Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 Consultation

The consultation period for the long awaited revision to “Working Together to Safeguard Children” launched on the 21st June and will close on 6th September 2023.
 

This is your opportunity no matter which organisation you work in to give feedback relating to the proposed changes to this document which supports the existing safeguarding and child protection legislation

Alongside “Stable Homes, Built on Love,” draft guidance for children’s Social Care in England and Wales (published by the Government in March 2023) and the revision to ”Keeping Children Safe in Education and Settings” (released at the beginning of June 2023), the revision of “Working Together to Safeguard Children" sets out how we all need to work to keep children safe, preferably within their families.

The consultation poses several questions which you have the opportunity to consider on behalf of your organisation.

Why is this so important?

Multi agency working in partnership with children and families is at the heart of the proposed changes to this document as well as recognising the importance of working with families to make lasting changes to prevent harm, protect children and prevent future harm. The planned changes to this document reference every environment where we may be working with children and/or their parents and carers. This is an important opportunity for us all to influence the very guidance that drives our child safeguarding policy and procedures. This is the perfect chance for you to have your voice heard in relation to everything you and your staff do to work with families and keep children safe.

What does this mean to you?

Once new guidance is published at the end of this year/early 2024, at the very least you will need to review your policy and procedures and may need to rethink your approach to safeguarding to enable working with children, families and partners in a different way. Safeguarding training for your staff will need to be refreshed to allow staff to understand the expectations set out in the new guidance.

How can we help?

We understand that any change to safeguarding statutory guidance or legislation can be stressful for organisations and Athena can ensure that your safeguarding policies, procedures and training are up to date. We will work with you to understand your needs no matter how big or small your organisation may be. We welcome both our existing customers and any new enquiries, we will listen to you, and with 50 collective years of working in the safeguarding industry, you can be reassured that we will support and guide you, and will work with you flexibly to ensure that you have everything you need to keep children safe from harm.