The LSCP Annual Report 2023 covers the period 2021-2023 and provides an analysis of the effectiveness of the safeguarding arrangements in Leeds.
At the heart of this report is a commitment to transparency, accountability and above all the protection of the most vulnerable children, young people and families in Leeds.
The safeguarding system across Leeds is strong and the report highlights the excellent work undertaken every day by dedicated staff.
Key messages emerge from this report that are learning points for the partnership to consider:
- Poverty is a re-occurring theme and can significantly impact on a child’s well-being.
- Care leavers are more at risk of poorer outcomes than their peers. Care leavers are much more likely to be homeless or enter the prison system and may suffer from poorer mental health and higher suicide rates.
- Early intervention is needed to prevent statutory intervention. All professionals across Leeds need to ensure that that they are sighted on wider social economic factors that are impacting on parenting alongside any presenting safeguarding issues. This must be considered and addressed in plans for children and families.
- Child exploitation is an issue that impacts the most vulnerable children and young people in the city. Child exploitation goes beyond the traditional understanding of child protection where the risks to young people are generally intra-familial. These extra-familial contexts can pose a set of complex risks for children, and these must be considered and addressed in all assessments. Furthermore, there needs to be a continued commitment by the wider partnership to respond to the risks children face in these contexts.
You can read the Annual Report in full on our website.