Skip to main content
Close Menu

Your L&D Newsletter Issue 13

Issue 13 | 27th October 2023

Hello and welcome to your L&D Newsletter.

Happy Friday, you have made it through the week and the weekend is nearly upon us to enjoy. Last week saw the family safeguarding launch event, motivational Interview training and a complex safeguarding events… a busy week at the BSP. Those that attended the events we hope that you gained insight into the topics and will use the information to enhance your practice.

Sunday sees the clocks falling back an hour (for those who don’t have small children or animals this means and extra hour in bed). The idea of daylight saving time (DST) was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784, but it was not widely adopted until the 20th century. The modern system of daylight saving time was first introduced by Germany and Austria-Hungary during World War I as a way to conserve coal. The practice was later adopted by other countries and is now observed in many parts of the world, although the start and end dates, as well as the amount of time shifted, can vary widely between countries and regions.

Its also Halloween next week. Halloween is believed to have originated in Ireland Halloween takes its roots from the old Celtic festival, Samhain Eve, when it was believed that the link between the worlds of the living and dead was at its strongest.

In some American towns, Halloween was originally referred to as Cabbage Night, stemming from a Scottish fortune-telling game where girls used cabbage stumps to predict information about their future husbands.

Jack-'o-lanterns used to be carved out of turnips. The name comes from the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, a drunkard who bargains with Satan and is doomed to roam the Earth with only a hollowed turnip to light his way.

In Ireland and England, people would dress in ghost and goblin costumes to confuse the spirits that they believed wandered the Earth on this night so that they would not think they were human and leave them alone.

Dates for your diaries

  • Adult safeguarding week 20th to 24th November 2023
  • Safeguarding adults board launch and learning day, 21st November 2023
  • January 16th 2024, Bury Safeguarding Childrens Partnership Learning day
  • Domestic abuse awareness half day 6th December 2023 and full day 11th December 2023.

This weeks' newsletter focus is… Clare's Law

What is Clare’s Law?

The Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) was introduced following the death of Clare Woods (1973-2009) who was in a relationship with George Appleton but unaware of his violent history of abuse. When the relationship ended Clare was stalked by Appleton, then raped and strangled by him before her body was set on fire and later discovered in her home in Salford. At the inquest, the coroner said ”… Consideration should be given to the disclosure of such convictions and their circumstances to potential victims in order that they can make informed choices about matters affecting their safety and that of their children."

Why it matters…

The aim of the DVDS is to give a person potentially at risk a formal means of making enquiries about an individual who they are in a relationship with; so they can make an informed decision regarding their continued relationship. DVDS enhances previous arrangements whereby disclosure occurred in a reactive way when agencies received information about an offender with a violent history.

Information

Clare’s Law has two main elements: the “Right to Ask” and the “Right to Know”.

Under the scheme an individual or relevant third party (for example, a family member) can ask the police to check whether a current or ex-partner has a violent or abusive past. This is the “Right to Ask”. If records show that an individual may be at risk of domestic abuse from a partner or ex-partner, the police will consider disclosing the information.

The “Right to Know” enables the police to make a disclosure if they receive information about the violent or abusive behaviour of a person that may impact on the safety of that person’s current or ex-partner. This could be information arising from a criminal investigation, through statutory or third sector agency involvement, or from another source of police intelligence.

A disclosure can be made lawfully by the police under the scheme if the disclosure is based on the police’s common law powers to disclose information where it is necessary to prevent crime, and if the disclosure also complies with established case law, as well as data protection and human rights legislation. It must be reasonable and proportionate for the police to make the disclosure, based on a credible risk of violence or harm.

What to do?

Anyone can make an application under the Right to Ask, not just a partner, but family members or friends. However information will only be disclosed to the person potentially at risk, not the person who requests it unless they are acting as ‘appropriate adult’. The person at risk will not be told who made the application. The Right to Know application is when an agency has information already in their possession that indicates a risk. Under ‘Right to Know’ agencies that come into possession of information should consider requesting a disclosure by Police to safeguard potential victims from further crime.

Information

As a professional, you can make an application for a disclosure under the ‘Right to Know’. The information will only be disclosed to the potential victim. Please note: if you are working with someone and you have information about their partner or ex-partner do not ask them to make them an application as you may be putting them at greater risk. If you are working with an adult or a young person who expresses concerns, you can encourage them to ask for a disclosure under the ‘Right to Ask’. This can be done at any police station or online Request information under Clare's Law: Make a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (DVDS) application (Wiltshire Police).

The following information will be required - Full details of the person potentially at risk and any children and the potential abuser/partner. The decision to disclose will be made by a multi-agency decision panel and the rationale for disclosure documented. Remember that one of the most difficult or dangerous times can be after the ‘person potentially at risk’ is provided with information and decides to leave/end the relationship.

Information: support

Support is provided at disclosure by the police and the specialist Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA). As the person may be at high risk of serious injury or homicide at time of separation it is important that they get advice from appropriate services re: planning a safe separation from the perpetrator and it is also essential to access legal advice to protect themselves and any children.

Useful resources

In the news…

A round up of some articles in the news that may e of interest to you. If you think anything should go in the next newsletter then let us know bsp@bury.gov.uk.

Training

Please do only book onto training if you can commit to attending.

E-safety training

This in-person course will help you gain an understanding of the positives for children and young people accessing online platforms. See here for more information and to book on: E-Safety Training - 8th November 2023.

Safer recruitment

The training is for senior leaders and staff who participate in the recruitment process for employees, the course will enable participants to: undertake Safer Recruitment Consortium accredited training on Safer Recruitment and achieve certification. Go to Safer Recruitment Training - 27th February 2024 for more information and book your place.

Managing allegations training

The training is for senior leaders and staff who participate in the recruitment process for employees, the course will enable participants to:

  • Undertake Safer Recruitment Consortium accredited training on Safer Recruitment and achieve certification plus:
    • Gain an understanding and awareness of offender behaviour
    • Identify key features of staff recruitment that help to deter or prevent the appointment of unsuitable people
    • Consider policies and practices that minimise opportunities for abuse or ensure its prompt reporting
    • Help participants review their policies and practices with a view to creating a culture of vigilance

Go to Safer Recruitment Training - 27th February 2024 for more information and book your place.

Domestic Abuse training

Domestic abuse basic awareness sessions facilitated by Safenet. Half day training sessions to give all practitioners a basic awareness and understanding of domestic abuse:

Domestic Abuse full day training including more comprehensive topics such as:

  • Coercive control stalking and harassment
  • Cuckooing and HBV
  • Recognising and responding to DAV
  • Safety planning, risk assessment and primary aggressor
  • DAV and effects on children and DAV in older adults

Book your Domestic Abuse full day training:

Domestic Abuse Training -11th December 2023, Elizabethan Suite

Free Grooming & Coercive Control

Online Summit 2023 by Neurodiverse Connection, 27th November to 1st December: Neurodiverse Connection - GCC Summit 2023.

Complex Safeguarding

Topics relevant to Complex Safeguarding that are covered in the webinars will include (among others):

  • Autism, Grooming and Coercive Control
  • Supporting Neurodivergent People Impacted by Controlling Behaviour
  • Engaging with Neurodivergent Young People Impacted by Unhealthy Relationships
  • The Experience of Parenting South Asian Neurodivergent Children in Modern Britain

Free webinars on DVA and sexual assault prevention Strangulation training institute - Upcoming Webinars

Children’s Partnership lunchtime learning sessions

If your work impacts on children, young people and families then Children’s Partnership lunchtime learning sessions are for you.

The aim is to increase awareness and understanding of issues that might be affecting children, young people and families you are working with so that you can help them get help and support. There is a mix of online and in-person sessions, all held from 12.00 to 1pm. The sessions are free and open to anyone who works with children, young people and families. Topics include: Essential Parent, The importance of speech language and communication pathway across Bury.

See the children’s partnership weekly email for more information. E-mail childrenspartnership@bury.gov.uk to book onto a session.

Bury safeguarding Children Partnership Learning event 16th January, 2024

The Partnership will share with you the new priorities and how each agency is contributing to the safeguarding of children in Bury. Book at: Bury Safeguarding Children's Partnership Learning Event: 16th January 2024.

Free webinars

A selection of free webinars, you just need to sign up you’re your work email to gain access. See: The Safeguarding Company - Webinars.

Take a break…

Halloween quiz… test your Halloween knowledge: YouTube - Halloween Trivia: 30 Questions.

Exercise memory, flexibility, and more with the world’s most popular brain training program: Lumosity Brain Training - Challenge and Improve Your Mind.