News: 13 February 2026
New! Working together in Redbridge: Supporting Children & Families – Guidance for Professionals
Following changes and new ways of working as part of the Government’s Families First Pathfinder, we have been working on re-drafting our local guidance on making referrals and accessing services for children and families. We have opened a consultation on the draft which will run until close of business on Monday 9 March 2026. The document can be downloaded via the link below:
Please send your comments to RedbridgeSCP@redbridge.gov.uk. We are particularly keen to hear view from professionals and volunteers across all agencies working with children and families in Redbridge on the following points:
- Title – does it clearly reflect the purpose and content of the document?
- Case Examples – are those given helpful?
- Amendments – any corrections that are required to the information, particularly the links throughout the document and contacts (page 25)
- Levels of Need and Services – are these clear? (pages 12 – 23)
- Key Terms – any missing from the glossary? (page 27)
- Accessibility – does anything further need to be considered to improve accessibility?
New! Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) – Consultation
Consultation on the new draft KCSIE guidance for 2026 is now open. The new guidance reflects substantive changes that strengthen or clarify existing content, changes to multi agency working ahead of any legislation changes in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, where appropriate the recent Casey Audit, and adds content in relation to Violence Against Women and Girls. Information about the proposed changes is available on the government website, with a link to the consultation which runs from 12 February – 22 April 2026.
Fostering for Redbridge
Redbridge needs more foster carers who can make happy, lasting memories for a child or young person. We often taken some things for granted. Taking our children to the park or to a playground; jumping in puddles; getting your wellies stuck in thick mud. Many children in Redbridge, however, have never experienced these fun and free activities. A care leaver remembers the time that she was fostered and visited the park. “I had never had a picnic in a park before. I was 11. It was so exciting.” If you would like to create happy memories for our most vulnerable children, why not consider fostering and call the Team on 020 8708 6068 or view the details on the Council’s website, where you can book onto a ‘virtual’ information session.
Independent Parental Advocacy Service
The Borough have just launched a new Independent Parental Advocacy Service for parents that are going through safeguarding procedures with their children. Further information can be found in the leaflet and flyer below:
Child Accident Prevention Trust – Magnets
CAPT are raising awareness of the dangers of magnets for small children following the death of a 4 year child that died following swallowing a fridge magnet. Sadly, this is not an isolated incident and a study last year highlighted that around 300 children were taken to Accident and Emergency in one year following swallowing magnets. A safety alert was issued by the Office of Product Safety and Standards in 2021. Read more on the CAPT website.
Autism and Suicide Awareness Training
A free elearning module is available from Zero Suicide Alliance. The course, which has been co-produced with people from the autistic community, lasts approximately one hour and can accessed via the link below:
The course provides information about the link between autism and suicide risk, shares real experiences, and provides guidance to spotting the signs and supporting an autistic person. It is recommended for those working with people with autism.
Reminder – Contact with Local Authority – Children’s Social Care
This is a reminder that professionals wishing to make a safeguarding referral, request for information or services, or a notification should contact LBR Children’s Services direct using the on-line portal (link below):
Please do not send referrals, copies, or information sharing requests to the Redbridge Safeguarding Children Partnership (RSCP), which is a multi-agency strategic body that doesn’t commission nor deliver services, or hold case records. Any case work communication with the RSCP outside of Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPRs) could represent a data breach and will also potentially cause a delay in response.
RSCP Training Programme 2025 – 2026
Our 2025/26 Redbridge Safeguarding Children Partnership Training Programme, provides learning opportunities for multi-agency professionals and volunteers working with children and families in Redbridge. This year’s Programme offers a mix of in-person and online training and some free online briefings, arranged in four parts:
- Understanding Safeguarding Risks and Responding to Learning
- Contextual Safeguarding and Child-on-Child Abuse
- Responding to Local and National Priorities
- Creating Safer Settings for Children and Families
If you are not currently on our mailing list, you can sign up here for regular updates. Please forward this email to any of your colleagues or partners who you think would benefit. Don’t forget there’s lots of information and resources on safeguarding on our website.
To book your place on any of our courses or briefings, please use our online booking form. (N.B. if the course you’re interested in still has dates to be confirmed, you won’t be able to book yet but we’ll advertise dates as soon as they’re set). For notes on training fees and cancellation policy, please click here and visit our website for full details of our training programme. Please note we charge for non-attendance in most instances, even if the course is free to attend. We look forward to seeing you on one of our briefings or courses soon!