these things at home.

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GIRFEC Practice Profile for Health and Education Professionals holding the Named Person Function

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GIRFEC Practice Profile for Health and Education Professionals holding the Named Person Function

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Staged intervention in Dundee - Team around the Child Framework

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Staged intervention in Dundee - Team around the Child Framework

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Brené Brown: Focus on guilt instead of shame

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The Importance of the health visitor baby clinic - Podcast

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The Importance of the health visitor baby clinic - Podcast

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Listen to our new iHV podcast. Alison Morton, iHV's CEO, talks to Dilys Daws, the leading child psychotherapist and author of 'Standing next to the weighing scales'. Dilys is credited with changing the way that practitioners work now, "bringing the baby into the room" and influencing national policy on infant mental health.

What is the purpose of the health visitor baby clinic? Do we really need them? Are they just about baby weighing?

We can think of no one better than Dilys to help us answer these questions.

Dilys' work is as relevant today as it was in 1985 when Dilys started to write about her observations. As health visitors, we face a constant tension between the drive for so-called efficiency and the importance of not losing sight of the overarching 'purpose' of health visiting - to search for health needs and to prevent, identify and support families with problems early, to avoid them reaching crisis point.

To listen to the podcast, click on the arrow in the image below or on the link below:

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Listen to our new iHV podcast. Alison Morton, iHV's CEO, talks to Dilys Daws, the leading child psychotherapist and author of 'Standing next to the weighing scales'. Dilys is credited with changing the way that practitioners work now, "bringing the baby into the room" and influencing national policy on infant mental health.

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Sexual Health and Relationships guidelines for supporting People with Learning Disabilities

Making Choices Keeping Safe (MCKS): Guidelines for those caring for people with learning disabilities around relationships and sexual health.

View the latest Making Choices Keeping Safe guidelines launched in May 2016. These can be printed for use and can be shared widely with colleagues and peers.

MCKS has been developed in response to the needs of people with learning disabilities and provides professionals with best practice guidance around discussing sexual health and relationships. It has been written in wide consultation with, and with input from, people with learning disabilities, their families and carers.

The guidance aims to ensure that young people and adults with learning disabilities have access to timely, appropriate support, advice and information as required.

It provides staff with an informative and supportive framework which clearly illustrates staff members' roles and responsibilities and how to respond in more specific areas of relationships and sexual health work.

If you would like to comment on the MKCS document and it's contents please contact:- Ashleigh.Corry@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

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Making Choices Keeping Safe - Learning Disabilities

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Sexual Health and Relationships guidelines for supporting People with Learning Disabilities Making Choices Keeping Safe (MCKS): Guidelines for those caring for people with learning disabilities around relationships and sexual health. View the latest Making Choices Keeping Safe guidelines launched in May 2016. These can be printed for use and can be shared widely with colleagues and peers.

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Children, young people and domestic abuse: impact, support and recovery

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Children, young people and domestic abuse: impact, support and recovery

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Amazon.com: Trauma and Recovery: 9780465061716: Herman, Judith Lewis: Books

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Dundee Young People Intel Briefing Jan-March 2024

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The following paper has been produced as part of the Dundee Violence Against Women Partnership's (DVAWP) Young People (YP) Intel Group. The multiagency group consists of professionals from across the

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Dundee Young People Intel Briefing 1 (Quarter 3)

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'Whiplash-induced' head injuries in infants were first described in the 1970s by American paediatric radiologist John Caffey. He used the term 'whiplash shaken infant syndrome' to describe this form of abuse and this led to shaking becoming recognised as a cause of brain injury in infants.

While Caffey identified shaking as the main cause of brain injuries in the cases he studied, research has since concluded that forceful contact to a baby's head also causes the injuries associated with 'shaken baby syndrome'. So, while Caffey identified that the rapid movement of 'shaking' a baby can cause harm, the term 'shaken baby syndrome' itself doesn't prompt professionals to think about other causes of injuries, such as hitting, slamming, striking, throwing and crushing.

Why shouldn't we use 'shaken baby syndrome'?

Using the term 'shaken' to describe infants experiencing head injuries is misleading. It focuses on one action and limits professional thinking around the other potential causes of a head injury in an infant.

'Shaken baby syndrome' also has a negative reputation from its use in the media where it became sensationalised through cases that came into the public eye. On a practical level, this negative media representation and the stigmas around the term can make it difficult for parents to talk about the subject with professionals. The emotive words can also be distressing and distracting for professionals and overshadow effective conversation around ensuring parents understand how vulnerable new babies are.

What is a more helpful way for professionals to talk to each other about the subject?

Babies do have accidents that can result in injury. However, it is important for professionals to be able to identify when these injuries are a result of deliberate actions.

When babies are injured due to be being hit, shaken or thrown, the term 'non-accidental head injury (NAHI)' more accurately reflects the nature of the abuse experienced. The NSPCC uses the term NAHI, however other services may use 'abusive head trauma (AHT)'. Both are widely used terms amongst professionals. Using 'non-accidental head injury' instead of 'shaken baby syndrome' to describe an incident of deliberate head trauma can be useful for communication between professionals and agencies. It focuses on the impact to the child by making it clear that the injury wasn't an accident and prompts professionals to think about the potential risks posed by the adults around the child.

Working with parents

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (the Panel) identified in their national review Safeguarding children under 1 year old from non-accidental injury, that some parent and carers with additional struggles, such as experiencing poor mental health, can find it harder to manage their own emotions and behaviours around their infant crying. Professionals need to recognise that the struggles parents and carers have around coping with crying can be a trigger for behaviours that may result in non-accidental head injury.

Working with parents on handling their baby safely and managing stressors is important. It can reduce the actions or behaviours that may result in deliberate head injury to their babies. However, non-accidental head injury can be a really tough subject to talk about and using terms like 'shaken baby syndrome' or 'NAHI' can alienate parents and carers. Stepping away from using labels and being able to use non-judgmental language can help parents and carers to think, and open up, about the challenges they are facing and the support they need.

It is helpful to frame conversations about NAHI with parents around recognising their triggers and equipping them with the tools to cope, rather than focusing on the potential harm they could cause their baby. If parents have the tools and support to manage stress they may feel less overwhelmed and can better care for their baby.
> Learn more about NAHI with our Preventing non-accidental head injury training References

Lazoritz, S. and Baldwin, S. (1997) The whiplash shaken infant syndrome: has Caffey's syndrome changed or have we changed his syndrome? Child Abuse & Neglect 12(10): 1009-1014. Spencer Greeley, S. (2015) Storr, W. (2017) Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) (2021) BMJ Best Practice (2023) Cindy, W. et al. (2009) Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (2021) Barr, R.G. (2012) Barr, R.G. (2012)
Lazoritz, S. and Baldwin, S. (1997) The whiplash shaken infant syndrome: has Caffey's syndrome changed or have we changed his syndrome? Child Abuse & Neglect 12(10): 1009-1014.

Abusive head trauma: a review of the evidence base. American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), 204(5): online. Dykes, L. (1986) The whiplash shaken infant syndrome: what has been learned? Child Abuse & Neglect, 10: 211-221.

'We believe you harmed your child': the war over shaken baby convictions. [Accessed 14/09/2023].
Non accidental head injury cases (NAHI, formerly referred to as shaken baby syndrome [SBS]) - prosecution approach. [Accessed 14/09/2023].
Abusive head trauma in infants and young children. [Accessed 14/09/2023].
Abusive head trauma in infants and children. American Academy of Pediatrics, 123(5): 1409-1411.
The myth of invisible men: safeguarding children under 1 from non-accidental injury caused by male carers. [Accessed 14/09/2023].
Preventing abusive head trauma resulting from a failure of normal interaction between infants and their caregivers. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 109(2): 17294-17301. Preventing abusive head trauma resulting from a failure of normal interaction between infants and their caregivers. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 109(2): 17294-17301.

Key points

The term 'shaken baby syndrome' is outdated and doesn't cover the other causes of non-accidental head injury in infants and young children. There is a stigma of violence and blame around the term, both from the words themselves and the use of the term in the media.

Using 'non-accidental head injury' helps professionals identify other actions that may result in non-accidental head injury and think about the wider safeguarding context around the injury.

The context around an infant harmed or killed due to a non-accidental head injury can be complex. Working with parents on handling their baby safely and managing stressors can reduce the risks of behaviours that may result in deliberate head injury to their babies.

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Using 'non-accidental head injury' and not 'shaken baby syndrome' | NSPCC Learning

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Exploring the history, impact and implications for practice around the term 'shaken baby syndrome' and the alternatives professionals can use.

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* We first called for online safety regulation in April 2017. We sent Freedom of Information requests and asked for data on recorded offences of Sexual Communication with a Child offences ( Communicating Indecently with a Child in Scotland) from all UK police forces since the offence was introduced in 2017 (see timeline below for further details).

* Over the six-year period data from the 42 police forces in England, Wales Scotland and Northern Ireland, excluding British Transport Police, shows there were 33,959 offences recorded.

* In 2022/23 6,350 offences were recorded (42 forces), up 82% from the 3,492 recorded by the same 42 forces in 2017/18.

* Police forces were asked for a gender breakdown. They gave a gender breakdown in 21,890 instances. This means at least 21,000 victims were identified. Where a victim's gender was known, 17,844 were female and 3,764 were male, meaning girls made up 83% of known victim gender.

* Police forces were asked for the social media platforms used to commit offences (the means of communication). The means of communication was provided in 13,975 instances. Snapchat was used in 3,692 instances (26%), Facebook/Facebook Messenger in 2,132 (15%), Instagram in 3,593 (26%) and WhatsApp in 890 (6%).

* A recorded offence could involve more than one victim and multiple means of communication.

* In total 150 different social media sites, apps, games, dating sites and websites were flagged by police as involved in Sexual Communication with a Child offences.

* Some police forces used a key word search to identify the means of communication.

Online Safety Bill Timeline:

2014 - We launched a campaign calling for a new offence to make online grooming a crime, by making it illegal for an adult to send a child a sexual message. 50,000 people signed our petition

2015 - The government included the offence in the Sexual Offences Act 2015, but it took two more years of sustained campaigning before they finally brought the offence into force so police could take action and arrest offenders

2017
2018 2019

April - Sexual Communication with a Child became an offence. We first called on the government to bring in statutory regulation of social networks

December - We call for tech companies to have a legal duty of care to keep children safe

2020

February - Taming the Wild West Web was published outlining a plan for regulation

April - The government publishes the Online Harms White Paper

2021

January - Online Harms paving bill, prepared by the Carnegie Trust and introduced by Lord McNally, was selected for its first reading in the Lords

February - Government publish initial consultation to the Online Harms White Paper, announcing Ofcom as the likely watchdog

September - NSPCC sets out six tests for the Online Harms Bill in its Regulatory Framework

December - Government published its Online Harms White Paper consultation response

2022

March - NSPCC analysis of the consultation response found significant improvement is needed in a third of areas of proposed legislation if the Online Safety Bill is to extensively protect children from avoidable harm and abuse

May - Government publishes draft Online Safety Bill

September - Parliamentary scrutiny begins, and the NSPCC publish Duty to Protect - An assessment of the draft Online Safety Bill against the NSPCC's six tests for protecting children

October - Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen gives evidence to the Joint Committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill

December - The joint committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill call for a number of changes to the legislation to better prevent child abuse

2023

January - DCMS Committee back NSPCC's call for the Online Safety Bill to put a legal duty on tech firms to disrupt the way offenders game social media design features to organise around material that facilitates abuse. The Petitions Committee also called for the Online Safety Bill to be strengthened.

March - NSPCC urge Government to listen to the overwhelming consensus of Parliamentarians, civil society and the UK public to close significant gaps in the way Online Safety Bill responds to grooming. The Government publishes the Online Safety Bill

April - Online Safety Bill has its Second Reading and NSPCC publish its Time to Act report which sets out where the Bill can be improved to become a world-leading response to the online child abuse threat

May - Online Safety Bill Committee Stage begins

July - Online Safety Bill Report Stage debates

Summer - Online Safety Bill delayed by two changes to Prime Minister

September Inquest into the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell finds social media contributed to her death

December Online Safety Bill returns to Parliament. Bereaved Families for Online Safety formed to campaign for strong protections for children and families through the Online Safety Bill

January - Conservative MP rebellion backs NSPCC amendment that forces Government to commit to holding senior tech managers liable for harm to children. Online Safety Bill begins its journey through the House of Lords

Spring - Government amendments strengthen protections for children following campaigning by civil society, including NSPCC and Bereaved Families for Online Safety

September - Online Safety Bill due its Third Reading in the House of Lords and to return to Parliament for final passage

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82% rise in online grooming crimes against children in the last 5 years

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We are urging MPs and tech companies to back the Online Safety Bill following new research on the scale of online grooming.

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Trauma and Supporting those living with Learning Difficulties

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Trauma and Supporting those living with Learning Difficulties

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Once for NES : Learning Disabilities | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

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Once for Scotland : Learning Disabilities

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Please refer to the page sub-headings to direct you to your topic of interest. Selecting each heading will direct you to relevant resources and information to help enhance your knowledge and skills for supporting adults with learning disabilities, their families, and carers.

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NSPCC Supporting people to take down nudes shared online

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NSPCC Supporting people to take down nudes shared online

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Supporting young people to report nudes images: Report Remove | NSPCC Learning

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Learn more about how professionals can help young people under 18 use the Report Remove tool to see if nude or semi-nude images and videos that have been shared online can be taken down.

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Risks and Uncertainties in Child Protection Work

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Risks and Uncertainties in Child Protection Work

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Working with uncertainty and risk in children’s social care: Video learning resources | Research in Practice

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Series of seven videos by Professor Eileen Munro discussing the factors examined that can support or hinder good practice and decision making.

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Home - Self-Harm Network Scotland Penumbra

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What is self-harm? Self-harm is any non-accidental behaviour which causes, or has the potential to cause, harm to a person. Self-harm is where someone hurts themselves as a way of coping with difficult, distressing or overwhelming feelings or experiences. While we know that self-harm and suicide are linked, we also know that self-harm is often [...]

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This module is for staff in schools and social work teams and will be most useful for those in key roles such as Young Carer Co-ordinator and those responsible for Young Carer Statements.

For those in broader roles, the module will give you a valuable overview of support for young carers.
Take the course

We can help you:

Find the right information.

Provide advice and support on a one to one or group basis.

Carers

Workforce

Learning

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Supporting Young Carers | Carers of Dundee

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This module is for staff in schools and social work teams and will be most useful for those in key roles such as Young Carer Co-ordinator and those responsible for Young Carer Statements, For those in broader roles, the module will give you a valuable overview of support for young carers.

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Hidden in Plain Sight - Solutions to Protecting Teenagers from Exploitation and Harm :: Celcis

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In this CPD accredited recorded webinar, we heard from Anne Longfield CBE, Chair of the Commission on Young Lives, which reported in England last November with a national action plan and recommendations to support vulnerable teenagers to succeed and to protect them from adversity, exploitation and h…

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What protects people from very deep poverty, and what makes it more likely?

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Hardship is intensifying in our country. Around 6 million people face very deep poverty[i], nearly 1.5 million more than 20 years ago. This should concern us all, as going without essentials like enough food or warmth and facing the stress and anxiety of how to make ends meet harms people’s physical…

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Child Protection and Domestic Abuse: What new research tells us about thinking and doing things differently :: Celcis

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In this webinar we heard from Professor Brigid Featherstone, University of Huddersfield, and Professor Kate Morris, University of Sheffield where we explored new work to inform and advance responses to those who are being harmed and those who harm, to help and support children and their families.