London Borough of Redbridge’s Post

Safeguarding Our Children: A Collective Responsibility In Pakistan, the challenges surrounding child protection are multifaceted. According to recent statistics from UNICEF, an estimated 22 million children in Pakistan are out of school, exposing them to various vulnerabilities including child labor, exploitation, and early marriage. Furthermore, the prevalence of child abuse remains alarmingly high, with reports indicating that a staggering 1,918 cases of child abuse were reported in just the first six months of 2023, reflecting only a fraction of the actual incidents due to underreporting. IEvery child deserves to flourish in an environment of safety and security, shielded from harm and nurtured with care. However, regrettably, many children face adversities such as abuse, neglect, or violence. It's our collective duty to stand as guardians of their well-being. Child protection encapsulates the beliefs of ensuring the safety, welfare, and dignity of our children. It encompasses not only reactive measures to prevent harm but also proactive initiatives to cultivate environments conducive to their holistic development and flourishing. Children, by their innocence and dependence, are inherently vulnerable. Factors such as poverty, family instability, or societal discord can exacerbate this vulnerability. Moreover, in the digital age, children face new threats such as online exploitation or cyberbullying, underscoring the need for comprehensive protection measures. Protecting children is a responsibility shared by families, communities, governments, and institutions alike. Families serve as the primary nurturing ground, fostering love, and security. Communities provide the scaffolding of support and solidarity necessary for children's well-being. Meanwhile, governments must enact robust laws and policies, ensuring accountability for perpetrators and access to support services for victims. What we can do: ·      Education on personal safety, rights awareness, and avenues for seeking help instills confidence and fosters a culture of trust. ·      Providing safe spaces for children to express themselves and fostering open communication channels are vital components of this endeavor. ·      Educating children on digital literacy and online safety equips them to navigate the virtual world responsibly. ·      Leveraging technological innovations enables swift intervention in cases of online threats or exploitation. ·      In safeguarding our children, we safeguard the very essence of our future. It is not only a matter of legal obligation but a moral imperative and an expression of our shared humanity. Let us unite in our commitment to protect, nurture, and cherish our children, ensuring that they inherit a world where their dreams can flourish, and their innocence remains inviolate.

Every child deserves a champion— This is the ideal we strive for, especially during Child Abuse Prevention Month. When we see chilling news stories of parents who abused their children, our instinctive reaction is to protect children at all costs. This natural desire to shield vulnerable children is admirable, but it also reveals a painful irony: while we aspire to be that champion, our interventions often paradoxically cause harm. Through my work with families who have been impacted by the child welfare system, a consistent pattern emerges: despite our best intentions, we often miss the mark. Consider the story of a father we work with who, as a child, suffered severe abuse at the hands of his mother. His desperate cries for help only led to harsher punishments. When CPS intervened, they were deceived by his mother's superficial display of competence and checking of the boxes. The system that should have protected him instead sent him right back into harm's way, even when he asked not to be returned. This is not an isolated incident but a telling example of a broader systemic failure: our inability to recognize and safeguard children from harm. Meanwhile, families never accused of abuse face invasive CPS investigations, which often feel more like interrogations than support, leading to unnecessary stress and family disruptions. And, in our zeal to protect children from the potential 'sociopaths' portrayed in the media, our what-if scenarios lead to the unnecessary separation of children from their parents who have never abused or neglected them. In these cases, the system itself manages to inflict the harm it was designed to prevent, subjecting children to the trauma of separation and the instability of foster care. Despite significant financial investment, our child protection system often exacerbates the vulnerabilities of our most vulnerable families, often failing to provide adequate care or effect positive change in the lives of children and families. Is there a better way to support and protect children and families? We need a fundamental shift towards a model that values relationship-building and trust over procedural compliance. People do not thrive when they are cases to be managed; they open up and change within environments where they feel safe and supported. Such an approach would emphasize genuine connections and relationships, enabling families to thrive within a supportive community environment. By reimagining our approach to prioritize building trust rather than policing families who are living in poverty, we can help ensure that every child has a lifelong champion within their OWN family and community and are loved and valued, and of course, safe. #childwelfare #childabusepreventionmonth #familywellbeing

Key terms in Child protection and Safeguarding 1. Child Protection: Efforts to prevent and respond to violence, exploitation, and abuse against children. 2. Child Safeguarding: Measures to prevent and respond to harm, abuse, or exploitation of children. 3. Child Rights: Rights and freedoms of children, as enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). 4. Child Abuse: Physical, emotional, or sexual mistreatment of children. 5. Child Neglect: Failure to provide basic needs, care, and support to children. 6. Child Exploitation: Using children for financial gain, including child labor and child marriage. 7. Child Labor: Children working in hazardous conditions. 8.Child Marriage: Marriage before the age of 18. 9. Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Violence directed at individuals based on their gender. 10. Sexual Abuse: Any sexual act with a child, including touching, fondling, and pornography. 11. Emotional Abuse: Psychological mistreatment, including belittling, humiliation, and intimidation. 12. Physical Abuse: Bodily harm or injury, including hitting, shaking, and burning. 13. Neglect: Failure to provide basic needs, care, and support to children. 14. Abandonment: Leaving a child without care or support. 15. Trafficking: Recruiting, transporting, or harboring children for exploitation. 16. Disability: Physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health impairments. 17. Social Norms: Cultural and societal attitudes that perpetuate harmful practices. 18. Adolescent Empowerment: Building self-esteem, confidence, and decision-making skills in adolescents. 19.Case Management: Coordinating services for vulnerable children. 20. National Case Management System (NCMS): A system for managing child protection cases. Additional terms: - Best Interest of the Child: Prioritizing the child's well-being and safety. - Child-Friendly Services: Services accessible and suitable for children. - Community-Based Care: Support and care provided within the community. - Family Reunification: Reuniting children with their families when possible. - Foster Care: Temporary care provided by a substitute family. - Harm: Physical, emotional, or psychological damage. - Mandatory Reporting: Legal requirement to report child protection concerns. - Parenting Programmes: Support and guidance for parents and caregivers. - Psychosocial Support: Emotional and psychological support for children and families. References: - UNICEF Zimbabwe - Bantwana - FHI 360 - Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children (ZNCWC) - Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare (MPSLSW) Scholars: - N. Beth Bradford (2017) - SOS (2014) - Dr. J. M. Mupedziswa (2017) - Prof. C. F. N. Ngoma (2018)

You may have seen our recent ads on our social media channels asking you to get involved and sign Safeguarding Children's petition to strengthen and change the Children's Act 2014. There has been lots of support ➡ we have over 2400 signatures so far! Some of you are shocked, and some of you aren't. There has also been some questions around the Act itself. Here's the link to have a look 🔗https://lnkd.in/gP6ypmk4. Our main concerns are that this piece of legislation does not go far enough to protect children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is targeted at services and organisations that receive government funding and not private ones. There are a lot of places around the country where your children go, that don't receive government funding. Words matter, right? Well, this act does NOT include a LEGAL REQUIREMENT to police vet volunteers or contractors, only paid employees of those organisations using government funding. When you dig in and look at the definitions and wording used...there are gaps. Gaps where those with bad intentions towards young people can secure positions working around children without going through a safe recruitment process. Many organisations do go OVER & ABOVE what this legislation requires, AND they do everything they can to protect tamariki. 🎉We applaud every single one of them! We think this is one step that is an easy one to take to keep ALL kids safe. We also acknowledge it is not a sliver bullet nor will it solve all the issues we have around safeguarding and protecting children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand. It is a start though. Help us and sign the petition, https://lnkd.in/gx25PQSW. Other ways to ensure your kids are safe in the places they go include: ▶Ask to see Child Protection Policies and Procedures. ▶Is there a Code of Conduct? ▶Do they safely recruit all those working with & volunteering with kids? ▶Does everyone receive regular safeguarding & child protection training? ▶Do they actually ask and care about what kids say makes them feel safe? ▶Does the workplace culture support a child centered way of thinking and acting? We, as a community should expect more from those working with our kids. Help us raise the bar. Sign the petition please and ask these questions to those in the places you take your kids. The petition closes October 31st!

Responding to the Children's Social Care National Framework guidance for children social care and safeguarding partners https://lnkd.in/gNmGfwQZ. The government have published the Children's Social Care: National Framework https://lnkd.in/gnR63Rg2 which is new statutory guidance for those who work in local authority children’s social care but also includes relevant information for all safeguarding partners and agencies who work with children’s social care. Local authorities have a 12-month period, from 15 December 2023 to 20 December 2024, to begin the work to embed the national framework and make plans for how they align practice systems to the expectations for children’s social care. After reading the national framework senior leaders within children's social care should: - assess how ambitious local practice is, how far local practice culture reflects the principles for practice, what barriers need to be overcome, and what support might be needed to achieve this: - seek opportunities to engage with children, young people and families to explore innovative ways to capture feedback and how this should be used to inform practice change and improvements: - use the national framework to support self-assessments, peer challenge exercises and sector-led improvement delivered through the regional improvement and innovation alliances, highlight any gaps that may need to be addressed and reflect these in local and regional improvement plans: - review what it means for existing multi-agency safeguarding arrangements: - work in collaboration with all partner agencies to ensure there is a shared understanding and plan how to change and strengthen practice: - recognise the importance of the system enablers in ensuring the workforce and partner agencies work in conditions that allow the outcomes to be effectively met: - champion the national framework within the local authority and encourage their workforce to read and understand what it means for practice: commit to the highest aspirations for the outcomes of children, young people and families being supported by children’s social care, including children in or leaving care: - from 2024, senior leaders should consider how to implement recommendations of published practice guides for practice interventions and approaches that are shown to achieve the outcomes set out in the national framework. The national framework will be supported by the children’s social care: dashboard and indicator update https://lnkd.in/gJH3UKaH . This will bring children’s social care data together in one place to understand progress towards the outcomes of the national framework.

In Nigeria, the bond between parents and their children is a cornerstone of family and societal values. This relationship, when nurtured with love, understanding, and respect, forms the foundation for a child's emotional and psychological development. However, in recent times, concerns about child abuse have arisen, shedding light on the importance of strengthening the parent-child connection to prevent such distressing incidents.Child abuse can manifest in various forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect. Tragically, it is a problem that affects children across the world, and Nigeria is no exception. While there are complex societal factors contributing to child abuse, the role of parents in preventing it cannot be overstated.Communication and Trust: Healthy parent-child relationships thrive on open and honest communication. Parents must create an environment where children feel safe discussing their thoughts, concerns, and experiences. This trust-building is pivotal in identifying and addressing potential abuse, as children are more likely to confide in parents they trust.Positive Discipline: Parents should adopt positive and non-violent methods of discipline, focusing on teaching and guiding their children. Resorting to corporal punishment or harsh discipline can lead to feelings of fear and resentment, potentially driving children away from their parents and towards harmful situations.Education and Awareness: Parents in Nigeria should be informed about the various forms of child abuse and their consequences. By understanding the signs and effects of abuse, parents can better protect their children and intervene when necessary.Emotional Support: Children need emotional support from their parents. Encouraging healthy emotional expression and providing a safe space for children to share their feelings can prevent emotional abuse and its detrimental effects.Seeking Help: Parents who suspect their child may be a victim of abuse should seek professional help immediately. Child protective services and organizations dedicated to child welfare can provide guidance and support.Community Involvement: Communities in Nigeria can play a significant role in combating child abuse. By fostering a culture of vigilance and support, neighbors, teachers, and community leaders can work together to identify and prevent abuse.In conclusion, building and maintaining strong parent-child relationships in Nigeria is not only a matter of cultural significance but also a vital step in preventing child abuse. Parents must be proactive in creating an environment of trust, love, and understanding within their families. By doing so, they can contribute to a safer and more nurturing society for their children, where abuse is less likely to occur, and where children are empowered to reach their full potential.

The National Child Care Association and their advocacy partner, Early Care and Education Consortium are asking all child care owners, directors, parents, and advocates to join them TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 23rd at 3pm EST. The Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is a vital law that authorizes the CCDF; administered by states, territories, and tribes, it outlines how federal funds are allocated to provide financial support to low-income families for accessing quality child care. The Notice of Proposed Rule Changes for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) are designed to have a positive impact on families utilizing CCDF assistance for child care. These proposed changes include: ✨ Lowering family co-pays for those using CCDF assistance to pay for childcare. ✨ Expanding child care options for families utilizing CCDF assistance. ✨ Enhancing child care provider payment rates and practices for those accepting CCDF. ✨ Streamlining enrollment processes for families using CCDF assistance. Your voice and input matters greatly and is needed to help shape the future of child care. Let's work together to ensure these changes are giving every child and family access to safe, affordable, nurturing, and educational child care. The deadline for remarks is NEXT Monday, August 28th; the time to take action is NOW. Join Us TOMORROW: https://lnkd.in/ezdg3Gkp #ChildCareMatters #NCCA #ECEC #CCDF #CCDBG #ChildCareForAll #ECE #Families #Affordable #Accessible #Safe #Policy #Advocacy #StateFunding #FederalFunding

The National Child Care Association and their advocacy partner, Early Care and Education Consortium are asking all child care owners, directors, parents, and advocates to join them TOMORROW, Wednesday, August 23rd at 3pm EST. The Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is a vital law that authorizes the CCDF; administered by states, territories, and tribes, it outlines how federal funds are allocated to provide financial support to low-income families for accessing quality child care. The Notice of Proposed Rule Changes for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) are designed to have a positive impact on families utilizing CCDF assistance for child care. These proposed changes include: ✨ Lowering family co-pays for those using CCDF assistance to pay for childcare. ✨ Expanding child care options for families utilizing CCDF assistance. ✨ Enhancing child care provider payment rates and practices for those accepting CCDF. ✨ Streamlining enrollment processes for families using CCDF assistance. Your voice and input matters greatly and is needed to help shape the future of child care. Let's work together to ensure these changes are giving every child and family access to safe, affordable, nurturing, and educational child care. The deadline for remarks is NEXT Monday, August 28th; the time to take action is NOW. Join Us TOMORROW: https://lnkd.in/ezdg3Gkp #ChildCareMatters #NCCA #ECEC #CCDF #CCDBG #ChildCareForAll #ECE #Families #Affordable #Accessible #Safe #Policy #Advocacy #StateFunding #FederalFunding

The National Child Care Association and their advocacy partner, Early Care and Education Consortium are asking all child care owners, directors, parents, and advocates to join them THIS Wednesday, August 23rd at 3pm EST. The Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) is a vital law that authorizes the CCDF; administered by states, territories, and tribes, it outlines how federal funds are allocated to provide financial support to low-income families for accessing quality child care. The Notice of Proposed Rule Changes for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) are designed to have a positive impact on families utilizing CCDF assistance for child care. These proposed changes include: ✨ Lowering family co-pays for those using CCDF assistance to pay for childcare. ✨ Expanding child care options for families utilizing CCDF assistance. ✨ Enhancing child care provider payment rates and practices for those accepting CCDF. ✨ Streamlining enrollment processes for families using CCDF assistance. Your voice and input matters greatly and is needed to help shape the future of child care. Let's work together to ensure these changes are giving every child and family access to safe, affordable, nurturing, and educational child care. The deadline for remarks is NEXT Monday, August 28th; the time to take action is NOW. Register TODAY: https://lnkd.in/ezdg3Gkp #ChildCareMatters #NCCA #ECEC #CCDF #CCDBG #ChildCareForAll #ECE #Families #Affordable #Accessible #Safe #Policy #Advocacy #StateFunding #FederalFunding