This episode looks at the Child Safeguarding Practice Review published by Lambeth Safeguarding Children Partnership into Mara’s experiences. This review was initiated due to suspected child sexual exploitation (CSE) of a 15-year-old girl in November 2022. Mara was found with two adult males after going missing from foster care. Mara also alleged physical and sexual assault from her foster carers. Mara has a genetic condition, atypical autism and additional needs. Learning themes include:-Information sharing and multi-agency safeguarding responses -Confusion around processes (ensuring Section 47 processes are not absorbed into other processes) -The difference between strategy meetings and professional meetings-Ensuring all relevant parties are invited to meetings and minutes are clearly recorded and stored-Lack of suitable emergency and specialist provision -Deprivation of Liberty – see Ofsted Guidance: Placing children: deprivation of liberty orders, Research In Practice: Deprivation of Liberty and 16 and 17 year olds, -Voice of the child-Missed opportunities where interventions and support don’t meet the needs of the child
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Episode 13: Learning from Operation ACORNE
Operation ACORNE was a large scale and complex multi-agency investigation into child sexual abuse in the Gloucestershire area. It developed over several years and encompassed a number of children and adults, from four families who were within a tightly controlled family network that included family friends. This episode looks at the subsequent findings from the review published by Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership. Learning themes include:-Quality of Risk Assessment & Decision Making-Giving too much weight to criminal prosecution over safeguarding action-Including the children's views and experiences in decision making processes-Quality of partnership working-The impact of budgetary cuts-Professional challenge & escalation-Understanding of Harmful Sexual Behaviour & wider Child Sexual Abuse
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Episode 12: Alfie Steele - Learning from his murder
In February 2021, Alfie Steele was murdered at his home in Droitwich after being subject to months of abuse. His mother and her partner were subsequently found responsible and are currently serving jail time. Following his death, Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership completed a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review.Learning themes include:-Responding when a new partner joins a family –Unseen Men-Domestic Abuse & Coercive Control and recognising when this is NOT present-How realistic are expectations we put in place for children and families?-Confirmation bias and fixed thinking-Adults of concern who don’t meet the threshold for public protection meetings-The effectiveness of the Core Group process-Responding to physical abuse-The over-reliance on children telling us what is happening to them-Response to concerns from community members
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Episode 11: Learning from George and Oliver’s Story
George and Oliver were both under the age of 13 when emergency services were called to a life threatening incident at their family home. Fortunately, both children managed to get to safety. The Police immediately suspected that their father was responsible, and he had fled from the scene. He was subsequently apprehended and remanded into custody and is now serving a lengthy prison sentence. This podcast episode covers the findings of the review published by Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership. Learning themes include:- Working with families where there is domestic abuse, coercive control and alienating behaviours- Assessing parental mental health in the context of Private Law Proceedings- Practitioners understanding of private law proceedings/information sharing and the impact on the children- Risk assessments in relation to significant information and changing circumstances which may impact the safety of children.- Assessing the children’s lived experiences
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Episode 10: Child X and Y: ‘No one saw this coming, everyone trusted him, didn’t they?
This episode looks at the review carried out by Mid & West Wales following the sexual abuse of two adolescent boys by their foster carer. Child Y disclosed the abuse in April 2020. Child X disclosed the abuse in March 2021. Adult Z was found guilty of the sexual assault of Child Y, but not guilty of the charges in respect to Child X. Both children had been subject to significant adverse childhood experiences prior to their placements with the foster carer. Learning themes include:-Not assuming that past trauma always explains or mitigate a behaviour or expressed concern when a child is in care-Think the unthinkable, believe the unbelievable and imagine the unimaginable- Understanding how recording in a certain way and using particular language and terms can feed into building a narrative of the child-Hypothesis or confirmation bias-Proactive management and matching of placements, of assessments of risk, and analysis of incidents or events and their implications- Robust and clear records and the importance of Quality Assurance - The importance of effective IROs- Effective foster carer reviews including calling early reviews when necessary
According to the NSPCC, on average, at least one child a week is killed in the UK. Many more suffer significant harm. This podcast goes beyond the headlines and brings you the findings of the subsequent reviews that are published following these tragic events. Whether you are a professional working with children and young people or an interested member of the community, this podcast will encourage Reflection and Improvement towards Safeguarding Excellence (R.I.S.E)
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