NYSCP December 2023 e-bulletin - North Yorkshire

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December 2023 e-bulletin

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Welcome to the NYSCP December 2023 edition of our e-bulletin

As Christmas is a time for spending quality time with friends and family and definitely not for arguing with people over the answers to a Christmas quiz, it seems perfectly safe to start this December version of the NYSCP e-bulletin with some Christmas themed movie questions.

  1. Which 1982 winter animated film is only 27 minutes long?
  2. What was Ebenezer Scrooge talking about when he said, “Because a little thing can affect them. A slight disorder of the stomach can make them cheat. You may be a bit of undigested beef, a blob of mustard, a crumb of cheese. Yes. There’s more of gravy than of grave about you.”
  3. In the movie Elf, where does Buddy go to find his biological father?
  4. What are the burglars in Home Alone known as?
  5. Who says, “This place reminds me of Santa’s Workshop. Except it smells like mushrooms and everyone looks like they want to hurt me.”
  6. Who played British Prime Minister in 2003 film ‘Love Actually’?
  7. Which 1980s cult hit features furry creatures that wreak havoc on Christmas Eve?
  8. What city do the McCallister’s fly to for the Christmas holidays?
  9. How many roles does Tom Hanks play in Polar Express?
  10. Is Die Hard a Christmas film?

(Answers in the January detox version of the e-bulletin)

We hope all our partners will have the opportunity to take some time away from work over the festive period, however on the run-up to the Christmas break, please do look out for our ‘NYSCP 12 Working Days of Christmas’ on our social media channels X (twitter.com) Facebook and please get involved sharing our key messages.

Hannah Ellingworth
Partnership Manager


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The “Framework for decision-making: Right help, at the right time by the right person” has been developed to help and support practitioners working with children across all agencies and organisations, when faced with a decision about the safety and wellbeing of a child or young person. It is a collaborative approach to support and drive our shared ambition of the right help, at the right time from the right service and, importantly, from the right person.

The guidance sets out which agencies and which levels of intervention may be needed to keep children safe, support families, build on their strengths, promote resilience and overall outcomes for children, young people and their families.

The Framework should be used by practitioners to aid decision making and identify next steps but not replace the conversations when concerns about a child or young person are raised. All practitioners should use their safeguarding leads and Early Help Consultants for support, guidance and reflection.

The Framework supports practitioners with thresholds and also embeds the North Yorkshire’s relationship based model of practice using a Signs of Safety methodology to understand past and potential harm, along with safety and strengths to develop what needs to happen next (see www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk/Resources/one-minute-guide-signs-of-safety)

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NYSCP Annual Report 2022-2023

We are delighted to present the North Yorkshire Children’s Safeguarding Partnership Board Annual Report 2022-2023. This report is a testament to our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our children and young people in North Yorkshire.

In a world where our children face evolving challenges and uncertainties, our role as the safeguarding partnership is more crucial than ever.

This report is more than a compilation of statistics and achievements; it is a reflection of our collective determination and the incredible work carried out by the board, its partners, and the communities we serve. It offers a comprehensive overview of our activities, successes, and the challenges we’ve encountered, as well as our plans for the future.

Throughout this report, you will find insights into the collaborative efforts that have enabled us to create a safer and more nurturing environment for children and young people in our county.

We would love to hear your thoughts or comments on the report: you can contact us on nyscp@northyorks.gov.uk

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Changes to Referrals into Social Care

Due to updates in Egress, colleagues are unable to access the universal referral form that are sent securely via egress. Please send these via your usual email account to social.care@northyorks.gov.uk with immediate effect. For more information on what to do if you are worried about a child please use the guidance on the NYSCP website, where the universal referral form can also be found NYSCP (safeguardingchildren.co.uk)

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Reuse Santa Appeal

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to put a squeeze on family finances and as we try to protect the environment by reducing plastic waste, The Reuse Santa Appeal are asking for donations.

The appeal is running from the 16th to 30th November, (although toys may be accepted until Sunday 3rd December) and is asking for help to collect used toys, games, books and puzzles for young people who might otherwise not receive a gift. Not only will this help to make Christmas easier for many families, but it will also support the environment by encouraging a ‘Reduce, Re-use, Recycle’ mindset.

Please visit their Facebook page or website Reuse Santa Appeal – Yorwaste to find the latest updates about this year’s campaign which you will hopefully already have seen on NYSCP social media.

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Universal Declaration of Human Rights

If there was ever a moment to rekindle the hope of human rights for every person, it is now.
The 10th December 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of one of the world’s most ground-breaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).


In the aftermath of World War two, on 10 December 1948, in Paris, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which set out, for the first time the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being – regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.


Please visit the Human Rights 75 Initiative | OHCHR website for more details on Human Rights Day, the various pledges and initiatives. Of particular interest to the NYSCP is the information on the human rights of youth.


Youth is a period of transition from dependence to independence and autonomy. The transition occurs at different times in relation to different rights, for example with regards to education, employment, and sexual and reproductive health, and among others depends on the socioeconomic context.


Young people face discrimination and obstacles to the enjoyment of their rights by virtue of their age, limiting their potential. The human rights of youth refers to the full enjoyment of fundamental rights and freedoms by young people. Promoting these rights entails addressing the specific challenges and barriers faced. About the human rights of youth | OHCHR


The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children.[4] The convention defines a child as any human being under the age of eighteen, unless the age of majority is attained earlier under national legislation.[5]


Child Rights – UNICEF Ireland some great resources looking at how to talk to children about their rights
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NSPCC Resources: Children’s Rights

The NSPCC has a variety of programmes that schools can use to support children in understanding their rights as children and how to talk to a safe person if they have any worries

Primary Schools

  • Speak Out Stay Safe – Our assemblies and workshops for under 7’s (KS1) and over 7’s (KS2) aims to equip a generation of children with the knowledge and skills they need to stay safe from abuse and neglect. Available as a BSL version.
  • AGENDA toolkit – Primary Agenda are free online toolkits to help explore ideas around equality and diversity with children and young people.

Secondary schools

  • Talk Relationships – Training, lessons plans and a dedicated helpline to support secondary school teachers to confidently deliver inclusive sex and relationships education.
  • It’s not ok – It’s Not OK helps children and young people recognise concerning behaviour and identify characteristics of positive relationships. The lesson plans, films and accompanying activities cover what behaviour to look out for and how to respond to it.
  • AGENDA –  AGENDA is a free online toolkit to help explore ideas around equality and diversity with children and young people.

The Speak out Stay Safe is a safeguarding programme for children aged 5- to 11-years-old. It is available to all primary schools in the UK and Channel Islands. It helps children understand:

  • abuse in all its forms and how to recognise the signs of abuse
  • that abuse is never a child’s fault, and they have the right to be safe (linking into this week’s theme about human rights) we teach children they have rights as children too
  • where to get help and the sources of help available to them, including our Childline service.

The Speak out Stay safe programme contains:

  1. virtual assemblies for children aged 5-7 and 7-11, available in English, Welsh and BSL
  2. follow on lesson plans with engaging activities and resources to help reinforce and embed key messages (available in both English and Welsh)
  3. face-to-face workshops for children aged 6-7 and 9-11 (talk to us about availability in your area).

You’ll be supported by a local Schools Co-ordinator who can answer any questions you have about the programme and help you access other support, resources and training.

There is also an adapted six week Speak out Stay safe programme for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and additional needs (ASN/ALN).

To Sign up to the NSPCC’s mainstream program click the link below Speak out Stay safe programme | NSPCC Learning

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IOPC Youth Panel: Have Your Say on Policing

Children’s views and life experiences need to be heard in order that they can shape national and local delivery plans. The IOPC Youth Panel ‘Have Your Say on Policing’ Survey is a part of a youth-led project to influence policing across England and Wales. It has been designed by young people from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) Youth Panel.

The survey is completely anonymous, and you will not be asked for your name, contact information or any information that will reveal your identity. It is managed by Leaders Unlocked. IOPC Youth Panel Survey 2023 (surveymonkey.co.uk)

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Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership: Professional Curiosity

Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership have recently been awarded for some of their work with children and young people and have kindly given permission for two of their YouTube recordings to be shared within North Yorkshire. The videos really show the importance of professional curiosity and the need to hear and genuinely listen to what children are telling us through our work with them.  The videos cover Domestic Abuse – Voices That Need To Be Heard – YouTube and the Youth Justice Service – YJS Digital Me 2023 (Short) – YouTube

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Session – Messenger App

Session is a messenger app that has been highlighted by the Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) as a communication app of choice as it appears to take the level of encryption beyond what WhatsApp and Telegram can currently offer.

The NWROCU have reported use amongst their OCG networks and reported concerns with regards to the level of encryption within the app, they believed that as a result it may start to “overtake” WhatsApp and Telegram as the app of choice and therefore more young people may be pushed towards using it.

For more information on this app visit the getsession.org website

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Upcoming Masterclasses

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Trauma Awareness E-Learning

The training is a short targeted 45-minute training session for anyone who has direct or regular contact with Children and Young People, who may be affected by trauma (even if this is not known about)

The aims of the training are to:

  • Define Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the potential impact of it on people.
  • Understand Trauma Informed practice and care and how we can respond more effectively to support people
  • Identify sources of support for yourself and professional colleagues

You can access the training via the link below.

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Christmas Toy Safety

Christmas is just around the corner and many parents/carers and family members will soon be starting to buy toys for the children in their lives. Remember not all toys meet British Safety Standards, therefore the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) have published top tips to help you with your toy shopping this Christmas.

Button batteries are very hazardous and are now found in many toys and even the Christmas decorations you will soon be displaying around your home. Button batteries, in particular lithium coin cell batteries can badly hurt or kill a child if they swallow one and it gets stuck in their food pipe. Keep them out of reach! Visit the Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) button battery advice hub, which fully explains what these are and the dangers associated with them, and has resources available in other languages.

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Useful Links

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Resource Library

Find the latest forms, guidance, tools and documents to help you safeguard children in North Yorkshire by searching in our resource library

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