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'Stop; Think Neglect' - Pan Bedfordshire Neglect Awareness Campaign

Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Safeguarding Children Partnerships (SCPs) and the NSPCC and are working together to create a local campaign to raise awareness of neglect. Work is underway to explore how the campaign will support children, families, community members and practitioners across Bedfordshire. 

Check back regularly for updates and ways to get involved. In the meantime, please click on the blocks below to learn more about supporting children, young people and their families where there are concerns that needs are not being met.

Stop; Think Neglect Logo

Latest news from our 'Stop; Think Neglect' Campaign

July updates:

  • We are pleased to share our campaign logo, desgined by a pupil from a Bedfordshire school. The logo can be seen at the top of this webpage and will be used in campaign resources, newsletters, training and webinars.
  • We delivered our first 'Listen and Learn' webinar sharing an overview of Neglect and resources available to support local practitioners to recognise and respond to concerns of Neglect. 27 local practitioners attended and gave positive feedback, including;

"It's good to know and understand the tools available. I especially like the fact of using them with parents to help identify things with them rather than them being told what professions think they are doing wrong... I will be supporting settings in all areas and need to understand what I'm talking about so really appreciate the information from today. THank you for providing training and informaiton for free!" Manager, Early Years

"The 'listen' video was very impactful and I think we all suffer with "being too busy". I will ensure that we are not disturbed when speaking. I feel more confident in what I'm looking for and read between the lines." Pastoral Support, Education

"I found it useful to update my skills and knowledge to promote my day to day working practice." Designated Safeguarding Lead, Education

"All aspects of the course were extremely useful and I'm going to use the content of the course to deliver in house to all staff." Manager, Early Years

COMING SOON!

  • We are working on a digital leaflet to help parents/ carers in Bedfordshire identify sources of support if they are experiencing challenges. This will be downloadable from this website and shared via our Partnership distribution lists and newsletters.
  • Our 'Listen & Learn' webinars continue from late September, covering a range of Neglect themes, including hoarding, educational neglect, adolescents, medical neglect and more. Please ensure you are registered with Safeguarding Bedfordshire Training, and opted in to marketing to recieve information once dates are confirmed. 
  • Join us for a week of action - details coming soon.

What is Neglect?

Working Together defines neglect as “The persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development.

Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

  • provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment)
  • protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
  • ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caregivers)
  • ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment
  • provide suitable education

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs."

  • Why is neglect important?
  • How can I make a difference?

Neglect Locally and Nationally

  • Coming Soon- local/ national overview (stats)

'Listen Up, Speak Up' NSPCC Campaign

What is Listen Up, Speak Up?

It takes a village to raise a child. And it takes a community to keep children safe. That’s why the NSPCC are encouraging every adult in the UK to take their 10-minute digital training* and learn how to listen up and speak up for children.

Listen up, Speak up will show you: 

  • some signs a child might be at risk, and steps you can take to help
  • how to approach difficult conversations to help keep children safe
  • who you can contact if you’re ever concerned about a child or their family.

How can you get involved?

Visit the NSPCC 'Listen Up, Speak Up' website to sign up, take the 10 minute training and receive additional resources.

Host a workshop

The NSPCC are also offering Listen up, Speak up as a one-hour workshop, face-to-face or online. The workshops are completely free of charge. If your school, club, community group or workplace would be interested in hosting a workshop, please email our Local Campaigns Service. Please include your organisation’s name and location in your email.

Details;

Stop: Think Neglect - FREE 'Listen Up, Speak Up' webinar from the NSPCC

 Half a million children suffer abuse and neglect a year in the UK. But there’s something we can all do to change that. We know that, with the right support, every child can be kept safe. We can stop abuse and even prevent it from happening. But to do this, we need to work together. Even if children aren’t a big part of your everyday life, you’ll still share a community with them – whether that’s on your street, your commute or at the shops. Knowing how to speak up for them is essential.

 'Listen up, Speak up' training will:

          • help you understand how to listen and speak up on behalf of children
          • show you who to contact if you’re concerned about a child or need support yourself
          • empower you to support children in your community

Information for Practitioners

  • Pan-Bedfordshire Neglect Strategy 2023-2026
  • Local procedures
  • Working Together to Safeguard Children Guidance.
  • Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance.
  • Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Guidance.

Information for Parents/ Carers

  • Useful links and resources. Children Centres/ Family Hubs and Flying Start information.
  • Early help services across the borough.
  • Local food banks.
  • Local community groups.
  • Free localised activities.  

NSPCC Resources

  • Safeguarding Children and Child Protection.
  • Talk PANTS resources for schools and teachers.
  • Talk PANTS resources for parents and carers.
  • Speak Out, Stay Safe Assemblies for Schools.
  • Online Safety Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) resources for school.

Index of all pages: