Professionals
Working with children, young people and their families is an important role in our city. The Newcastle Safeguarding Children Partnership wants to be able to provide some advice, information about local services which can provide support and links to national organisations providing a range of information we believe will be helpful.
Local Area Designated Officer
What is the LADO: The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) is the person who should be notified when it has been alleged that a person who works with children has:
- Behaved in a way which has harmed, or may have harmed a child.
- Possibly committed an offence against or related to a child
- Behaved towards a child in a way that indicates she or he may pose a risk of harm to children
- Behaved, or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children
The Local Authority Designed Officer for Newcastle is Melanie Scott based in the Multi Agency Screening Hub (MASH) at Allendale Road, Byker, Newcastle NE6 2SZ Tel: 0191 2772500 and E-Mail: lado@newcastle.gov.uk
NSCP Resources for Practitioners:
Local Learning
The NSCP identifies local learning from rapid reviews, case file audits and other multi-agency approaches to learning and and development. Locally produced resources sharing the learning are available for practitioners.
Stay Close - Sleep Apart
Raising awareness regarding minimising the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in babies and the increased risks of out of routine sleeping arrangements.
National Learning
The NSCP promotes national learning, policies and best practice guidance regarding safeguarding. Links to key developments can be viewed alongside local responses and resources linked to key national learning .
Working Together to Safeguard Children
Child protection is part of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and is defined for the purpose of this guidance as activity that is undertaken to protect specific children who are suspected to be suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm. This includes harm that occurs inside or outside the home, including online. Effective safeguarding means practitioners should understand and be sensitive to factors, including economic and social circumstances and ethnicity, which can impact children and families’ lives.
Nothing is more important than children’s welfare. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving home. Children who need help and protection deserve high quality and effective support. This requires individuals, agencies, and organisations to be clear about their own and each other’s roles and responsibilities, and how they work together.
Providing help and support to meet the needs of children as soon as problems emerge
Protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online
Preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
Ensuring that all children grow up in circumstances that are consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
Promoting the upbringing of children with birth parents, or family network whenever it is possible
Take action to enable children to have the best outcomes in line with the Children’s Social Care Framework.
Children’s Social Care
In December 2023 the Government published a range of new guidance relating to Children’s Social Care, Child Protection, Early Help, Kinship Care and Data. The NSCP has produced a guide to outline some of the key updates as well as a video providing additional context.
Working Together to Safeguard Children
In June 2024 the NSCP welcomed Deborah MacMillan from the Department of Education to deliver a focused overview of the new Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) updates. A recording of this session and slides are available, click on the images below.
Newcastle and Gateshead Joint Procedure
The Newcastle Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP) and Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership (GSCP) have produced a joint Learning and Improvement Reviewing Pack. This provides a standardised approach to learning across both local authority areas. This practice guidance should be read by Safeguarding Partners, and all agencies involved in the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements (MASA). The Reviewing Pack includes information on:
Serious Child Safeguarding Incident Notifications
Child Safeguarding Practice Rapid Review Pathway
Notification of a Death of a Child in Care or Care Leaver
Options for Learning
Supporting Documents
Glossary of Abbreviations
This framework and guidance have been endorsed by the safeguarding partners and will be reviewed and updated to reflect changes in national guidance and emerging good practice.
The NSCP and GSCP have produced a Reviewing Pack, a Practitioner Guide and a Recorded Briefing to support practitioners.
Resources and Pack
Development Day: Safeguarding in Education
On Tuesday the 21st of November 2023 the Newcastle Safeguarding Children Partnership held a development session at the Civic Centre, and over 90 delegates attended to explore how schools can be effective strategic partners in the response and development of safeguarding in Newcastle.
At the development sessions we heard from a range of partners regarding the important role that education plays in the welfare and safeguarding of children and young people in Newcastle.
Sessions focused on the educational landscape of Newcastle, including the challenges and strengths we face, including updates on Educational Neglect, Mental Health and Offensive Weapon Carrying Protocols. Over 90 delegates attended the event
We believe that working closely with partners in education is essential to the positive development of safeguarding children and young people in Newcastle. We are committed to sharing the tools and resources practitioners are using and raising awareness about the work of partners in developing practice. Whether you missed the session or simply want to revisit the content then we hope you will find this information, including presentation slides, and additional materials useful in the development of your partnership working.
Thank you for visiting, and we hope you find our website to be a valuable resource.
Mark Quinn – NSCB Business Manager
Presentations
Please take the time to read through the material delivered at the session from partners including Children and Young Person’s Service (CYPS), Education, School Health, RISE and the Violence Reduction Unit.