For children to be kept safe from harm it is essential that the local workforce of practitioners and managers, including volunteers and workers in faith settings, are well informed and understand the agreed local child protection procedures.
Southwest Child Protection Procedures:
The Southwest Child Protection Procedures manual contains a set of chapters which reflect Working Together to Safeguard Children and related statutory guidance. Chapters include guidance on:
- Local Protocols
- Core Procedures
- Safeguarding Practice Guidance
- Safeguarding Partnership Arrangements (Roles & Responsibilities)
> Access the Southwest Child Protection Procedures HERE
The content has been written to be accessible to a wide range of users from the Safeguarding Children Partnership and other relevant local organisations and agencies, including the voluntary, charity, social enterprise, faith-based organisations and private sectors.
Somerset is part of the Southwest consortium that has developed the Southwest Child Protection Procedures (in conjunction with Tri.x). Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership and its member agencies are signatories to the Southwest Child Protection Procedures (SWCPP) as our local procedures.
The Southwest Child Protection Procedures are based on current legislation and the latest edition of national statutory guidance: Working Together to Safeguard Children
Local Policies, Procedures and Guidance:
- Allegations Management – Please see the Allegations Management page for guidance and local procedure
- Somerset Strategy Discussions – Practice Guidance
- Information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners (HM Gov)
- Gillick competency and Fraser Guidance factsheet (NSPCC)
Child Death Review:
Since April 2008 there has been a legal requirement for all child deaths to be reviewed to see whether we can learn lessons in order to improve the health, safety and well-being of children. This process is called the Child Death Review – please see NHS Somerset ICB website for further details on Child Death Review
Notification of a child death
Any agency becoming aware of a child death occurring in Somerset, or a death of a normally resident Somerset child occurring elsewhere, should make a notification using the eCDOP website: https://www.ecdop.co.uk/PANDorsetSomerset/Live/Public
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Pre-Birth Planning Toolkit
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Welfare Checks Prompt Sheet
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Allegations Management Procedure Information for Employers
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Resolving Professional Differences Protocol
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Family Strengths and Needs Toolkit
A toolkit to assist with the identification of neglect of a child or young person…