About
Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places a statutory duty on key people and bodies to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Revised Statutory guidance on the duty was issued in April 2007. Read more about the policy context
The safeguarding network brings together professionals from local health and social care organisations with a responsibility or an interest in improving safeguarding practice. It is a broad national alliance comprised of the regional networks that have been established to support local organisation to fulfil their statutory duties and improve safeguarding practice within the regions.
Between 2007 and 2009 the Department of Health sponsored a Safeguarding project team to develop three key communications tools to support the safeguarding network. These tools include:
- SAIF for clinicians the Support Advice and Information Forum for clinicians to improve safeguarding practice https://clinicians.safeguardingnetwork.org.uk/
- SAIF for health professionals the Support Advice and Information Forum for health professionals with a responsibility or an interest in improving safeguarding practice http://healthprofessionals.safeguardingnetwork.org.uk/
- The safeguarding website which acts an information hub on safeguarding for health professionalswww.safeguardingnetwork.org.uk
In 2010 the Child Health and Maternity Partnership (CHaMP) took over the management responsibility for the Safeguarding project and the maintenance of the communications tools. CHaMP is a national service improvement resource for child health and maternity services. CHaMP coordinates and provides consultancy and capacity development for service improvement with particular expertise in integrated working across health and social care. CHaMP provides support for service delivery, joint commissioning, knowledge sharing and partnership working.
Latest news
Training programme on evidence-based assessment tools, analysis and planning
Child and Family Training’s Open Courses Training Programme for 2010-2011 is now in place proving training on evidence-based assessment tools, analysis and planning for professionals working with with children and families.
GMC expert group on child protection work meets for first time
The expert group set up by the General Medical Council in the wake of paediatrician David Southall’s appeal court victory is to be headed by one of the most senior family judges in England and Wales.
Ofsted identifies ways to improve safeguarding
Key lessons on how local authorities can improve safeguarding have emerged from the first round of unannounced inspections, a senior Ofsted figure has revealed.
Vetting and Barring Scheme registration halted
Registration with the Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) will be halted to allow the government to remodel the scheme back to proportionate, common sense levels.
Ofsted praises child protection in five local authorities
Cumbria County Council is among five local authorities to receive glowing Ofsted reports for their child protection services following unannounced inspections.
Maggie Atkinson wants to lead debate on risk in safeguarding
Children’s commissioner Maggie Atkinson has volunteered to lead a national debate on how agencies assess risk when it comes to children’s safeguarding.
BAPSCAN 2010 research grant awards launched
This year BASPCAN will be awarding grants to collaborative applications made by practitioners and researchers working in partnership.
Child protection activities in councils on the rise
Referrals to children’s social care teams are up 16.5 per cent nationally, and by a massive 269 per cent in one local authority, a survey of 105 councils has revealed.
Early Intervention: Securing good outcomes for all children and young people
This document aims to support Children’s Trust Boards and their partners to bring greater consistency, rigor and impact to the way early intervention is organised and delivered locally.
CHaMP national conference presentations
Download the speaker and workshop presentations from CHaMP’s national conference on safeguarding children.