lscp

Working with Children

Anti-Racist Practice

What is Anti-Racist Practice?

It involves proactively identifying, challenging, and changing the values, structures, policies, and behaviors that perpetuate racial inequities.

When working with children, this means:

Recognising and valuing the diverse racial and cultural identities of every child.
Addressing biases - both implicit and explicit - that may influence our expectations, language, or disciplinary actions.
Creating inclusive learning and care environments that reflect and affirm the lives of children from all backgrounds.
Listening to and amplifying the voices of children and families from communities experiencing racial inequality.

Adultification Bias

Adultification is a form of bias where children are viewed and treated as older than they are. It can happen to children of any age and shapes how they are protected and safeguarded. It can result in children’s rights being overlooked (Listen Up, 2025).

Children may be perceived as being more ‘streetwise’, more ‘grown up’, less innocent and less vulnerable than other children. Adultification can impact any child but it disproportionately affects Black children, who might be viewed primarily as a threat rather than as a child who needs support (Davis 2022; Davis and Marsh, 2020; Georgetown Law Center on Poverty and Inequality, 2019).

Adultification strips children of the right to be children. It exposes them to unfair treatment and can have long-term effects on their mental health, education, and self-worth.

Our colleagues at the Essex Safeguarding Children Board produced a really helpful podcast with a multi-agency group of professionals exploring the topic of adultification which includes an open and honest discussion about how adultification bias affects safeguarding professionals and impacting positive change within organisations. You can listen to the podcast below:

Further Resources and Reading Material:

Eastern Region Anti-Racist Pledge

Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review - Child Q (CHSCP)

Race, Racism and Safeguarding Children - Child Safegaurding Practice Review Panel Report (March 2025)

Adultification bias within Child Protection and Safeguarding report

Cultural Genograms

https://listenupresearch.org/

Brighter Futures

Brighter Futures Vision

The Brighter Futures vision is to promote the wellbeing and resilience of families with children from conception to 18. For children with additional needs, support continues until they are 25 as we work with adult services to ensure a smooth transition for help and support into adulthood.

This vision will be achieved by empowering and supporting children and families wherever possible to help themselves, using universal and community-based services in the first instance. When more specialist help is needed we will support families by offering the right service, at the right time, by professionals with a range of skills to prevent escalation of need.

In Thurrock, we are using a whole range of professionals who work with children, young people and their families to deliver the Brighter Futures Strategy, meaning that we will work together to ensure services are co-ordinated, accessible and where possible, local.

Full details of the Brighter Futures Strategy can be found by clicking the link below:

Brighter Futures Strategy 2021-2026

Child Death Reviews

Child Death Review Process

The Child Death Overview Panel is responsible for reviewing the deaths of any children normally resident in Southend, Essex and Thurrock local authority areas, whether from natural, unnatural, known or unknown causes, at home, in hospital or in the community.

The purpose of the review is to:

Reduce the number of childhood deaths.
Identify matters of concern affecting the safety and welfare of children.
Identify wider public health or safety concerns arising from a particular death or from a pattern of deaths.
Undertake a co-ordinated agency response to all unexpected deaths of children.

Further information can be found in the documents below:

Notification of a child death

Any agency becoming aware of:

a child death occurring in Southend, Essex or Thurrock
a death of a child normally resident in Southend, Essex or Thurrock occurring elsewhere

should make a notification to the SET Child Death Review Manager via their nominated Child Death Review lead.

To make the notification, please follow the link below to complete the Notification Form within 24 hours.

Notification Form link

If you have any problems with submitting a notification via the above link please contact the Child Death Review Team by email: tpa-tr.SET-CDR-RRT@nhs.net or by telephone: 01279 357996.

Further Information

Further information on Child Death Reviews can be found here: Child Death Review search on www.gov.uk
National Child Mortality Database - Safety Notices

Essex Fire and Essex Police Joint Education Team

Established in 2016, the Joint Education Team is a collaborative initiative by Essex Fire and Essex Police aimed at delivering impactful lessons and assemblies in schools across the county. The team also extends its reach through outreach sessions for individuals not engaged in formal education, ensuring that essential safety and community awareness messages are accessible to all.

The team is supported by six dedicated Education Officers who cover the regions of Essex, Southend, and Thurrock. Their expertise ensures that safety and community awareness messages are tailored effectively to diverse audiences throughout the county.

To find out about the sessions that they offer and how to book, please visit the Education Visit Booking Form provided in their current schools and outreach catalogue which you can find below:

ECFRS Education Programme Catalogue 2025

Essex Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) - Oakwood Place

Oakwood Place SARC offers a comprehensive service for adults and children in Essex who have experienced sexual violence or sexual abuse. Clients can access Oakwood Place via the Police and other professionals, as well as via the self-referral pathway (booking an appointment at the SARC, without police involvement).

At the SARC, individuals will be offered support and guidance, a medical assessment/treatment, a forensic examination and the opportunity of aftercare referrals for support services. Clients will be offered these services based on their individual needs and can choose to use as much or as little of the service as they wish.

For more information regarding what services the SARC can offer visit their website, linked below:

Oakwood Place - Essex SARC

Firearms and Gun Licences - SET Advice for Practitioners

This advice has been developed as a direct result of a joint Domestic Homicide Review (DHR) and Safeguarding Adults Review (SAR) which highlighted the risk around the lawful possession of firearms and sharing of information. It covers guidance on what to do if there is a legally owned firearm in the household and there is an adult with deteriorating mental health or children.

You can access the guidance via the link below:

Firearms advice for practitioners PDF

Graded Care Profile 2

Graded Care Profile

Neglect is the most common form of abuse and an adverse childhood experience. We know that children who experience Neglect may go onto experience long term negative effects on their health, well-being and life opportunities. We want to improve outcomes for children experiencing Neglect in Thurrock by intervening as early as possible.

As part of our approach to working with children and families, the NSPCC's Graded Care Profile 2 is being introduced across the wider Partnership.

What is the Graded Care Profile 2 tool?

Thurrock is using the NSPCC's Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2) as a tool for assessing the ability of parents/carers to meet children's needs. The GCP2 is an evidence-based assessment tool that measures the quality of care provided to an individual child over a specific period of time. It is designed as an objective tool which focuses on measuring the quality of care received by the child. The tool is child-focused as it specifically addresses whether or not the child's developmental needs in each area are being met, to what extent and whether this is consistent.

Graded Care Profile

How can it be used?

The tool can assist you to understand the willingness and ability of the parent/carer to meet the child’s developmental needs. Within the Graded Care Profile 2 there are five grades of care on a scale from positive to negative. The tool uses a scaling measurement of the level of care between 1 (best) or 5 (worst) and this scaling is based on direct observation of the extent to which the needs of a child are currently being met. The scoring applies to the areas of care that relate to particular developmental needs of children based on Maslow’s principles:-

Physical care
Care of safety
Emotional care (love and belonging), and
Developmental care (care of esteem)

It is widely recognised that the level of care provided by parents to children can fluctuate over time. Therefore, this tool is useful as it can measure parenting at a specific time and then can be reviewed to ascertain whether there has been any changes over time.

The GCP2 tool was intended to be a helpful tool when assessing neglect and helps to promote resilience within families by focusing on the 'instinctive parenting strength' within the social-environmental context, as well as seeking the family's own understanding of how the child's needs are being met.

Can you use this tool?

In order to carry out Graded Care Profile 2 assessments, you are required to attend a full day of training. There will be a number of sessions provided in Thurrock to train practitioners to use this assessment tool, to better understand and respond to children who are experiencing Neglect. GCP2 training sessions can be booked via this link: Graded Care Profile 2 - Training Dates

Useful Information

GCP2 - Information Sheet

We also have a video introducing GCP2 to agencies:-

Managing Allegations against Adults in a position of trust who work with children - LADO

Children can become victims of abuse and exploitation by those who work with them in any setting. They have been found to be vulnerable in all organisational settings including social care, education, health care, the leisure industry and in faith communities.

Section 7 of the SET procedures, for allegations against staff or volunteers who work with children, is based on the framework for dealing with allegations made against an adult who works with children and should be followed by all organisations providing services for children and young people.

Compliance with these procedures will help to ensure that allegations are dealt with consistently and in a timely manner; that a thorough, proportionate and fair process is followed and that processes are open to challenge.

Arrangements for managing concerns or allegations of this nature should be robust and effective in keeping children safe. All allegations should be taken seriously, approached with an open mind, and not be driven by preconceived opinions about whether a child has or has not been harmed.

Role of the Thurrock LADO

The LADO deals with cases where there is a concern or allegation against an adult who works with children. It may be that the person either:

Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child
Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child
Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they 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

By law, unitary local authorities like Thurrock have a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who is involved in the management and oversight of individual cases. The LADO does not investigate cases but they do:

give advice and guidance to employers and voluntary organisations
work closely with the police and other agencies
monitor cases to make sure that they are dealt with as quickly, thoroughly and fairly as possible

Allegations against employees must be reported to:

a senior manager in the organisation immediately
the LADO within 1 working day

More information on the role of the LADO, the referral process and how to contact them can be found here: Thurrock LADO Information document - 2024

Making a LADO Referral

Make a referral to the Thurrock LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) if there are concerns/allegations that an adult working or volunteering with children has or may have harmed a child, may have committed a criminal offence related to a child or has behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children.

In order to deal with your request please complete the referral form in the initial instance (Referral Form link: /assets/1/managing_allegations_referral_form.docx) and return to LADO@thurrock.gov.uk.

The working hours for the LADO service are Monday to Thursday 09.00 – 17.30 and Friday 09.00 – 16.30. Any emails received in this time will be dealt with as soon as possible.

If your email is outside of these hours it will be dealt with at the earliest opportunity the following working day.

If the LADO is not in the office, your email will be read and dealt with by those covering the role.

During working hours, if you need to speak to someone urgently in relation to the LADO role (allegations regarding someone who works with children) please call the LADO Mobile 07762 406606 and leave a message if the phone is not answered immediately.

During working hours, for Child Protection concerns regarding a child please call Thurrock MASH on 01375 652802 or via email on thurrockmash@thurrock.gov.uk

For emergencies out of these hours, please contact the Emergency Duty Service on 01375 372468.

Neglect Toolkit

Thurrock LSCP were pleased to launch the Neglect Toolkit at our conference in April 2023.

A digital version of this is available below:

Introduction from Chair of Thurrock LSCP Neglect Group

Day in my Life

What a child needs

Neglect Prompts

Neglect Prompts

Neglect Screening Tool

Screening Tool

Safer Sleep for Professionals - SUDI Practice Tool

A thematic review of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) in Southend, Essex and Thurrock has led to the development of the SUDI Practice Tool. This tool is available for practitioners across all agencies to use.

The intention of the SUDI Practice Tool is to prompt curious conversations by all professionals in contact with families with young infants, to facilitate a non-judgemental discussion about their choice of sleeping environment, and to tailor advice and support to their individual circumstances.

The guidance is based on the Lullaby Trust recommendations for best practice and is intended to support current practice and risk assessment. You can access the guidance using the link below:

SUDI Practice Tool (2024 update)

Training

Thurrock LSCP offer an E-Learning course on Safer Sleeping for Babies - Reducing the Risk of SIDS - if you would like to learn more about the course, or to apply, please click here.

Should you have any additional questions about the advice, the research or anything else then please do contact the Lullaby Trust as detailed below:

info@lullabytrust.org.uk
0808 802 6869

Resources

The Lullaby Trust have a wide range of resources including safer sleep guides for professionals and parents and a safer sleep product checklist. You can find all their resources via the links below:

The Lullaby Trust - Resources for Professionals

The Lullaby Trust Baby Safety Resources

Signs of Safety

The Signs of Safety (SOS) Approach

Thurrock has adopted Signs of Safety as their way of working with families because it is helping to support them to achieve the type of service that children, young people, parents and carers have told them they want. Best practice is child-focused, solution-orientated, respectful and inclusive of families.

Signs of Safety was developed in child protection services, so this is the umbrella term that is used for the approach. When using Signs of Safety within different services it is adapted to those situations and it is known as:

Signs of Wellbeing at prevention and early help (CAF)
Signs of Safety at child in need and child protection
Signs of Stability for work with cared for children and young people and care leavers

Signs of Safety Framework

What's working well?
What are we worried about?
What needs to happen?

Safety/Wellbeing Scale – After completing what is working well, what we are worried about and what needs to happen, family members and agencies are asked on a scale of 0 to 10 where they rate the situation right now.

Danger/Worry Statements & Safety/Wellbeing Goals - These are compiled with agencies and families to clearly state what the current risks are and what it will look like for the children to be safe. They are used to help shift thinking from the future we worry about to the future we want to create.

Core Principles

Signs of Safety for Thurrock means:

we listen to what the children say
we place high value on the quality of relationships we have with families, carers and each other
we think critically and never assume we have all the answers
we work with families collaboratively to help them find their own solutions
we use plain language that families can readily understand
we balance optimism with curiosity so that we assess risk rigorously

Children and Young People

We use Signs of Safety to help children and young people talk about things that go well in their family as well as things that worry them. We try to use different methods to help children tell us how we can keep them safe.

Further Information and Resources

The Role of the Lead Professional

To support Partners in their role as Lead Professional, the LSCP Business Team has produced a guidance document. We hope you find the below information and document helpful.

Who is the best person to be a Lead Professional?

Depending on the needs of the family and the threshold for the intervention, the Lead Professional should ideally be someone who is already working with the child, young person or their parents and knows them well, or is about to get involved and play a major role in supporting them. The best person to take this role is usually agreed at the Team Around the Family (TAF) meeting.

Expectations of the Lead Professional

Makes sure that there is clear and agreed communication with children, young people and families.
Helps to put one clear plan in place wherein families' views are central.
Checks to make sure progress is being made in a timely manner.
Keeps families involved, informed and shares progress.
Makes sure that others involved in the plan are clear about their responsibilities.
Ensure any risks are identified and addressed.

Key Functions

The Lead Professional role has four core functions:-

Act as a single point of contact for the child, young person or family.
Co-ordinate the delivery of the solution focused actions, and to ensure that progress is reviewed regularly.
Reduce overlap and inconsistency in the services received.
Supports improved outcomes for the child, young person or family.

A Lead Professional is accountable to their own agency for their delivery of the Lead Professional functions. They are not responsible or accountable for the actions of other practitioners or services.

For more information, please refer to the leaflet below.

The Role of the Lead Professional

Thurrock Common Assessment Framework (CAF)

Introduction

The majority of children and young people enjoy their lives and develop satisfactorily with the support of universal services (such as the usual health and education services). From time to time however they may require help from a single agency for a specific issue or from a range of agencies if the issues are more complex.

Within Thurrock the Multi-Agency Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is designed to support children and young people by focusing on early help for them and their families through the delivery of services and support to meet identified needs.

The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is a method of assessment used across all children's services/agencies both locally and nationally. A CAF is used to assess what help and support a child or young person may need.

The CAF will help to ensure early identification of needs, reduce the need for multiple assessments and children and families repeatedly "telling their stories" to coordinate the delivery of services.

If at any stage, you are worried that a child or young person is suffering, or is at risk of suffering, significant harm then you should contact Thurrock Children's Social Care for advice.

Children with Additional Needs

The CAF is a tool to help identify those children with additional needs before these escalate into more serious concerns. This might include situations where there are issues with:

Disruptive or anti-social behavior
Involvement in, or risk from, offending
Overt parental conflict or a lack of parental support/boundaries
Disengagement from education or training
Poor school attendance
Repeated fixed term or permanent exclusion from school
Special educational needs
Disability
Poor nutrition or ill health
Substance misuse
Poor emotional or mental health
Housing
Pregnancy and parenthood
Domestic violence

Who will undertake the CAF?

The CAF will be used by a range or staff working with children. It is anticipated that most will be undertaken by those working in universal services; schools, nurseries, various health settings, community and voluntary agencies.

When is a CAF not appropriate?

In the majority of cases children and young people make satisfactory progress with the support of universal services. From time to time they may require help from a single agency for a specific issue. Referral to a single agency does not require a CAF to be completed.

All referrals to both Social Care and the Prevention and Support Service (PASS) go through the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) as a single front door.

Once you have completed the CAF form with the information you have available please send the details to thurrockmash@thurrock.gov.uk

Thurrock CAF Referral Form

CAF Training for Practitioners

If you would like to learn more about how to make a CAF referral Thurrock LSCP offer free training sessions facilitated by our MASH colleagues. Please visit the link below to book:

CAF Training Dates - Booking

Working Together to Safeguard Children - statutory guidance

This guidance covers:

The legislative requirements that apply to individuals, organisations and agencies.
A framework for the three local safeguarding partners (the local authority, an ICB for an area, any part of which falls within the local authority area, and the Chief Constable for police for a police area, any part of which falls within the local authority area) to make arrangements to work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of local children, including identifying and responding to their needs.
The framework for the two child death review partners (the local authority and any ICB for an area, any part of which falls within the local authority area) to make arrangements to review all deaths of children normally resident in the local area, and if they consider it appropriate, for those not normally resident in the area.

You can find a link to the most recent update below:

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023

An illustrated guide to use with children and young people has also now been produced. You can access the document via the link below:

Working Together to Safeguard Children: An Illustrated Guide

Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews

Introduction to Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews

INTRODUCTION TO SAFEGUARDING REVIEWS

Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews

Thurrock LSCP are committed to supporting practitioners and organisations to improve practice and achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people within the Borough.

Reviewing professional practice allows for identification of learning and best practice. Reviews can range from case audits through to Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews – formally known as Serious Case Reviews under the previous safeguarding arrangements. However, the purpose is the same, to identify how to achieve the best outcomes for children and young people.

Working Together 2018 has clarified revised statutory requirements and is explicit regarding the purpose of Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews:-

Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews

Whilst the responsibility for learning from Serious Child Safeguarding incidents lies at a national level with the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel (formerly The National Panel), at a local level, it is the local safeguarding partners who are responsible for making arrangements to identify and review serious child safeguarding cases and to ensure that the learning is shared appropriately.

Current Reviews

Published Reviews

It is the normal expectation that the review reports will be published on the Thurrock LSCP website. If there is a valid reason why it is considered inappropriate to publish, any information about the improvements that are made following the review, will still be shared.

All independent reviews have scrutinised the actions/learning points of all agencies and organisations that had involvement with the family, additionally the LSCP has been working with agencies to ensure that learning improvements are made.

Thematic Review into Serious Youth Violence and Gang Related Activity

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) have undertaken a Thematic Review into Serious Youth Violence and Gang Related Activity. This published report focused on identifying any emerging issues in this area and what work is in place to support and protect children and young people at risk of serious youth violence and gang related activity.

Thematic Learning Report

Ashley and Shae Review - Learning for non-accidental injuries in babies under 1

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) have undertaken a review into the circumstances surrounding “Ashley and Shae” cases. Both relate to children under 1 (one was aged 7 weeks and the other 9 months) who sustained non-accidental injuries in the end of 2019 and beginning of 2020. The Learning and Recommendations highlight learning for health professionals as well as multi-agency professionals.

LHR Ashley and Shae Learning

LPR Leo

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) have been undertaking a Learning Practice Review into the circumstances surrounding the support and services provided to a young people, in this report known as Leo, and his family.

LPR Leo Report

SCR Frankie

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) have been undertaking a Serious Case Review into the circumstances surrounding “Frankie” a 15-year old Thurrock teenager who was murdered in London in June 2018. The review highlights learning for professionals as well as acknowledges the efforts made by key practitioners.

pdf icon SCR Frankie

SCR Sam and Kyle

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) have been undertaking a Serious Case Review into the circumstances surrounding the support and service provision to two young children, to be called “Sam and Kyle”.

pdf icon SCR Sam and Kyle

National Reviews

The National Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel will undertake reviews were the following criteria has been met:-

Highlights or may highlight improvements needed to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, including where those improvements have been previously identified,
Raises or may raise issues requiring legislative change or changes to guidance under or further to any enactment,
Highlights or may highlight themes in the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children.

Two reviews have been published and Thurrock LSCP are currently looking at both these reports to identify learning for Thurrock.

pdf icon "It was hard to escape"

pdf icon Safeguarding children at risk from sudden unexpected infant death

Policies and Procedures

Overview

As a statutory body, the LSCP has a requirement to meet certain procedural expectations. In order to achieve this there are a number of policies, procedures and protocols in place to ensure that it meets both national, regional and local expectations.

This section of the website is predominately for professionals and agencies that work within the safeguarding arena, so they are able to monitor the work of the LSCP. It also provides to the community the opportunity to see some of the inner workings of the LSCP and be a supportive observer.

Third Party Acknowledgement

Thurrock LSCP respect and acknowledge the rights of partner organisations for recognition of reports and documents either directly linked or forming a part of the content of this website. Where possible we will endorse or acknowledge individual organisations content in this section.

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/2/

SET Procedures

Updated SET Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures - 2025

We are currently in the process of moving to web enabled Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures and anticipate they will go live in January 2026. In the interim we have updated the current procedures.

The SET (Southend, Essex and Thurrock) Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures have been updated to reflect current practice and changes in legislation. The main changes to note are the following:

Procedures updated in line with changes to Working Together 2023 (updated Dec 2023)
References to Keeping Children Safe in Education updated to 2024
Changing Clinical Commissioning groups to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs)
Links and references have been updated

Please see the link below for the documents:

SET Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures - 2025

SET Procedure Amendments & Update Summary - 2025

When do the updated procedures come into effect?

The new procedures come into effect from Tuesday 1 July 2025. Please disregard any previous versions you may have.

We encourage all professionals or volunteers working with children and young people to familiarise themselves with the updated content: it’s important to be comfortable with following the processes and understand what actions you need to take in various situations.

These procedures are a reference document, and we expect that you will refer to specific sections, rather than read it cover-to-cover.

SET Protocol for Management of Suspicious Unexplained Injuries or Bruising in Children

Please see the link below to the most recent update of this document:

SET Protocol Management of Suspicious Unexplained Injuries or Bruising in Children - 2025

SET Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Flowcharts

Please see links below for the SET Multi-Agency and Health FGM Flowchart. It provides professionals working across SET the guidance to respond appropriately to concerns regarding FGM:

SET Health FGM Flowchart

SET Multi-Agency FGM Flowchart

SET Guidance - Presentation of Concealed, Denied and Late Booking of Pregnancies

Please see a link below to the most recent version of this guidance:

SET Concealed, Denied and Late Booking of Pregnancies policy (2024)

SET Police Protection Protocol

Please see a link below to the most recent version of this document:

SET Police Protection Protocol (2017)

Please be aware that this document is currently under review.

SET Child Exploitation Screening Framework

The SET Child Exploitation Screening Framework provides local pathway guidance for professionals to identify key child exploitation risk factors present for the child and what further support services are available. Please see a link below to the document:

SET Partnership Child Exploitation Pathway

Thurrock LSCP Learning and Improvement Framework

You can find our Learning & Improvement Framework below:

Thurrock LSCP Leaning and Improvement Framework

Thurrock LSCP Pathway to Service and Threshold Intervention

Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance asks partners to publish a threshold document setting out the local criteria for action in a way that is transparent, accessible and easily understood.

This document is for everyone who works with children and young people and their families in Thurrock. It is about the way we can work together, share information and put the child, young person and their family at the centre of our practice, providing effective support to help them solve problems and find solutions at an early stage to prevent problems escalating. It sets out how we approach the difficult task of keeping children and young people safe and protected from harm.

You will find a link to the document below, which has been written with multi-agency involvement and consultation.

Pathway to Service and Threshold Intervention - 2025-2027

Thurrock LSCP Escalation Policy

This policy aims to support positive resolution of professional difference between agencies working with children and families in Thurrock. The protocol offers a pathway to support practitioners using the Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) Procedures. You can access the policy by clicking on the link below:

Thurrock LSCP Escalation Policy (2020)

Eastern Region Anti-Racist Practice Pledge

The Eastern Region Anti-Racist Practice Pledge has been adopted by Thurrock LSCP. This is not intended to replace any pledges or statements that individual agencies already have, but to outline the expectation from Partnership level and enhance what is already being done. The document can be found here:

Eastern Region Anti-Racist Practice Pledge

Safeguarding Topics

Drugs and Alcohol

Drugs

Most young people will come into contact with some form or drugs at some point during their life. The majority of teenagers make the decision not to take them but if they do it can be for a number of reasons:-

Rebellion;
Peer pressure; or
Curiosity

As a parent/carer it is a good idea to fully understand the facts around drugs. Talk openly with your child about drugs and the risks and different effects that they have, this could help them feel more comfortable and confident about making the right choices both now and in the future.

Legal Highs

What are these you may ask. Legal Highs are psychoactive drugs that contain various chemical ingredients, some of which are illegal while others are not. They produce similar effects to illegal drugs like cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.

These are sold in a variety of forms:-

powder;
pills;
liquids;
capsules; to name just a few examples.

The main difference is that they are not controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Although the mimic the effects of illegal drugs, they are chemically and structurally different enough to avoid being officially classed as illegal substances.

One of the biggest problems is that little research has gone into their effects, especially over the longer term. However, if they produce similar psychological effects as cocaine, ecstasy or cannabis, they are also likely to carry similar risks and may some will have new risks that are not known about yet.

Alcohol

Children can be drawn into alcohol even if their first experience of it is unpleasant. They may not like the taste or the feeling of being drunk but often they continue to drink.

It is important for them to understand the risks of underage drinking and evidence shows that meaningful conversations between parents and their children help the child develop a sensible relationship with alcohol.

For advice, tips and facts please look at the Parent Guide to talking to Children by clicking:-

Where can I go for support

Domestic Abuse

Every child deserves a safe and secure home, however around 1 in 5 children have been exposed to domestic abuse and witnessing this can have long-term effects on children and young people.

So what is domestic abuse?

Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behavior between people in a relationship. This can seriously harm children and young people and witnessing domestic abuse is child abuse.

It is important to remember that domestic abuse:-

can happen inside and outside the home
can happen in any relationship and can continue even after the relationship has ended
both men and women can be abused or abusers
can happen over the phone, on the internet and on social networking sites.

For more information on the types, effects and signs of domestic abuse please visit:-

Where can I get help?

To make a disclosure of domestic abuse for either yourself or someone else, please contact:-

Essex Police Domestic Abuse Central Referral Unit on 101 extension 180340
Essex Police Domestic Abuse - non emergency number - 0800 358 0351

Or visit:-

Further information and support

For Female Victims of Domestic Abuse:-

For Male Victims of Domestic Abuse:-

For Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT+) victims

Disability Support Groups

For perpetrators of domestic abuse

Tutoring

Are you thinking of employing a private tutor or coach?

Parents and carers may seek private tuition for their child for a variety of reasons:-

to help with their school work and improve their grades;
develop their language skills;
to learn a musical instrument or be accompanied on a musical instrument; or
other extracurricular activity (eg sports coaching, drama).

Most private tutors and tuition centers advertise in local papers and on the internet and it is the responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure the tutor is appropriately qualified and safe to work with children or the tuition center has undertaken the necessary safeguarding checks.

Some simple steps/checks that you can undertake are:-

Always interview the tutor and be satisfied that they answer your questions fully
Ask to see personal references and ensure you contact them to confirm the referees
Ask to see their qualification certificates
Ask to see their CV or employment record
If the tutor is a qualified teacher ask to see a copy of the tutors Teaching Agency Registration and a copy of their DBS (Criminal Record Check)

Remember - Any tutor that is mindful and aware of current expectations towards safeguarding children should have no objection to any of these checks or arrangements. Do not feel that you are acting unreasonably to expect this and you should not accept arrangements you are not happy with.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

What is Child Sexual Exploitation?

CSE is when an abuser manipulates, coerces or forces a child or young person into performing sexual acts.

Abusers are usually older males, but they can sometimes be of a similar age or be female. They are very sophisticated in the way they operate, meaning what they do is well thought out and planned.

An abuser will know areas to target. They are skilled in approaching children or young people in person or may use a young girl or woman, or boy or girl to make the initial contact. Some use the internet or mobile phones to engage the child or young person.

To do this they may use threats, violence, introduce them to alcohol or drugs and create a dependancy, or make the child/young person feel special through attention or gifts or pretend to be their boyfriend or girlfriend.

They will aim to alienate them from their friends and family - this is referred to as the grooming process.

More information can be found in the CSE Parent Guide which can be downloaded by clicking here

Safer Sleep

Co-sleeping risks

While there is a decreasing trend nationally, there has been a marked rise in the number of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths in recent years in Southend, Essex and Thurrock.

No evidence has been identified to suggest a particular cause for the recent rise but there are certain co-sleeping risk factors, including:

co-sleeping with a regular smoker
co-sleeping on a sofa
co-sleeping after consuming alcohol or drugs
If the baby was born prematurely or had low birth weight

Quick Tips for Safer Sleep

Things you can do

Always place your baby on their back to sleep
Keep your baby smoke free during pregnancy and after birth
Place your baby to sleep in a separate cot of Moses basket in the same room as you for the first six months
Breastfeed your baby
Use a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in good condition

Things to avoid

Never sleep on a sofa or in an armchair with your baby
Do not sleep in the same bed as your baby if you smoke, drink or take drugs or are extremely tired, if your baby was born prematurely or was of low birth-weight
Avoid letting your baby get too hot
Do not cover your baby's face or head while sleeping or use loose bedding.

Additional Advice and Support

If you are a parent or carer of a young child, or know someone that is, you can get support and advice from your midwife or health visitor, so please speak to them if you have any questions, whether this be about safer sleep or other things like getting help to give up smoking, advice on settling your baby and getting rest.

Click on the Unicef logo to find out about their baby-friendly initiative to promote and support breastfeeding and close, loving parent-infant relationships.

Call 0808 802 6869 or click the Lullaby trust logo for Safer Sleep advice, bereavement support and awareness raising.

Resources

Safer Sleep for Babies - a guide for parents

Baby Check booklet

Safer Sleep Advice for Premature Babies booklet

Safer Sleep Product Guide

Online Child Exploitation

This section is aimed at parents/carers. If you are a professional or someone working with children and families please click here. If you are a young person please click here

The 2 Johns Facebook Live - Sunday 16th October 2022 - 7pm

Online Child Exploitation is a growing issue, highlighted even more in recent months during the COVID-19 lockdown period. The internet and social media has become so integral to our daily lives, as we socialise and work online. For children, the internet has become the new classroom and playground. Sadly there are people out there that take advantage of this.

The resources and information on this page aim to help you understand the way your children view the digital work. A work that, to them, is being more and more their reality.

It is important to remember that the victim, the child, is NEVER to blame. Victims are always the victims. Online groomers can be very persuasive and children should never be made to feel they did anything to encourage their exploitation. The best response an adult can provide a child who has been a victim of online exploitation is to comfort them, be supportive and help them address the issues they have encountered.

And of course, it is not just about when things go wrong. You can help your child to stay safe by creating an environment in which they feel able to speak openly about concerns they may have. You can do this my making good internet habits a part of your daily lives by limiting screen time, no devices at dinnertime/bedtime and by taking an active interest in the games that they are playing.

Take a listen to this podcast by The 2 Johns - a general overview of the internet, how we view it, and how our young people are growing up in a world of social media influences.

With thanks to everyone involved in creating materials for this campaign:-

Parents of young children and pre-schoolers

This podcast from The 2 Johns talks about how pre-schoolers and young people view the work through the lens of the internet. There are useful tops about how to develop a health curiosity in children about what they see and do on the internet.

Parents of pre-teens

Parents Did you Know ... the number of children exploited online doubles between the ages of 11 and 12 years old. This means those at the end of primary school, about to enter secondary school are particularly at risk, especially as it is a time when some children begin to enter the world of social media.

The brain development they are going through at this age makes it hard for them to make decisions or plan ahead. They lack the ability to fully understand consequences, or view, anything from someone else's perspective. They get an increased drive for risk taking and trying out new things. They are super sensitive to social status and so they start craving peer approval.

This podcast by Barnardos CARE talks about this in more detail and about the ways parents can help their child navigate their confusing time in their lives. Podcast Transcript

Online Gaming

Parents Did you Know .... the security settings of off game chats are often not as good as those built into the game. Discord is a chat forum used by a lot of gamers and it's important to be aware that strangers can contact your child especially on public or large servers and send inappropriate, mean or sexual content. Find out more about Discord and how to keep your child safe. This video by James Pearson, Violence and Vulnerability Unit is all about gaming. He discusses why parents need to be aware of their child's chat can filter out of the game and onto other platforms and what they need to be discussing with their children to keep their online gaming an enjoyable experience.

CEOP's Thinkuknow has launched Band Runner, an interactive game for 8-10 year olds to help build their knowledge, confidence and skills to stay safe from risks they might encounter online. The game is hosted on the area for 8-10 year olds on the Thinkuknow website.

Internet Matters Online Gaming - The Basics

Inappropriate images/sexting

There is no 'usual' stereotype, any young person could send a nude picture, even your child. Make sure they understand that it is illegal to send nudes, even of themselves. And if it happens, try to understand whether there is peer pressure or grooming involved.

Taking, making, sharing and possessing indecent images and pseudo-photographs (an image made by computer graphics, which appears to be a photograph) of people under 18 is illegal. It does not matter how old they look, looking at indecent images of under 18s is illegal.

The Home Office has published guidance to help young people understand the law on making and sharing indecent images of people under 18 years-old. There are also short films that demonstrate the serious harm that viewing indecent images of children can cause, including the Is She Legal? video.

This podcast by The 2 Johns looks at why and how young people are drawn into taking and sharing inappropriate images. They discuss how both parents and young people may be feeling and how to have an empathetic conversation with your child, as well as practical advice on getting photos removed.

Case Study: Sharing Sexual Imagery Online - A Carers Story

Say no to nudes!

Childline's Zipit App, uses humour to help teenagers deal with unwanted requests for sexual images of themselves. The free app offers young people a gallery of images and animations which they can send in response to requests for sexual pictures and to deal with difficult sexting situations.

Sexting advice for parents - how to have those important conversations with children.

Videos and livestreams

Houseparty exploded in popularity during lock-down, but did you know this is not automatically set to private? That means anyone could video call your child without them having to accept. Make sure your child knows to change their privacy settings. Find out more about Houseparty safety on NetAware.

Livestreaming is becoming a very popular way for young people to broadcast themselves on many different apps, to communicate with their friends or wider community. just as their favorite celebrities and Vloggers do. Make sure your children understand the risks of livestreaming:-

They cannot be edited.
You cannot erase what people have already seen
Personal information might be given away by things said during the stream, things shown on camera or even in the background.
Livestreams can be recorded by others, who can then keep a copy even after the stream has ended or expired.

Find out more about livestreaming and staying safe

Online Bullying

Parents, Did You Know ... just under half of those being investigated for exploiting others online are children and most are the same age as the victim. If you are worried your child might have been a victim there is more information on how to get help on our bullying page.

This online bullying podcast looks at the pressure from social media and the impact this has on young people. The 2 Johns talk about how parents can create a relationship with their child that encourages them to tell them about these issues and the support available.

Fake Content

Deepfakes are swiftly proving the old adage that "seeing is believing" is no longer necessarily true. They can put inflammatory words into the mouths of politicians and transplant Hollywood A-listers into X-rated movies. But more recently, deepfakes are moving beyond the celebrity bubble and into the lives of ordinary members of the public - fueling offences such as revenge porn and extortion.

National Online Safety have some useful guidance for parents about Deepfakes and online safety in general.

All About Apps

NSPCC's NetAware has lots of information on how to make your child's social media secure and a detailed description of the most popular apps, sites and games. This printable guide from the Children's Society also has a list of the most popular sites and apps.

Conversation Starters

"What's your favorite game? Can I play?"

"Can you show me your favorite TikTok dance/YouTube video?"

"Have you got online friends? How do you know who they are?"

"What do you think is ok for a child your age to be going?" (So they feel involved in the decision making)

Showing an interest in your child's online life will help them feel they are able to come to you with any concerns they may have.

NSPCC - Talking about online safety

Safer Internet - Talking about online safety

Parental Controls and security settings

Parents and carers should be ensuring the settings of apps and online games that their children use are set to private, with location settings turned off, to restrict the ways in which they could potentially be targeted by perpetrators. Many apps are public facing automatically, and have to be manually set to 'private'.

You can use parental controls to help you block or filter the content your child sees when searching online. Parental controls are also available to help you to:-

plan what time of day your child can go online and how long for
stop them from downloading apps they are too young for
manage the content different members of the family can see

It is important to bear in mind that children and young people can potentially have access to the internet anywhere, not just at home. There are wifi hotspots, internet cafes, friends houses and of course mobile data available 24/7. So, whilst parental controls are useful, the most important thing you can do is have an open and inquisitive relationship with your child about their online interests.

Find out more about setting up Parental Controls

Criminal Exploitation

Criminal Exploitation

Criminal Exploitation included gang crime and county lines. A gang may claim control over territory in a community, and engaging either individually or collectively in violent behaviour or other types of criminal activity. County lines is when gangs and organised crime networks groom and exploit children to sell drugs. They may make them travel across counties, and they use dedicated mobile phone 'lines' to supply drugs. Young people who are being criminally exploited often use public transport (train, buses and taxis) to get around. Read more below about our campaign to raise awareness of safeguarding on public transport.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Young People on Public Transport (Operation Henderson Campaign)

Operation Henderson, is a joint initiative being run by the Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership, Essex Safeguarding Children Board, Southend Safeguarding Children Partnership, British Transport Police, Essex Police, the Violence and Vulnerability Unit, Rail Operators, local councils and The Children's Society. It aims to raise awareness of the vulnerability of young people to exploitation and abuse at stations and transport networks in parts of Essex.

Research and local data have shown transport networks are used by vulnerable young people who may be at risk of exploitation, criminal exploitation and trafficking. Young people often gravitate towards stations because they are traditionally busy, anonymous places that also provide some form of shelter and access to food and drinks. A young person may use a station or form of public transport in an attempt to disappear. Bus and rail networks can also be used by offenders to traffic young people for the purpose of sexual and criminal exploitation.

Despite local restrictions, research has shown that young people vulnerable to exploitation are just as likely to be using trains, buses and taxis as they were prior to COVID. A young person travelling on their own during a lockdown is in fact an indicator of potential abuse. They may be unable to stop, for fear of punishment from their exploiters, and during a lockdown less people travelling means young people and their exploiters can travel around unchecked.

Spot the signs of exploitation

Children who are alone and look frightened and maybe have no tickets or money to pay the fare
Children/adults who look frightened in the company of other children or adults
Children travelling along at night
Those who do not look comfortable with adults they are travelling with
Allows others to speak for them when addressed directly
Those under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Children in school uniform during the school day
Their physical appearance may show signs of injury, malnourishment and maybe unkempt
They might seem unfamiliar with the local area, or not have a local accent
They could be travelling during school hours or unusual hours (early in the morning, late at night)
Are they travelling the same route on a regular basis (once or twice a week)?
They could be receiving excessive texts or phone calls
Are they deliberately avoiding authority figures such as police officers or railway staff?
Some may be with older individuals who are purchasing tickets for them or giving them money for tickets.

Campaign Resources

Report Concerns

The Police - If you have intelligence or wish to report concerns please call 101. If you think a child or young person is in immediate danger always call 999.

British Transport Police can be contacted by phone on 0800 40 50 40 or members of the public can report a crime or an incident that occurred on your train via text on 61016.

Crimestoppers - You can report concerns anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org

Op Henderson

Further Resources

Look Closer Campaign - a joint initiative with The Children's Society and British Transport Police encouraging members of the public to learn the signs of child exploitation and understand how to report it if worried.

Bullying

Is your child being bullied?

Children who are being bullied often find it very difficult to tell anyone, because they believe things will get worse if the child doing the bullying finds out. They can feel ashamed and embarrassed about what is happening and this is what the bully relies on.

There are three widely acknowledged means of bullying:-

Direct physical bullying - pushing, hitting, punching or kicking
Direct verbal bullying - yelling abuse at another, name-calling, insulting someone or using verbal threats
Indirect bullying - this can also be known as social bullying or relational bullying. This could be things like spreading rumors, social exclusion or disclosing another's secret to a third party.

Cyberbullying - this when a person or group or people uses the internet, mobile phones, online games or any other kind of digital technology to threaten, tease, upset or humiliate someone else. You can report any online abuse through the CEOP Website or by clicking on the icon below:-

Further Support and Information

Safe to Play - Safeguarding Children in Sport and Physical Activities

The Safe to Play national campaign is being piloted in Thurrock to focus attention on the vital importance of safeguarding in sports clubs and physical activity providers.

Sports and other physical activities offer great ways for children and young people to develop their skills and confidence as well as having fun, but it comes as quite a surprise to many parents and carers that some may not actually be regulated.

There have been a number of instances, nationally and locally, where inappropriate behaviour and abuse has been perpetrated by adults in a position of trust within the area of sport.

To take part in our parents and carers consultation survey, please click here

We know that there are many sports clubs and physical activity providers that do provide an excellent service to children and young people and adhere to safeguarding guidelines. We want to see all providers across the sporting spectrum making safeguarding a priority, particularly with the increasing local and national media coverage of children being exploited and abused within this field. Thurrock Local Safeguarding Childrens Partnership (LSCP) is committed to protecting children and young people from abuse and exploitation in all its forms, especially through sport and physical activity. The LSCP is launching the ‘Safe to Play’ campaign in partnership with The National Working Group (NWG). There are three main aims of the campaign:

To help and support parents and carers in taking a proactive role in researching the sports or physical activity that they consider for their child,
To support children in raising their awareness of safeguarding, keeping themselves safe and who they can contact of they are concerned
To focus on the responsibilities of the sports clubs or physical activity provider and promote the importance of safeguarding as a priority of all sports clubs and physical activity provider Keeping children’s safety and wellbeing needs at the forefront of everything they do.

What should parents ask providers:

Can I stay to observe the sessions?
Where can I access a copy of your Safeguarding Policy?
Do coaches / sport trainers have an up to date Police Check?
Where can I access a copy of your Health and Safety Policy?
What emergency procedures do you have in place? Suggestion: A bit confusing as to what emergency procedures – perhaps make clearer.
Where can I access a copy of your Code of Conduct for Staff, Volunteers and Children?
Are all staff and volunteers trained in Safeguarding and First Aid?
Who do I speak to if I have any Safeguarding concerns?
Do you have a Safeguarding page on your website, leaflet, or information sheet that I can access?

For further guidance see the Safe After School - Parents Leaflet and the Parent Questions.

What should providers do?

Providers of sport and physical activity should have the relevant safeguarding procedures in place and be able to answer parent’s questions regarding their child's safety even if they are not regulated, to help protect themselves and their business. They should be transparent in sharing this information to parents and make the information readily available to view.

High quality clubs and organisations will always welcome questions about their activities, the safety of their environment and the care of children and young people.

We will be delivering a variety of training sessions to providers and raising awareness workshops with parents and carers. We will also be asking schools to raise awareness with parents and carers in the form of information leaflets for parents to refer to when considering sending their child or young person to an activity. For further guidance see the Safe After School - provider booklet under 'Downloads'.

We would like to thank Rochdale Council LADO for sharing their materials with us in support of raising safeguarding awareness to parents, children and improving practice within the sporting industry.

Information Leaflets

Being a parent, carer or working with children and young people is not always easy. There are many challenges and demands and having some useful advice and information can help. Alongside the information we provide under the safeguarding topics headings, we have also created some information leaflets on safeguarding topics relevant to our children and young people in Thurrock which you can access via the links below:

If you are concerned that a child or young person is being harmed, neglected or is at risk you should contact Thurrock Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01375 652802. Out of hours (Monday to Thursday 17.00 to 09.00, Friday from 17.00 through to 09.00 Monday and public holidays) please call the Emergency Duty Team on 01375 372468. If you are worried that a child is at immediate risk please call 999.

Violence Against Women and Girls - 16 Days of Activism

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence for 2025 takes place from November 25 to December 10. This year's UN Women-led theme is "UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls," which highlights the growing threat of online harassment, image-based abuse, and digital coercive control. The campaign involves various global, national, and local efforts to raise awareness, challenge violence, and promote a safer environment for women and girls both online and offline.

Digital abuse is a form of domestic abuse that uses technology to control, harass, or intimidate.

It can include:

Monitoring your phone or social media
Restricting access to devices or accounts
Sharing or threatening to share private images
Using tracking apps or spyware without consent

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or someone else, COMPASS can guide you to the right support. Call 0330 333 7 444 or visit https://www.essexcompass.org.uk/

Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Board (SETDAB) have useful information and resources linked to digital abuse which can be found by accessing the link below:

https://setdab.org/domestic-digital-stalking/

Campaign Podcasts and Videos

Please see below our podcasts and videos relating to Online Child Exploitation.

Podcasts

A general overview of the internet

Parents of pre-schoolers and young children

Parents of pre-teens

Podcast - taking and sharing inappropriate images

Podcast - Online bullying

Videos

Breck's Last Game

A bad romance: a live Snapchat Story

Spot the signs of an unhealthy relationship

Kayleigh's Love Story

A film about aspects of the last 13 days of the life of 15 year old Kayleigh Haywood. If shown in a cinema this would have a 15 certificate

Is she legal?

Reporting Concerns

You can report online abuse, below are a number of ways that this can be done - please click on the pictures

Alternatively, you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

If you are concerned about a child in Thurrock, call 01375 652802 or 01375 372468 (out of hours)

Water Safety

Water Safety - Be Prepared

Did you know?

Around 85% of accidental drownings occur at open water sites
Drowning is the second largest cause of injury related to death of children aged 0 to 14 years
Nearly 1000 children due each year by drowning and they can drown in less than 2 inches (6 cm) of water
Inflatable vests and arm devices are not effective, instead you should use life vests that are suitable for your children!

The basic principles of open water safety, combined with knowledge and understanding of the hazards, can increase the enjoyment of open water and significantly reduce the number of incidents that occur each year.

The benefits of swimming and dipping in open water are well documented. Not only does being in or on open water allow new adventures, it also has documented benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. All of these hazards can be controlled through proper organisation and planning.

Useful Links

Below are some useful links

Learning Hub

Thurrock LSCP Training Provision

Thurrock LSCP offers a range of safeguarding training opportunities to support agencies working with children.

Our training programme includes face to face courses, virtual courses (via Microsoft Teams), an eLearning package and 7 minute briefings on a number of safeguarding topics, enabling a wide range of learning opportunities.

A small number of the courses provided by the Partnership will incur charges, full details can be found in our Learning and Development Events Charging Policy. This is to ensure that Thurrock LSCP can continue to offer agencies a wide range of multi-agency courses.

Full information on our training programme and where to book can be found by clicking this link or by viewing our Training Brochure

We have also refreshed our Learning and Improvement Framework, this is available by clicking Learning and Improvement Framework

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact the LSCP Business Team on either interagencytraining@thurrock.gov.uk or lscp@thurrock.gov.uk

Training Needs Analysis 2026

Help us to shape our training offer in Thurrock by completing our Training Needs Analysis questionnaires. We have one for practitioners and one for leadership and management. Links to the Microsoft Forms are below:

Questionnaire for Practitioners: https://forms.office.com/e/CfFbFCsGAL
Questionnaire for Leadership and Management: https://forms.office.com/e/59sTFWbeQd

Thank you for your time, it is much appreciated!

Chargeable Courses

Training Event Information

Please note that the courses within this section are Chargeable and full details can be found within the Thurrock LSCP Charging Policy

Can we please ask that when applying for one of the chargeable courses, you include the following information:-

Purchase Order number (if applicable)
Contact details of who the invoice should be sent to, including email address
If the application is from a Thurrock Council employee, details of the relevant cost code for your department/team.

Charges

Below shows the standard charges for our courses, however, for Designated Safeguarding Leads, please refer to the course page which will detail the charge.

	Full Day	Half Day
Safeguarding Partner or Relevant Agency	£50	£30
Private/profit making organisation	£100	£60
Voluntary/Charity/Community	£25	£15

Designated Safeguarding Leads Initial Training - 2 Day Course

THIS IS A CHARGEABLE COURSE, FURTHER DETAILS ARE BELOW

This course is designed for those who are new to the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for child protection. The course explores the role and the responsibilities of the DSL. This course is suitable for Designed Safeguarding Leads, Senior and Middle Leaders.

Dates

Monday 15th June 2026 and Tuesday 16th June 2026 - 09.00 till 16.00

Monday 21st September 2026 and Tuesday 22nd September 2026 - 09.00 till 16:00

Thursday 21st January 2027 and Friday 22nd January 2027 - 09.00 till 16.00

Monday 7th June 2027 and Tuesday 8th June 2027 - 09.00 till 16.00

View & Book training

Aims:-

To understand the statutory framework, legislation, policies and procedures to safeguard and promote the welfare of children
To be aware of the full role and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
To consider thresholds, including having an understanding of the definition of significant harm and when and how to make referrals
To be aware of specific safeguarding concerns
To have an understanding of effective safeguarding arrangements for schools and colleges

View & Book training

Additional Information

There will be a charge for attending this training of £90.
If you have been booked onto this training, you will receive an email from the LSCP Business Team providing you with details of how to access the course.

Declaration

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes for this course and I believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
I agree to complete the post course feedback survey which will be sent out within 48 hours of the end of the training sessions and will also complete the follow up survey six weeks later. I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my Certificate of Attendance.
I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.

View & Book training

Designated Safeguarding Leads Refresher Training

THIS IS A CHARGEABLE COURSE, FURTHER DETAILS ARE BELOW

Target Audience:- Designated Safeguarding Leads

Prerequisite training:- Delegates must have completed the 2 Day DSL training

Time:- 09:00 till 16:00

Dates

Thursday 18th June 2026

Thursday 1st October 2026

Tuesday 26th January 2027

Thursday 10th June 2027

Aims:-

To be updated on local and national practices and procedures
To recap tasks relating to the DSL role
To consider the assessment process and referrals through case studies
To have an awareness of current safeguarding concerns and how to address them
To review 'safe working practice' within their current setting and management of allegations
To have an understanding of the lessons learnt from Safeguarding Practice Reviews

View & Book training

Additional Information

There will be a charge for attending this training course of £60.00
If you have been booked onto this training, you will receive an email from the LSCP Business Team providing you with details of how to access the course.

Declaration

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes for this course and I believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
I agree to complete the post course feedback survey which will be sent out within 48 hours of the end of the training sessions and will also complete the follow up survey six weeks later. I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my Certificate of Attendance.
I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.

View & Book training

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Training - Level 2/3

Thursday 11th June 2026 - 09:00 till 16:00

Tuesday 29th September 2026 - 09.00 till 16.00

Thursday 4th February 2027 - 09.00 till 16.00

Monday 14th June 2027 - 09.00 till 16.00

THIS IS A CHARGEABLE COURSE, DETAILS CAN BE FOUND BELOW

View & Book training

Please note that this training will be held via MS Teams

Target Audience: suitable for anyone who works with children and/or their families (non-education staff) such as nurses, social workers, council staff, sports coaches.

Prerequisite training: N/A

Time: Full Day

Aims:

to help professionals and volunteers who work with children and families to understand their child protection responsibilities
To gain an understanding of what is meant by safeguarding and promoting children's welfare
To know how to recognise signs of abuse and neglect, how to respond, report and record concerns.
To consider how to safely work with children
To know what to do if there was a concern about a member of staff or volunteer possibly posing a risk of harm to children
To know what to do if there was a concern about unsafe practice in their place of work

Additional Information

There will be a charge for attending this training, full details can be found in our charging policy
If you have been booked onto this training, you will receive an email from the LSCP Business Team providing you with details of how to access the course.

Declaration

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes for this course and I believe that I will significantly benefit from this training.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
I agree to complete the post course feedback survey which will be sent out within 48 hours of the end of the training sessions and will also complete the follow up survey six weeks later. I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my Certificate of Attendance.
I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Charges:

Safeguarding Partner or Relevant Agency £50

Private/profit making organisation £100

Voluntary/Charity/community £25

Full details of our charging policy can be found by clicking here

DATA PROTECTION

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation 2018, the information provided on this form will be held for the purposes of training and development. This information will be stored securely in electronic format and any original hard copies disposed of as confidential waste. The information will be processed by members of the LSCP Business Team and will be kept in accordance with retention policies. It may be shared with other LSCP members for the purposes of audit and scrutiny.

View & Book training

Safer Recruitment Training

Tuesday 12th May 2026

Thursday 8th October 2026

Tuesday 4th May 2027

via MS Teams - 09.00 till 16.00

This is an accredited course by the Safer Recruitment Consortium

This is a chargeable one day course - the cost is £50 per delegate.

Aims: Based on an understanding of offender behaviour to:

Identify the key features of staff recruitment that help deter or prevent the appointment of unsuitable people
Consider policies and practice that minimise opportunities for abuse or ensure its prompt reporting
Help participants begin to review their policies and practice in recruitment with a view to creating a safer culture

Declaration:-

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria (where applicable) and learning outcomes for this course and I believe that I will significantly benefit from this training.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the work place.
I agree to complete the post course feedback survey which will be sent out within 48 hours of the end of the training sessions and will also complete the follow up survey six weeks later. I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my Certificate of Attendance.
I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Non-Chargeable Courses

Training Event Information

Please click on the relevant links on the side bar to view the details of current programmes and the attendance criteria.

In most cases these programmes are designed to incorporate multi agency attendees in order to gain the maximum learning benefit.

Our programmes are primarily available for those who work with Thurrock Children. On occasions where we have capacity for a wider audience, outside applications will be considered.

This section is regularly changing with new courses being updated. If you do not see a course shown please contact interagencytraining@thurrock.gov.uk for further information.

Please note that whilst these courses are free, failure to attend without five working days notice will result in a £50 cancellation charge. Full details are available within the Thurrock LSCP Learning and Development Events Programme Charging Policy

Child Protection (CP) Conference Training

More dates coming soon....

Delivered at the Civic Offices, New Rd, Grays RM17 6SL

FREE Half Day

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Multi-Agency Signs of Safety Course :-

Preparing for a Child Protection Conference using the Signs of Safety approach.

Who is this course for?

Training for all staff working with the children and young people of Thurrock with an active role in safeguarding

Signs of safety is Thurrock’s Model and Approach used within Children’s Social Care. This has radically changed the way we assess and manage risk and safeguarding of our young people.

All staff working in Children’s Services across the multi-agency partnership who have an active involvement within safeguarding should attend these sessions to learn about the programme, why it is being used and what it means for you.

Aims

You will know your roles and responsibilities

How to prepare for conference

What the parents and children’s expectations of you are

How to write a Danger Statement

What’s goes into a Sign Of Safety Conference report

Please note that whilst this training is free, failure to attend without 5 working days notice will result in a £50 non-attendance fee.

Child Sexual Abuse (Including Sibling Abuse) – Evidencing Our Concerns And How To Respond To Them

Dates: TBC

via MS Teams - 09.30 - 16.00

This free course is for anyone who works with Children and Families who would benefit from being able to recognise, assess/refer and support children who are or are suspected of suffering from child sexual abuse which takes place in the family home. This course includes discussion around sibling abuse as well as looking at the impact of the abuse on all members of the family.

The course aim is that practitioners will be more confident in their safeguarding actions in relation to this challenging area of work and have tools which they can take away to assist them in their work.

To have an understanding of the typology and prevalence of intra-familial child sexual abuse, including sibling abuse
Have considered how attitudes and beliefs around sexual development can have an influence on our ability to safeguard
Have an overview of the legal and statutory guidance as well as local protocols in relation to child sexual abuse.
Have considered the common factors for families where child sexual abuse is a feature
Have learnt to recognise the indicators of CSA including behavioural and physical markers
Have considered the impact of this type of abuse on children, siblings, and parents, both short and long term
Have an awareness of good practice and relevant agencies who can offer support and interventions around for children and families

Training Format

This training is scheduled for a whole day and will follow the below format:-

Prior to the training, you will receive a Teams link to access the training and you will also receive a WeTransfer link which contains the training materials required for the course.
At different points throughout the day, the Trainer will give you time to leave the training session and watch the relevant PowerPoint presentation you received previously – please note that you will need to play this as a slide show as each presentation will contain a video of the Trainer providing a narrative to the presentation. Can we please ask that when you receive the WeTransfer link, that you check that you are able to hear the video for each presentation.
Once you have watched the presentation, you will re-join the training course where further discussions will take place and possibly some work being undertaken in break out rooms.

Common Assessment Framework Early Years Training - Evening Session

Date: 16th July 2026 & 21st January 2027

Time: 18:00pm - 19:30pm

Location: Microsoft Teams

Thurrock LSCP are pleased to offer an evening session for front line practitioners to attend FREE CAF Training. This session is aimed at childminders and nursery providers who struggle to attend during usual working hours as a result of the nature of their jobs. If you are not a childminder/nursery practitioner/early years provider and wish to attend the evening session, please contact ACrumpler@thurrock.gov.uk to ascertain if it is suitable to attend.

This course provides practitioners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate fully in assessment and referral processes using the Thurrock Signs of Safety Framework.

This course will enable you to understand:

What a CAF pre-assessment checklist is and when to use it
The key principles of and background to the CAF
How to undertake a CAF following the Signs of Safety (SoS) practice model
When and when not to undertake the CAF
The main stages in completing a CAF
Identifying what a good CAF assessment looks like
How the CAF interfaces with other assessments
How to use a CAF to inform a specialist assessment

This course is intended all children's workforce practitioners, i.e., all staff who work with children, young people and their families.

Common Assessment Framework Training

Dates: 24th September 2026 & 11th March 2027

13:00pm-16:00pm Via MS Teams

Thurrock LSCP are pleased to offer front line practitioners the opportunity to attend FREE CAF Training.

This course provides practitioners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to participate fully in assessment and referral processes using the Thurrock Signs of Safety Framework.

This course will enable you to understand:

What a CAF pre-assessment checklist is and when to use it
The key principles of and background to the CAF
How to undertake a CAF following the Signs of Safety (SoS) practice model
When and when not to undertake the CAF
The main stages in completing a CAF
Identifying what a good CAF assessment looks like
How the CAF interfaces with other assessments
How to use a CAF to inform a specialist assessment

This course is intended all children's workforce practitioners, i.e., all staff who work with children, young people and their families.

By submitting the application, you agree to the terms and conditions of the below declaration:-

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes and believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning and that I meet the criteria.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
My Line Manager has agreed to me undertaking this training.
I agree to complete initial feedback at the end of this training session and will complete the follow up feedback six weeks later. I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my certificate of attendance, which may affect my compliance to meet any statutory requirements.
I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.
I understand that my details may be securely and confidentially retained by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership for statistical and information purposes only.
For non-chargeable courses, I agree to reimburse Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership for late cancellation or non-attendance, without 5 working days notice.

DATA PROTECTION

Contextual Safeguarding Training - Safeguarding Adolescents Outside Of The Family Home

Dates: TBC

Sessions are from 09.30 till 16.00 and will be held via MS Teams

Thurrock LSCP are pleased to offer practitioners the opportunity to attend our free training in relation to Contextual Safeguarding.

Learning outcomes

Understand the Contextual Safeguarding approach, its history and current position within the safeguarding system
Consider the developmental period of adolescence and types of harm that takes place outside of the family home
Examine the use of these approaches in relation to peer on peer abuse and child exploitation using case studies
Learn from current research and practice examples in implementing this approach
Consider how to apply this approach to our own work
Signpost to further learning and resources

Training Format

This training is scheduled for a whole day and will follow the below format:-

Prior to the training, you will receive a Teams link to access the training and you will also receive a WeTransfer link which contains the training materials required for the course.
At different points throughout the day, the Trainer will give you time to leave the training session and watch the relevant PowerPoint presentation you received previously - please note that you will need to play the presentation as a slide show as each presentation will contain a video of the Trainer providing a narrative to the presentation. Can we please ask that when you receive the WeTransfer link, that you check that you are able to hear the video for each presentation.
Once you have watched the presentation, you will re-join the training course where further discussions will take place and possibly some work being undertaken in breakout rooms.

Added Information:

Your attendance at these sessions will be monitored and noted so that we can record that you have completed this training.

To book onto this training, please click here

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Developing Reflective Practice Skills in One to Ones and Supervision Sessions

5th March 2026

09:30 - 12:30

Via Microsoft Teams

Developing Reflective Practice Skills (useful for anyone who engages in supportive conversations with adults, children, young people and staff)

• Consider the use of value of reflection as a process.
• Discuss how we create psychological safety in order to facilitate reflection.
• Examine different models of reflective.
• Practice using these cycles and consider blocks and barriers to reflection.
• Action plan using tools and resources to take forward.

Please note that whilst this training is free, failure to attend without five working days notice will result in a £50 non attendance fee.

To book onto this course please click on the link below:

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Diversity Matters - Promoting Diversity, Inclusion, Acceptance and Ending LGBTQ+ Bullying

Dates: 7th July 2026, 1st October 2026 & 16th March 2027

Delivered Via MS Teams

Delivered by: Diversity Role Models is a dynamic charity whose vision is a world where everyone embraces diversity and can thrive. Our mission is to promote understanding and acceptance of individual differences and end LGBTQ+ bullying in schools and wider communities. We do this by harnessing the power of storytelling and delivering pioneering educational workshops.

Target Audience: All practitioners working children, young people and families

Course Aim (description): The session will cover knowledge of different identities and experiences in the LGBTQ+ community; multiple identities and communities and protection from discrimination under the Equality Act 2010; fostering good relationships between communities as to create a thriving and safe wider community for everyone; the impact of language, bias, and prejudice on inclusion; how to feel confident and be inclusive in challenging situations; being an upstander and active ally to LGBTQ+ inclusion and inclusion in general, individually and collectively. The session will include open discussion and the lived experience of diverse role models covering the impact of discrimination and the value of allyship, allowing the audience to ask questions to facilitators and members of the community.

Learning Outcomes: Upon completion, participants will feel confident to talk about sexual orientation and gender identity; engage with people from diverse communities and with multiple identities; and recognise and challenge homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic incidents. Participants will have a more in depth understanding of bias and learn how to embed inclusion into their practice.

To Book Please Click Here

Domestic Abuse Conference: Protecting Every Voice and Every Life

Date: Wednesday 22^nd April 2026

Time: 09:30 – 16:30

Venue: Orsett Hall Hotel

Keynote Speakers: Luke Hart and Zoe McKee

Book here: https://www.thurrocklscp.org.uk/events/event/domestic-abuse-conference-protecting-every-voice-and-every-life

Domestic Abuse Workshops - Hosted by Thurrock Council's Domestic Abuse Manager

Fiona Pallett - Thurrock Council's Domestic Abuse Manager and MARAC Operations Manager - will be running workshops on the topic of Domestic Abuse on a bi-monthly basis. Please see below the dates and topics being covered:

9 April 2026 - Risk Assessment and Intervention Planning
11 June 2026 - Direct Work and Safety Plans

All workshops will be held online via Microsoft Teams from 10am-11.30am.

Understanding Perpetrator Behaviour:

This training aims to support professionals working with those impacted by domestic abuse gain knowledge to identify perpetrator typologies, understand the dynamics and risks of domestic abuse, and explore effective engagement strategies. Participants will gain insight into the cycle of abuse and the role of power and control in perpetrating harm.

Understanding Impact on Adult & Child Victims:

This session aims to challenge common myths about domestic abuse, highlights the devastating impact of coercive control, and encourages reflective practice around language and assessment writing. Participants will also explore practical ways to support victims and promote safer outcomes for families impacted by domestic abuse.

Risk Assessment & Intervention Planning:

This practical workshop explores the challenges of assessing domestic abuse, including the influence of complicating factors such as trauma, denial, and minimisation. Participants will learn how to identify and prioritise key information for risk assessments, work through each step using a case example, and translate assessment outcomes into targeted, meaningful intervention plans that support safety and change.

Direct Work & Safety Planning:

This training session focuses on adopting a whole family approach to safety planning, recognising the interconnected needs of victims, children, and perpetrators. Participants will explore practical examples of direct work with families, including tools for engaging children safely, supporting non-abusive parents, and coordinating multi-agency responses. The session will also cover how to assess family dynamics, identify protective factors, and tailor safety plans that reflect the needs of those affected. This session is ideal for practitioners seeking to strengthen their confidence and creativity in working holistically with families impacted by domestic abuse.

Please book on to sessions using the corresponding dates below and a Teams link will be emailed out to you nearer the time.

Gangs, Exploitation and Serious Youth Violence - Session for Practitioners

Via MS Teams - 10:00am - 12:00pm

Dates:

12th March 2026

18th June 2026

10th September 2026

3rd December 2026

Thurrock LSCP are pleased to offer practitioners the chance to attend a free 2-hour training session offering insight to professionals across Thurrock into working effectively with young people at risk of, and involved with gangs, criminal exploitation and serious youth violence.

Gaining awareness of this local and national picture, what is available and all other associated risks - including the importance of working together, information sharing and balancing safeguarding concerns along with managing risk.

Please note that whilst this training is free, failure to attend without five working days notice will result in a £50 non attendance fee.

By submitting the application, you agree to the terms and conditions of the below declaration:-

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes for this course and believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning and that I meet the criteria.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
My Line Manager has agreed to me attending this training.
I agree to complete post course feedback which will be emailed through to me within 48 hours of the end of this training and will also complete the follow up survey six weeks later.
I understand that my details may be securely and confidentially retained by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership for statistical and information purposes only.

Data Protection

Gangs & Child Exploitation in Thurrock - Awareness Session for Parents and Carers

Via MS Teams - 17:30pm till 19.00pm

Dates:

12th March 2026

18th June 2026

10th September 2026

3rd December 2026

Join us for an important session aimed at helping parents and carers understand the risks young people face from gangs and child criminal exploitation. Learn how gangs operate, the signs to look out for, and how children are groomed into criminal activity.

This session will provide practical advice on how to support and protect your child, where to get help, and how to work with professionals to keep young people safe. Empower yourself with knowledge to make a real difference.

Book your place under the date you wish to attend below.

A week before the date of your session, you will be sent through a calendar invite and email containing the MS Teams link

DATA PROTECTION

Graded Care Profile 2 Training

Thurrock LSCP are pleased to offer you the opportunity to attend FREE training in relation to Graded Care Profile 2.

14th May 2026

7th October 2026

14th January 2027

The Graded Care Profile 2 helps Practitioners measure the quality of care being given to a child. It is an assessment tool that helps them to spot anything that is putting that child at risk of harm.

It is important we find children who are at risk of harm as early as possible so we can get them the right help.

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Graded Care Profile 2 shows:-

Strengths
Weaknesses
What needs to be changed

By working out what parents can do better, it is easier for the person working with a family to get them the right support to improve the life of their child.

Practitioners are specially trained to use the tool. They visit families at home to do an assessment, which is a bit like filling in a questionnaire. It is called Graded Care Profile because different aspects of family life are 'graded' on a scale of 1 to 5. Questions are broken down into four areas:-

physical, such as quality of food, clothes and health
safety, such as how safe the home is and if the child knows about things like road safety
love, such as the relationship between the carer and child
esteem, such as if a child is encouraged to learn and if they are praised for doing something good.

Graded Care Profile 2 is designed to be used with families where someone is concerned about the care of a child.

Thurrock LSCP are offering this training to anyone working with children and young people that need to assess neglect.

Please note that whilst this training is free, failure to attend without five working days notice will result in a £50 charge.

By submitting the application you agree to the terms and conditions of the below declaration.

To book onto this training, please click here.

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Declaration

1. I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes for this course and believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning.

2. I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.

3. My Line Manager has agreed to me attending this training.

4. I agree to complete post course feedback at the end of this training session and will complete the follow up survey six weeks later. I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my certificate of attendance, which may affect my compliance to meet any statutory requirements.

5. I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership and, should I be allocated a place, agree to bring the confirmation letter with me on the first day of the course. I understand that my details may be securely and confidentially retained by Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership for statistical and information purposes only.

6. For non-chargeable courses, I agree to reimburse Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership for late cancellation or non-attendance, without five working days notice.

DATA PROTECTION

Managing Stress and Building Resilience – A Course for Multi-Agency Staff

Tuesday 17th March 2026

09.30 till 12.30

via MS Teams

Thurrock LSCP are pleased to offer this free course to client facing staff.

This course has been developed for staff to support understanding and recognition of the impact of stress on wellbeing, including the potential for Vicarious and Secondary Trauma.

Research has shown that there are techniques and strategies we and our organisations can take to increase resilience and wellbeing but also that anyone who works with a potentially traumatized population is at risk of Secondary and Vicarious Trauma.

"Its like walking through water and expecting not to get wet" Rachel Remen

This course will cover

What scientific evidence has taught us about stress in the mind and body
How working with other people's stress and trauma can impact on our own levels of stress
What we mean by the terms Burnout, Secondary Trauma, Vicarious Trauma, Moral Injury
How and why people might experience these states
How we might recognise the symptoms in ourselves and colleagues
What good practice tells us about support for staff, personally and organisationally
Practice techniques to support ourselves to increase our own resilience to stress
How to access the "rest and repair" part of our nervous system

This course will cover both theory and physical practice and will be delivered through a mix of pre recorded material and live sessions in Teams.

Please note that whilst this course is free, failure to attend without five working days notice will result in a £50 non attendance fee.

By submitting the application, you agree to the terms and conditions of the below declaration:-

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes and believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning and that I meet the criteria.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
My Line Manager has agreed to me undertaking this training.
I agree to complete initial feedback at the end of this training session and will complete the follow up feedback six weeks later. I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my certificate of attendance, which may affect my compliance to meet any statutory requirements.
I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.
I understand that my details may be securely and confidentially retained by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership for statistical and information purposes only.
For non-chargeable courses, I agree to reimburse Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership for late cancellation or non-attendance, without 5 working days notice.

Mental Capacity Act Training (MCA)

Date: tbc

Time: 09:30am - 16:00pm

Location: tbc

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is a vitally important piece of legislation, and one that makes a real difference to the lives of people who may lack mental capacity. It empowers people to make decisions for themselves wherever possible and protects people who lack capacity by providing a flexible framework that places individuals at the very heart of the decision-making process. It ensures that they participate as much as possible in any decisions made on their behalf, and that these are made in their best interests.

This MCA applies to people aged 16 and over and this training is specifically aimed at practitioners working with young adults transitioning into Adult Social Care Services. This course is suitable for: All managers and practitioners working with children, adults and families.

Topics covered:

The 5 Principles of the MCA
What is meant by lack of capacity and how to assess capacity
How to make best interest interests decisions
Understanding when to involve Adult Safeguarding Services and the threshold for intervention under s.42 of the Care Act
Protection for those providing care and treatment under the MCA
Restraint and Restriction and when this amounts to a Deprivation of Liberty
Substituted decision making powers, such as AD, LPAs and deputes appointed by the Court of Protection
Understanding when you need to involve an IMCA
Understanding when cases need to go to the Court of Protection and when to seek further advice

Misogyny Session for Parents and Carers

Dates: 21st April 2026

Via Microsoft Teams 18:30pm-19:30pm

The Netflix series Adolescence has sparked important conversations about the challenges young people can face online, including exposure to harmful or unhealthy messages about relationships, identity, and gender.

This informative and supportive session will help parents and carers better understand the digital world young people are growing up in, the types of content they may encounter, and how these influences can shape their views and behaviour.

During the session, we will explore:

How harmful online narratives, including misogyny, can impact young people
The growing role of AI-generated content and how it can influence beliefs and behaviour
Practical guidance on starting open, supportive conversations with young people
Strategies to help children build critical thinking skills and stay safe online
Current online trends and risks parents and carers should be aware of

This session aims to empower parents and carers with knowledge, confidence, and practical tools to support young people in navigating today’s digital landscape safely and positively.

Misogyny Session for Practitioners

Dates: 21st April 2026

Via Microsoft Teams 09:30am - 11:00am

The Netflix series Adolescence sparked national conversation by shining a light on misogyny, incel culture, and the dangers young people face online. This timely session dives into the growing influence of sexist and harmful ideologies among youth—and how these messages are reaching them.

We’ll explore:

The rise of online misogyny and its impact on young minds
Key influencers and content creators shaping these narratives
The counter-narratives we can offer
Practical strategies to challenge sexism in college and the classrooms as well as across the curriculum

This session is for all professionals—because safeguarding and shaping respectful behaviour is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you're working directly with young people, parents or parenting young people at home, this topic affects us all.

Modern Day Slavery and Human Trafficking

Future Dates Coming Soon

10.00 till 12.00

via MS Teams

Thurrock Community Safety Partnership and Thurrock Adults Safeguarding Board are delighted to offer free awareness training on the topic of Modern Day Slavery and Human Trafficking. Delivered by colleagues at Essex Police the training will cover the following:-

Organised Crime Group
Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Overview
Types of exploitation
Signs of exploitation
Victim barriers
National Referral Mechanism/reporting concerns

To book, please click here

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DECLARATION:-

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes for this course and believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning and that I meet the criteria.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
My Line Manager has agreed to me attending this training.
I agree to complete the post course feedback at the end of the training session. I am aware that failure to complete this feedback will result in notification to my Manager and I will not receive my certificate of attendance.
I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership. I also understand that my details may be securely and confidentially retained by Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership for statistical and information purposes only.
For non chargeable courses, I agree to reimburse Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership/Thurrock Community Safety Partnership for late cancellation or non-attendance, without 5 working days notice.

DATA PROTECTION

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Professionals Working with Children and Families From Gypsy and Traveller Communities

Date: tbc

Via Microsoft Teams 10:00am - 12:00pm

Friends, Families and Travellers is a leading national charity that works to end racism and discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people and to protect the right to pursue a nomadic way of life. This training session, focussed on inclusive services, will provide information on what to take into account when working with Gypsy and Traveller families, while covering the rich histories and diverse cultures to provide context. We will examine relevant census data, research and lived experiences to help build a clearer understanding of the communities' needs and challenges. We will also highlight the common structural and societal barriers Gypsy and Traveller individuals face when trying to access essential services. This training will equip you with the tools needed to make your organisation and services more accessible for Gypsies and Travellers.

Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC) Awareness Session

Dates: TBC

Via Microsoft Teams 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Who is the awareness session for?
This session is for anyone who works with parents or families.

What can I expect to learn?
This awareness session offers a glance into the key issues around parental conflict, designed to increase your knowledge, understanding, and confidence when supporting parents. By the end of the session, you will have an awareness of:

The impact of parental conflict on children’s outcomes.
An introduction to Thurrock’s Reducing Parental Conflict videos.

How is the awareness session delivered?
This is a digital awareness session delivered via Microsoft Teams. The session lasts 1.5 hours.

After the awareness session
If you find the reducing parental conflict awareness session useful, we encourage you to book onto the full training for a more in-depth exploration and practical skill-building.

Challenging Myths, Changing Attitudes Workshop

SERICC are offering a free workshop designed for front line workers from any sector, including Social Care, Police, Education and Housing.

Location: South Essex College – in person only

Thursday 5th March 2026

Time: 10am until 4pm

Tea and Coffee will be provided on arrival. We are sorry lunch is not provided

Max on each course: 30

This one day workshop is designed to help you improve your understanding of the issues which “ripple” out from each single incident of sexual violence. No crime, however private or hidden, takes place in a vacuum.

We hope that the workshop will help you feel more confident in dealing with any issues relating to sexual violence and abuse, especially in terms of challenging myths where you hear or see them repeated. It is an active and experiential workshop with activities and exercises which will challenge you in positive ways.

By the end of your workshop we hope that you will have:

a better understanding of who victims/survivors and perpetrators of sexual violence and abuse might be;
deeper knowledge of the many ways any form of sexual violence or abuse can affect all aspects of the victim/survivor’s life and relationships;
working knowledge about the trauma caused by sexual violence and abuse and how it affects the brain, the nervous system and the rest of the victim/survivor’s body;
improved understanding of the various ways victims/survivors learn to cope with those post-trauma symptoms;
stronger conviction that individuals who challenge sexist behaviour (including rape jokes etc) can really make a difference in the world; and
clear knowledge of the specialist services provided by SERICC.

Please note that although the workshop is free, a £50.00 fee will occur if you fail to attend or cancel without 5 working days’ notice.

Booking information can be found here:

https://www.thurrocklscp.org.uk/events/16-days-of-action

Trauma Informed Practice Training

Dates: Wednesday 4th March 2026

Via Microsoft Team 09.30 Till 16.00

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Thurrock LSCP are pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity to undertake FREE Trauma Informed Practice Training.

Here is what some people have said about this course

In this course we will look at

What is trauma and how does that differ to ACES
How do these fear states do to our nervous system and developing brain
What does Trauma Informed Practice mean to the way we work
How do people recover from trauma
What techniques can we use at each stage of recovery to support adults and children along the process.
What are they symptoms of Secondary and Vicarious trauma in staff and how to minimise the risks

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By submitting the application, you agree to the terms and conditions of the below declaration:-

DECLARATION

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes and believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning and that I meet the criteria.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
My Line Manager has agreed to me undertaking this training.
I agree to complete initial feedback at the end of this training session and will complete the follow up survey six weeks later. I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my certificate of attendance, which may affect my compliance to meet any statutory requirements.
I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership.
I understand that my details may be securely and confidentially retained by Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership for statistical and information purposes only.
For non-chargeable courses, I agree to reimburse Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership for late cancellation or non-attendance, without 5 working days notice.

DATA PROTECTION

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E-Learning Training Courses

E-Learning Courses

E-Learning

Thurrock LSCP are pleased to offer a wide range of eLearning courses which are available across the multi-agency partnership.

More information on the details of each course can be found in our eLearning training brochure by clicking here

These eLearning courses are free however, failure to complete them within 30 days from the date of allocation, will result in a £15 charge.

For more information, please refer to the LSCP Learning and Development Events Programme Charging Policy.

To apply for one of the courses, please click the link below.

Once the form has been received by the LSCP Business Team, login details will be sent through to you.

Think Family Approach

Learning from Reviews across Southend, Essex and Thurrock

The Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Boards have noticed a common theme appearing in multiple reviews (Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Safeguarding Adult Reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews) across both the children and adult sectors, and that is the concept of ‘Think Family’.

Think Family

Think Family means securing better outcomes for adults, children and families by coordinating the support and delivery of services from all organisations. When an individual first has contact with any service they should receive a welcome into a system of joined-up support and safeguarding together with coordination between adult and children's services.

In order to achieve this, services working with both adults and children should take into account family circumstances and responsibilities. Families do not exist in isolation, they are part of a wider network and Think Family aims to promote the importance of a whole-family approach, ensuring practitioners work in partnership and collaboration with families recognising and promoting resilience and helping them to build their capabilities.

The Family Network

Families can be complex and could mean many things to different people, for example it could be blood relatives, it could be community, cultural or religious groups or it could be friends. It’s about learning who is involved in an individual’s everyday life and working out the links between the different people, using genograms for example, bearing in mind there may be influential people in the family circle who don’t visit regularly (if they live abroad for example).

Cross-generational issues

Evidence from reviews continue to highlight cross generational issues, including where family relationships and dynamics have been factors. For example:

Families where dementia has changed the family dynamics and family members are struggling to cope
Aging parents unable to continue to care for their vulnerable adult children
Parents trying to support their adult children with significant addiction issues or mental health issues
A domestic abuse victim who attempts to end an abusive relationship, resulting in custody disputes over children. Children can also be victims of domestic abuse.
Stalking behaviours from an ex-partner and consideration of the potential for multiple and secondary victims.

Best practice

Identified areas of best practice include:-

Have an identified lead professional who co-ordinates the agencies involved especially where there are complex needs
Ensure carers are offered appropriate support including recognition that the carer may be caring for multiple family members
Early help may occur at any point in a person's life and should include interventions for emerging issues to support people to achieve the best outcomes for them
Work together, share information and have a mutual respect
Have open and honest communication with the person you are working with and listen to the family

Think Family Resources

To help practitioners better understand the concept of Think Family, we have created a suite of resources which can be used individually or in team meetings/development sessions to enhance the work you do and the outcomes for the people you work with.

Podcast - The Children and Adult Safeguarding Boards across Southend, Essex and Thurrock, alongside the SET Domestic Abuse Board are pleased to launch their first joint podcast - a real multi-agency approach with seven boards represented, featuring:-

Alison Gilmour, Head of the Southend, Essex and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Partnership
Cheryl Gerrard, Associate Designated Nurse Safeguarding (Mid Essex) Safeguarding Team
Louise McSpadden, Safeguarding Service Manager for Essex County Council
Ruth Murdock, Strategic Lead, Quality Assurance in Thurrock Children's Services

The podcast covers the concept of Think Family, what reviews have taught us and what good practice looks like. It can be accessed by clicking here. Also available is a transcript of the podcast, which can be accessed by clicking here

Partner websites

Information can be found on all Board/Partnership websites as follows:-

www.escb.co.uk

www.safeguardingsouthend.co.uk

www.setdab.org

https://www.essexsab.org.uk/

https://www.thurrocksab.org.uk/

Seven Minute Briefings

Welcome to 7-minute briefings!

Due to the increasing pressures on services, we understand that it can be difficult to release staff to attend training. In order to encourage continuous learning and maintain a skilled workforce, Thurrock LSCP have introduced 7-minute briefings as a quick and simple way to share learning on a range of safeguarding topics.

7-minute briefings are based on a technique borrowed from the FBI. In a world of increasing pressures and demands on time, it can be hard to find the time for learning and development. Learning from 7-minute briefings is manageable in most services, and learning is more memorable as it is simple and not clouded by other issues and pressures.

Clearly such short briefings will not have all the answers, but it is hoped that they will act as a catalyst to help teams and their managers to discuss and reflect on their practice and systems.

We would like to encourage all agencies to record or evidence how they have used these 7-minute briefings on the Action Plan Template, which we will seek to gain copies of for the purposes of Thurrock LSCP's quality assurance audits.

The briefings can be downloaded below:

Videos

Safeguarding Videos and Short Films

DOCUMENTARY - BANAZ A LOVE STORY

SUBJECT AREA - HONOUR BASED ABUSE

DURATION; 1 Hour

A documentary that portrays the events leading to the tragic death of a young woman.

Violence and Vulnerabilities Webinars

V and V Unit

V & V

Following the previous webinars run, SET are currently organising further Violence and Vulnerabilities Webinars. As these are arranged, they will be added to the list below.

Anti Racist Practice Webinar

Anti-Racist Practice Webinar

Wednesday 8th November 2023

10.00 till 12.30 via MS Teams

Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) are pleased to offer practitioners the opportunity to attend these FREE webinar presented by Shantel Thomas.

This webinar aims to share theoretical and research informed knowledge in relation to racism and the notion of becoming anti-racist allies, from a number of perspectives, using a range of materials. It is aimed to invite participants to think about anti-racism within their organisation and team context. The course holds relationship-based, anti-racist practice at its heart and is based on a model for achieving emotionally intelligent, critically reflective, curious conversations, in a safe space.

Participants will be invited to consider their own individual identity and position in relation to power, white privilege and black and global majority empowerment and develop their own personal mission statement for their learning on the workshop. The group will be invited into a shared online space, with an ethos of collaborative learning, where we will co-create shared responsibility for our learning together about this important and often under-explored issue.

This webinar will provide an opportunity for participants to:

Understand how our unique history and biography shapes us, each other and our culture.
Take ownership of our positions of power and privilege and how this is informed by other intersecting factors which shape our identity.
Exploring the individual, institutional, societal and global levels of complexity and structural inequality which creates a culture of racism, oppression and discrimination.
Consider how to contribute to a revolution of allyship, which embraces the notion of actively becoming anti-racist in everything we feel, think and do, captured in a final personal pledge.

To book onto this training, please click here

By submitting the application, you agree to the terms and conditions of the below declaration:-

I confirm that I have read the attendance criteria and learning outcomes and believe that I will significantly benefit from this learning and that I meet the criteria.
I will take all necessary steps to ensure that the learning outcomes are reinforced in the workplace.
My Line Manager has agreed to me undertaking this training.
I agree to complete initial feedback at the end of this training session and will complete the follow up feedback six weeks later. I am aware that failure to complete either of these feedbacks will result in notification to my manager and I will not receive my certificate of attendance, which may affect my compliance to meet any statutory requirements.
I understand that places will be allocated by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership.
I understand that my details may be securely and confidentially retained by Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership for statistical and information purposes only.
For non-chargeable courses, I agree to reimburse Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership for late cancellation or non-attendance, without 5 working days notice.

DATA PROTECTION

Support for Children and Families in Thurrock

Welcome Page

Raising healthy and happy children is not always easy and sometimes parents, carers, children and young people may need extra support. Support is available from a number of different agencies and the aim of this webpage is to bring the information together for you in one easy to find place.

You will find advice and signposting to local resources under the headings:

What to do if you are worried about a child.
Children’s Health Matters.
Safety in the Home.
Safety in the Community.
Children’s Education Matters.
Cost of Living Support.
What’s on at Thurrock’s Family Hubs.
Community Events for Children and Families.

Thurrock Local Children’s Safeguarding Partnership works closely with our safeguarding partners to create this hub of resources and information. With thanks to:

What to do if you are worried about a child

Reporting Concerns and links to further information

Worried about a child?

Contact the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

You can phone, email or write. If you believe it is urgent ring immediately:

Thurrock MASH
Civic Offices
New Road, Grays,
Essex
RM17 6SL

01375 652802

thurrockmash@thurrock.gov.uk

Thurrock Council Emergency Duty Team (for out of hours)

01375 372468

Police Child Abuse Investigation Team
CAll 101

or
Call 999 if you are concerned a child needs immediate protection

Childline
0800 11 11
www.childline.org.uk

NSPCC

0808 800 5000
nspcc.org.uk

Understanding Criminal Neglect of a Child

What Is Neglect:

The offence is committed if a parent or the legal guardian, or other person legally liable to maintain a child or young person has willfully neglected the child in a manner likely to cause injury to health by failing to provide adequate food, clothing, medical aid or lodging or, if having been unable to provide such items, they fail to take steps to procure them.

Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, clothing and shelter ( including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers; ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and is the most common form of child abuse.

A child may be left hungry or dirty, without adequate clothing, shelter, supervision, medical or health care.

A child may be put in danger or not protected from physical or emotional harm.
They may not get the love, care and attention they need from their parents.
A child who's neglected will often suffer from other abuse as well. Neglect is dangerous and can cause serious, long-term damage - even death.

Types Of Neglect:

Physical neglect
Failing to provide for a child’s basic needs such as food, clothing or shelter. Failing to adequately supervise a child, or provide for their safety.

Educational neglect
Failing to ensure a child receives an education.

Emotional neglect
Failing to meet a child’s needs for nurture and stimulation, perhaps by ignoring, humiliating, intimidating or isolating them. It’s often the most difficult to prove.

Medical neglect
Failing to provide appropriate health care, including dental care and refusal of care or ignoring medical recommendations

For more information about criminal neglect and how to report potential child abuse to police please use

https://www.essex.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse

Children’s Health Matters

Children's Health Matters

We know that it's worrying when children are unwell. The Children's Health Matters campaign run by Mid and South Essex NHS and Integrated Care System aims to support parents and carers to look after their children's health and recognise when they are unwell.

The campaign website offers practical advice and guidance on lots of health topics including:

What to do if your child is unwell
Sepsis
Head injuries
Measles
Asthma
Oral Health
Mental Wellbeing
Healthy Lifestyle habits

Find out more by clicking this link

Early Years Oral Health Programme

The project aims to increase awareness of good oral health practices, and knowledge of dental services available, to decrease the number of Thurrock children needing to be admitted to hospital for tooth extractions. This programme aims to instill good oral health habits from a young age by targeting children from birth to 8 years of age.

Here are some top tips and resources to support parent and carers to look after their child's teeth:

Oral Health Tips

https://www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/health/campaigns/child-health/childrens-oral-health/

Need to Find a Dentist?

Why it's important that your child attends their health appointments

If an appointment has been arranged by yourself or a health professional then it is important that you take your child, as they cannot take themselves and they rely on you as a parent or carer to do your best.

Attending regular appointments will help the professional you are seeing build a good picture of your child’s health and how best they can treat or support you, especially with long term health conditions like asthma or epilepsy.
If there is a reason that you cannot attend, then talk to the health professional to see if they can help for example change time or location of appointment.
If you make an appointment for your child and you then feel they are better, do not forget to phone and cancel so this appointment could be offered to someone else

Professionals are not there to judge but want to support your child and family to be the healthiest they can.

How to register with a GP

Type in find a GP into browser and select option: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp/
Enter your postcode and click search.
This will give you all options of GP surgeries in your area, if they are accepting new patients and if you click on the surgery, you will get more information of services they offer.
Follow the Register online link for your choice of surgery or go along and ask to register at the surgery.
If you need more information visit https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/how-to-register-with-a-gp-surgery/

What help and advice can you get from your local Pharmacy?

The Mid and South Essex Integrated Care System have a great webpage outlining what your pharmacy can offer you. Pharmacists can give you advice on a range of conditions and suggest medicines that can help. Many pharmacies provide individual consultation rooms giving you a confidential environment to discuss your medication or condition as necessary.

They may also be able to offer treatment and some prescription medicine for some conditions, without you needing to see a GP (this is called Pharmacy First).

To find out more about how your local pharmacy can help you, including what conditions they can treat as part of Pharmacy First, please visit their website which is linked below:

midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/health/support/local-pharmacy-information

NHS - Better Health Healthier Families

Visit the Better Health Healthier Families Website

The Better Health Healthier Families website is a great resource for parents for lots of easy ways to eat well and move more. Find out how taking one small step after another can soon add up to make a big difference. You can sign up to emails and get loads of easy tips, tasty recipes on a budget and much more straight to your inbox.

The NHS also have some helpful physical activity guidelines for children and young people which you can find below:

Physical activity guidelines for children (under 5 years) - NHS

Physical activity guidelines for children and young people - NHS

Active Essex - Free & Low Cost Activities in Thurrock

Active Essex is the Physical Activity and Sport Partnership for Essex, Southend and Thurrock. They are here to support you in taking your first steps to a more active lifestyle and their Find Your Active resources are here to help you.

Find out more about Find Your Active from their website, link below:

https://www.activeessex.org/find-your-active/

There is also a really useful e-leaflet for Thurrock residents developed by Find Your Active and Thurrock CVS, showcasing free and low cost physical activities in Thurrock. Access the leaflet below:

Thurrock Free & Low Cost Physical Activities - December 2025

Young Person Drug and Alcohol Service

Whether it is the young person or someone in their family that is addicted to drugs or alcohol, there is support locally to help them from Open Road. Open Road work with children and young people from the age of 10 years old.

Find out more about Open Road, what they do and how you can access their services from the flyer and weblink below:

Open Road Thurrock poster

openroad.org.uk - Thurrock young person drug and alcohol service

Effects of passive smoking on children and how to get help to quit

Secondhand smoke is dangerous, especially for pregnant women and children. The best way to protect loved ones is to quit smoking.

Passive smoking is especially harmful for children as they have less well-developed airways, lungs and immune systems.

Children who live in a household where at least 1 person smokes are more likely to develop:

asthma
chest infections – like pneumonia and bronchitis
meningitis
ear infections
coughs and colds

Children are particularly vulnerable in the family car where secondhand smoke can reach hazardous levels even with the windows open.

Pregnant women who smoke or who are exposed to passive smoke are more prone to premature birth and their baby is more at risk of low birthweight and sudden infant death syndrome.

Where to get help if you want to give up smoking:

Residents in Thurrock can get support to quit smoking through their GP or the Thurrock Healthy Lifestyle Service. You can call Thurrock Healthy Lifestyle Service on 0800 292 2299, email thls@thurrock.gov.uk or find more information at the link below:

thurrock.gov.uk - help to stop smoking

If your child has Asthma

Although asthma can be kept under control, it's still a serious condition that can cause a number of problems. This is why it's important to follow your child's treatment plan and not ignore any symptoms if they're getting worse.

You can find information, advice and support to help your child stay well with their asthma, reduce the risk of asthma attacks and prevent avoidable harm by following the links below.

Children who live in a household where at least 1 person smokes are more likely to develop asthma. Visit our page on support to quit smoking if this is something you need help with.

www.midandsouthessex.ics.nhs.uk/health/campaigns/child-health/asthma/

www.asthmaandlung.org.uk - Managing your child's Asthma

https://thurrocklscp.org.uk/lscp/childrens-health-matters/effects-of-passive-smoking-on-children-and-how-to-get-help-to-quit

If your child has Diabetes

Diabetes is associated with long term complications, especially if poorly controlled. Good control of blood sugar reduces the long term risks which include eye and kidney disease, heart disease and stroke.

Having a child with diabetes can be difficult sometimes. Diabetes UK are a great resource if you need support and for any information you might need as your child grows up. Access their website below:

www.diabetes.org.uk - children-and-diabetes

If your child has Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a long-term condition and for children and young people diagnosed with epilepsy, it can have a significant impact on their quality of life including social, educational and employment activity. Active management of epilepsy improves health outcomes and can reduce emergency admissions. In addition, it can also help to support mental health and wellbeing and minimise impacts on social, educational and employment activity.

If you are a parent or carer of a child with epilepsy you and your child may feel anxious about managing the condition. Young Epilepsy is a great resource for both the young person and their parents or carers with lots of support, information and advice. You can access the website below:

https://www.youngepilepsy.org.uk/

Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing

Southend, Essex and Thurrock Child and Adolescents Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS)

The Southend, Essex and Thurrock Child and Adolescents Mental Health Service (SET CAMHS) provides advice and support to children, young people and families who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties.

Any young person, concerned parent, care giver or a responsible adult of a young person can access the SET CAMHS by either making an appointment to see their young person’s GP with them, or accessing their services for information.

Find out more about the service and how to access it here:

Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) CAMHS | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

How to get in touch and refer | NELFT NHS Foundation Trust

If it is an emergency, immediate danger to life or safety, dial 999 or visit Accident and Emergency (A&E).

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

teenager on his laptop

Young Minds

A valuable online resource is Young Minds. The site can provide young people with the tools to look after their mental health and empower adults to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. The links below will take you to the resources on their website:

Young People:

Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling, get information about a mental health condition or find support, their guides could help you:

www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/

www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/your-guide-to-support/reaching-out-for-help/

Parents/Carers:

Whether you want to understand more about your young person's mental health, find the right help for them or hear from other parents who've been there, their guides could help you.

www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/

Young Minds also have a parents/carers helpline. Call 0808 802 5544 or visit their website by following this link: www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline

Free language translation and interpretation services are available.

Safety in the Home

Are you at risk of eviction or homelessness?

It can be a very worrying time when you are at risk of becoming homeless. Listed below are a number of useful webpages you can visit to get further support and advice:

Damp and Mould

Children living in a damp home are at risk of developing breathing problems and other issues such as coughs and chest infections. This could be especially concerning if your child also has Asthma.

Damp can cause mould to grow on the walls and ceilings and if you have got mould at home, you will probably notice fuzzy black, white or green patches on the walls, ceilings or tiles. You might notice it’s more damp and mouldy in bathrooms or kitchens because of condensation from washing and cooking. Condensation happens when water in the air comes into contact with a cold surface e.g. wall or window.

Thurrock Council have produced a leaflet for their tenants with helpful advice and information on dealing with condensation, damp and mould which can be found here:

Wipe out condensation, damp and mould

If you are a council tenant and are still suffering with excessive dampness and mould after following the advice in the above leaflet you can contact:

Housing repairs

0800 074 0169

repairs@thurrock.gov.uk

This line is free to call and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Emails will be answered within 48 hours, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shelter England also offer advice and guidance for social housing tenants and private renters:

Damp and Mould in Social Housing - Shelter England

Damp and Mould in Private Rented Homes - Shelter England

Fire safety advice and free home safety visits

Knowing how to reduce the risk of fire in your home is an important part of living safe and well. Essex County Fire & Rescue Service offer free Home Safety Visits to all Essex residents.

If you do not have working smoke alarms, or have working smoke alarms but would like more information about how to live safely and securely at home, book one of their free visits today.

You can find further information and how to request a visit below:

Book a Home Safety Visit - Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

If you would prefer not to request a home visit, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service are also encouraging residents to complete their own online home fire safety check to evaluate their own fire risk at home. By answering some simple questions about your home, lifestyle, smoke alarms, cooking and fire escape plans you will be provided with tailored advice and handy tips to help reduce the risk of a fire in your home. In some cases, it may suggest that they do attend your property to give in-person advice and fit smoke alarms if required. You can find the link to the online safety check below:

Online Home Fire Safety Check | Essex County Fire and Rescue Service

Finally, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service have a whole webpage dedicated to parents and carers with lots of advice and tips on fire safety at home and educating your children about the dangers of fire. See the link below:

Fire Safety Advice for Parents and Carers

Well Homes Scheme in private housing

The Well Homes scheme:

offers help to make homes safer by reducing the risk of ill health or accidents – for example, unsafe stairs or wiring, or providing improvements to your heating system.
puts residents in touch with health and lifestyle services that can improve quality of life – for example, help to stop smoking, health checks, debt advice, housing adaptations.

Advice can be given on:

keeping your home warm, dry and well maintained
fire safety
home security
accessing healthcare
healthy eating
exercise
giving up smoking
healthier drinking habits
debt management
benefits
gardening and handyman services

You can find out more information and how to request a Well Homes visit at Well Homes | Well Homes in private housing | Thurrock Council

Water Safety at Home

The Royal Life Saving Society UK has launched their 'Splash Safety at your Pad' campaign, which has been created to help provide families with advice, hints and tips around how to enjoy water safely at home.

You can find downloadable resources and lots of information covering:

Splash safety in the garden.
Splash safety in the bath.
Splash safety around hot tubs.
Splash safety in bath seats.

Visit the Royal Life Saving Society UK's website below for more information:

https://www.rlss.org.uk/Listing/Category/splash-safety-at-your-pad

Safety in the Community

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

Anti-social behaviour is any act that causes – or is likely to cause – alarm, harassment or distress. It is also any act that can cause nuisance or annoyance related either to housing or where the affected person is living.

Types of anti-social behaviour include:

noise nuisance
drug taking and dealing
threatening or rowdy behaviour
violence and disorder
vandalism

Anti-social behaviour, hate crime and domestic abuse can severely affect the quality of life for individuals, families and communities.

Reporting anti-social behaviour:

To report ASB caused by a council tenant or affecting a council tenant, you can either contact your estate officer or use the form below:

Anti-social behaviour - council tenant report - Thurrock Council

To report any ASB you can contact Essex Police or Crimestoppers anonymously:

Giving information anonymously - Crimestoppers

Essex Police In Your Area - Let's Talk

Upcoming community police events

Thursday 4 December 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Thurrock Council Cafe, Civic Offices, High Street, Grays

Friday 5 December 2025 1:30pm to 2:30pm
The Pyramid Centre, Heath Road, Chadwell St Mary

Friday 5 December 2025 3:30pm to 4:30pm
Bulphan Village hall, Church Road

Tuesday 9 December 2025 12pm to 1:30pm
South Essex College, High Street, Grays

Wednesday 10 December 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Flowers Community Hall, Lime Close, South Ockendon

Wednesday 10 December 2025 12:30pm to 1:30pm
The Beacon Centre, Drake Road, Chafford Hundred

Tuesday 16 December 2025 3pm to 4pm
East Tilbury Hub Princess Avenue, East Tilbury

Wednesday 17 December 2025 11am to 12pm
Hardie Park Cafe, Hardie Road, Stanford-Le-Hope

Friday 2 January 2026 10:00am to 11:00am
Oasis Café, Orsett Church Centre, High Road

Tuesday 13 January 2026 10:30am to 11:30am
Corringham Library, St Johns Way

Wednesday 21 January 2026 2pm to 3pm
Ockendon Centre, Derry Avenue

Saturday 24 January 2026 10:30am to 12pm
Saint Peter And St. Paul, Orsett Road, Horndon On The Hill

Friday 30 January 2026 12pm to 1pm
IKEA Lakeside (Customer Restaurant) Heron Way, Essex

Wednesday 4 February 2026 11am to 12pm
Tilbury Hub, Civic Square

Thursday 5 February 2026 10am - 11am
Purfleet Community Pantry & Cafe, 32 River Court, Centurion Way

Thursday 5 February 2026 1pm to 2pm
Impulse Leisure Cafe, Blackshots Lane, Grays

Saturday 21 February 2026 10am to 12pm
Woody's Restaurant, Thurrock Garden Centre, South Road, South Ockendon

Water Safety

The Royal Lifesaving Society UK have two safety campaigns giving resource and advice to combat drowning while out and about you can find details of the summer and winter water safety campaigns below:

The Summer Water Safety campaign covers:

The Water Safety Code
What to do in an emergency
Open Water safety
Water safety on holiday
Water safety in swimming pools
Water safety at the beach
Cold water shock

Find all their resources and further information by accessing their campaign webpage which is linked below:

https://www.rlss.org.uk/Listing/Category/summer-water-safety

The Winter Water Safety campaign covers:

The Water Safety Code
What to do in an emergency
Water safety near frozen water
Water safety in a flood
Cold water shock

Find all their resources and further information by accessing their campaign webpage which is linked below:

https://www.rlss.org.uk/Listing/Category/winter-water-safety

Free Awareness Raising Sessions for Parents & Carers on Gangs and Criminal Exploitation

Via MS Teams - 17:30pm till 19.00pm

Dates:

4 December 2025

12th March 2026

18th June 2026

10th September 2026

3rd December 2026

Click on the link below to register for your space:

Thurrock LSCP Training

A week before the date of your session, you will be sent through a calendar invite and email containing the MS Teams link

Knife Harm Resources for Parents & Carers

The Essex Violence and Vulnerability Unit have created a page of resources in relation to knife harm, including:

A Guide to Knife Harm for Parents and Carers - facts to help you feel more confident when talking to your child about knife harm, as well as practical guidance, and where to find support.
Spotting the Signs of Knife Harm
Talking about Weapons and Knives with young people or young adults

You can find all their guides to download on their website linked below:

https://www.essexvvu.co.uk/knives/

Or watch their knife harm films here:

https://www.essexvvu.co.uk/knife-harm-videos/

Children's Education Matters

The law on school attendance

Parents are expected to: Ensure their child attends every day that the school is open.

The law on school attendance and right to a full-time education

The law entitles every child of compulsory school age to an efficient, full-time education suitable to their age, aptitude, and any special educational need they may have. It is the legal responsibility of every parent to make sure their child receives that education either by attendance at a school or by education otherwise than at a school.

Where parents decide to have their child registered at school, they have an additional legal duty to ensure their child attends that school regularly. This means their child must attend every day that the school is open, except in a small number of allowable circumstances such as being too ill to attend or being given permission for an absence in advance from the school.

For some children, attending school every day will be harder than for others. This is why schools, and local councils in some cases, are committed to working together with families to solve problems and support your child's school attendance.

All settings must follow the Department for Education document ‘Working together to improve school attendance - Statutory guidance for maintained schools, academies, independent schools and local authorities August 2024’.

The DfE monitors attendance carefully and all schools are required to submit daily attendance returns to them.

How attendance is calculated?

Attendance is measured by the number of sessions a child is in school. There are two sessions a day and a register is taken once in the morning and once in the afternoon. There are 10 sessions in a school week, children must attend all 10 sessions each week to achieve 100% attendance.

Schools use a system that calculates how many times a child was expected to be in school and how many they were in school for. This gives the school an attendance percentage for each child.

It is vitally important that children must arrive in school before the close of the registers – the time this happens varies from school to school. All schools are expected to set out in their attendance policy the length of time the register will be open, after which a pupil will be recorded as absent. This should be the same for every session and not longer than 30 minutes. Schools should actively discourage late arrival and be alert to patterns of late arrival. Arrival after the close of registers will be treated as an absence for the morning or afternoon session.

Why School Attendance is Important

Why is school attendance important?

School attendance is essential for pupils to get the most out of their school experience, including their attainment, wellbeing, and wider life chances. The pupils with the highest attainment at the end of key stage 2 and key stage 4 have higher rates of attendance over the key stage compared to those with the lowest attainment.

At KS2, pupils not meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths had an overall absence rate of 4.7%, compared to 3.5% among those meeting the expected standard. Also, the overall absence rate of pupils not meeting the expected standard was higher than among those meeting the higher standard (4.7% compared to 2.7%).

At KS4, pupils not achieving grade 9 to 4 in English and maths had an overall absence rate of 8.8%, compared to 5.2% among those achieving grade 4. The overall absence rate of pupils not achieving grade 9 to 4 was over twice as high as those achieving grade 9 to 5 (8.8% compared to 3.7%).

For the most vulnerable pupils, regular attendance is also an important protective factor and the best opportunity for needs to be identified and support provided. Research has shown associations between regular absence from school and a number of extrafamilial harms, including crime (the proportion of children that had been cautioned or sentenced who had been persistently absent from school was 81% and for serious violence offences this was 85%).

What parents and carers can do to support school attendance

Speak to the school first and explain the issues affecting your child’s attendance, the school is asked to listen and understand.

Schools may also contact parents and carers when they spot an absence pattern. They may ask for a discussion with you and your child/children, to listen to and understand attendance barriers and agree a way to work together to resolve them.

It is vitally important that parents engage with the school to enable this process. Many Schools have a Pastoral Support Team, some may have access to the Mental Health Support Team worker (MHST) or have access to a Counsellor. Many schools have staff who have received training on Supporting Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA).

As part of their work with parents/carers, schools are asked to facilitate support which may include removing barriers in school, (where possible) and providing help for pupils and parents to access the support they need to overcome the barriers outside of school. This might include an early help or whole family plan where absence is a symptom of other wider issues. Once again, parents/carers are strongly encouraged to engage with any support which is offered.

The guide linked below, from the Department for Education, provides the following guidance for parents/carers:

Parent responsibilities for school attendance and what you need to do when your child needs to be absent.
How schools and local authorities will work with you to support your child's attendance.

Working Together to Improve School Attendance

Thurrock Family Hubs also offer information, advice and guidance drop in sessions on education matters and supporting your children in education. This includes support they could get, funding that may be available to you and any other areas of interest. Information is also available on education for children with social care intervention at any level.

Please use the link below to access the family hub web pages and see their activity schedules:

Family hubs | Thurrock Council

What to do about school if your child is unwell

Children with Special Educational Needs

Thurrock's SEND Local Offer gives children and young people in the borough, who have Special Educational Needs (SEN) and/or a disability, information in one place. The Thurrock Local Offer aims to provide clear, comprehensive and accessible information about what services and provisions are available in Thurrock for parents and young people. Follow the link below to the site:

Welcome to the Thurrock SEND Local Offer | Ask Thurrock

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You can also visit PATT SENDIASS - Parent Advisory Team Thurrock - SENDIASS are the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service for children and young people with SEND and their parents or carers.

To see what support they offer and to access their online resources you can click the link to their website below:

https://www.patt.org.uk/

Welcome to the UK Homework Club

Free Homework Club in Grays Hub, there to support children aged 5–11, especially those from families where English is a second language.

More information can be found on their website linked below:

https://www.welcome2theuk.com/post/free-homework-club-at-grays-hub

Cost of Living Support

The effects of child poverty and the cost of living crisis

Child poverty can have a wide range of negative effects on children, including:

Poorer physical and mental health
Lower educational attainment
Social exclusion
Limited life opportunities.

Child poverty can stem from difficulty affording basic necessities like food, clothing and heating, which impacts a child's overall development and wellbeing throughout life.

As a country we are now in the middle of a cost of living crisis, where the prices of essential goods like food, energy, and housing has rapidly increased, outpacing the growth of most people's incomes. This is leading to a significant decline in real living standards.

The aim of this section is to signpost Thurrock parent and carers to all the support on offer, helping them provide safe, healthy and happy lives for their children.

This section will be looking at financial support, benefit support and local charities.

We understand that providing activities and experiences for your children can also be expensive, so you will find another section further down this webpage advertising all our free local community events for Thurrock children and families.

Essential Living Fund

Help under the Essential Living Fund (ELF)

Eligibility

You can claim from the 1 October 2024 if you are:

16 or over
a resident in the Thurrock Council area
on a low income or with little or no resources
and you fit at least one of the criteria

Criteria

1. You need help establishing in the community following a stay of at least 3 months:

in an institution
in a care home
in local authority care
in a hostel
in a prison or similar,
or as part of a planned resettlement programme following an unsettled way of life.

2. You need help to remain in the community rather than enter an institution or care home in which you will receive care.

3. You need help to ease exceptional pressures on yourself and your family.

Please note being on a low income alone is not an indicator of exceptional pressure. There must be a circumstance that has applied greater pressure than normally associated with a low income, such as:

breakdown of a relationship
sudden domestic upheaval
deterioration in a disability

4. You are unable to meet your immediate short term needs either because of an:

unforeseen emergency in relation to some expenses
unforeseen disaster (fire, flood etc)

Please note this does not apply to people:

affected by the Government Welfare Reform Programme
with delays to benefit applications
whose money has been lost or stolen

5. You need help with travel costs to visit a partner, parent or child that is staying in a hospital or a rehabilitation centre outside the Thurrock Council area for 4 weeks or more.

Do I qualify

To see whether you qualify for the award you will need to answer questions about your:

income
earnings, and
savings

You also need to give proof of your financial situation.

Assessment will be made of all other help you have received, or have available to you. This includes any support you have already received through any other support the Government have recently made available.

What the scheme covers

Where you fit the criteria to claim, the scheme can cover applications for:

furniture
household furnishings
white goods
clothing
general living expenses - these are day to day living expenses such as:
- groceries
- toiletries
- energy costs

If you are awarded the grant, you will receive your award by:

AllPay card
high quality recycled furniture from a reputable charity
white goods from a reputable local dealer

How to apply

If you live within the Thurrock Borough, use this online form.

Further information

For more information please view the Thurrock ELF Policy

For more advice and guidance please see Essential Living Fund - FAQs

Coping with debt and unpaid rent

If you have problems paying your rent or other bills, you can contact Thurrock Citizens Advice Bureau:

Citizens Advice Braintree and South Essex – Thurrock

Voluntary and Community Resource Centre, High Street, Grays, RM17 6XP

Telephone: 0808 278 7877

Citizens Advice Braintree and South Essex - Thurrock

This service has a money advice team. Officers will arrange an appointment with you and help you to manage your money.

Thurrock Foodbank

Thurrock Foodbank

If you think you need help from Thurrock Foodbank there are a few simple steps to follow. The most important step is to get a foodbank voucher.

In order to provide the most appropriate help for the circumstances of your situation we work with local agencies. If they feel you are struggling to put food on the table, they will issue you with a foodbank voucher. The local agency can also provide long term support if needed to help address some of the issues behind the reasons for your crisis. Agencies we work with include: Citizens Advice, local health care providers, social services and Thurrock-based community groups and charities.

Find more information on the steps to follow to get help:

How to get help - Thurrock Foodbank

NHS Healthy Start Scheme

What is Healthy Start?

If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We’ll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

plain liquid cow’s milk
fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

You can also use your card to collect:

Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

Find out if you are eligible and how to apply by clicking the link below:

Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

Thurrock Cares

Thurrock Council and partners in the borough's community and voluntary groups have created Thurrock Cares, which makes it easy for residents to find the help they need to support with the cost of living.

There is lots of help out there for families and households who might be struggling. This includes local schemes which can help you with utility bills and household essentials; government help and benefits; the Well Homes initiative that can make your home warmer and cheaper to heat; and local organisations and voluntary groups that can help you make sure you have access to good food, warm clothes and advice on how to save money.

You can explore the website using the link below:

Thurrock Cares - home | Support with the cost of living | Thurrock Council

The 180 Project - Free School Uniform events

What's on at Thurrock's Family Hubs

Family Hubs

Family Hubs Logo Brighter Futures family hubs – formerly children's centres – support families in Thurrock with children between the ages of 0 to 18 years-old, or to 25 years-old for young people with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

Family hub services include:

information and advice for parents and carers
drop-in sessions and activities for parents, carers and children
child and family health services
family and parenting support
child development support
baby and child play sessions
SEND support for children and young people

For information on local support services during pregnancy and for families with a baby up to 2 years-old see the 'Start for Life' section.

Here's a list of the family hub locations and places with family hub services. Click on any of the locations to take you to further information about what they offer and what's on this month:

Use the registration form below to register yourself and your child at any of our family hubs:

Brighter Futures family hubs - registration - Thurrock Council

Start for Life - supporting expectant parents and children aged 0-2

The Family Hubs have a focus on supporting expectant parents and children aged 0-2. This is called the Start for Life Local Offer and you can find out what is available and what's on in each Family Hub by clicking on the sections below:

Community Events for Children and Families

Thurrock Adult Community College - family activities

Benefits Of Family Learning Courses

Family Learning programmes are designed to strengthen family bonds, enable parents/carers to support their children with schoolwork and develop their skills for life and work and enhance the overall well-being of families across the borough.

Family Sessions Include craft activities for all seasons, phonics and number activities to support younger children, arts and crafts for all ages and much much more!!

You can find further information on the Thurrock Adult Community College and how to enrol on their events by following this link.

Thurrock Libraries

If you live, work or study in Thurrock you can become a library member at any age.

It's free to join and you don’t need to show any proof of who you are. You can join online and collect your library card when you visit your chosen library. Join the library here.

If you join at your local library there are no forms to fill in, just ask a member of staff. If you are under 16 years-old, bring a parent or carer with you the first time you visit.

You can find out where the libraries are in Thurrock here.

There's so much going on for children and families in Thurrock's libraries. Keep up to date with events and activities by keeping an eye on their page: Activities and events | What's on at your library | Thurrock Council

Here's a look at some of their upcoming events:

Other free events in Thurrock

Fire Station Open Days and The Essex Fire Museum

Essex County Fire and Rescue Service open their fire station doors throughout the year to welcome the community to its station open days - find out their Thurrock open day dates by visiting the link below:

Essex Fire Service Open Days

The Essex Fire Museum is also situated to the rear of Grays Fire Station. To find out more about the museum and when it is open see the link below:

The Essex Fire Museum

Arts Outburst

Arts Outburst co-creates art and cultural projects with the people of Thurrock. They joined Arts Council England’s National Portfolio in 2023 and secured extra funding for three years to develop and deliver even more great arts projects for everyone in Thurrock.

Make Some Noise is their cross-arts programme for 6-21 year olds living and studying in Thurrock which includes free dance, drama and music classes.

Term 2 runs from 13th January – 26th March 2026 and bookings open on 1st December 2025.

For more information and booking links visit their website linked below:

https://www.artsoutburst.co.uk/project/make-some-noise/

You can also visit their events page to keep up to date with all their events:

https://www.artsoutburst.co.uk/whats-on/

Green Light 2026 — Free Creative Activities Across Thurrock

Green Light 2026 is a free, two-week creative programme running 9–22 February 2026 across multiple venues throughout Thurrock. Organised by Start Thurrock, the initiative invites local people of all ages to “give something new a go” with a wide range of workshops, performances and creative tasters — from basket weaving and clay work to theatre, music, movement and arts-and-crafts sessions. All activities are designed based on community feedback and are suitable for children, adults, families and intergenerational groups, with inclusive and accessible options included. To find out more about the events happening in Thurrock visit their website which is linked below:

https://www.startthurrock.org/whats-on/green-light-2026/

Children & Young People

Information and Advice for Young People in Thurrock

The content will include links to useful sites, information that can either be printed of or downloaded to your computer. In time we hope to be able to prive APPS that you can add to your mobile phones and devices.

We would welcome feedback from young people in Thurrock. So if you know of any information that you think would be helpful for young people to be aware of... Let us know and we will try and include on this page.

http://thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk/ A useful site with advice, guidance, how to spot the signs of abuse. Worth a look.

LSCB Blog - Have your say

Help us keep you safe

Feb 19, 2016

We really need your help. Us adults want to do the right thing, but are not always aware of what's happening out there and what's trending and what's "In" or "out". That's where you can help.

The BIG Question: What can be done to make you feel safer in Thurrock. Over to you...

What's the number one website being used?

What's your favourite App?

4-7 Years

The internet can be an exciting place to learn and have fun, but sometimes you may see something that makes you feel worried or sad. If that happens, tell an adult you trust and they can help. This could be:-

Your mum, dad or carer
Another family member
Your teacher or another adult at your school
Another grown up who looks after you

8-10 Years

Playing games, chatting, and sharing photos and videos can be fun.

If you ever feel worried, upset or scared about something that happens online, tell an adult you trust. They will be able to help you. Whatever happened, it's not your fault.

Click on each button below for advice about safe ways to game, chat and share online. – Coming Soon!

11-13 Years

Lets keep the internet fun? Get advice about keeping yourself and your friends safe.

14+ Years

Coming Soon!

Online Child Exploitation

ONLINE EXPLOITATION CAMPAIGN

STAYING SAFE ONLINE

As technology improves, there are lots of exciting opportunities, but of course risks too. Educating yourself, keeping up to date on security and staying aware of privacy issues can help you keep clear of online exploitation, abuse or bullying. Some of the risky things you may come across online are:

Bullying by peers and people you might consider 'friends'
Seeing inappropriate or harmful content (e.g. rude or extremely violent pictures)Involvement in illegal or inappropriate content (e.g. posting sexual pictures)
Posting personal information that can identify and locate you offline
Being persuaded to do illegal or inappropriate things through contact with strangers
Seeing information and talking with others online who encourage self-harm
Seeing racist or hate material
Glorifying activities such as drug use or excessive drinking
Physical harm to young people in making video content, such as doing stunts and other risky activities
Being encouraged to leave or run away from home by someone you met online

I'm worried about exploitation

Exploitation is never your fault

Even if you went along with things at first. Abusers are very clever in the way they manipulate young people.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse, when you are made or tricked into doing something sexual sometimes receiving something in return like love, affection, money, drugs or alcohol.

Need help or more information:-

Faceup2it - information and advice about CSE for young people, developed by young people.
Disrespect Nobody - campaign about health relationships and respect.
Barnardos - Real Love Rocks - raising awareness around Child Sexual Exploitation and what a health and safe relationship is.

Criminal Exploitation

Criminal Exploitation includes gang crime and county lines. A gang may claim control over territory in a community, and engaging either individually or collectively in violent behaviour or other types of criminal activity.

County lines is when gangs and organised crime networks groom and exploit children to sell drugs. They may make you travel across counties, and they use dedicated mobile phone 'lines' to supply drugs.

If you have become involved in a gang, are being pressurised to engage in county lines activity and want help to get out of that lifestyle, the website below can offer support. You can report exploitation (of yourself or a friend) to the Police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you are on a train or in a station you can text British Transport Police on 61016.

Need help or more information:-

Gangsline - provides help and support to young men and women involved in gang culture
Essex Police video featuring Junior Smart (St Giles Trust) - speaks about his experience leaving a gang.

Trafficking/Modern Slavery

Trafficking is where children and young people are tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes and are moved or transported and then exploited, forced to work or sold.

It can happen to anyone. You could only be taken next door or down the road - it's still classed as trafficking.

Need help or more information?

Modern Slavery helpline - You can call the 24/7 Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 for free support. They will offer you advice on your situation and on your options for getting out, if you want to.
Advice for Young People - A leaflet produced by the NSPCC Child Trafficking Advice Centre (CTAC) Young People's Advisory Group

Online Exploitation

Being aware of the risk of technology, social media and the internet can play a massive part in helping you stay safe and avoid online exploitation, abuse or bullying. Check out our staying safe online page for information on privacy settings, what to do if you receive indecent images and how to game online safely.

Need help or more information?

Think U Know - Online safety resources
Marie Collins Foundation Steering Clear of Indecent Images of Children - helping young men to stay safe online - This campaign aims to protect victims from online sexual abuse by guiding young men away from illegal content and driving awareness of the law so they can navigate their online environment safely and legally.

Indecent Images - Know the Law

Taking, making, sharing and possessing indecent images and pseudo-photographs of people under 18 is illegal. It does not matter how old they look, looking at indecent images of under 18s is illegal. Remember, those images are of real children and young people, and viewing them causes further harm. The Home Office has published guidance to help young people understand the law on making and sharing indecent images of people under 18 years old.

Is she Legal? - Video

What should you do if you come across indecent images?

If you stumble across indecent images of children under 18 online, you can help by reporting it to the Internet Watch Foundation.

Consent

Consent means agreeing to do something. When it comes to sex, this means someone agreeing to take part in a sexual activity. Any sort of sexual contact without consent is illegal whatever the age of the people involved. If someone does not give consent and a person still engages in a sexual act with them, this is sexual assault or rape.

For more information on consent - click here

Say no to nudes

If you have ever been asked to send photos of yourself that you are not comfortable with, and you do not know how to respond, there is a greet new app to help. Zipit has a load of images and animations which you can send in response to deal with a situation before it gets out of hand, and it stops you being put in an awkward position. Check out Molly's video on how to handle the pressure of being asked for nudes.

Where can I get help?

Bullying

Bullying can have a massive impact on your mental health, both now and in the future. It does not matter if you are being bullied at school, at home, or online, bullying can mess with your head. But you are not alone and you deserve support.

Click on the links below for further help and support:-

14+ Years

I'm worried about exploitation

Exploitation is never your fault

Even if you went along with things at first. Abusers are very clever in the way they manipulate young people.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Need help or more information:-

Faceup2it - information and advice about CSE for young people, developed by young people.
Disrespect Nobody - campaign about health relationships and respect.
Barnardos - Real Love Rocks - raising awareness around Child Sexual Exploitation and what a health and safe relationship is.

Criminal Exploitation

Need help or more information:-

Gangsline - provides help and support to young men and women involved in gang culture
Essex Police video featuring Junior Smart (St Giles Trust) - speaks about his experience leaving a gang.

Trafficking/Modern Slavery

Trafficking is where children and young people are tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes and are moved or transported and then exploited, forced to work or sold.

It can happen to anyone. You could only be taken next door or down the road - it's still classed as trafficking.

Need help or more information?

Modern Slavery helpline - You can call the 24/7 Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 for free support. They will offer you advice on your situation and on your options for getting out, if you want to.
Advice for Young People - A leaflet produced by the NSPCC Child Trafficking Advice Centre (CTAC) Young People's Advisory Group

Online Exploitation

Need help or more information?

Think U Know - Online safety resources
Marie Collins Foundation Steering Clear of Indecent Images of Children - helping young men to stay safe online - This campaign aims to protect victims from online sexual abuse by guiding young men away from illegal content and driving awareness of the law so they can navigate their online environment safely and legally.

Indecent Images - Know the Law

Is she Legal? - Video

What should you do if you come across indecent images?

If you stumble across indecent images of children under 18 online, you can help by reporting it to the Internet Watch Foundation.

Consent

For more information on consent - click here

Say no to nudes

Community & Voluntary Organisations

Church, Worship and Faith Groups

We appreciate there are many demands facing all organisations. Safeguarding children is everyone's business, but those responsibilities do not need to be complex.

Churches, other places of worship and faith based organisations provide a wide range of activities for children and young people. They are some of the largest providers of children and youth work, and have an important role in safeguarding children and supporting families.

Religious leaders, staff and volunteers who provide services in places of worship and in faith based organisations will have various degrees of contact with children.

Like other organisations that work with children, churches, other places of worship and faith based organisations need to have appropriate arrangements in place for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. These arrangements should include:

Procedures for staff and others to report concerns that they have about the children they meet that in accordance with Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership (SET) procedures for protecting children which can be found in the child protection section of these procedures by following the link or in our "about us" section of this website.
Appropriate codes of practice for staff, particularly those working directly with children, such as those issued by the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) or their denomination or faith group.
Recruitment procedures in accordance with Safe from Harm (Home office, 1993) principles and local (SET) procedures, alongside training and supervision of staff (paid or voluntary)

Churches and faith organisations can seek advice on child protection issues from CCPAS and Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnership, who can help with policies and procedures.

CCPAS operates a national 24 hour telephone helpline for churches, other places of worship and faith based groups and individuals, providing advice and support on safeguarding issues.

As appropriate, churches, other places of worship and faith organisations should report all allegations against people who work with children to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), and notify the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) of any relevant information so that those who pose a risk to vulnerable groups can be identified and barred. In addition, where they are a charity all serious incidents need reporting to the Charity Commission.

It is essential that faith communities have in place effective arrangements for working with sexual and violent offenders who wish to worship and be part of their religious community. This should include a contract of behaviour stipulating the boundaries an offender would be expected to keep. Faith communities should consult the MAPPA Guidance (2009) issued by the National Offender Management Service Public Protection Unit which specifically addresses ‘Offenders and Worship’.

http://www.ccpas.co.uk/

Safeguarding in Hospitality Venues

Operation Makesafe

Essex Police and local councils have teamed up and operation 'Operation Makesafe' across Essex. This is a nationwide campaign to test how the hospitality respond to an exploitation scenario. it focuses on whether hospitality staff have an awareness of the signs of exploitation and make reasonable steps to safeguard child from this potential harm.

This monitoring ensures the hospitality trade complies with duties set out in law and when issues arise in licensed premises then action is taken to reduce harm to children. This monitoring tests out if staff ask safeguarding questions and attempt to contact the police to report concerns. Hospitality staff are vital in spotting signs of possible exploitation and can help to safeguard children from this risk. The hospitality trade often detect exploitation, report this whilst it is taking place so that children can be rescued an preserve evidence that could be used to successfully prosecute abusers.

We expect staff to:-

All of which are outlined on these webpages. it is considered good practice to appoint a designated safeguarding children's lead on your premises who ensures all staff have access to safeguarding training and are aware how to record and report concerns. We would advise that all staff are familiar with the guidance on these webpages and complete the free SET exploitation e-learning training. You can even prepare your staff for monitoring by the police and council and explore their levels of awareness and responses with the 'Is or, or isn't it?' activity, or case study devised by NWG.

Hotels that have completed training authorised by Essex Police, Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership, Essex Safeguarding Children Board and Southend Local Safeguarding Children Partnership, such as CYP First, will have received a certificate confirming they have partnered with us under the Operation Makesafe scheme.

Please take the time to watch this Operation Makesafe presentation video from Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET) Safeguarding Children Boards.

If you wish to arrange staff training by CYP First, please contact them on office@cypfirst.co.uk. If you wish to ask further questions about the Operation Makesafe scheme please contact your local policing team by calling 101.

Please click here for a press release from Essex Police about testing that is being undertaken across Essex.

Preparing your employees

In preparation for an anonymous visit by Essex Police and the Council, to test your staff's safeguarding responses, you may wish to ensure they have a good level of awareness and are clear about expected responses. You will find a case study to assist you in exploring possible scenarios with your staff plus an activity to help them to determine what is, and is not, a possible indicator of exploitation.

There is a useful video from Barnardos which could be used with employees. They could view and comment on the points in the video where the young person could be helped and how they could help.

Your staff could also undertake the SET exploitation e-learning to develop their awareness of exploitation. We keep a record of everything that has successfully completed this training.

Some councils offer training to hospitality and licensed premised used by children to raise awareness of exploitation, such as the 'Spot It, Stop It' training. Contact your local council to ask if training is available in your area.

Safeguarding children from exploitation in hotels

Hotels can be hotspots for exploiting and trafficking children, no hotel is exempt from this risk so it is important for all hotels to take reasonable steps to protect children this this harm. All hotels should have robust safeguarding policies in place so their staff adhere to the recommended safeguarding steps (see below) to protect children. Failing to do this puts children at risk and premises can become an easy target for criminals to use. Hotels can also suffer financial and reputational damage or run the risk of the revocation of their license under a Closure Order or prosecution via other child exploitation and trafficking orders. Hospitality premises should also familiarise themselves with Chapter 29 on Licensing under the SET Procedures.

Some children have disclosed being abused in hotels and some hotels have spotted the signs and informed the police about exploitation activity. When this happens, children can be rescued, freed from exploitation and evidence gathered to prosecute abusers preventing further victims being exploited. Hotels can be used by county line networks and by those grooming or exploiting children and vulnerable adults.

Essex Police and local councils routinely test hotel safeguarding responses to ensure the hotel staff have an awareness of safeguarding children from exploitation and take reasonable steps to protect children from this harm. Those who are deemed to be failing to do so could risk having a Closure Notice (Section 76 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014) placed on their business and/or an application made to court for a Closure Order (close the premises for up to three months), or a criminal prosecution against an individual staff member under exploitation and trafficking legislation.

Licenses could also be reviewed if premises are suspected of being used for child exploitation under Section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003. Licensed premises have a duty to protect children on their premises from harm, including child sexual exploitation (revised guidance was added to the act in 2015) so licenses could be revoked if your premises are failing to protect children from exploitation.

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership, in conjunction with Essex and Southend Children Partnerships and Essex Police, have created this webpage in order to support our business partners to drive out exploitation and trafficking from their hospitality premises to ensure they are safe and reputable premises. It is essential that all staff in hospitality are aware of the signs of exploitation and how to intervene and report this activity. This includes receptionists, night porters, housekeeping, duty managers, kitchen and catering staff.

We recommend your premises creates clear policies to identify, record and respond to exploitation. We have included a Safeguarding Checklist to assist you with this.

Spot the signs of exploitation

There are many signs of exploitation specific to the hospitality trade. Below is a list of indicators all staff should be familiar with who work within the hospitality trade, put together by the NEG Network. Being alert to these signs means that exploitation can be detected, police can be alerted whilst this occurs and evidence can be preserved, increasing the chances of successful prosecution and reducing the number of child victims.

You can find out more about the NWG and their "Say Something if you See Something" campaign on their website. A printable version of the key indicators from the NWG can be accessed here.

Key indicators for the hotel Reception/Public areas:-

Guests refusing to leave credit/debit card details and insist on paying with cash
Guests requesting a room that is isolated
Guests with a local address renting a room
Guests who do not have any luggage or ID
Guests who appear secretive about their visit
Last minute walk-in bookings
Booking made in different names than those checking-in
Guests trying to conceal their activities in the room
Guests requesting an isolated room that is more private
Guests who do not want their room visited
Guests who request their room is not cleaned
Guests trying to conceal who they are with
Guests with a young person who appears nervous, withdrawn or fearful and acts upon instructions
Guests with a young person who appears disorientated or restricted from moving/communicating
Guests ho do not speak the same language as the person checking in
Young people with significantly older partners
Young girls who appear overly made up (make-up/clothing) that is inappropriate for their age
Young people loitering in public areas/external areas of premises
Guests arriving and asking for a specific room number with no details of the booking name
Guests who move in and out of the premises regularly at unusual hours
Numerous visitors to be a room at regular intervals
Unusual high traffic to guest room who do not appear to have a reason for being there
Individuals who appear to be monitoring public areas
Two or more adult males heading for a room may indicate a party
Guests who access an excessive or unusual amount of pornography (TV or computer)
Order alcohol to a room with underage people
Checking out early

Housekeeing:

Rooms with signs of sexual activity
Guest rooms with a lot of condoms/condom wrappers
Guest rooms with evidence of drug usage/drug paraphernalia (e.g. syringes. wraps, pipes, bongs, broken light bulbs, spoons, plastic bags, antiseptic wipes, prescription/over the counter drugs)
Guests who refuse to have their room cleaned
A hospitality suite with business men and young people (adults may be there or an event, conference or meeting)

Safeguarding and reporting steps

We recommend staff have access to, and refer, to the Safeguarding Checklist to prompt them to identify, record and respond to signs of exploitation.

When booking in quests to ask hospitality premises to always:-

Ask for photo I.D. only for age verification checks
Ask staff to make eye contact and engage in conversation to enquire about the reason for the guest's visit or stay
Ash the young person if they are okay, they know the person they are with and feel safe being with them
Report any concerns to Essex Police -
- 101 if non urgent (or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111)
- 999 if urgent (when booking in, state Operation Makesafe to police call handlers to help you report in a discrete manner)

Following booking in, we ask hospitality premises to always:

Report any concerns to Essex Police
- 101 if non urgent (or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111)
- 999 if urgent (if guests are still present)
Share all suspected activity with Essex Police via the above routes. Keeping Refusal Records and Incident Logs will assist Police investigations so record descriptions of suspects and young people, vehicle number plates, key card use, payment methods and save CCTV recordings.
Following checking out, if you suspect child exploitation has taken place, preserve evidence - do not move items, if person(s) have left the room, do not let anyone go into the room until the Police arrive or instruct you otherwise.

We suggest your premises adopts the following measures to minimise the opportunity to exploit children at your venue:

Ask that guests only use the main entrance
Restrict unregistered persons in guest rooms at night
Install CCTV monitoring and retain CCTV recordings
Undertake regular patrols (walk the hallways and perimeter)
Display exploitation information and Operation Makesafe materials
Include exploitation in your premises risk assessments
Create a whistleblowing policy
Invest in your staff training and discuss regularly in team meetings

Useful Documents

NWG - Checklist of Indicators of CSE for hotels

Safeguarding Checklist

Is it, or isn't it? - Activity

Case Study devised by NWG

Operation Makesafe presentation video

Safeguarding in Sport

Safe to Play Campaign

The Safe to Play national campaign is being piloted in Thurrock to focus attention on the vital importance of safeguarding in sports clubs and physical activity providers.

There have been a number of instances, nationally and locally, where inappropriate behaviour and abuse has been perpetrated by adults in a position of trust within the area of sport.

To help and support parents and carers in taking a proactive role in researching the sports or physical activity that they consider for their child,
To support children in raising their awareness of safeguarding, keeping themselves safe and who they can contact of they are concerned
To focus on the responsibilities of the sports clubs or physical activity provider and promote the importance of safeguarding as a priority of all sports clubs and physical activity provider Keeping children’s safety and wellbeing needs at the forefront of everything they do.

What should providers do?

High quality clubs and organisations will always welcome questions about their activities, the safety of their environment and the care of children and young people.

Posters

Below see below a selection of posters that you may to display in your club:-

Swimming

Swimming

Safe to Play - Consultation

School Consultation

Parents and Carers Consultation

Safe to Play - Launch Event

Did you know.... recently the Home Office released the following statistics, at least 1 in 10 children experience sexual abuse before their 16th birthday, the Council of Europe's "Start to Talk" campaign highlights that 1in 5 children in Europe are victims of some form of sexual violence.

These statistics highlight the need for all who work with children to be able to recognise potential abuse, this includes those involved in other physical activities such as dance and drama.

In partnership with the National Working Group (NWG), we are inviting you to the official launch of 'Safe to Play' which is an innovative campaign on safeguarding in sport developed by the NWG.

The event is being held on the 12th July at Aveley Football Club, Parkside, Park Lane, Aveley, Essex, RM15 4PX from 10.00 till 12.00. This event is aimed towards volunteers and coaches within the sporting community, and our safeguarding partners who can help promote this campaign, to equip us all with the tools to identify potential victims of Child Abuse.

Why you?

Because, not only do all sports clubs have a statutory duty to ensure children are protected from harm, but your close interaction with children and young people, puts you in a pivotal position to identify the warning signs and behaviour that may indicate that a child is being abused. In turn, reporting any information or concerns to the police will contribute to the safeguarding of children.

Extracurricular sports activities have seen a recent boom, with many parents sending their children to sports clubs during the school holidays. While we obviously welcome the rise in activity for children, part of this campaign will be to encourage parents to perform their due diligence before they send their children to these activities, to ensure they are legitimate clubs with the required safeguarding policies, procedures and safe recruitment processes in place.

With that in mind, we are asking sports coaches and clubs to be open about their safeguarding processes when asked by parents - it is only right that they challenge!

To book onto this event, please click here

If you have any further questions, then please email lscp@thurrock.gov.uk

Campaigns

Thurrock LSCP Campaigns

Thurrock LSCP will periodically run campaigns and information can be found in this area on the following:

Online Exploitation

Operation Henderson

Neglect Campaign - keeping your child safe, healthy and happy in Thurrock

Online Safety

Did you know a child could be recruited to a gang from hundreds of miles away? More and more often young people are being groomed remotely to carry out ‘jobs’ in their community, for their exploiters who live on the other side of the country.

How have exploitation methods changed/become more hidden?

Girls report finding it easier to travel around the county as they are challenged less than boys.
Possible increased use of taxis/private hire vehicles by children being exploited.
More exploitation happening at private addresses and unused business premises.
Social media has replaced face to face interaction. Young people are craving to connect with others and unfortunately, this can lead to grooming.

It is important to remember that the victim, the child, is NEVER to blame. Online groomers can be very persuasive and children should never be made to feel they did anything to encourage their exploitation. The best response an adult can provide a child who has been a victim of online exploitation is to comfort them, be supportive and help them address the issues they have encountered.

And of course, it's not just about when things go wrong. You can help your child to stay safe by creating an environment in which they feel able to speak openly about concerns they may have. You can do this by making good internet habits a part of your daily lives by limiting screen time, no devices at dinnertime/bedtime and by taking an active interest in the games they're playing and their social media influences.

Thanks to everyone involved in creating resources for this campaign.

Parents of young children and pre-schoolers

You do not need to talk to your pre-schooler about online safety yet, right? Wrong. If you treat online safety just as you would treat road safety, then talking about safe internet use becomes the norm and not something that they feel needs to be hidden as they get older. So if they are worried about something they have seen online they can feel confident in talking to an adult about their concerns.

Short animation for parents and childcare providers

Young people - how to help a friend

Podcast for parents and carers

Parents of pre-teens

Did You Know... the number of children exploited online doubles between the ages of 11 and 12 years old? This means that those at the end of primary school, about to enter secondary school, are particularly at risk, especially as it is a time when some children begin to enter the world of social media. The brain development they are going through at this age makes it hard for them to make decisions or plan ahead. They get an increased drive for risk taking and trying out new things. They are super sensitive to social status and so they start craving peer approval.

Podcast by Barnardos CARE

Online Gaming

Did You Know... the security settings of off game chats are often not as good as those built into the game. Discord is a chat forum used by a lot of gamers and it is important to be aware that strangers can contact your child especially on public or large servers and send inappropriate, mean or sexual content. Find out more about Discord and how to keep your child safe. This video by James Pearson, Violence and Vulnerability Unit is all about gaming. He discusses why parents need to be aware that their child's chat can filter out of the game and onto other platforms and what they need to be discussing with their children to keep their online gaming an enjoyable experience.

Perpetrators are increasingly targeting children and young people via online gaming sites, pretending to be someone who they are not. This can often lead to bullying, grooming and sexual exploitation. The Breck Foundation is a self-funding charity, raising awareness of playing safe whilst using the internet. CEOP's Thinkuknow has launched Band Runner, an interactive game for 8-10 year olds to help build their knowledge, confidence and skills to stay safe from risks they might encounter online. The game is hosted on the area for 8-10 year olds on the Thinkuknow website. Internet Matters - Online Gaming (The Basics)

Sending nudes

There is no 'usual' stereotype, any young person could send a nude pic - even your child. Make sure they understand that it is illegal to send nudes, even of themselves. And if it happens, try to understand whether there is peer pressure or grooming involved. Taking, making, sharing and possessing indecent images and pseudo-photographs (an image made by computer graphics, which appears to be a photograph) of people under 18 is illegal. It does not matter how old they look, looking at indecent images of under 18s is illegal.

This podcast by The 2 Johns looks at why and how young people are drawn into taking and sharing inappropriate images. They discuss how both parents and young people may be feeling and how to have an empathetic conversation with your child, as well as practical advice on getting photos removed.

Childline's Zipit app, uses humour to help teenagers deal with unwanted requests for sexual images of themselves. The free app offers young people a gallery of images and animations which they can send in response to requests for sexual pictures and to deal with difficult sexting situations.

Sexting advice for parents - how to have those important conversations with children.

Videos and livestreams

Houseparty exploded in popularity during lockdown, but did you know is not automatically set to private? That means anyone could video call your child without them having to accept. Make sure your child knows to change their privacy settings. Find out more about Houseparty safety on NetAware. Livestreaming is becoming a very popular way for young people to broadcast themselves on many different apps, to communicate with their friends or wider community, just as their favourite celebrities and Vloggers do. Make sure your children understand the risks of livestreaming:-

They cannot be edited
You cannot erase what people have already seen
Personal information might be given away by things said during the stream, things shown on camera or even in the background
Livestreams can be recorded by others, who can then keep a copy even after the stream has ended or expired.

Find out more about livestreaming and staying safe

Making new technology safe - Violence and Vulnerability Unit

Online Bullying

Did You Know... just under half of those being investigated for exploiting other online, are children and most are the same age as the victim. If you are worried your child might have been a victim there is more information on how to get help on our bullying page.

Our online bullying podcast looks at the pressure from social media and the impact on young people. The 2 Johns talk about how parents can create a relationship with their child that encourages them to tell them about these issues and the support available.

Fake content

Deepfakes are swiftly proving the old age adage that "seeing is believing" is no longer necessarily true. They can put inflammatory words into the mouths of politicians and transplant Hollywood A-listers into X-rated movies. But more recently, deepfakes are moving beyond the celebrity bubble into the lives of ordinary members of the public - fuelling offences such as revenge porn and extortion.

National Online Safety have some useful guidance for parents about Deepfakes and online safety in general.

All About Apps

With children spending more and more time online over the last few months, there has been an explosion in popularity of certain apps and games. TikTok has soared in popularity in recent months, with many celebrities getting involved with dances and challenges. If your child using the App, make sure you know the risks involved and how to change privacy settings to private. NSPCC's NetAware has lots of information on how to make your child's social media secure and a detailed description of the most popular apps, sites and games. This printable guide from The Children's Society also has a list of the most popular sites and apps.

Conversation Starters

"What's your favorite game? Can I play?"
"Can you show me your favourite TikTok dance/YouTube video?"
"Have you got online friends? How do you know who they are?"

Showing an interest in your child's online life will help them feel they are able to come to you with any concerns them may have.

NSPCC - Talking about online safety

Safer Internet - Talking about online safety

Parental controls and security settings

Parents and carers should be ensuring the settings of the apps and online games that their children use are set to private, with location setting turned off, to restrict the ways in which they could potentially be targeted by perpetrators. Many apps are public facing automatically, and have to be manually set to 'private'. You can use parental controls to help you block or filter the content your child sees when searching online. Parental controls are also available to help you to:

plan what time of day your child can go online and how for
stop them from downloading apps they are too young for
manage the content different members of the family can see

It is important to bear in mind that children and young people can potentially have access to the internet anywhere, not just at home. There are wifi hotspots, internet cafes, friends houses and of course mobile data is available 24/7. So whilst parental controls are useful, the most important thing you can do is have an open and inquisitive relationship with your child about their online interests.

Find out more about setting up Parental Controls

Reporting Concerns

You can report online abuse through the Child Exploitation and Online Exploitation Protection Centre (CEOP) website or the Internet Watch Foundation. Or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

If you are concerned about a child in Thurrock, call 01375 652802 or 01375 372468 (out of hours).

If you are concerned about a child in Essex, call Children & Families Hub (Social Care): 0345 603 7627 or 0345 606 1212 (out of hours).

If you are concerned about a child in Southend, call 01702 215007 or 0345 606 1212 (out of hours).

If a child is in immediate danger, dial 999 and ask to speak to Police.

Useful Links for Parents

Kayleigh's Love Story - YouTube
How can I help my child? - NWG and Marie Collins Foundation
E-Safety Training 'The 2 Johns' - Parent Carer Area
Internet Matters
ParentInfo
ParentZone
CEOP Home Activity Packs to support parents with online safety whilst at home
Digiduck's Big Decision - children's e-book about making safe choices online
The mysterious workings of the adolescent brain
The Training Effect - Summer Safety discussion video for Parents

Useful Links for Young People

Is she legal? - YouTube
A Bad Romance - A Live Snapchat story - YouTube
Stop It Now! - for anyone who is concerned about their own behaviour or the behaviour of others
ThinkYouKnow - advice and support from the National Crime Agency
Your special teenage brain

Useful Links for Professionals

Home Office guidance - understand the law on making and sharing indecent images
UK Safer Internet Centre
Marie Collins Foundation
Online Sexual Harm Reduction Guide - NWG and Marie Collins Foundation
Internet Watch Foundation
National Crime Agency
Steering clear of indecent images of children - helping young men to stay safe online
CEOP
TED TALKS - The mysterious workings of the adolescents brain
The Training Effect - Summer safety discussion video for Parents

Free workshops in support of Child Exploitation Awareness Week - 17-21 March 2025

Spot the signs and help prevent child exploitation

Thurrock Council's exploitation team are hosting workshops, training and pop-up events across the borough in support of Child Exploitation Awareness Week.

They are hosting free training for practitioners across Thurrock to learn how to spot the signs of child exploitation and reduce the risks. You can join the workshops from 17 March until 21 March at the Civic Offices and via Microsoft Teams. Spaces are limited. Register for a place on our Child Exploitation training workshops from the list of links below.

Parents and carers can also attend a free virtual workshop which is taking place from 5.30pm until 6.30pm on Thursday 20 March, which will cover how criminals look to exploit children and give a better understanding of gangs. Register here:

https://www.thurrocklscp.org.uk/events/event/awareness-raising-session-for-parents-and-carers-to-increase-knowledge-of-gangs

Pop-ups will also be taking place across Thurrock to share more essential information on how to protect young people from exploitation.

Practitioners can find the full list of events they can register for below:

Children Society: Understanding Child Exploitation Workshop – Monday 17 March (9.30am to 11.30am) at Civic Offices. Children Society: Understanding Child Exploitation Workshop
Children Society: Financial Exploitation – Wednesday 19 March (10.30am to 12pm) online. Children Society: Financial Exploitation Workshop
Open Road: Child Exploitation & Alcohol/Drug Use – Wednesday 19 March (2pm to 3pm) Open Road: Child Exploitation and Drug/Alcohol use
The Two Johns: Online Child Exploitation training – Thursday 20 March (10am to 11.20am) at Civic Offices. The 2 John's: Online Child Exploitation training
Children Society: Language Matters – Friday 21 March (10am to 11.30am) Children Society: Language Matters

Guidance & Legislation

Information and Guidance for Schools

We hope this area of the site will become a useful resource to help those who work in schools fulfil their statutory responsibilities to keep children and young people safe.

Throughout the site, we'll give you access to information regarding your duty to safeguard, the policies and procedures you need to have in place, information about safeguarding training opportunities, and let you know what Ofsted inspectors will be looking for when they carry out your school's safeguarding inspections.

In addition to our LSCP courses, the Department for Education provides an online course on Safer Recruitment available through this link

If you would like to see additional safeguarding information on the site, just let us know what you would find helpful. You can send us information by emailing us.

SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES

All school staff are responsible for ensuring children are safeguarded when visiting or attending their school.

Schools, including Academies and further education institutions have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils under the Education Act 2002. They should create and maintain a safe learning environment for children and young people, and identify where there are child welfare concerns and take action to address them, in partnership with other organisations where appropriate.

EDUCATION ACT 2002

Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 places a duty on local education authorities, maintained (state) schools and further education institutions, including sixth-form colleges, to exercise their functions with a view to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children – children who are pupils, and students under 18 years of age in the case of schools and colleges. Section 157 of the Education Act 2002 places the same duty on independent schools, including Academies.

LSCP REQUIREMENTS - Have you completed your audit?

Thurrock LSCP are required to ensure that all schools in the borough meet their safeguarding responsibilities. All schools are required to complete a 157/175 audit document on an annual basis and return this to the LSCB. If you have not completed these requirements please complete the audit document. Details can be found in the useful information section.

About Us

Welcome to the Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) was set up in May 2019, following changes in legislation which required a transition of arrangements from the previous Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Board.

As a Statutory Partnership, the LSCP has a strong membership of key partner agencies who support each other working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in Thurrock. Key areas include:

Protecting children from maltreatment.
Preventing impairment of children's health or development.
Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
Support children to have the best life chances and enter adulthood succesfully.
Promoting a safe environment free from violence.

The Partnership structure incorporates a number of groups looking at specific safeguarding areas through a joint delivery plan. LSCP groups meet regularly to agree and oversee the effectiveness of those agencies working to safeguarding and promote the welfare of children and young people in Thurrock.

Multi-agency safeguarding training and development events are provided to support partner agencies as well as providing safeguarding events and information for parents, carers, children and young people.

What do we do?

The LSCP has two main functions:

To oversee the work that agencies workign with children are doing to ensure that children and young people are kept safe.
To ensure that all those agencies that employ people to work with children have effective safeguarding policies in place to keep chidlren safe.

Some of the areas include how organisations recruit, train and oversee their staff in the work they do with children; how effective they are at using Child Protection proceedures and what more they can do to make Thurrock safer for children.

The LSCP also looks at the work of other Partnerships in Thurrock and nationally to ensure that keeping chlidren safe remains a priority for all who work with children and families. We also commission local child safeguarding practice reviews where necessary where agencies have the opportunity to learn lessons to improve the way in which they work both individually and collectively to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Who is involved?

Thurrock LSCP includes representatives from statutory, voluntary and community organisations and services. The three main agencies, known as the Safeguarding Partners, are:

Essex Police
Thurrock Council
Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB)

Other relevant agencies include education, North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT), Basildon Hospital, Probation and other voluntary, charitable and independent agencies.

LSCP Structure

In order for the Safeguarding Partnership to meet its statutory and local requirements we have in place a number of groups where different members of organisations from all levels meet to discuss and agree the safeguarding needs of Thurrock.

This section provides a brief overview of some of the responsibilities and roles those groups perform.

Thurrock LSCP Strategic Group

The Strategic Group will take place six times during the transitional year and four times a year thereafter. The Group will comprise of the Strategic Safeguarding Partners and the Thurrock LSCP Business Manager. The Group will be responsible for the strategic direction of the Partnership and decisions regarding Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, ensuring learning outcomes are embedded into practice.

The LSCP Business Manager will report to the Group on the effectiveness of the safeguarding and scrutiny arrangements.

Thurrock LSCP Management Executive Board (MEB)

The MEB meetings will be led by the three Safeguarding Partners and will be the decision making body overseeing the multi-agency plan. It will review progress and assess areas for development in local safeguarding processes. This will inform the priorities and strategic direction of the Partnership Strategic Group. It will take place four times a year and will be 2.5 hours in duration. The agenda for the meetings will be agreed by the Thurrock LSCP Strategic Group.

The MEB is responsible for:-

Carrying out the strategic policy and priorities of the Thurrock LSCP, ensuring that the Thurrock LSCP meets its statutory functions receiving any reports from partner agencies as required.
Responsible for evaluating the performance of all Partnership Sub-Groups and any Task and Finish Groups in carrying out their functions.

Standard areas for inclusion on agendas will comprise of:-

Child Deaths (until the new arrangements come into effect).
National and Local Learning Practice Reviews.
Progress of the multi-agency plan/performance report.
Updates from other Strategic Groups.
Updates from Thurrock LSCP Sub Groups.
Finance (October and March).

You can find the Terms of Reference for the board below:

Management Executive Board Terms of Reference 2025

2025-2026 scheduled meeting dates:

3 July 2025
25 September 2025
10 December 2025
11 March 2026

Thurrock LSCP Learning & Practice Review Group (LPR Group)

The LPR Group will examine front-line challenges and successes making suggestions and recommendations to improve multi-agency working. It will act on behalf of the Partnership in supporting the areas of Local Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Training and Development and the Audit process.

Thurrock LSCP Quality, Improvement & Performance Group (QIP)

The QIP Group role supports the Thurrock LSCP to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of work done by all Partner agencies individually and collectively to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and advise them on ways to improve. It will audit and evaluate the effectiveness of inter-agency working within Thurrock and undertake key tasks as identified within the Thurrock LSCP Business Plan. The focus of this Group is to review cases in a multi-agency arena to evaluate effectiveness of inter-agency working and to review agencies safeguarding performance. It offers an opportunity to reflect on safeguarding practice and identify any lessons learnt to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families.

Thurrock LSCP MACE

MACE is a strategic partnership group led by Safeguarding Partner's representatives to ensure a tactical response to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and other identified areas of exploitation including gangs and trafficking. It is responsible for developing the local multi-agency response to exploitation in Thurrock linking across with the activities undertaken by the Community Safety Partnership and other Strategic Groups to ensure that contextual safeguarding form a part of the understanding of the impact of exploitation and how to respond.

LSCP Annual Reports

LSCB structure drawn chart

Annual Reports

Each year a Thurrock LSCP Annual Report will be published and made available on this website.

It will include an evaluation of the effectiveness of the safeguarding arrangements by all agencies and outline key achievements and challenges to be addressed in the coming year.

The report will be presented to Children's Overview and Scrutiny, Chief Executive, Police Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC), Chief Constable and Health and Wellbeing Board to help to inform local planning.

LSCP Annual Report 2024-2025

LSCP Annual Report 2023-2024

LSCP Annual Report 2022-2023

LSCP Annual Report 2021-2022

LSCP Annual Report 2019-2021

LSCP Independent Scruitny

Under the new safeguarding arrangements, it is the responsibility of the three Safeguarding Partners to put in place an independent scrutiny process to provide assurance in judging the effectiveness of multi-agency arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in Thurrock.

A multi systems approach will be taken to the independent scrutiny of the new arrangements. This will comprise of a number of functions which will include:-

Peer Reviews
Audits
Individual Scrutineers
Ensuring the voice of children, young people and families are heard.

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements (MASA)

LSCP Logo

In line with Working Together to Safeguard Children, Thurrock LSCP publish the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements (MASA) document. A 2025 review of the document is currently underway and will be added to the website when complete.

MASA - January 2023

Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact one of the LSCP Business Team.

Thurrock LSCP Newsletters

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership Newsletters

Thurrock Local Safeguarding Children Partnership publish a quarterly newsletter sharing updates on multi-agency work, events, learning and development opportunities, awareness campaigns and more.

To make sure you never miss an edition and always get our newsletters, please click here to subscribe.

Thurrock LSCP Winter 2026 Newsletter

Thurrock LSCP Summer 2025 Newsletter

Useful Links

There are many agencies, voluntary and community services available in Thurrock and nationally that support safeguarding children and young people.

To assist professionals, parents, carers, children and young people we have included a number of those contacts that may be able to assist and support you.

Please note that Thurrock LSCP does not endorse these sites and takes no responsibility for the contents therein. These links are given for information only.

Anti-Bullying Campaign
020 7378 1446
www.bullying.co.uk
Barnardo's
01268 520224
www.barnardos.org.uk
Brook Advisory Centre
0800 018 5023
www.brook.org.uk
Child Accident Prevention Trust
020 7608 3828
www.capt.org.uk
Commission for Racial Equality
020 8648 0084
Eating Disorders Association
01603 765050
Family Friends of Lesbian and Gays (FFLAG)
01454 852 418 (central helpline)
www.fflag.org.uk
Family Planning Association (FPA)
0845 310 1334
www.fpa.org.uk
Kidscape
020 7730 3300 (parents bullying helpline)
www.kidscape.org.uk
Message Home
0800 700 740
Missing Person Helpline
0500 700 700 - 24 hours
National Council for One Parent Families
020 7267 1361
www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk
National Drugs Helpline
0800 77 66 00 - 24 hour free advice
NHS Direct
0845 4647
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
NSPCC
0808 800 5000
www.nspcc.org.uk
Offers some helpful information for parents and carers on a range of issues, such as internet safety, protecting children at home and positive parenting tips.
OfSTED Complaint Line
0845 601 4771
Parentline Plus
0808 800 2222
www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Police Community Safety Unit
020 8649 3065
Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA)
0121 248 2000
www.rospa.co.uk
Support for Asian Women
020 8687 2400
Thurrock Council
- Gangs - What you can do
- https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/gangs-and-gang-crime/what-you-can-do
- Prevention of Terrorism - PREVENT
- https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/terrorism/prevention-of-terrorism
Women's Aid Federation
08457 023 468 (national helpline)
South Essex Rape & Incest Crisis Centre
Support and Information
01375 380609
http://www.sericc.org.uk/

School & Academies

Useful Documents

This section will provide a source of documents covering various safeguarding topics.

If there is anything that you would like us to include, please contact the Business Team.

Self Harm Toolkit

This toolkit is to support those working with school age children and young people in educational settings

Self Harm Toolkit

Children in Need Review June 2019 - Department for Education document

Includes gaps in attainment, learning from best practice, call to action (link below)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/review-of-children-in-need

Operation Encompass

Operation Encompass provides a method of sharing information between the Police and local Schools. This provides the designated "Key Adult" within the School with information where a child has been present in a household where an incident of domestic abuse has been recorded. The information is aimed to be shared with the School prior to the commencement of the next school day so that the School can provide any appropriate support within the School environment for that pupil on that day.

Operation Encompass does not replace or supersede existing safeguarding protocols that are in place, existing safeguarding procedures and guidelines continue. It aims to send notifications to the School from the Police when they attend any incident where a child is involved.

Operation Encompass is not about asking for the School to do any more than provide immediate support to the child whilst in attendance at School following an incident in the home. It is designed to reinforce safeguarding and ensure children's wellbeing is of paramount importance.

By sharing information through Operation Encompass it is hoped that children of school age, who are witnessing domestic abuse, will have access to responsive emotional health and wellbeing support within School after an incident.

A pilot was started on the 2nd January 2020 and following the success of this, this is now being offered to all Thurrock Schools. If your School is not part of this and you would like more attention, please contact the Business Team at lscp@thurrock.gov.uk

Templates and Useful Documents

Below are all the documents, that you should need to implement Operation Encompass within your School. Can I please ask you to complete the Implementation Guide and Key Adult Information Form and return this to the LSCP Business Team, so that you can included within this.

Overview of Operation Encompass

Role of Key Adult

Information Sharing

Implementation Guide

Key Adult Information Form

Guidance and template documents

Further advice and resources

Flowchart

FAQ