Did you notice that at the recent BAFTA awards when the actor, presenter and Honorary President of Banardo’s, Baroness Floella Benjamin received the prestigious Fellowship she remarked that “childhood lasts a lifetime”? I profoundly agree.
Baroness Benjamin (Photo: The Guardian)
Last week’s announcement of the General Election reinforced for me that July 4th will be vital for the Children and Young people we work to support and safeguard, even though they have no vote or voice. Child poverty is at a high, perhaps it, alongside shocking levels of homelessness, unmet social care and mental health needs, the climate emergency, and the staggering rises in prices, will get the attention they deserve. It’s to be hoped that local Public Services are recognised for the work they do, the positive difference that they make, and their need for investment. Let’s see. This is our chance to express our will. Please vote.
Last week’s BSCP Executive Board was hosted by Washwood Heath Academy Schools… all seven of them! And what a warm welcome and inspiring introduction to their approach to safeguarding they gave us. They are a UNICEF Rights Respecting collection of schools, also committed to the Oracy programme supported by Voice 21. Their drive for ‘Respect, Collaboration and Aspiration’ shone through the 14 children and young people we heard from. Their CEO Pete Weir and the Trust’s Safeguarding Lead, Astrid Edwards, can be justly proud of the impact they made on the Board. How assuring to again experience of the commitment and enthusiasm in these schools, and to witness its impact.
Astrid Edwards and Pete Weir at the Executive Board.
As usual, we had a packed agenda. We discussed a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review with its author and agreed it is ready for publication. Sadly, its messages are familiar. It reinforces the importance of “never assume”; the importance of sharing information across disciplines and agencies; and the impact of drugs and alcohol consumption on parenting capability. The challenge for professionals of feigned compliance features too.
The Board took time to reflect on the success of Neglect Practice Week, organised by Luisa Fraser (BSCP Neglect Lead Manager), which we hosted at the end of April. The sessions were open to all Birmingham professionals and volunteers working with children and families, with over 1500 bookings across a wide range of agencies. The resources from each session and practitioner feedback have been uploaded to the BSCP website. We also spent time reviewing progress on the first year of the ‘Tackling Exploitation of Children and Young People Strategy 2023-26’.
I also presented my eighth Independent Chair’s Accountability Report.
It will be my last one. My contract will end at the close of September when I will hand over to the Delegated Safeguarding Leaders and a yet-to-be-appointed Independent Scrutineer. This will ensure that Birmingham is compliant with the newest guidance in Working Together, published late last year. James Thomas (CEO of Birmingham Children Trust) will Co-chair the partnership with a rotation of the three other Delegated Safeguarding Leaders from Police, Local Authority and Health’s Integrated Care Board. For the first six months, the Co-chair will be Chief Superintendent Richard North, West Midlands Police Commander for Birmingham.
I will be leaving, sure in the knowledge that the safeguarding of children in Birmingham is in good hands. I am confident that the commitment to collaboration, learning and support for practitioners is now deeply embedded, and that there is no complacency.
That is not to underplay the size of the agenda facing the second city – the impact of poverty; the challenges articulated in our four priorities, and the financial constraints on services.
I am writing this blog on my return from the stimulating immersive experience that is campervanning at the Hay Festival. Having listened to an eclectic mix of writers of all genres, I have an even bigger book pile than before! Where else in just a few days could you hear Mishal Hussein, Lady Brenda Hale, Liam Byrne MP, Hamza Yasmin, Zeb Soanes, Stephen and Anita Mangan, Michael Rosen – to name but a few!
A selfie with Zeb Soanes – Co-author of Gaspard the Fox!
A highlight was on Saturday when I attended the live recording of BBC Radio 4’s ‘Saturday Live’ (which I listen to every week) this week hosted by Huw Stephens and Kiri Pritchard-McLean. It was quite a thrill to be picked to respond to a question about a favourite children’s book! I chose to highlight the stories about Gaspard the Fox and his friends, Finty and Peter (dog and cat) by Zeb Soanes and James Mayhew, which have delighted my grandson, Finn, now five. I was amazed by how many heard it, including the authors!
The festival goes on but I’m back in harness sad to leave it behind. This sunny picture gives an incomplete impression. There was also a lot of rain!
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| May 2024 |
Did you notice that at the recent BAFTA awards when the actor, presenter and Honorary President of Banardo’s, Baroness Floella Benjamin received the prestigious Fellowship she remarked that “childhood lasts a lifetime”? I profoundly agree.
Baroness Benjamin (Photo: The Guardian)
Last week’s announcement of the General Election reinforced for me that July 4th will be vital for the Children and Young people we work to support and safeguard, even though they have no vote or voice. Child poverty is at a high, perhaps it, alongside shocking levels of homelessness, unmet social care and mental health needs, the climate emergency, and the staggering rises in prices, will get the attention they deserve. It’s to be hoped that local Public Services are recognised for the work they do, the positive difference that they make, and their need for investment. Let’s see. This is our chance to express our will. Please vote.
Last week’s BSCP Executive Board was hosted by Washwood Heath Academy Schools… all seven of them! And what a warm welcome and inspiring introduction to their approach to safeguarding they gave us. They are a UNICEF Rights Respecting collection of schools, also committed to the Oracy programme supported by Voice 21. Their drive for ‘Respect, Collaboration and Aspiration’ shone through the 14 children and young people we heard from. Their CEO Pete Weir and the Trust’s Safeguarding Lead, Astrid Edwards, can be justly proud of the impact they made on the Board. How assuring to again experience of the commitment and enthusiasm in these schools, and to witness its impact.
Astrid Edwards and Pete Weir at the Executive Board.
As usual, we had a packed agenda. We discussed a Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review with its author and agreed it is ready for publication. Sadly, its messages are familiar. It reinforces the importance of “never assume”; the importance of sharing information across disciplines and agencies; and the impact of drugs and alcohol consumption on parenting capability. The challenge for professionals of feigned compliance features too.
The Board took time to reflect on the success of Neglect Practice Week, organised by Luisa Fraser (BSCP Neglect Lead Manager), which we hosted at the end of April. The sessions were open to all Birmingham professionals and volunteers working with children and families, with over 1500 bookings across a wide range of agencies. The resources from each session and practitioner feedback have been uploaded to the BSCP website. We also spent time reviewing progress on the first year of the ‘Tackling Exploitation of Children and Young People Strategy 2023-26’.
I also presented my eighth Independent Chair’s Accountability Report.
It will be my last one. My contract will end at the close of September when I will hand over to the Delegated Safeguarding Leaders and a yet-to-be-appointed Independent Scrutineer. This will ensure that Birmingham is compliant with the newest guidance in Working Together, published late last year. James Thomas (CEO of Birmingham Children Trust) will Co-chair the partnership with a rotation of the three other Delegated Safeguarding Leaders from Police, Local Authority and Health’s Integrated Care Board. For the first six months, the Co-chair will be Chief Superintendent Richard North, West Midlands Police Commander for Birmingham.
I will be leaving, sure in the knowledge that the safeguarding of children in Birmingham is in good hands. I am confident that the commitment to collaboration, learning and support for practitioners is now deeply embedded, and that there is no complacency.
That is not to underplay the size of the agenda facing the second city – the impact of poverty; the challenges articulated in our four priorities, and the financial constraints on services.
I am writing this blog on my return from the stimulating immersive experience that is campervanning at the Hay Festival. Having listened to an eclectic mix of writers of all genres, I have an even bigger book pile than before! Where else in just a few days could you hear Mishal Hussein, Lady Brenda Hale, Liam Byrne MP, Hamza Yasmin, Zeb Soanes, Stephen and Anita Mangan, Michael Rosen – to name but a few!
A selfie with Zeb Soanes – Co-author of Gaspard the Fox!
A highlight was on Saturday when I attended the live recording of BBC Radio 4’s ‘Saturday Live’ (which I listen to every week) this week hosted by Huw Stephens and Kiri Pritchard-McLean. It was quite a thrill to be picked to respond to a question about a favourite children’s book! I chose to highlight the stories about Gaspard the Fox and his friends, Finty and Peter (dog and cat) by Zeb Soanes and James Mayhew, which have delighted my grandson, Finn, now five. I was amazed by how many heard it, including the authors!
The festival goes on but I’m back in harness sad to leave it behind. This sunny picture gives an incomplete impression. There was also a lot of rain!
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