SVPP Newsletter 21

Welcome to the Summer edition of Wiltshire SVPP’s e-newsletter bringing you the latest news and updates from the SVPP, including the Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership (CSP).

In this edition we have some news in brief covering support for children with SEND, highlights from Hoarding Week and adult safeguarding risks on digital abuse and digital illiteracy. We have shared summer safety tips for children for the upcoming summer holidays including dog safety, garden hazards, baby overheating prevention and holiday accommodation checks. To keep you informed upcoming campaigns and training course dates are also included for information.

SVPP Partner and Agency Communication Preferences

In today’s fast-moving world, people turn to a mix of platforms to stay informed. We’re aware that a balance of speed, relevance and trust is required and SVPP would like to find out how best to communicate and keep you informed. Please fill in the short survey on your communication preferences here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7MSGJPX

News in Brief

Support for children with SEND

The summer holidays can be a challenging time for children with SEND and their families. To help navigate this period, Wiltshire Council are hosting a webinar to share information about the support available and highlight a range of inclusive activities available in Wiltshire.

Previous Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) webinars are available on the local offer webpage - Wiltshire SEND Transformation Programme - Local Offer

For more information visit the Wiltshire Council website here.  

Change the Script Social Work England campaign

Change the Script campaign toolkit available here on transforming the perceptions and views on social work. Watch the new Change the Script film to hear the real stories of social work.

Electric Bike and Mobility Scooter Safety Advice

Information on lithium batteries offering safety advice on e bikes and mobility scooters. Please see below YouTube clip and share with relevant colleagues: Electric Bike and Mobility Scooter Safety Advice

Hoarding Awareness Week – Wiltshire Overview

Introduction
Partners across Wiltshire came together to support Hoarding Awareness Week, a national campaign aimed at raising awareness of hoarding behaviours and promoting the support available to individuals affected by hoarding.

Community Engagement Activities
Two key public engagement events were held:

• Monday 8th May – A ‘pop-up’ display at County Hall, Trowbridge
• Thursday 11th May – A display at Devizes Market

These events attracted interest from both professionals and members of the public. Those that attended were eager to learn more about the support services available for individuals who hoard.

The displays were staffed by:

• MASH Leads for Self-Neglect
• Wiltshire Safeguarding Vulnerable Peoples Partnership (SVPP)

• Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service
• Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP)

Key Feedback
Visitors to the displays expressed a clear need for additional services to complement the existing support for individuals who hoard. The events highlighted the importance of continued collaboration and resource development in this area.

Professional Development and Collaboration
On Wednesday 11th May, the quarterly Hoarding Forum convened with an exceptional turnout of 80 professionals. This forum serves as a vital platform for:

• Sharing new initiatives
• Discussing case studies
• Reviewing findings from Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs)

The forum was marked by high levels of enthusiasm, collaboration, and commitment from attendees.

Next Forum Meeting
The next Hoarding Forum will take place on Wednesday 13th August.
For more information on how to join, please visit: www.wiltshiresvpp.org.uk

Below pictures of the ‘pop up displays’

Next steps

Rolling out the learning following publication of the Thematic Review on self-neglect due Autumn 2025. 

Stakeholder meeting 18^th June

​We held our latest Stakeholder Network meeting on Wednesday 18^th June. These meetings take place twice a year and are for all professionals working in Wiltshire to come together and hear key updates from the partnership and help us shape our work going forwards. We had over 60 people in attendance to hear from a range of speakers:

Naomi Hendy, a Dorothy House Independent Domestic Abuse Advisor working with Gypsy, Roma, Traveller and Boater Communities – we will be arranging for her to deliver her full training package, but if your team or service would like to invite her to deliver this directly, then please contact her directly – naomi.hendry@julianhouse.org.uk

Rachel Pearce from Wiltshire Council’s Fostering Service supported our exploration of some of the issues raised around how we consider race and racism in our practice following The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel report “It’s Silent” – if interested in joining a group to take forward how we support working with diversity please email SVPP@wiltshire.gov.uk

Jemma Halligan updated on the Transitional Safeguarding Work & pathway for this – additional information can be found on our website.

We also considered what we need to respond to Child Sexual Abuse and what knowledge and skills we might need – including supporting adults impacted as children – as this becomes an area of further focus national. Our Child Sexual Abuse Framework was published in 2024 and you can find it here.

If you have a session you could offer in Safeguarding Week in November please get in touch SVPP@wiltshire.gov.uk  - we would also love your feedback on the meeting, and any suggestions for future topics to cover. Please also let us know if your agency is not receiving our local learning briefings and we will add you to the list or confirm your agency contact.

Adults and Digital Exclusion

Disconnected and at Risk: the closure of local services like bank branches and post offices, combined with the push for digital-first interactions, is inadvertently stripping some people of their independence and placing them at increased risk of harm, particularly financial abuse.

The Realities:
• Over 6,200 bank branches have closed across the UK in the last decade leaving rural communities isolated.
• Among those aged 65+, 39% were not managing money online (Age UK, 2023), with even higher rates for the over 85s.
• The Digital Poverty Alliance notes a 258% increase in cases involving technology-facilitated abuse between 2018-2022.
• Hourglass, a safer ageing charity, revealed over £53 million was stolen or defrauded from older people in the past three years reported to their helpline, with an average loss of £87,000 per victim.

Safeguarding implications:
• Losing face-to-face services removes crucial safeguards because bank branch staff often provided an informal safeguarding role, spotting signs of coercion, confusion, or unusual transactions. 
• Being pressured into sharing PINs or online banking details by those "helping" them with digital tasks, or they might fall victim to increasingly complex online fraud due to lack of digital literacy. 
• Increased isolation and reduced autonomy.

What We Can Do:
• Advocate for face-to-face services like shared banking hubs. 
• Building digital confidence through training, awareness, and fraud detection.
• Integrate financial abuse vigilance into safeguarding practice and reporting.

For more information visit www.safeguardingadultssupport.co.uk

Summer safety tips for children

Dogs and children

Children are more at risk from dog bites in the summer months when they spend more time together over the long summer holiday.

In the Garden

Having outdoor space to play can be great fun for the children in the summer. But not all gardens are child-friendly and it’s important to be aware of the dangers.

• Make sure chemicals like weed killer and fertiliser are kept away from curious youngsters
• Avoid children of very different weights jumping on trampolines together. It can cause accidents
• Supervise young children around water at all times whether that’s a hot tub, paddling pool or pond

Keeping Babies Cool

It’s important to keep your baby cool and out of direct sun. Buggies and prams should never be covered with blankets, cloths or any cover that prevents the air from circulating. This can lead to overheating and increases the chance of SIDS.

Instead:

• Stay in the shade as much as possible
• Use a clip-on parasol or sunshade to protect your baby from the sun, but make sure that air can circulate and you are still able to see your baby
• Monitor their temperature to avoid overheating. You can do this by feeling their chest or back of their neck, if their skin feels clammy, this is a sign they are getting too hot

On Holiday

It’s important to remember to use the same caution in your holiday accommodation that you do at home. Here are a few simple checks and precautions to remember:

• Move any cleaning products or medicines out of reach
• Check window blind cords are safely secured out of reach and that window locks work
• If you have a balcony ensure young children are supervised
• Check the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working
• Be alert to any water nearby

For further information and resources please visit Child Accident Prevention Trust and share with relevant agencies/parents.

Safer Sleep – out of routine

When a baby's sleep routine is disrupted, such as during travel or when staying with others, it's crucial to maintain safer sleep practices to minimize the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Stick to familiar sleep positions, like on their back, in a clear, flat sleep space, and avoid sharing a bed with your baby if you're tired, have consumed alcohol or medication. For further information visit The Lullaby Trust

Families First Partnership programme guide

Guidance for safeguarding partners on implementing family help, multi-agency child protection and family group decision-making reforms. This guide aims to rebalance the system from crisis intervention to early help and prevention. It is not statutory guidance, but complements existing frameworks like Working Together to Safeguard Children and the Children’s Social Care National Framework. To download the guide click here.

Nineteen More Child Homicides

Nineteen More Child Homicides is the third report published by Women’s Aid in the past three decades as part of Women’s Aid Child First campaign. This report tells the stories of children who have been killed by a parent who is a perpetrator of domestic abuse through child contact. These findings illustrate the need for a culture shift at all levels to domestic abuse from professionals involved in child contact arrangements, whether informal and formal. To read the full report please click the link here.

Sexual abuse - free guide for Polish victims/survivors

Vesta have a new guide for Polish victims and survivors of sexual violence and abuse.

Their guide provides information about different types of sexual abuse and the support options available to Polish victims/survivors. It includes contact details for the local support agencies in Cheshire and Merseyside, as well as national organisations and services in England and Wales.   

The following topics are included in the guide:

• Types of sexual violence
• What is sexual consent?
• I have been raped/sexually assaulted - what can I do?
• Specialist support for survivors of sexual violence
• Emotional support for survivors of sexual violence
• Myths about sexual violence
• Reporting sexual abuse to the police
• Claiming compensation if you were the victim of a violent crime
• How can I help someone who has experienced sexual violence?

You can download Polish and English versions of the guide from their website.

The Polish version of the guide is also available as separate chapters, which can be printed for clients.

Upcoming campaigns and dates for the diary

Drug and Alcohol Training Course Dates

Connect are running drug and alcohol training with course dates through 2025. These are particularly suitable for education colleagues, health and social care staff, the police, charity workers and volunteers. A list of courses times and dates can be found here.

ASB Awareness Week 30^th June -6^th July

The overarching theme and hashtag for the week was #MakingCommunitiesSafer.

This year, the focus is on four main asks.

1. Guaranteed support for victims of ASB.
2. Resolve delays in the Justice System.
3. One single, national Information Sharing Agreement.
4. Make it easier to report ASB.

For more information, visit their website here.

Alcohol Awareness Week, running from 7-13 July

This year’s theme is Alcohol and Work. It highlights how alcohol use can affect not just our professional lives, but our personal wellbeing too.

Alcohol and Work—highlights how alcohol use can affect not just our professional lives, but our personal wellbeing too. Alcohol use can impact anyone, regardless of role or background. In the workplace, it can influence productivity, safety, mental health, and team relationships. Outside of work, it can affect families, friendships, and overall quality of life.

Connect wants to encourage a supportive business culture across Wiltshire by:
Being approachable – Encourage open, respectful conversations without judgment
Recognising the signs – Notice shifts in mood, attendance, or performance
Highlighting support – Keep your teams informed about wellbeing resources you have available and make sure they’re aware of support available in Wiltshire
Encouraging healthy coping – Share positive ways to manage stress without alcohol

Take a look at the Alcohol Change leaflet which contains lots of information and tips.

During Alcohol Awareness Week Connect Wiltshire Substance Use Service are running an Alcohol Awareness, Identification & Brief Advice training session on Tuesday 8^th July 09:30-12:00. The training aims to:

• Increase awareness of the effects, harms and risks of alcohol use
• Provide an overview of the national and local impact of problematic alcohol use
• Spot the signs and symptoms of problematic alcohol use
• Increase confidence in holding brief interventions with individuals - the kind of conversations professionals can have with the people they are supporting to reduce harm from alcohol and encourage engagement and treatment.
• Provide details of how and when to refer someone to Connect.

If you would like to register to attend, please contact: Jon Amor Jon.Amor@turning-point.co.uk

Grief Support for Children and Young People in Wiltshire and Swindon

A free craft event for bereaved children aged 5-12 is taking place on Wednesday 16th July 3.30-5pm. Please download the poster with information and contacts here. 

New campaign: Speaking up anonymously to challenge sexual harassment

Crimestoppers are targeting the issue of sexual harassment in public spaces with a new campaign, which will highlight what sexual harassment is and encourage those who see it happening to report perpetrators anonymously. To give information anonymously or to download campaign resources please visit Crimestoppers website here.

Reducing Parental Conflict: One Plus One Digital Resources

We are pleased to confirm the upcoming dates for our ‘Reducing Parental Conflict: One Plus One Digital Resources’ practitioner training. These sessions will be delivered virtually via Microsoft Teams. The One Plus One Digital Resources provides accessible, evidence-based tools to support parents in understanding the impact of conflict on their children. The programme equips them with practical strategies to improve communication, manage stress, and resolve conflict more constructively.

This training is designed for professionals working with families and offers a comprehensive toolkit to build confidence and skills in supporting positive change.

Training Details:

Session One: Friday, 27th June 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Session Two: Friday, 11th July 2025, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM

This training is free of charge and open to any Wiltshire-based professional seeking to enhance their understanding of the ‘One Plus One Digital Resources’ and the broader Reducing Parental Conflict initiative.

To attend, please register for each session individually via the following Eventbrite link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/reducing-parental-conflict-one-plus-one-digital-training-for-professionals-tickets-1360173959929?aff=oddtdtcreator

Please visit our social media platform here, follow, like and share to help safeguard and protect the most vulnerable in our community together.

SVPP Training and Learning Events

Did you know the SVPP offers a range of free e-learning courses? Modules include Child and Adult Exploitation, Self-Neglect, Learning from Case Reviews, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, and E- Safety.  To book any SVPP training courses including e-learning, click here 

The SVPP have some courses coming up which still have places available:

• 09.2025 – The Adolescent Brain
• 09.2025 – Conferences and Core Groups
• 09.2025 – Adult Matrix Threshold Workshop
• 09.2025 – Ways of Writing
• 09.2025 – Working Together: A Shared Responsibility
• 10.2025 – Early Support Assessment (ESA) Process
• 10.2025 – Specialist Advanced Practitioner Training

All courses are available to book via your Virtual College account.  For full course descriptions, charging details and further booking information, please visit the SVPP website Learning Hub.

E-Learning

SVPP offer a range of safeguarding e-learning modules which can be accessed at your convenience.  New modules have recently been added.  Please select the ‘Learning’ tile, then ‘Available Learning’ on your Virtual College account.

SVPP Safeguarding Week Catch-Up modules and Webinars

SVPP hosted their annual Safeguarding Week in November 2024.  Many of the webinars were recorded and a copy of the presentation slides has been made available for most.  To access these, please select the ‘Learning’ tile on your Virtual College account.  For further information, please visit the SVPP Website.  Many other recorded webinars are available to view, including Cannabis Tool and Guidance, Multi-Agency Thresholds for Safeguarding Children and Case Learning Reviews.  Please see the full list here.