Coronavirus: key information about our safeguarding arrangements 

Key changes put in place across Derby and Derbyshire to keep children and young people safe during the Coronavirus (Covid19) pandemic 

Updates to DDSCP Safeguarding Children Procedures

• Responding to safeguarding concerns

This briefing document provides updated guidance for practitioners and managers from all agencies about Responding to Safeguarding Concerns and Covid 19 (V2) in line with current national guidance and the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Procedures. Implementation date: 21/04/2020 (Updated)

• Managing Risk to Vulnerable Children

This briefing document provides updated guidance for practitioners and managers from all agencies about Managing risk to vulnerable children in line with current national guidance and the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Procedures. Implementation date: 21/04/2020

• Domestic Abuse

This briefing document provides updated guidance for practitioners and managers from all agencies about Domestic Abuse Briefing COVID-19 in line with current national guidance and the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Procedures. Implementation date: 24/06/2020

• Child Protection Medicals

The guidance provides advice to social workers, police and paediatricians for undertaking ‌ during the current pandemic, whilst social distancing measures are in place. The aim is to ensure the safety of children, whilst minimising face to face contact. Implementaiton date: 06/04/2020

Key Service Updates

• Mental Health Support Line

Mental health support is now available for children and adults who live in Derby and Derbyshire through a new mental health support line

Call 0300 790 0596 between the hours of 9am and midnight, seven days a week

The mental health support line is for anyone experiencing increased mental health needs during the Coronavirus (Covid 19) pandemic.

• Derby and Derbyshire Emotional Health and Wellbeing

The Derby and Derbyshire Emotional Health and Wellbeing website provides children and young people, parents and professionals with links to the different services available across the whole area. New updated information about support and help is posted on a daily basis.

• Derbyshire Children's Services Early Help Offer during Covid 19

For further information about the Derbyshire early help offer please see Derbyshire Children's Services Offer during Covid 19.

• Derby Children's Services Early Help Offer 

Early Help Teams are currently supporting our Children’s Social Care colleagues in the city to ensure our most vulnerable children and young people are kept safe. 

The priority is to support new Children in Need (section 17) and Integrated Disabled Children’s Services (IDCS) short break service. All 16 and 17 year old young people in supported accommodation will receive weekly telephone contact as visits as necessary.

All Children reported Missing will be managed according to the Missing Protocol (see document library, protocols section),  in most cases via telephone return interviews, those missing over 72 hours will be subject to a Virtual Strategy Discussion following current processes.

• Child Sexual Abuse

Victims of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation are potentially on lockdown with their abusers. Safeguarding has never been as important as it is during this crisis. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns and Covid 19 (V2) has been produced by the National Police Chief's Council and the Children's Society along with a Poster A3 Responding to CSA during Covid 19 to help you.

• Children at Risk of Exploitation (CRE)

Update on multi-agency arrangements for Children at risk of exploitation and children missing from home or care in Derbyshire during the COVID-19 outbreak see Derbyshire CRE and Missing Arrangements

• Sexual Health Services Update

Update on multi-agency arrangements for children in Derby and Derbyshire on how to contact sexual health services see Sexual and reproductive health support for vulnerable individuals and communities during COVID-19

• Probation Services

For information about changes to Probation Services see Probation Services Exceptional Delivery Covid 19 Plan

Updates to Multi-Agency arrangements under Covid 19

Updates to Multi-Agency arrangements under Covid 19 sets out more detailed explanations of the changes to how we are working  and include the following topics 

• Monthly performance reporting illustrating a summary of what is known about the impact of Covid 19 
• Multi-Agency Safeguarding Meetings – Derby
• Multi-Agency Safeguarding Meetings – Derbyshire
• DDSCP Multi-agency subgroup meetings
• DDSCP Multi-agency Training (Derby and Derbyshire)