Information for Parents and Carers

The Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership is made up of senior staff from the organisations who work across Derby and Derbyshire to provide services to children, young people and their families. 

Our work is to prevent harm to children

• Get more information if you are worried about a child
• We provide information to parents and the community to help them keep children safe directly and through health services and schools
• We also provide information for people who work with children and if you want to know more about a specific issue or topic view our DDSCP resources
• If you would like help and extra support for your children or your family you can get more information from your GP about the services that are available
• Depending on the age of your children, your midwife or health visitor or school will be able to provide more information.

Unregistered Independent Schools

If you become aware that a school may not be registered, please contact Derby City Council via email on education@derby.gov.uk so that action can be taken to make sure children are safe. 

Resources for Parents and Carers

Set out below are a range of different resources that may help you.

We are happy to have requests or suggestions for adding extra information. You can call us on 01332 642351 or email ddscp@derby.gov.uk.

The NSPCC 'Underwear Rule' for younger children

Teach your child the Underwear Rule and help protect them from abuse. It's a simple way that parents can help keep children safe from sexual abuse – without using scary words or even mentioning sex.

Talk PANTS and you have got it covered

• Privates are private
• Always remember your body belongs to you
• No means no
• Talk about secrets that upset you
• Speak up, someone can help

The NSPCC have launched a PANTS song and animation to help protect children from sexual abuse. It is aimed at children aged 4-8 years old and features dinosaurs explaining how to stay safe from abuse, led by our new friendly character, Pantosaurus.

Help your child stay safe online

• Share aware - from the NSPCC and O2 - for younger children - promotes safety when online or using apps and games.
• Get Safe Online has resources to help children and young people of different ages. As a parent or carer you need to stay switched-on to children’s online safety.
• Safer Internet - has e-safety tips, advice and resources to help children and young people stay safe on the internet.

Talk to your child

Talking to your child is the best way to help keep them safe. But with things changing all the time, it can be hard to keep up to date. You can always call our online safety helpline on 0808 8005 002 to get advice on anything from the latest social networks to parental controls.

Understanding how schools will support children if there are concerns about online images

Schools across Derby and Derbyshire have access to the following up to date guidance. They can use this guidance to help respond to concerns that they are aware of that affect pupils in their school

Sharing nudes and semi-nudes: advice for education settings working with children and young people

Guidance to support designated safeguarding leads and senior leadership teams in education settings in England in responding to incidents involving the sharing of nudes and semi-nudes and safeguarding children and young people.

The guidance covers:

• risk assessing incidents;
• safeguarding and supporting children and young people;
• handling devices and imagery;
• recording incidents; and
• providing education on the sharing of nudes and semi-nudes.

Stop it Now!

Stop it Now! - UK and Ireland is a child sexual abuse prevention campaign.

It is run by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, the only UK-wide child protection charity dedicated solely to reducing the risk of children being sexually abused.

They support adults to play their part in prevention through:

• providing sound information
• educating members of the public
• training those who work with children and families
• running a confidential freephone service: 0808 1000 900.

Stop it Now! have produced the Choose Another Path film to deter people from viewing and sharing sexual images of children.

Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) - Thinkuknow

Thinkuknow provides resources, training and support for professionals who work directly with children and young people.

Their films, learning activities and other resources are developed in response to intelligence from child protection experts within the CEOP Command.

They are designed to help children and young people keep themselves safe from sexual abuse and exploitation by developing skills in identifying and avoiding risk, learning how best to protect themselves and their friends, and knowing how to get support and report abuse if they do encounter difficulties. 

Support for Disabled Children and Adults 

The Challenging Behaviour Foundation (CBF) and the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) launched of a the Paving the Way website.

The website aims to provide families, professionals, staff, and commissioners with information about how to reduce challenging behaviour and to improve the wellbeing of children with learning disabilities.

Be Safe Be Smart Online

A set of resources created in partnership with The National Deaf Children's Society.

They are designed to help and support deaf young people and their parents, carers and teachers to help and remind them how to stay safe online.

Telling about bullying: a leaflet for deaf adults

Illustrated leaflet designed to be shared with deaf adults who find pictures easier to read than words. Outlines in pictures how a mum and dad are concerned that their daughter is being bullied for having deaf parents. Shows how they contacted the NSPCC and got the advice and help they needed to support their child.

Child Sexual Exploitation - Information for young people and parents

You can find out more information about Child Sexual Exploitation Meetings in Derby:

• Sexual Exploitation - Parents explains what happens and  how parents or carers might be involved.‌
• Sexual Exploitation - Children- explains what happens, how they can be involved and who will be there.

Safe and Sound - Fighting CSE

Safe and Sound provide support directly to children, young people and families in Derby and Derbyshire affected by the abuse and work to ensure that individuals receive the support they need to move forwards in their lives.

They also have more information about CSE for parents and carers.

Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation (PACE) 

Pace information and resources support parents and carers of sexually exploited children. 

They help parents across the UK understand what is happening to their child and how parents are the prime agents in helping their child end exploitative relationships.