A week-long series of events will shine a light on the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children and adults, emphasizing that it is a collective responsibility for everyone.
Practitioners and managers in Calderdale and West Yorkshire will have the opportunity to participate in Safeguarding Week, running from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd June. This annual campaign aims to explore critical safeguarding issues, initiate discussions, and raise awareness about best practices in safeguarding vulnerable children and adults.
All local and regional events will convey the message that each individual bears the responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of those around them. Reporting concerns related to safeguarding is essential to guarantee that those most at risk, including children and adults, receive the necessary support. Assistance is readily available, with a collaborative effort among various organizations working diligently to prevent such issues throughout Calderdale and West Yorkshire.
This year, the Calderdale Safeguarding Partnerships are taking part in a Safeguarding Week that encompasses the entire West Yorkshire region. Each authority will host a dedicated day focusing on a specific topic, ranging from financial abuse and safeguarding to trauma-informed care and various forms of neglect.
On Thursday 22nd June, the Calderdale Safeguarding Partnerships will host an online event from 10 am to 1 pm, addressing the impact of childhood adversity. The session will be led by Catherine Knibbs, an author, researcher, and Child and Adult Trauma Psychotherapist. Catherine will discuss how challenging home experiences, such as adversity, poverty, crime, technology-related behaviours, and trauma, can affect individuals from early childhood through adolescence, leaving a lasting impact on adulthood. To attend, please reserve your place at “Cot to College to Childbearing Ages in Adulthood.”
In addition to this West Yorkshire-wide Safeguarding Week, Calderdale’s Safeguarding Children Partnership, Safeguarding Adult Board, and other organizations will host local events throughout the week as part of a borough-specific Safeguarding Week in Calderdale. Topics covered will include parental mental health, addressing child exploitation, online grooming, domestic abuse, and issues related to safeguarding finances. The complete events program and booking details can be found at https://safeguarding.calderdale.gov.uk.
Councillor Jane Scullion, Leader of Calderdale Council, stated:
“Calderdale is renowned for its compassion, and a vital aspect of this is caring for the well-being of children and vulnerable adults in our community. Recognizing when something seems amiss and understanding how to report concerns is crucial in ensuring they receive the support they require. This is why we believe that safeguarding is the responsibility of each and every one of us, as we all have a part to play in assisting and protecting one another.
“If you report an issue, the Council, the Safeguarding Children Partnership, the Safeguarding Adult Board, and our partner organizations will take it extremely seriously and do everything possible to provide appropriate support and protect individuals from harm.
“This year’s Safeguarding Week events offer even greater opportunities for people to learn more, as we join forces with the entire West Yorkshire region.”
