Victim blaming language exacerbates the trauma experienced by survivors of abuse and hinders their access to justice and support. Serious case reviews highlight the profound negative effect of victim blaming language on victims themselves and on professional and public perceptions of victims, often leaving them in unsafe and abusive circumstances.

Join us to learn how Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire and Luton Safeguarding Children Partnerships are working with the NSPCC to develop a Neglect Awareness Campaign for Bedfordshire.

You will hear from 'Penelope' who shares her lived experience, alongside local practitioners, NSPCC and Childline who will highlight the importance of identifying and responding to Neglect to improve outcomes for children, young people and their families. The session will also signpost to a range of resources available to Bedfordshire based practitioners to support their work.

The NSPCC's Development and Implementation Team are hosting a free online event on 26th November during the 16 Days of Activism. The event will explore some of the ways the NSPCC is working to protect children from domestic abuse and how professionals can play their part in doing the same.

Safeguarding Bedfordshire are supporting a one-day learning event to support Luton based practitioners and our Partners to further develop their safeguarding knowledge and effective working practices, as part of Luton’s Families First Pathfinder project.

This report draws on data from the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) to investigate deaths in children with a learning disability and autistic children, and to draw out learning and recommendations for service providers and policymakers.

‘Bridging the gaps between Children and Adult Services is essential to safeguard young people, reducing the risk of harm and exploitation. Learn how to overcome cliff edges that leave children unprotected upon entering legal adulthood’

How to ensure we’re delivering the right support for different needs?

Today marks the start of Sceptre, a week where you’ll see police forces across the country working to tackle knife crime.

While Police efforts to get knives off the streets of Bedfordshire take place all year round, Sceptre is an opportunity for us to showcase this activity.

But it isn’t just about police enforcement…

Greater awareness of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is one of the most effective ways to reduce occurrences. This free eLearning course, available from Safeguarding Bedfordshire, is designed to do just that whilst ensuring learners gain knowledge on practical and effective ways to reduce the risks.

As exams approach, Young Minds have a series of support pages aimed to help with exam stress and anxiety. Their advice is available to help school staff, parents and carers and young people themselves.

d/Deaf children and children who have disabilities are particularly vulnerable to abuse and neglect compared with their peers.

Case reviews show that professionals don’t always recognise or understand the signs that d/Deaf children and children who have disabilities are experiencing abuse. This can result in safeguarding concerns being missed.

Listening Books are kindly providing free audiobooks for our service users and supporters in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes. This offer is available to those who have a disability, illness, learning difficulty or mental health condition that impacts on your ability to read or hold a book. And also who would find their regular fees a barrier to joining.

Assessments help professionals to identify strengths, needs, risks and protective factors in the lives of the children and families they work with. They are an essential part of planning, deciding, and reviewing what action needs to be taken to support or safeguard children. However, case reviews, research and reports repeatedly identify concerns around how assessments are conducted.