Redbridge local safeguarding children board

News:    22 August 2025

Home Alone

The NSPCC has published a news story on children being left home alone during the summer holidays. New data from the NSPCC Helpline shows that between 2024 and 2025, there were 6,719 contacts where concerns about a child being left home alone or unsupervised were mentioned, with July and August featuring a high number of contacts. The news story includes practical guidance and advice for parents and carers considering leaving a child unsupervised at home.

Keep young people safe online this summer

With the summer holidays in full swing and children and young people spending more time online, Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP), MI5, and the National Crime Agency (NCA) are urging parents and carers to talk to children and young people about online safety.

Online offenders may take advantage of the school holidays to target youngsters as support is often less readily available. While parental controls on devices and apps are important, they’re not enough on their own. Children need to be equipped with the knowledge and confidence to recognise harmful content and know what to do when they encounter it.

What can you do?

  • Start the conversation: Ask them what they’re doing online and who they’re talking to
  • Use trusted resources: Visit Internet Matters for age-specific advice tailored to the apps your child uses and the issues you’re concerned about
  • Get support: If you’re worried someone may be heading down a dangerous path, visit ACT Early for guidance and help
  • Report harmful content: If you come across extremist or terrorist material online, report it on the GOV.UK website

Let’s help keep young people safe and informed this summer.

Reminder – Contact with Local Authority

this is a reminder that professionals wishing to make a safeguarding referral, request for information or services, or a notification to contact LBR Children’s Services that the on-line portal:

DfE Out-of-School Settings Safeguarding:  Call for evidence

The Department for Education is calling for evidence to help shape future safeguarding policy for the Out-of-School Settings (OOSS) sector.  This diverse sector includes providers such as tuition centres, sports and arts clubs, youth group, holiday activities and faith-based education settings.  It seeks your input on:

  • Existing safeguarding practices in OOSS
  • Potential options to strengthen safeguarding across the sector

To support future policy development, this call for evidence also seeks insights into:

  • How parents, carers, and organisations currently assure themselves
  • Challenges to providing consistent safeguarding practices
  • Further support or action needed to improve safety in OOSS

Your input will help inform reforms to improve safeguarding in OOSS, help ensure that children attend safe and trusted settings, and give parents and carers confidence that they are choosing safe settings for their children.  The questionnaire can be accessed via this link and the consultation closes on 21 August 2025.

Redbridge SCP Newsletter

The Summer Edition of our newsletter is now available to view as a webpage via the link below:

If you would prefer to receive this, and other information on safeguarding direct, please complete our short Contact Us on-line form.

CSA Centre Webinars

The CSA Centre are again offering a series of free webinars for professionals to help build confidence in working with children and families where there have been concerns about sexual abuse.    Bookings can be made via the links below: