Thank you for attending our Introduction to Working Together training session.
This page is designed to support your continued learning and help you make the most of the information shared during the session. Below, you’ll find a collection of useful links, resources, and follow-up materials tailored to reinforce key topics and guide you through your next steps.
Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership
What is safeguarding and the four categories of abuse
Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO)
Information sharing toolbox
Safeguarding in voluntary, faith and community organisations
Useful One Minute Guides (available on the Leeds City Council website)
- Early Help
- Restorative Practice
- Leeds Practice Model
- Cluster Working
- Duty and Advice Team
- Front Door Safeguarding hub
In September 2003, the Government published the Every Child Matters Green Paper alongside its formal response to the Victoria Climbié Inquiry Report. The Green Paper proposed changes in policy and legislation in England to maximise opportunities and minimise risks for all children and young people, focusing services more effectively around the needs of children, young people and families. The Green Paper subsequently passed into legislation as The Children Act 2004.
Useful local information
NSPCC – www.nspcc.org.uk
The Children’s Society - www.childrenssociety.org.uk
Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel Reports
Leeds City Council Children & Families Service One Minute Guides
National guidance
Children’s Social Care National Framework, DfE, 2023
The Munro Review of Child Protection: Final Report A child-centred system, Eileen Munro, DfE, 2011
Children Act 1989, The Stationary Office, 1989 (only available as archived material)
The Children Act 2004, The Stationary Office, 2004
Every Child Matters, 2003, The Stationary Office, 2003 (only available as archive material)
The Adoption & Children Act, DfE, 2002
Information Sharing: Advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services to children, young people, parents and carers, DfE, April 2024
Relationship of Childhood Abuse and Household Dysfunction to Many of the Leading Causes of Death in Adults: The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, Felitti. VJ et al, Kasier Permanente, 1998
Welsh Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, Public Health Wales, 2015
Tackling Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) State of the Art and Options for Action Public Health Wales, The World Health Organisation and The Public Health Institute, 2023.
Concerns about Mental Health
Young people (13-17 years) or parents and carers of children (5-17 years) and professionals can now talk directly to the Single Point of Access (SPA) team.
Leeds SPA will work with all services available locally to find the right support for the child / young person. They can call 0300 555 0324 9am - 5pm.
It is for all children and young people who have a Leeds GP, up to the age of 18.
Please remember to gain consent to make the referral from the young person / parent / carer (as appropriate)
Fraser Guidelines and Gillick Competency
These are both terms that are often used together and to refer to the same legal case in the 1980’s which looked at whether doctors should be able to give contraception advice and treatment to under 16-year-olds without parental consent. They both aim to help people who work with children balance the need to listen to children’s wishes with the need to keep them safe.
Gillick competency is often used in a wider context to assess whether a child has the maturity to make their own decisions and understand the implications of those decisions. There is no set of defined questions to assess Gillick competency. Professionals need to consider several things when assessing a child's capacity to consent, including:
- the child's age, maturity, and mental capacity
- their understanding of the issue and what it involves - including advantages, disadvantages, and potential long-term impact
- their understanding of the risks, implications and consequences that may arise from their decision
- how well they understand any advice or information they have been given
- their understanding of any alternative options, if available
- their ability to explain a rationale around their reasoning and decision making.
Remember that consent is not valid if a young person is being pressured or influenced by someone else.
Children's capacity to consent may be affected by different factors, for example stress, mental health conditions and the complexities of the decision they are making. The same child may be considered Gillick competent to make one decision but not competent to make a different decision.
The child’s safety and wellbeing must always be paramount.
Fraser guidelines are applied to advice and treatment relating to contraception and sexual health. However, when using Fraser guidelines for issues relating to sexual health, you should always consider any potential child protection concerns:
- Underage sexual activity is a possible indicator of child sexual exploitation and children who have been groomed may not realise they are being abused.
- Sexual activity with a child under 13 should always result in a child protection referral.
- If a young person presents repeatedly about sexually transmitted infections or the termination of pregnancy this may be an indicator of child sexual abuse or exploitation. (All above adapted from NSPCC Website, 2022)
Information on Personal Counselling/Support for Adults
Some adults have experienced abuse as children whether it be physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect. Frequently they have never had the chance to talk through these experiences and what it means for them. If you, or someone you know, would like to talk to someone in confidence then these contacts may be useful to you.
ChildLine
0800 1111 (Free 24-hour service)
Free confidential, counselling service for children and young people in trouble or danger.
More information is available from: www.childline.org.uk
Leeds Domestic Violence Services (LDVS)
0113 246 0401 🖂 hello@ldvs.uk
LDVS is a consortium comprising Leeds Women’s Aid, HALT and Behind Closed Doors. It offers support for those experiencing domestic violence – offering emergency accommodation, and support and information for women living at home. Those experiencing domestic violence can access emotional support and information via the 24-hour helpline number.
More information is available from www.ldvs.uk
Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service
0113 843 4388 🖂 leeds.mws@nhs.net
Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service is the NHS mental health provision in Leeds. They can support you to manage everyday problems such as feeling low, anxious or stressed, or struggling with sleep. Through their wide range of psychological support options, including phone support, instant-access online resources, group classes, and one-to-one ‘talking therapies’. Available for people aged 17+ upwards.
More information is available from www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk
West Yorkshire 24-hour Mental Health
Helpline 0800 183 0558
The West Yorkshire helpline provides confidential support, advice and information for anyone who is concerned about their mental health or is worried about a family member or someone they care for.
The service is for anyone aged 18 and over who is registered with a Leeds GP. It’s also available to people registered with GPs in Calderdale, Kirklees, Wakefield and Barnsley.
More information is available from Home - Leeds Mind
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Single Point of Access (SPA)
0800 183 1485 (if deaf or hearing loss – Text – 07983 323 867)
This phone number is for anyone needing urgent care or treatment for a mental health crisis.
NSPCC Child Protection Help Line
0808 800 5000 🖂 help@nspcc.org.uk
Free 24-Hour service
Provide counselling, information and advice to anyone concerned about a child at risk of abuse.
More information is available from: www.nspcc.org.uk
Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service
0808 800 1212 (Connect Helpline)
0113 260 9328 (Dial House)
0800 148 8244 (West Yorkshire Night Owls)
Connect is a free telephone and online support helpline open 6pm–2am every night of the year for people living in Leeds. The service provides emotional support and information for people in distress.
They also have Dial House which is open for two-hour face-to-face visits between 6pm–2am on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
West Yorkshire Night Owls is a confidential support line for children and young people who are in crisis and their parents and carers who live in Bradford, Leeds, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. This service runs 8pm-8am every night.
More information is available from: www.lslcs.org.uk
North Point Wellbeing Ltd
0113 245 0303 🖂 info@northpoint.org.uk
One of the largest charitable providers of therapeutic services in the region, working with adults, children and young people.
More information is available from: www.northpoint.org.uk
Samaritans
0113 245 6789 🖂 jo@samaritans.org
24-hour telephone. Face to face support also available. National line 08457 909090. Deaf and hearing-impaired service users – minicom 08457 90 91 92. Confidential support for people who are feeling desperate or suicidal.
More information is available from: www.samaritans.org
SARSVL (Support After Rape and Sexual Violence Leeds)
Helpline: 0808 802 3344 🖂 support@sarsvl.org.uk
SARSVL are an independent feminist organisation offering a women only safe space and specialist support for any women and girls in Leeds who have been affected by sexual violence of any kind at any time in their lives and need their support. Nearly half the survivors they speak to are adult survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). They are trans inclusive.
More information is available from: www.supportafterrapeleeds.org.uk
Women’s Counselling and Therapy Service (WCTS)
0113 245 5725 🖂 info@womenstherapyleeds.org.uk
Office Hours vary through Monday to Friday.
Provides counselling for women in the Leeds area. All services are free, but donations are welcomed but not expected.
More information is available from: www.womenstherapyleeds.org.uk