Efforts to combat child abuse and child sexual exploitation have traditionally taken a reactionary – rather than preventative – approach. But in the wake of scandals across the country, councils and organisations are redesigning child protection to try to identify and address risks before they escalate.
A change of process at Rochdale borough council means that young people have more time to build a relationship with their social worker before sharing any personal or sensitive information. In Newcastle, children’s and adults’ social care have been brought together under one directorate to support people throughout their life.
But safe environments for children and young people can only be ensured when agencies work together, argues David N Jones of the Association of Independent Local Safeguarding Children Board Chairs. Local-level partnerships – between social care and health services, schools, and voluntary and community groups – are often most effective in supporting vulnerable children and tackling risk at its root.
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Panel
Jenny Coles, chair of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services’ families, communities and young people policy committee and director of children’s services at Hertfordshire county council
Yvalia Febrer, senior lecturer in social work, Kingston University
John Brownlow, project lead, Together for Childhood, NSPCC
Ewen Weir, director of people, Newcastle city council
Anna Glinski, practice improvement adviser, Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse
Steve Kay, director of children’s services, North East Lincolnshire council
Nicola Boyce, social pedagogy trainer, St Christopher’s
Source: TheGuardian