In the current climate where many families are self-isolating, schools and childcare settings are closed and the most vulnerable children within our society are less likely to be seen by professionals, it is vital that we, as frontline practitioners remain mindful of the increased vulnerability for many of the families we work with and the need for us to remain vigilant of indicators of abuse.

Please find the RCGP guidance on safeguarding which has helpful advice on safeguarding when consulting remotely and useful national resources.

In addition, please find useful information on Hampshire safeguarding arrangements below:

Making a referral to Children’s Services: This needs to be completed via the inter-agency referral form which can be found here

For referrals using the bruising protocol  or when you have reason to suspect that a child is at immediate risk of significant harm then please call Hampshire Children’s Services Professionals Line on 01329 225379 or the police if necessary.  Out of Hours telephone no: 0300 555 1373.

Information on current arrangements for Hampshire Children’s Services including MASH is included in the attached document.

For general safeguarding advice from the Hampshire 5 CCG team our advice line is operational as usual and we can be contacted on 02380 627645 during office hours or you can email WHCCG.SafeguardingChildren@nhs.net

 

Baby checks: We support the Wessex LMC advice that baby checks should be done face to face. During these contacts, it is vital that messages around safe sleep and coping with infant crying are reinforced as self-isolation may change sleeping arrangements within households and parents and carers may find dealing with infant crying more challenging than usual.

Remember: The peak in infant crying and abusive head trauma (previously shaken baby syndrome) occurs at 6-8 weeks so GPs are ideally placed to give the ICON and safe sleep messages.

The Ardens child safeguarding and postnatal check templates contain links to local resources for ICON (abusive head trauma):  https://www.hampshirescp.org.uk/toolkits/abusive-head-trauma/

and Safe Sleep:  https://www.hampshirescp.org.uk/professionals/toolkits/every-sleep-counts

Fever in children: Concerns have been raised nationally regarding fever in children especially those under the age of 3 months.  In a recent case, a baby died (national) who was assumed to have a temperature due to COVID and died as a result of meningitis.  We advise that you maintain a low threshold for face to face consultation especially in under 5s.

Remember that fever in children should be responded to in the usual way whether it could be COVID related or not. Children under 3 months of age with a fever should always be referred for assessment in hospital.

Remember to maintain a low threshold for face to face consultation especially in under 5s.

See document

Private fostering arrangements: During the current pandemic, it is likely that we will see an increase in private fostering arrangements as families with key workers and those with family members who are self-isolating may choose to make alternative care arrangements for their children. If these children remain living outside of their normal family home and with wider family or friends for 28 days or more, they are considered to be in a private fostering arrangement and the local authority must be contacted in order that statutory checks can be made.

Remember if you become aware of any such cases, you must notify Hampshire Children’s Services via the inter-agency referral form.  Click here

Further information can be found on this poster

Access to Health Visiting and School Nursing Services: Please be advised that Health Visitors are no longer carrying out face to face visits unless after taking safeguarding advice and liaising with other professionals, there is assessed to be a compelling reason to do so. The school aged immunisation service has also now been suspended.The ChatHealth text messaging service continues to be fully operational and is a useful resource to direct parents and young people to who are requesting general health and wellbeing advice.

Health Visiting ChatHealth number: 07520 615720. Available Monday-Thursday 9am-4.30pm and Friday 9am-4pm.

School Nursing ChatHealth number for young people aged 11-19 years: 07507 332160 Available Monday-Friday 9am-4.30pm

Remember that both ChatHealth numbers are for text advice only and do not take incoming calls.

We would also recommend you continue to signpost parents and carers to the Wessex Healthier Together website for current health information which is available here

Further information for parents and carers about having difficult conversations with children can be found on NSPCC Learning.  Please follow the link here

The Children’s Commissioner has produced some information on COVID-19 written specifically for children and young people which can be accessed here

Child Protection Case Conferences:  These are continuing during the pandemic and are being conducted via video calls. It is widely accepted we will not be able to attend these conferences during this time.

If you become aware of conferences being postponed due to the current pandemic, please let our team know on the advice line number above as postponed conferences and core group meetings could potentially increase risk to already vulnerable children and young people and advice is that conferences should continue in line with statutory guidelines. See this document .

Remember you should continue to send a report.                                 

Early Help: Information about Hampshire Early Help offer and the family support service can be found at the link below. This may be of use if you encounter families who may present as needing additional support at present but do not meet the threshold for social care involvement.

https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/childrenandfamilies/

Looked After Children:  Current guidance is that Initial Health Assessments should be continuing however Review Health Assessments are being postponed or conducted remotely. We do have a number of foster carers in Hampshire who are in a high risk group themselves and this may impact on care arrangements for looked after children. If you require advice about any individual cases then please contact us on our advice line number: 02380 627645.

CAMHS

For guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the COVID-19 outbreak please click  here and here

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): Health practitioners are habitually asked to be more vigilant at holiday times when women and girls may present either before or after an extended holiday and either make a disclosure of possible impending FGM or requesting health care after it has happened. For advice specific to primary care settings and a reminder about mandatory reporting duty please see document.

Remember that although travel is currently limited, FGM does occur in the UK and occurrence could potentially be higher at this time due to current border restrictions.

 

Domestic Abuse: Stop Domestic Abuse is the service commissioned to provide domestic abuse support across Hampshire. They are phasing out F2F contacts but are still providing support. Contact details are below;

Email: advice@stopdomesticabuse.uk

Secure email: advice.hampshire@stopdomesticabuse.cjsm.net

Telephone: 033 0016 5112

Advice Line opening hours: 11:30am – 14:30pm Monday – Friday.

Core service hours:

9.30am – 5.30pm Monday-Thursday,

9.30am – 5.00pm Friday.

Please find see document for their current position statement

We have also attached advice from Hampshire Constabulary regarding COVID-19 and domestic abuse. Please download this poster for display in your surgeries and the associated leaflet for sharing  with patients if required.

Remember to ask about domestic abuse if you are able to.

Food Banks: Patients may be asking you for support with food bank vouchers as it is anticipated that more people than usual will be experiencing financial hardship and may be struggling to access food. We have this information about food banks operating across Hampshire .

Finally, thank you so much for your support in keeping Hampshire’s most vulnerable children and young people safe during this time and please be assured that our team remain committed to supporting you with any safeguarding information and advice that you require.

With our very best wishes and thanks for your support,

The 5 CCG’s Safeguarding and Looked After Children Team.

Email:  WHCCG.SafeguardingChildren@nhs.net     Tel: 07880 423547 and 07880 423542