Welcome to the Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership Annual Report for the period covering 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025, which is produced on behalf of the partnership by the Lead and Delegated Safeguarding Partners in Leeds.
We would like to start as always, by taking the opportunity to thank all our frontline practitioners and managers, whose dedication to their roles and partnership working keeps children safe. We have strengthened the voice of practitioners within the work of the partnership this year, and hope that all those that work with children and families in Leeds know that they have a voice which influences policy and practice, improving outcomes for children.
The work of the partnership would not be possible without the continued support of partners, chairs and members of the sub-groups, our independent scrutineer and the business unit that supports all our work, and we would like to take the opportunity to offer our thanks for their ongoing support, hard work and dedication to safeguarding the children of Leeds.
The year was a busy one and involved ensuring that the partnership oversaw full implementation of the revised Government guidance, Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), in good time and ahead of the required deadline. This involved the revision and publication of our multi-agency safeguarding arrangements, including the designation of Lead Safeguarding Partners (LSPs), in line with the new guidance requiring this function to be held at Chief Executive and Chief Constable levels to reflect senior accountability for safeguarding arrangements.
In addition, Education and Schools have become the fourth safeguarding partner and joined our LSCP Executive Board. We are grateful to our education colleagues for their continued commitment to our safeguarding arrangements and note the improvement in all partnership strategic safeguarding considerations as a result of this change.
The partnership undertook a self-assessment this year and we are particularly proud of how we demonstrated so many areas of achievement, including a strong learning culture, effective communication and partnership working, effective multi-agency safeguarding arrangements from operational to strategic level, and the significant activity across the partnership in relation to the voice and influence of young people and families. There are always areas where improvements can be made, and we will continue in the coming year to address these.
Work has continued in relation to the priorities for the partnership and wider learning, and our annual report demonstrates only some of the work that has taken place across the city. We are proud of all that has been achieved and the ongoing commitment to continuous improvement.
The report of the Joint Inspectorates’ review (JTAI) of services in Leeds in March 2024 to safeguard children involved in serious youth violence was published in May 2024 and noted many elements of excellent practice across agencies in this difficult area. We have also been assured of much good practice in cases involving concerns of domestic abuse, early indicators of neglect and the multi-agency involvement in safeguarding referrals to the Front Door of Children’s Services. These are areas all subject to multi-agency review or audit by members of the LSCP.
As a leadership team we are committed to the safeguarding agenda, and alongside the implementation of the national reforms, will ensure in the coming year that work continues to improve the wellbeing and safety of children and families in Leeds.
Jo Harding, Director of Nursing & Quality, Leeds Office
NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board
Julie Longworth, Director, Children & Families
Leeds City Council
Steve Dodds, Chief Superintendent, Leeds District
Commander, West Yorkshire Police