Safeguarding our Children and Young People in Dudley

Since starting the role of Senior Development Officer for Children, Young People and Families at Dudley CVS, it has been reassuring to see the level of commitment and passion from voluntary, community and faith-based organisations towards safeguarding children and young people in Dudley.

As a member of the Dudley Safeguarding Children Partnership Group (DSCPG), Dudley CVS advocate that, the duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of all Dudley’s children and young people is ‘everybody’s responsibility’. The DSCPG is the group identified to focus on the statutory duties under the Children and Social Work Act (2017) and Working Together (2018).

Earlier this year, we came together with Dudley Safeguarding People Partnership (DSPP) to host a safeguarding event for voluntary, community and faith-based organisations to receive an update on DSPP priorities and learning from recent reviews. The event allowed space for questions, challenges and concerns to be raised in a safe space. Feedback from attendees concluded that they found the event invaluable and there was a desire to have further sessions in the future. We’re currently planning a follow up event for January with more details to follow soon.

Last month we organised a well-attended briefing session with Yvonne Nelson-Brown about the role of the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for Dudley and the management of allegations process against any person in a position of trust with children and vulnerable young people. If you’re not familiar with the role of the LADO in Dudley, you can read more here. Another session for anyone who was unable to attend will take place virtually, on 24th January 2024. Book your spare here.

In Dudley, we’re privileged to have strong voluntary sector representatives playing an active role within the safeguarding partnership. Emily Phelps, Assistant Director of Barnardo’s, sits on the DSCPG and chairs the Voluntary Sector Leaders Safeguarding Forum in Dudley. Barnardo’s are also active members of the Dudley Exploitation Group, Dudley Prevention and Early Help Steering Group and Dudley Domestic Abuse Board. Barnardo’s work closely with our Children, Young People and Families team at Dudley CVS to promote good practice, share learning, advocate for the voluntary and community sector and to provide support wherever possible.

Here is some more information about Barnardo’s and the excellent work that they do:

Barnardo’s is proud to have been a long-standing partner of the voluntary and community sector offer in Dudley for over 40 years. Our base is at Brooklands, Halesowen, although most of our work takes place in communities, family homes, health settings, schools and where the children, young people and families need us. We are commissioned by a range of agencies including, Dudley MBC, Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and some of Barnardo’s own grant funding investments. We have a range of targeted support services including:

Advocacy for children in care (as part of our partnership with Dudley Empowerment partnership), this is a referral only service for children in care in Dudley, to access independent advocacy.
Our child sexual exploitation offer in partnership with DEx (Dudley Exploitation Hub).
Dudley First Steps: a counselling service for children who have been sexually abused.
Dudley therapeutic work for Children in Care/Virtual Schools: working with the virtual schools offer to provide targeted support for referred children who need support to continue accessing appropriate educational support.
Dudley Domestic Violence and Abuse services: working with our community safety colleagues to deliver services for children in the MARAC process and support for children in safer accommodation.

We also have three regional/Black Country offers open for Dudley families and practitioners:

Barnardo’s Beacon: offering professional advice/guidance/consultation and training for organisations who are working with children who have been sexually abused. Service information can be found via Barnardo’s Beacon (barnardosbeacon.org.uk) and enquiries can be made to barnardosbeacon@barnardos.org.uk.
Barnardo’s Trauma Informed Practice services: working with agencies (including police, schools and communities) around increasing awareness and understanding of trauma in children, families and communities. This work is commissioned and can be purchased by individual agencies/organisations.
Barnardo’s Mental Health and Well-Being keyworkers: working across the Black Country with our CAMHS crisis intervention team colleagues. This work is referral only following CAMHS crises intervention team assessment.

If you have any questions regarding the work of Barnardo’s in Dudley, please call our main phone line on 01384 411722 where our helpful team can direct you to the right colleague.

If you would like to discuss anything relating to safeguarding children, young people and families in Dudley or to receive further useful information and updates from our Children, Young People and Families team, please email keeley@dudleycvs.org.uk

Emily Phelps

Assistant Director – Children’s Services, Black Country and Worcestershire

emily.phelps@barnardos.org.uk 01384 411722