News: 21 May 2025
Research in Practice – Raising awareness of mental health in older children
During Mental Health Week, Research in Practice have issued a number of ‘open access’ resources for practitioners working with children transitioning from children’s to adults services and also specifically care leavers. These include a series of podcasts which feature good practice, learning from research and input from young people and also a blog exploring the mental health needs of care leavers. Access via the link below:
Working Together to Safeguard Children – Children and Young People’s Illustrated Guide
The Department for Education (DfE) has recently published a new children and young people’s illustrated guide to the statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children has been published today. This guide is accompanied by a short animation for children and young people which explains how people who help, support and protect them work together and what they can expect when they need help. Government has worked in collaboration with children and young people when designing these materials, including the DfE’s Social Care Advisory Board, facilitated by the National Children’s Bureau. We know that children and young people find clear effective communication really important and that they want information to be shared openly with them, so they can understand what services they should receive and how they can access help and support. The guide and animation can be used by children and young people independently, or with the support of an adult.
Children with Disabilities Protocol
We have published a new multi-agency Children with Disabilities Protocol, as agreed at the RSCP meeting on 28 April.
Foster Carer Fortnight – 12 – 25 May 2025 – Foster for Redbridge
Redbridge Council foster carers describe what it is like being a Foster Carer as part of the Foster Care Fortnight campaign, The Power of Relationships – check out the short film on YouTube.
If you could care for a child in need of fostering and would like to join our fostering community, please call us on 020 8708 6068 or join us on our next virtual information session. Visit the Local Authority dedicated page on fostering. #FCF25
Multi-Agency Referral Form for Safeguarding Children – Now Online!
As of 14 April 2025, the LBR Children and Families Service referral form for children is now on-line.
The form can be accessed via the Local Authority website (link below):
The form is for professionals only. Referrals from the general public should continue to be made via the telephone (020 8708 3885, Monday – Friday, 09:00 – 17:00; or, 0208708 5897, Evenings, Weekends and Public Holidays).
The attached document provides some guidance and FAQs which accompany the launch of the new form.
If you want to provide general feedback on the new on-line referral process, please email RedbridgeSCP@redbridge.gov.uk (not case information) or join one of our monthly multi-agency Thresholds and Referrals Meetings.
7 Minute Briefing – Professional Curiosity
Below is the link to our newly published 7 Minute Briefing on Professional Curiosity. This has been developed by the Redbridge Safeguarding Adult Board (RSAB) following on from learning from a number of Safeguarding Adult Reviews but it is equally applicable for children.