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The Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) recognises and acknowledges that the COVID-19 virus has led to significant pressures on all our partners and families, and that there is a need by all agencies to prioritise essential tasks. The protection of children and young people in Leeds remains an absolute priority and organisations are ensuring vulnerable children continue to be appropriately supported and safeguarded during this difficult time. The LSCP will continue to provide support for professionals within the safeguarding partnership family during this time.

Therefore the LSCP has reviewed and prioritised its duties in order to allow colleagues to focus on COVID-19 and its effects, whilst ensuring that the safeguarding of all children and young people continues to remains central to all of its work.

As a result, through the LSCP:

• The Independent LSCP Chair has had discussions with all the LSCP Executive members and received assurance from its key partners in relation to their plans regarding safeguarding of children and young people
• Weekly virtual citywide safeguarding meetings take place between the Independent LSCP Chair, LSCP Business Managers and LSCP Executive members (or delegated officers) to maintain its strong focus on safeguarding children
• LSCP Business Managers are attending virtual area multi-agency meetings to listen to any challenges being identified by front line practitioners. These are then fed up to the citywide safeguarding meetings to ensure an appropriate response
• The LSCP Executive has received assurance that:
• Early Help systems across the city continue to support vulnerable children and families across Leeds including those families where domestic violence and abuse may be present
• Children who are on child protection plans or who are ‘looked after’ continue to be seen, heard and protected
• The Multi Agency Child Exploitation (MACE) framework continues to support children who may be at risk of exploitation through its monthly skype meetings.
• Regular updates and assurance from the secure estates in Leeds is received
• Apractitioner’s support page has been developed on the LSCP website providing up to date information with regards to local guidance and support, along with links to national guidance and support. This includes information with regards to how key safeguarding processes such as Initial and Review child protection meetings will operate during this time, through to where local support can be accessed for families.
• All face to face LSCP training and events have been cancelled until 31^stMay 2020, whereby we will review this in line with government guidance. At present we are exploring alternative methods of accessing learning and development opportunities and will make these available in the coming weeks
• Sub Groups, LSCP Executive and other meetings are being considered on a case by case basis, and where appropriate alternative ways of undertaking them such as skype or conference calls will be employed
• Current safeguarding review processes will progress remotely where possible.

During this time please be reassured that all queries will be responded to.

If you suspect that a child or young person is being, or is at risk of being significantly harmed as a result of abuse or neglect, you must report this immediately in line with your agency’s procedures and via the Duty & Advice Team on 0113 376 0336 (out of office hours call the Children’s Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 0113 535 0600).

Members of the public should call Children’s Social Work Services on 0113 222 4403.

If you believe a child is in immediate danger and at risk of harm call the police on 999.

For further information please visit Leeds Safeguarding Children Partnership and for any queries please email [email protected].