Ukraine
The situation in Ukraine is horrendous. Whilst we are geographically far away from the events, many in our schools and communities will be directly affected and may have families or roots in the region. The news and social media feeds are filled with the latest information, and some of it is very upsetting and worrying; and may not even be verified. Children listening and viewing distressing images can become frightened and fearful.
Here are some background reading resources to help you think about how adults can support children with what they are seeing or feeling.
Supporting your child if they see upsetting content online about what is happening in Ukraine (Childnet)
We should not hide from children what is happening in Ukraine (Schools Week/Children's Commissioner)
Help for teachers and families to talk to pupils about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and how to help them avoid misinformation (Department for Education)
No More Week 2022 March 6 - March 12
Spearheaded by the national campaign UK SAYS NO MORE, No More Week is a week to raise awareness against domestic abuse and sexual violence in the United Kingdom.
The week is a time for everyone individuals, non-profit and corporate organisations, communities and groups across the UK to unite and keep the conversation going around domestic abuse and sexual violence. https://uksaysnomore.org/
Government Scraps Mandatory Vaccination for Social Care Staff
From 15 March, care home staff and professional visitors will no longer have to be double jabbed while policy will not be extended to home care
#WakeUpWednesday: What parents need to know about WhatsApp
Founded in the US by two former Yahoo employees, WhatsApp was already extremely popular when it was bought by Facebook in 2014, sending its usage figures stratospheric. Now, more than 50% of the two youngest generations (Millennials and Generation Z) use WhatsApp every day – including many who are well below the app’s specified age threshold.
Wherever there is a young and dedicated user-base, of course, the threat of grooming is a sinister, ever-present spectre. Indeed, some aspects of WhatsApp which are designed to be helpful or increase privacy – such as disappearing messages and live location services – actually exacerbate the risks. Check out today’s #WakeUpWednesday guide for all the details. https://bit.ly/35Xeqww
Podcast: understanding denial in children displaying harmful sexual behaviour
NSPCC Learning has released a podcast focussing on shame and denial when working with children and young people who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). The podcast discusses: what denial looks like and the ways it can present itself; how denial is dynamic and can change over time; what practitioners can do to put themselves in the shoes of the child or young person they're working with to understand why they might deny; how to build a trusting relationship with a child over time; and how to take a more therapeutic and trauma-informed approach.
Safeguarding considerations for getting changed at school
NSPCC Learning has published a briefing for schools outlining best practice on changing areas and supervising children and young people when getting changed for physical education (PE), drama and other activities. The briefing, which points to regulations in each of the four nations, also covers staff supervision and using off-site changing rooms.
Safeguarding LGBTQ+ children and young people
NSPCC Learning has published content to help professionals safeguard LGBTQ+ children and young people. This is one of a series of pages that highlight the specific vulnerabilities and safeguarding needs of different groups of children and young people. The content covers: safeguarding LGBTQ+ children and young people; adversities faced by LGBTQ+ children and young people; their increased risk of some forms of harm, taking an intersectional approach; supporting children and young people; and creating policies and procedures. The content also points to legislation in each of the four nations.
More than 60,000 children a year re-referred to social care after missing out on early help, research finds
Charity says ‘missed opportunities’ for early help are ‘morally and economically nonsensical’ after finding a quarter of children denied preventive support following a closed assessment were re-referred
National Careers Week 2022 March 7 - March 12
National Careers Week runs from the 7th to the 12th of March 2022 and aims to promote the importance of good careers education in schools and colleges.
