Bradford review

The Learning and Development subgroup of Bradford Safeguarding Children’s Board will write to all training representatives in commissioned services to recommend that current safeguarding training for practitioners is reviewed and evaluated in respect of the above

In addition the Bradford Domestic and Sexual Violence Strategic Board will review and evaluate the domestic violence and abuse training available to directly commissioned services; and also ensure that referral information for sources of support are widely available to members of the public and service providers.

The Bradford Domestic and Sexual Violence Strategic Board will assist agencies to be assured that practitioners are applying routine or targeted enquiry where appropriate, and know how and where to access relevant training and support

Education Strategic Director to evaluate support, resources and information available to teaching and non-teaching staff and access to multi agency training on domestic violence and abuse.

In addition to ensure that the safeguarding lead in school is supported to work closely with the designated school nurse.

specific representation for Education on DHR Panels where the family includes school age children

to ensure that any relevant issues for pre-school children can be addressed by the proposed Panel membership, or seeking additional representation

ensure IMR authors demonstrate an understanding of the role of race and ethnicity in domestic violence and abuse; and how this relates to the potential barriers and particular needs for the people identified in the review

Police IMR authors should liaise closely with the HMET Senior Investigating Officer

To evaluate the DHR guidance for the Crown Prosecution Service to identify any relevant areas for practice improvements

Define the systems and principles for information sharing IMRs

The protocol between the police and Children’s Social Care to be subject to an ongoing review process.

Communication needs to take place when children are moving between Local Authorities and this must be recorded effectively.

Children’s Social Care to ensure that the use of letters when domestic violence notifications are received is no longer practice.

Remind assessment teams of the importance of clarity where children and family members are living at the time of the contact and to accurately record the detail and any changes on the case file.

In accordance with the School Nursing Standards (BDCT, 2012) the School Nursing Service to review the Health Needs Survey Questionnaire offered to all year 7 and year 10 pupils. Giving particular consideration to; - The questions, how they are asked? - Is the young person making an informed choice regarding the question in each section which asks ‘would you like any help or support about…? - What is the purpose of a young person identifying concerns about their health and wellbeing, if they are not aware of what type of help or support is available and from which health professional or service?

All staff in School Nursing Team should adhere to the Record Keeping Guidance for Safeguarding Children, Appendix 5 of the Safeguarding Children’s Policy (BDCT, 2011) and the Record Keeping Guidance for Nurses and Midwives (NMC, 2009)

The Safeguarding Children’s team to raise awareness and disseminate information regarding the addendum (appendix 9) of the Safeguarding Adults Policy (BDCT, 2012) Guide: Working with Domestic Abuse. This will increase awareness of the opportunities of how to encourage disclosure or implement routine enquiry when School Nursing teams are working with young people.

The Safeguarding Children team to deliver training sessions for the School Nurses teams on the subject of encouraging disclosure of domestic abuse, routine enquiry and how to ask questions.

Staff member in a permanent post in order that routine enquiry can be successfully embedded into BTHFT in Accident and Emergency, maternity services and other high usage areas where women are present.

Develop a “Violence Against Women and Girls” (VAWG) policy for BTHFT.

Share learning from incident with key staff.

Safeguarding training for Head Teachers and school Child Protection leads should be reviewed and include explicit reference to domestic violence and how this may be reflected in a child’s behaviour in school. As a result domestic violence and its impact on children should be reflected in school safeguarding/child protection policies and procedures.

Head Teachers and school Child Protection leads need to ensure that their record keeping systems are robust and prompt consideration of the child in the context of the family , a “think families” approach, and the need to discuss concerns with other professionals, sharing information accordingly

Head Teachers and school Child Protection leads should ensure that children’s records include all relevant information when a child moves from one school to another; and where there are particular concerns these are raised with the relevant lead in school.

Head Teachers and school Child Protection leads should understand their responsibilities in relation to standards and guidance regarding Children Missing Education (CME)

Head Teachers and school Child Protection leads are given clear guidelines about who to contact in domestic homicide situations so that they do not inadvertently put children at risk of the suspected perpetrator.

That the Council’s Domestic Violence Protocol be amended to make it clear that all Housing Options staff will signpost clients to appropriate support agencies when they are aware that they are fleeing or experiencing domestic abuse.

That the Registered Social Landlords be asked to review their Domestic Violence policy to ensure that it includes clear guidance on the process to offer support to new tenants who have been granted a tenancy because they are fleeing domestic violence.

Incorporation of appropriate screening questions relating to domestic violence in consultations such as those relating to contraception and mental health.

Increased awareness of domestic abuse, and identification of at risk individuals

Accurate recording of social and demographic information on patient records

West Yorkshire Police to ensure that when safeguarding or welfare concerns are reported to the Police, that supervision (communication and frontline) are made aware of the concern and that they monitor and oversee the initial response and subsequent outcome.