Safeguarding

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership 

Sefton Safeguarding Children Partnership (SSCP) is a statutory body established by the Children and Social Work Act (2017). SSCP replaced the previous Sefton Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). SSCP is a multi-agency partnership of organisations who agree how to work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. SSCP is led by the three statutory safeguarding partners of the Local Authority, Merseyside Police and Integrated Care System (replacing Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs)). 

Sefton's Multi-agency Safeguarding Children Arrangements 

The Safeguarding Partners are the Local Authority; Police and Integrated Care System (replacing CCG) operating in the Sefton area. These three Safeguarding Partners are charged with supporting and enabling local organisations and agencies to work together in a system where:  

• children are safeguarded and their welfare promoted 
• partner organisations and agencies collaborate, share and co-own the vision for how to achieve improved outcomes for  vulnerable children 
• there is early identification and analysis of new safeguarding issues and emerging threads 

The SSCP offers many continuous professional development opportunities for professionals. The SSCP calendar shows useful events and training. 

The SSCP has created SWAY digital learning briefings on specific topics such as: 

• Force marriages 
• FGM 
• Peer on Peer Abuse 
• Neglect 
• Bullying 

Sefton SCP Escalation Procedure 

Escalating Concerns  

Sefton SCP has a multi-agency procedure for professional dispute and resolution.  This procedure can be accessed via Sefton SCP Multi-agency procedures Section 17.

1. This procedure has been developed by Sefton SCP to ensure that there is a clear means for partner agencies to resolve any professional disagreements between practitioners regarding a specific child, in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of that young person. 
2. This procedure does not replace the statutory complaints process within partner agencies. 
3. This procedure is distinctly separate to the Practice Alert Procedure which is used by the IRO Service based within the Safeguarding Unit to draw attention to issues of practice or resourcing by an Independent Reviewing Officer. 
4. In line with Working Together to Safeguard Children partners are expected to adopt an open and transparent relationship to be effective and the SSCP is responsible for overseeing this and ensuring the effectiveness of the entire process, making sure that lessons are learned, and that best practice and procedures are adhered to. 
5. The escalation procedure will support the swift resolution of professional disagreements and support staff how to escalate their concerns within the following context. 

Reporting concerns about a child or young person 

Emergency 

If a child or young person is in immediate danger, please call 999. 

Reporting a Concern 

If you are worried that a child or young people in Sefton who may be suffering significant harm please call us on 0345 140 0845. 

Guidance on reporting a concern 

Our hours are: 

Monday to Thursday – 9am to 5.30pm 

Fridays – 9am to 5pm 

Out of Hours 

If the issue cannot wait until the next working day, please contact our Emergency Duty Team outside of the above hours, including weekends and bank holidays, on 0151 934 3555 

What is a Concern? 

• You may want to report a concern if you: 
• Are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child 
• Suspect neglect or abuse 
• Would like to report an incident 
• Are a child or young people who needs support 

We appreciate that making a referral to MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub) may be difficult for you. Please be reassured that your concerns will be recorded and any response carefully considered. 

Keeping children and young people safe is everyone's responsibility - families, carers, the public and professional staff in Children's Services and partner agencies. 

The council has a legal duty to look into a child’s circumstances when somebody suspects abuse or neglect is occurring. 

You should always report your concerns, even if the person you suspect is abusing or neglecting a child is your partner, or a member of your own family or someone you know well. 

You can remain anonymous if you wish to.