COVID-19

The Government have provided a Safeguarding Factsheet for Community volunteers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Walsall’s communities, and the voluntary, community and faith organisations which work alongside them are already playing a significant role in the response to the coronavirus outbreak and supporting those most vulnerable to the impact. We are blessed with active communities and strong community organisations already working hard to ensure support is available to those who need it.

Cyber criminals are preying on fears of the coronavirus (COVID-19), and sending scam emails that try and trick people into clicking on a bad link. 

Guidance to help you identify the scam emails

Friends Against Scams have published the following information about on keeping safe from scams.

Here are just some of the scams we are aware of, but please note that criminals come in all shapes and sizes and can contact you at the door, by phone, post or online:

• Be aware of people offering miracle cures or vaccines for coronavirus – there is no specific treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19). Treatment aims to relieve the symptoms until you recover.
• Home cleaning services.
• People impersonating healthcare workers, claiming to be offering ‘home-testing’ for coronavirus – this is a scam and these kits are not currently available to buy.
• Emails saying that you can get a refund on taxes, utilities or similar are usually bogus and they are just after your personal and bank details.
• There are lots of fake products available to buy online that say they can protect you or cure coronavirus. These will not help and are designed to take your money.
• There are new mobile phone applications that claim to give you updates on the virus but instead, they lock your phone and demand a ransom.
• Your bank or the police will never ask for your bank details over the phone.
• People offering to do your shopping or collecting medication and asking for money upfront and then disappearing.

Tips to avoid being scammed:

• Be cautious and listen to your instincts. Don’t be afraid to hang up, bin it, delete it or shut the door.
• Take your time; don’t be rushed.
• If someone claims to represent a charity, ask them for ID. Be suspicious of requests for money up front. If someone tries to get you to accept a service they are unlikely to be genuine. Check with family and friends before accepting offers of help if you are unsure.
• If you are online, be aware of fake news and use trusted sources such as .gov.uk or NHS.uk websites. Make sure you type the addresses in and don’t click on links in emails.
• Only purchase goods from legitimate retailers and take a moment to think before parting with money or personal information.
• Know who you’re dealing with - if you need help, talk to someone you know or get in touch with your local Council on the numbers below.
• Protect your financial information, especially from people you don’t know. Never give your bank card or PIN to a stranger.

Contact information:

• If you think you’ve been scammed, report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 and if you need advice, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133. If you are in immediate danger, contact the police on 999.

• Contact your bank if you think you have been scammed.

To learn more about different types of scams and how to protect yourself and others, visit www.FriendsAgainstScams.org.uk and complete the free online training.

Friends Against Scams have also published this helpful leaflet

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Covid-19 Walsall Council have developed an e-form for Residents of Walsall who are concerned about businesses and other venues being non-compliant with COVID-19 regulations. Residents can choose to remain anonymous if they wish but if contact details are given they will be treated in strict confidence.

The government has asked people to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives but for some, domestic abuse means home isn’t their safe place and we want those people to know support services across our borough are here to help. 

The Safer Walsall Partnership and Walsall Safeguarding Partnership want to make sure no victim of domestic abuse is left unsupported. Walsall Council understands the risks and consequences of domestic abuse and fully support colleagues who experience domestic abuse.

For help and support you can call Black Country Women’s Aid Helpline: 0121 552 6448

The following organisations are providing support and help for victims and survivors of domestic abuse:

SafeLives have put together some information and resources for people living with domestic abuse, and the professionals supporting them during this difficult time.For more information, please visit SafeLives.org.uk.

National Domestic Violence Helpline: Freephone: 0808 2000 247 https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ 

Men’s Advice Line:  0808 8010327 www.mensadviceline.org.uk 

Galop: 0800 999 5428 (national helpline for lesbian gay, bisexual and trans people experiencing domestic abuse) 

For anyone worried that they may be harming someone else contact RespectUK:  0808 802 4040 https://respect.uk.net/

The Safeguarding Partnership also offers face to face and E-learning training courses which can be found on our Website 

You may also be interesting in listening to one of our Podcasts on the website.

Guidance for safe routine enquiries to support professionals can be viewed within this document

The NSPCC has created a new webpage with information and advice for parents or carers who are worried a child or young person may be struggling with their mental health or has anxiety about Coronavirus. The webpage includes information on: talking about feelings and worries; keeping in touch and balancing screen time; ways to create structure and routine; and helping to give children a sense of control.

Read the information and advice: Talking to a child worried about coronavirus (COVID-19)

The NSPCC has created an online Hub providing advice and support for parents and carers during the Coronavirus outbreak. Content includes: information on keeping children safe from abuse; tips and advice to help parents working from home; and ways to talk to a child who is anxious or worried about Coronavirus.

Visit the Hub: Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice and support for parents and carers

From the Children’s Commissioner; this is a child friendly guide about coronavirus to help explain the situation. The guide aims to answer children’s questions about coronavirus, tell children how to stay safe and protect other people and how to help them make the best of their time at home.

Read the information and advice: Children's Guide to Coronavirus 

Modern slavery is a harmful and hidden crime and its victims may be especially isolated and hidden from view during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, help and support is available for victims of modern slavery.

Spot the signs of Modern Slavery

It can be challenging to identify a potential victim of modern slavery and potential victims may be reluctant or unable to come forward themselves. That is why it is important for frontline staff to look out for signs of modern slavery. 

A potential victim of modern slavery may: 

• Show signs that their movements are being controlled 
• Show fear or anxiety 
• Allow others to speak for them when addressed directly 
• Look malnourished, unkempt or have untreated injuries 
• Not be in possession of their passports or other travel documents, as these documents are being held by someone else 
• Not have control of their own money or bank accounts 
• Believe they must work against their will 
• Be subjected to violence or threats of violence against themselves or against family members and loved ones

NEGLECT MATTERS

If you think that a child or young person is being neglected in any way, please don’t keep it to yourself. 

Further information

If you need help or are worried about a child, contact Walsall Early Help on 0300 555 2866 (Option 1) or visit www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/ types-of-abuse/neglect/ for help, advice and support.

Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is pleased to announce the launch of a 24-7 support line for adults, older adults, and children and young people requiring urgent mental health support during the Covid-19 pandemic...0345 6460827

Walsall Talking Therapies is available as a support service for anyone who is experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. Referrals can be made by service users themselves or professionals working with them.

If you prefer the anonymity offered by a larger, national charity. The Samaritans can be contacted free 24 hours a day on 116 123.

Samaritans support for NHS Staff & Social Care Workers 
The Samaritans have set up a dedicated line in order to offer emotional support to NHS staff and social care workers. 

The MIND website also has information about coping during the coronavirus pandemic.

Kooth offers mental health advice and support for young people.

See Hear Respond is a new service from Barnardos developed to fill the widening gap for children and young people during COVID-19. From June to 31st October 2020 it will work with schools and other agencies to find those children who are hidden from view; who are not receiving support currently from statutory organisations and those who are at risk and/or experiencing adverse impact to their health and wellbeing. The service is open to any child who does not have other support networks.

Aspire4U free mental Health Support for 14-25 year olds struggling to cope in life after lockdown. They provide free video therapy sessions to support with loss of routine, increased anxiety or stress at home.

The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH) has released a podcast in which Dr Andrew Beck, President Elect of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), talks about the changes he has seen in child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) and how it is being affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Listen to the podcast: Dr. Andrew Beck ‘CAMHS, COVID19, and CBT’

The NSPCC are still here for children, and still here to support you. If you’re worried about a child, or need advice and support, talk to the helpline guidance on 0808 800 5000 (8am-10pm Mon-Fri / 9am-6pm weekends) or you can email help@nspcc.org.uk 24/7.

Whether you want support and advice for adapting to family life in lockdown, or you’re worried about a child, the NSPCC are here to help.

The coronavirus has brought so many changes to our lives. But some things never change – NSPCC are still here for children and still here to support you.

Advice to parents and carers on keeping children safe from abuse and harm can be found  from gov.uk Guidance and Support, published 25 June 2020

Caring For your Baby and Covid-19 information:

The Lullaby Trust, which raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies, has urged parents to avoid using face masks on babies. They said: "We are not aware of any advice for babies to wear masks, whether they are infected or not. There is a potential risk of suffocation and other hazards with doing this".

and the Government's official 'staying safe outside your home' guidelines also state: "Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 3 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly".

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THINKUKNOW have released new online safety at home activity packs!

To help parents and carers during COVID-19, thinkuknow are releasing activity packs with simple 15 minute activities you can do with your child to support their online safety at home.

View further information and advice on keeping your child safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic at https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/

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To help families through lockdown and social distancing, please view the following articles to help parents tackle some of the key issues they are experiencing, including:

• Coronavirus (COVID-19), lockdown and separated parents
• Supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities
• Supporting teens to cope with lockdown
• Looking after their mental health while stuck indoors
• Starting difficult conversations about COVID-19 with their child
• Guidance for parents and carers to keep children safe online
• Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people's mental health and well being
• Advice to parents and carers on keeping children safe from abuse and harm

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

With the revised Government advice regarding social distancing, like others, Children's services and its Partners have been considering how they can best continue to deliver the service.

MASH is currently taking place virtually with all partners in full support to ensure referrals continue to be screened effectively and timely in order to safeguard Children and Young People.

Please be advised there is no change to making a referral therefore please continue to do so in the usual way by consulting the right help right time guidance. Find out more information on making a referral.

Child Protection Conferences

All the conferences (both initial and review) are now taking place virtually. This enables the Conference Chairs and Review Coordinators to be able to continue to make a positive contribution to supporting decision making in relation to children and their plans.

In light of this new way of working, the requirement for every practitioner to ensure that they have shared their report with parents and, where appropriate, the child, the Conference Chair and the child’s social worker prior to the conference and in accordance with the Safeguarding Partnership Procedures is absolutely critical.

The service have a number of options available to enable parents, children and professionals to engage with the process and are currently exploring a conference call facility to assist with this. In any event, the Conference Chairs will always begin and end the conference by speaking with the parents and if it is appropriate to do so with the child.

The service also recognises that as the current situation develops we will need to keep these current arrangements under review therefore updates will be shown on this page.

Towards the start of ‘lockdown’, there was a temporary suspension of the transfer of the majority of cases (with discretion for some exceptions) of children with a Child Protection Plan who moved areas, to enable better continuity of child protection and safety plans, given the challenges of effectively transferring cases during this period.  This has now been revised and practitioners should return to the normal arrangements as defined by Working Together 2018.  This is with immediate effect.  The relevant chapter can be found in the Regional Child Protection Procedures 1.16 Children and families moving across local authority boundaries.

Please use this guidance to support decision making in respect of safeguarding adult concerns.  To report a safeguarding concern please use the safeguarding referral form or contact the Adults Intake Team

Telephone: 0300 555 2922
Textphone: 0845 111 2910
Email: initialintake@walsall.gov.uk 

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Today (09/04/20) the Department has published guidance on the application of DoLS during the pandemic. As you will know, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, including DoLS, still applies – it has not been altered by the Coronavirus Act 2020. We have to strike a careful balance between protecting some of the most vulnerable in our society and preventing the spread of the virus. This guidance offers temporary, proportionate measures to support DoLS decision-makers to provide the best possible care to those who need it whilst preventing transmission of the virus. This guidance is temporary and applies until withdrawn by the Department – it should not become the new-norm beyond the pandemic

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DHSC’s emergency MCA/DoLS guidance: Updated 29 May 20

Skills for Care have published a central COVID-19 page to highlight key information. So far it includes:

You can view the page here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-how-dbs-is-supporting-the-fight-against-coronavirus this will be updated regularly as the situation develops.

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WMFS are continuing to provide an emergency response across the region, and intend to continue to support the most at-risk members of our communities to keep them safe by delivering limited, risk-critical prevention activities to those who are most at risk and vulnerable to being injured or dying in a fire. These services will, however, be delivered in a way that keeps non-essential social contact to an absolute minimum and therefore protects those who have been identified as being most at risk of contracting Covid-19. 

Further information and updates on our approach to Covid-19 can be viewed here - wmfs.net

WMFS urge partners to continue referring to WMFS those most at risk and vulnerable to fire in the usual way. For anyone unsure how to refer to WMFS, here are links to the referral forms: 

Online Referral Form

Standard Referral Form

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The NHS Pathway for Child Protection Medical Examinations during Covid-19 Pandemic can be viewed here - CP Pathway

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Transfer of Responsibility between Authorities for Children with a Child Protection Plan - West Midlands’ Authorities Contingency Position Statement during COVID 19 Pandemic

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The National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) has released a briefing on child death by suicide in England during lockdown.  There is a concerning signal that child suicide deaths may have increased during the first 56 days of lockdown, but risk remains low and numbers are too small to reach definitive conclusions. Amongst the likely suicide deaths reported after lockdown, restriction to education and other activities, disruption to care and support services, tensions at home and isolation appeared to be contributing factors.  

View the full report

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ICON is a programme of intervention, which reinforces a simple message to parents and carers regarding how to cope with infant crying.  The term ICON, is a pneumonic which stands for:

I – Infant crying is normal

C – Comforting methods can help

O – It’s OK to walk away

N – Never, ever shake a baby

There will be more information following shortly on how ICON is being used in Walsall. 

Further details on the programme

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The Children’s Society have published a report ‘Life on Hold’. Their survey found a higher proportion of young people experiencing low well-being than previously. Whilst most children’s well-being will ‘bounce-back’, there will be some who will not. As a result, this crisis is likely to have lasting consequence on children who are not satisfied with their lives. However, while children are feeling the impacts now of the coronavirus and the lockdown measures, there is still a sense of optimism for their future. Children told the Children’s Society that through these difficult times they have enjoyed having a time to reflect, to learn new hobbies or restart old ones and have found gratitude for things in their life pre-lockdown.

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The See, Hear, Respond Partnership is a new Barnardos service funded by the Department for Education.  With your help, the See, Hear, Respond Partnership will quickly identify and support children, young people and families who are struggling to cope with the impacts of coronavirus.

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National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) have published their October Newsletter with key information on the impact of COVID-19 on child deaths.