Child Exploitation Awareness Day 2024 - what's happening in Essex
Lunchtime Learning Sessions
The Risk in the Community team are offering a week of lunchtime learning sessions which will take place daily from 12pm - 12.45pm on the week beginning 18 March 2024. These sessions are for anyone working with children and families across Essex. Further information about the sessions and the Teams joining links can be found on the ESCB website.
Online Safety campaign week
The ESCB will be running the partnership online safety campaign once again from 18-24 March, this will cover topics including online bullying, youth involved sexual images and online safety for all ages from pre-schoolers to teenagers. Take a look at the resources on our campaign page which include podcasts, videos and useful links and follow the ESCB on Facebook and X to share messages.
Awareness Day - NWG information
This year marks the 10th year the campaign has run aiming to raise awareness of children and young people being abused through exploitation and encourage as many people as possible to talk about it, ‘Spot the Signs’ and to start some vital conversations. The NWG have shared a document with further information about the campaign
Child Safety at Easter
Mini Eggs can pose a serious choking hazard to young children, as they are just the right size to block a child's airway, meaning they can be incredibly hard to dislodge if it becomes stuck. Unlike grapes which are a similar size and shape, mini eggs are not easy to cut into smaller pieces.
The Child Accident Prevention Trust (CAPT) have advised that parents may want to crush the mini eggs with a pestle and mortar or rolling pin. Alternatively, they said parents may want to opt for a different treat altogether as larger, hollow Easter eggs are much safer.
Take a look at the Choking Prevention page from CAPT for more advice.
Safer Sleep Week 11-18 March
Safer sleep week is a national campaign from The Lullaby Trust which happens each year. The ESCB will be supporting the campaign by sharing messages on social media. Please share the campaign with families you work with. The Lullaby Trust have a wealth of resources on their website.
Learning and Development
Non-Accidental Injuries Training
It can be difficult to spot non-accidental injuries. In some cases, signs can be missed because they are complex, and it is unclear what has happened. Hear from colleagues in Health and the Police who will answer any questions you may have and find out the learning identified from recent reviews.
Session dates: 25 March 2024, 12pm-1.30pm and 22 April 2024, 9.30am – 11am.
Non-Accidental Injuries Training
Getting to know your partners
Essex Council for Voluntary Youth Services (ECVYS)
Wednesday 13 March 2024, 12.30pm - 1.30pm
ECVYS members already support over 290,000 children & young people from over 7,000 youth groups/clubs in Essex (with over 19,000 volunteers!) Do you consider ECVYS when supporting the children and young people (and their families) you work with? Come and join us to find out more!
ECVYS is an independent voice for the voluntary youth sector in Essex and their aim is to support, network and resource the voluntary youth sector whilst building links and possibilities with statutory services that wish to engage with the sector.
Education
Wednesday 17 April 12.30pm – 1.30pm
Hear from Essex County Council colleagues in Education Access, Education Compliance, and SEND Services, to gain an understanding of the local authority Special Educational Needs/Disability landscape, and the local authority role in relation to permanent exclusion, alternative education and elective home education. Colleagues from the Education Safeguarding Team will also be sharing an overview of what their team does and how it supports education safeguarding in Essex.
Early Help and Team Around the Family
These courses will be facilitated by an Essex County Council Team Around the Family Support Officer. Participants will learn how to hold a Team Around the Family Meeting and create an Early Help plan and understand the key points of the Effective Support Document within Early Help. The next session will be held on Thursday 21 March 2024, 1.30pm-4.30pm.
Early Help and Team Around the Family Workshops
