Hot Topic Issues
Private Fostering
If you are looking after someone else’s child aged under 16 (under 18, if disabled) full-time for 28 days or more, and you are not the step-parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, brother or sister of that child, then you may be a ‘private foster carer’. The law says you must tell your local council if you care for a child under a private fostering arrangement. It is not private fostering if the arrangement was made by social services.
For more information and for examples of private fostering – please click here or click the leaflets below to download.
Speak CAMHS: 0800328 444
Information on a new service for children and young people under 18 and who live in Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing or Hounslow and are in need help and support. The aim is to offer telephone support via a helpline number, which includes basic counselling and problem-solving to young people and their families. The helpline is run by healthcare professionals wo are familiar with local services and have a range of specialist knowledge, to help support and advise young people and their families.
Neglect Resources
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LSCP Child Neglect Conference
Hammersmith and Fulham LSCP – Child Neglect Conference
The Hammersmith and Fulham Local Safeguarding Children Partnership held their first conference on the subject of Child Neglect at the Irish Cultural Centre on the 23rd January 2024. The Chair of the LSCP, Mike Howard opened the Conference and spoke about all the work that had taken place by the LSCP on the subject of neglect. He explained the purpose of this conference was to learn and understand more about it and find out what support there is for those who may come across it during their work.
Practitioners from many different service areas and agencies attended, and we were able to share information on what child neglect looks like, how to spot it, what to do if you suspect neglect and the different types of neglect that may occur.
We had some great speakers on subjects such as the impact of neglect on health, education and children’s life chances. There was also a multi-agency table-top discussion that focused on a family where neglect was present in different forms, and our audience were asked to identify what was happening and what they might do about it using some resources that were shared to assist people who may come into contact with children during their day-to-day work.
We had some great feedback, attendee’s have shared that they found it helpful and they now feel better equipped to identify and respond when they suspect issues of child neglect.
Window Safety
Every day one child below the age of five is admitted to hospital after falling from a building, whether from an open window or a balcony. Toddlers and children can, and too often do, fall from windows or from balconies and suffer serious injuries. Summertime is when we want to leave windows and balcony doors open to let the fresh air in, but this does come with risks. Climbing and exploring is a key part of a child’s physical development as they get stronger, more agile and more inquisitive. However, many falls happen because parents are unaware of their child’s newly acquired abilities. Children can’t be supervised 100% of the time. But, with some simple adjustments, serious falls can be avoided. Please read our guidance on window safety to help keep your children safe.
https://hflscp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HFLSCP-Window-Safety-01.pdf
https://hflscp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/LBHF0304-Balcony-Window-Batteries-Safety-A5_v1.pdf
Safer Sleeping
Safer sleeping Advice:
It’s lovely to have your baby with you for a cuddle or a feed, but it’s safest to put them back in their cot before you go to sleep. The safest place for your baby to sleep for the first 6 months is in a cot, lying on their back, in the same room as you
Sleeping position
Always put your baby on their back for every sleep, day and night, as the chance of SIDS is particularly high for babies who are sometimes placed on their front or side.
Clear cot
Babies are at higher risk of SIDS if they have their heads covered, so it is safest to keep baby’s cot clear of any items such as bumper, toys and loose bedding.
Room temperature
It is important to make sure that your baby’s room is a comfortable temperature – not too hot or too cold. The chance of SIDS is higher in babies who get too hot. Try to keep the room temperature between 16 -20°C.
Please see these information sheets for further information and advice on how to keep your baby safe:
https://hflscp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/7-Mins-Briefing-NHS-England-Safe-Sleeping-2023.pdf
https://hflscp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Safer-Sleep-for-Babies-information.pdf
https://hflscp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Safer-Sleep-7-Minute-Briefing_.pdf
For extra advice, please visit the Lullaby Trust where you can access more information and advice on this subject:
Missing Children
Why do children and young people go missing?
There are a wide range of reasons why adults and children go missing, and often there is more than one cause. Some of the most common reasons for children to be missing are:
- Conflict, abuse and neglect at home
- Sexual Exploitation
- Trafficking
- Mental Health
The Missing Children protocol has been developed across Hammersmith and Fulham and the bi-borough to assist practitioners across all agencies to develop a robust response to children and young people who go missing. This will include preventing the child suffering harm and recovering them to a place of safety as soon as possible. It is expected that all agencies working with children who are missing from home or care will implement this protocol and ensure their staff are aware of it.
https://hflscp.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/missing-children-protocol-2021-tri-borough.docx
For Parents
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New Reports
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