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Hillingdon Safeguarding Children Partnership
Annual Report
2024-2025
Contents
1 Living in Hillingdon p. 3
2 The Child’s Journey p. 4-7
3 Local Authority Designated Officer p. 8
3 Our Safeguarding Arrangements p. 9-10
4 Our Budget p. 11
5 Voice of the Child p. 12-15
6 Independent Scrutiny p. 16-18
7 The Children’s Partnership Board p. 19
8 Our Business Plan p. 20-22
10 Harm Outside the Home p. 23-24
11 Child Sexual Abuse p. 25-27
12 Education Safeguarding p. 28-30
13 Transitional Safeguarding p. 31
14 Learning from Practice p. 32-35
15 Quality Assurance p. 36-37
16 Practice Development Activity p. 38-40
17 Training Offer p. 41-43
18 Smarter Targets 25-26 p. 44
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1. Living in Hillingdon
Hillingdon is the most westerly London borough and the third-least densely populated
of all London boroughs. Home to Heathrow Airport and RAF Northolt, the borough has
large areas of green space with 67 Green Flag Awards – the most held by any local
authority. Hillingdon is the second largest of London’s 32 boroughs covering an area of
42 square miles, over half of which is countryside including canals, rivers, parks and
woodland, interspersed with historic towns and villages.
The borough includes more affluent areas (within the top 20 per cent nationally) as well
as areas of deprivation (within the lowest 20 per cent nationally). Our overall population
is diverse and growing, and people are living longer.
Between the last two censuses (held in 2011 and 2021), the population in Hillingdon
increased by 11.7 per cent, to around 305,900. The population in the borough increased
by a greater percentage than the overall population of London (7.7 per cent), and by a
greater percentage than the overall population of England (up 6.6 per cent).
The ethnicity profile of the borough has also changed, and the data reveals a reduction
of eight per cent in the number of residents born in England to just over 60 per cent.
Meanwhile, there has been an increase of nine per cent in residents born in India, and
two per cent those born in Pakistan.
We are a single local authority with 109 schools, one acute hospital trust (that has two
sites in the borough), a GP confederation that includes 43 of the borough’s 45 practices,
a single community health and community mental health provider and an established
consortium of the five larger third sector organisations in the borough.
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23,413 Contacts
Source:
25% Police
21% Education
21% Health Providers
Main reason recorded:
Socially Unacceptable
Behaviour
Domestic Incident
Child Mental Health
Neglect
Early Help Notification
364 Stronger Families Plans**
4,432 Child and Family
Assessments
132 Age Assessments
558 Child in Need Plans*
1777 Strategy Discussions
1447 Child Protection Enquiries
164 Initial Child Protection
Conferences
242 Child Protection Plans*
Categories:
112 Neglect
10 Physical Abuse
0 Sexual Abuse
120 Emotional Abuse*
37 uses of Police Powers of
Protection
23 families (33 children) where
Public Law Outline initiated.
2 Emergency Protection Orders
50 Care Proceedings Initiated
1 Secure Accommodation Order
2. The Child’s Journey
331 Children in Care*
79 of whom are Unaccompanied
Asylum Seeking Children
88% of children eligible for a
Health Assessment have one
recorded within the year
65% of eligible children have had
an SDQ completed during the year
4 children adopted into families
68 fostering households
9 new fostering households
approved, 9 more currently in
assessment
4 Residential Homes
766 Care Experienced Young
People, 407 of whom were UASC*
8 Stay Put arrangements in place*
*As at 31.03.25
**Due to changes in reporting systems there may be some slight variation in figures4
The Child’s Journey: Family Help & Support
*As at 31.03.25
**Due to changes in reporting systems there may be some slight variation in figures5
Family Help and Support
23,413 Contacts
Source:
25% Police
21% Education
21% Health Providers
Main reason recorded:
Socially Unacceptable Behaviour
Domestic Incident
Child Mental Health
Neglect
Early Help Notification
364 Stronger Families Plans**
4,432 Child and Family Assessments
132 Age Assessments
558 Child in Need Plans*
Early intervention in Hillingdon is offered through the Stronger Families Service. Central to
this initiative is the Stronger Families Hub (SFH), where a 24/7 service is available throughout
the year. To streamline access to support services, the local authority has established a single
point of entry for various resources such as social care, SEND, and the Attendance Support
Team, accessible via one email, phone number, and online portal.
The Stronger Families Hub considers all requests for family help and support, identifying
where early help can be provided through a Stronger Families Plan to prevent escalation in
need, and to ensure that children and their families receive support at the earliest possible
stage. The local authority currently operates two Family Hubs and plan to integrate eight
children’s centres into the Family Hubs Network. The centrally located Uxbridge Family Hub
offers co-located services for children and families, including contact services, the Youth
Justice Service, Multi Agency Psychology Service, Children’s Centre services, and various health
services. The introduction of Open Youth Work Sessions in 2023 has further solidified the
hub's role in supporting young children and their families to reduce inequalities in child
development and school readiness.
The most common reason for a ‘contact’ or concern being raised for a child is ‘socially
unacceptable behaviour’ this is a broad category that encompasses the need to consider
support arising from both the behaviour of a child, and where that behaviour might present
for family members. Contact between a child and/or family member with the Metropolitan
Police Service is the most common reason for a contact to be raised, this reflects the
significance of domestic incidents, including domestic abuse, for children’s welfare.
As a port authority Hillingdon continues to provide support to unaccompanied asylum
seeking children, undertaking age assessments to inform decisions about ongoing support
need.
The Child’s Journey: Child Protection
*As at 31.03.25
**Due to changes in reporting systems there may be some slight variation in figures6
Where it is considered that a child is at risk of, or has suffered, significant harm a multiagency
strategy discussion is convened to share information and decide next steps. A strategy
discussion can be convened at any stage during the child and family’s journey. In the year 1777
individual children were considered at a Strategy Discussion, with 1447 progressing to a child
protection enquiry. Where child protection enquiries evidence a continued risk an Initial Child
Protection Conference is convened, this would usually consider the needs of all children in a
family. The Conference is a multiagency meeting, chaired by an independent social work
manager. The primary functions are to share information, to make a plan to support and/or
protect the child and to establish if the threshold is met for a child protection plan.
The most common reason for a child protection plan to be made in Hillingdon is due to concern
about Emotional Abuse. This category includes where a child is a victim of domestic abuse.
Police powers of protection are implemented under s46 of the Children Act, 1989, where it is
assessed by an attending police officer that a child is at imminent risk of significant harm, it is
enacted for up to 72 hours. Where police protection is implemented this triggers consideration
of the child’s ongoing need for support, accommodation and protection. In the next year the
Metropolitan Police Service will be undertaking London wide quality assurance to inform
understanding of the lived experience of those children that are safeguarded using this
measure. Hillingdon figures include 8 children who have been safeguarded at Heathrow Airport,
so are travelling through, to, or from the UK, and 4 children who were visiting the borough, but
have another area as their home authority.
1777 Strategy Discussions
1447 Child Protection Enquiries
164 Initial Child Protection
Conferences
242 Child Protection Plans*
Categories:
112 Neglect
10 Physical Abuse
0 Sexual Abuse
120 Emotional Abuse*
37 uses of Police Powers of
Protection
2 Emergency Protection Orders
23 families (33 children) where
Public Law Outline initiated. 10
children were progressed to Care
Proceedings.
50 Care Proceedings Initiated
1 Secure Accommodation Order
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Hillingdon partners provide safety, support and accommodation to a high number of asylum
seeking children, including those who are eligible for support as care experienced young people.
These children and young people are amongst the most vulnerable in society, separated from
their parents and families, with many experiencing significant trauma in their earlier lives.
The emotional and physical health of children in care is considered through the completion of
an initial health assessment, with reviews within 6 months for under 5s, and annually for
children over 5. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire is an evidence based tool to help
identify where a child might need additional support with their emotional wellbeing.
The local authority remains committed to ensuring that all children in care receive high quality
care, within their family networks wherever possible, and from skilled and experienced foster
carers, and residential care workers.
To support timely assessment of proposed kinship carers the Metropolitan Police Service
participated in a local pilot to deliver police checks locally. This means that assessing social
workers are able to access relevant information quickly to progress with assessment of
proposed carers, and decisions about children’s accommodation are informed by detailed
information.
The development of a new offer for foster carers seeks to deliver an increase in carers available
in the borough, with a 15% increase in capacity in the last year.
In 2024 the local authority opened the first new residential provision that enables children who
have been cared for out of area to return to their home borough, and to receive services and
support that will enable them to return to family type care in a foster home.
Stable Homes
331 Children in Care*
79 of whom are Unaccompanied
Asylum Seeking Children
88% of children eligible for a Health
Assessment have one recorded
within the year
65% of eligible children have had an
SDQ completed during the year.
4 children adopted into families
68 fostering households
9 new fostering households
approved, 9 more currently in
assessment
4 Residential Homes
766 Care Experienced* Young
People, 407 of whom were UASC
8 Stay Put arrangements in place*
The Child’s Journey: Stable Homes
*As at 31.03.25
**Due to changes in reporting systems there may be some slight variation in figures
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The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) oversees allegations against people in positions
of trust with children, including both professionals and volunteers. Referrals to the LADO are
made when it is alleged that a person has behaved in a way that has harmed, or may pose a risk
of harm, to a child in their personal or professional life.
The majority of LADO referrals stem from the education sector, this is in common with the
national picture and reflects the fact that school is where most of our children spend most of
their time. The remaining referral sources are evenly spread across core services, indicating a
good understanding of LADO processes across the partnership.
In 24-25 the LADO worked closely with safeguarding leads across the health sector to increase
the number of referrals. This included updates to internal processes within CAMHS, CNWL and
Hillingdon Hospital with amendments to staff training. This approach was successful with an
increase in referrals across the year. There is a plan for increased engagement with the faith
and voluntary sectors in 25-26.
Where it is necessary for police to lead a criminal investigation against a person in a position of
trust these are often complex in nature, and take time to progress. In the last year the LADO has
provided training to the local Child Abuse Investigation Team, developing a shared
understanding of the process, and implementing effective strategies to minimise delay. This has
helped to develop stronger links across the partnership, with improved response to escalation
and progression of LADO casework.
281 contacts
Most common sector:
Education
Other
Transport staff
Category of harm:
Behaviour of concern
Physical Harm
Sexual Harm
114 contacts met the harm
threshold
LADO Outcomes:
31 Substantiated
30 Unsubstantiated
21 Unfounded
9 False
1 Malicious
6 Risk Assessment
16 Ongoing
3. Local Authority Designated Officer
4. Our Safeguarding Arrangements
Hillingdon Safeguarding Partnership is a joint arrangement
across the adult and child safeguarding networks. In September
2019 the Hillingdon Safeguarding Children Partnership was
launched in line with the statutory requirements set out in the
Children and Social Work Act 2017 and Working Together to
Safeguard Children 2023.
Under these arrangements The Local Authority shares
responsibility with, the North West London NHS Hillingdon
Integrated Care Partnership and Metropolitan Police Service, to
safeguard children and young people. In 2024 we published an
update to our Multi Agency Safeguarding Arrangements,
naming our Lead and Delegated Safeguarding Partners.
The Safeguarding Adult Board's vision is for Hillingdon citizens,
irrespective of age, race, gender, culture, religion, disability or sexual
orientation to be able to live with their rights protected, in safety,
free from abuse and the fear of abuse.
The Safeguarding Children Partnership’ vision is for every child
and young person to be and feel safe, enjoy good physical,
emotional and mental health, have pride in their unique identities,
feel that they belong and have opportunities to thrive. The three
statutory partners work alongside other relevant agencies in
achieving this goal.
Safeguarding
Partner London Borough of Hillingdon Metropolitan Police Service Integrated Care Partnership Education
Lead
Tony Zaman, Chief Executive Matthew Twist, Assistant Commissioner Rob Hurd, Chief Executive Officer
Surjeet Johra, Primary Head
Delegated Julie Kelly, Director of Children's Services Jill Horsfall, Chief Superintendent Jennifer Roye, Chief Nurse
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Safeguarding Arrangements
Hillingdon Safeguarding Partnership is committed to ensuring that
all our activities are underpinned by equality of opportunity,
celebrating, and valuing diversity, eliminating unlawful
discrimination, harassment, and victimisation, and promoting good
relations. The Safeguarding Partnership Equality and Diversity
Statement sets out how we will achieve this.
Our Communication and Engagement Strategy sets out how the
Safeguarding Partnership interacts with individuals in receipt of
services, the wider community, and professionals. One of the
cornerstones of our local arrangements is an emphasis on
understanding the lived experience of children, adults, their
families, and carers.
The Safeguarding Partnership works directly with children and
adults with lived experience, coproducing where appropriate and
consulting on the development of strategies and policies. This
ensures that we understand the impact of our work and provides a
steer for future areas of priority and focus.
Safeguarding children and adults is a complex process requiring
collaborative working across a range of professions and
disciplines. At times there may be disagreement about the best
course of action to take, and the need to resolve professional
differences through proportionate use of escalation.
The purpose of our Escalation: Resolving Professional
Differences policy is to provide a framework for escalation
suitable for all practitioners and managers across agencies
within Hillingdon Safeguarding Partnership, including statutory
and non-statutory partners. This can include private and
voluntary providers of any type of health or social care or
education.
In addition to the core strategic documents there are a range of
published partnership policies and strategies to inform specific
areas of practice. In the last financial year all partnership policies
and documents have been reviewed and updated to reflect the
development of our arrangements, and those in national
guidance.
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5. Our Budget
Detail Contribution Expenditure
London Borough of Hillingdon £332,800
Metropolitan Police Service £10,000
North West London ICB £67,200
Salaries £341,423
Training £26,018
Independent Scrutiny £5,058
Commissioned Reviews £9,092
Preventing CSA Conference £500
Websites and Graphic Design £830
In line with our arrangements the budget for the
Safeguarding Partnership consists of contributions from the
three statutory partners, and is shared across the child and
adult safeguarding partnership.
These contributions fund the salaries of the Safeguarding
Partnership Team, our multiagency training, and the
delivery of the functions of the Safeguarding Adults Board
and Safeguarding Children Partnership.
Where commissioned training is attended by employees of
the local authority, the NHS, or the police then there is no
charge. Other delegates pay a nominal fee towards the cost
of the training. All agencies are subject to the Late
Cancellation Policy, this aims to reduce non-attendance at
training that has been booked to enable places to be
offered to other practitioners.
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Kids In Care Awards 2024
6. Voice of the Child
This section of our Annual Report is based on feedback from the children in care
councils, youth council and consultation across the wider network.
Amplifying the voice of children and young people with lived experience
continues to be at the heart of the work of the Safeguarding Partnership. This is
facilitated with the support of the local authority’s Participation Team and relies
upon the generosity of our children and young people.
In January 2025 Dillon, Catherine and Charlie attended the Partnership Board to
provide direct feedback on the impact of the Partnership work in the last year,
highlighting direct engagement with Partner Agencies with their ‘We Said, You Did’
presentation.
As a Partnership we seek to hear from children with a range
of experiences, including those who have been supported
through child in need, and child protection plans, those who
are in our care, those known to our youth justice services,
and those who are simply members of our community.
In 24-25 our children trained 1072 professionals through
delivery of the Walking in Our Shoes Training
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Attending the Partnership Board
On an annual basis the Partnership Board is attended by representatives of our
children and young people to provide direct feedback based on lived
experience. This year the Partnership Board was joined by Dillon, Catherine
and Charlie.
13
Our Children Said:
‘WIOS is something we’ve been taking into
colleges, and have provided to schools to
help staff understand what it’s really like to
be in care. During training sessions, like on
DSL days we share our own stories and
experiences so teachers and staff can see
things from our point of view. It’s about
helping them understand the challenges we
face and showing them how they can support
us better. By hearing from us directly, they
can create a more caring and supportive
environment for young people like us’.
Feedback from a DSL:
'Getting to know a student instead of
asking the normal ‘tick box’ questions This
will help try and build a relationship and
allow the student to trust me... I’d love for
the session to given to all staff in my
school’
Working with Education
Our Children Said:
‘We brought Walking in Our Shoes to Central
and North West London NHS Foundation
Trust. This gives health professionals a
chance to hear directly from us. By sharing
our stories, we’re helping them understand
the challenges we face and how they can
better support young people like us.’
Feedback from a CAMHS Professional:
'Training that is co-developed and co-
delivered is so powerful. Within my role, I
have given consideration to something
similar, however haven't been able to get
this off the ground. Following attending
this training it is definitely something I will
pursue.’
Working with Health Services
Our Children Said:
‘The police panel sessions gave us young
people a chance to talk openly with the
police. It’s a safe space to share
concerns, ask questions, share and
discuss issues that matter to us. These
sessions help build trust and
understanding, making it easier for
young people and the police to work
together for a safer community’.
Feedback from a Police Officer:
‘It was so insightful, definitely gave
me a better insight into how police
could do better when coming into
contact with youths’
Working with the Police
The Voice of the Child: Impact
14
The Voice of the Child: Looking Ahead
‘We want to take police
panels to more places
across Hillingdon so more
young people can have
their say’
‘We’d love to bring WIOS to more
schools, colleges and organisations so
even more professionals can understand
what it’s really like to be in care.’
‘The Safer Hayes Project has been
a great start and we would like to
continue... nominating young
people from different schools to
work on the Project too, We can
tackle local issues with young
people leading the way’
‘Walking in our shoes could include mental
health as a training topic, or provide this
training to mental health professionals.
This would align closely with the ‘You
Said:We DId document’
‘Reaching more online: Not everyone
can come to in-person sessions so
setting up an online space where
young people can share ideas or
raise concerns would help us include
more voices. It could also be a way to
share updates about all the cool
work we’re doing’
‘We want to continue to expand our current
groups - Talkers, Step Up, Stepping Out,
Youth Voice and Youth Council’
Children and Young People’s Priorities
2025-2026
15
7. Independent Scrutiny
‘It is very reassuring to see that the ‘Areas for
Consideration’ following last year’s scrutiny have
been considered by the partnership along with
being actioned and progressed where necessary’
The Independent Scrutineer for Hillingdon is Alan Caton OBE. Alan
is an experienced safeguarding professional and has worked as an
independent chair and scrutineer for Local Safeguarding Children
Boards and Safeguarding Adults Boards for the past 12 years. Prior
to this Alan served as a police officer for Suffolk Constabulary for
over 30 years, retiring as the senior officer in charge of the Public
Protection Directorate.
Each year the scrutineer is commissioned to focus on a specific area
of practice by the Executive Leadership Group. The scrutiny process
includes revisiting progress against the areas of consideration
previously made.
The terms of reference for scrutiny were developed in line
with the ‘Six Steps to Independent Scrutiny’ model,
developed by the University of Bedfordshire, and focussed
on the effectiveness and impact of:
Child Protection Enquiries pursuant to s47 of The
Children Act, 1989,
Adult Safeguarding Enquiries pursuant to s42 of The
Care Act, 2014.
This year scrutiny took the form of a multiagency audit,
scrutinising a representative sample of child and adult
protection enquiries. A comprehensive audit tool was
developed, with a roundtable discussion chaired by the
Scrutineer.
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Children’s Section 47 Enquiries
Child protection enquiries for eighteen children were
subject to analysis and audit using an agreed standardised
tool by the Safeguarding Partnership Team. The Scrutineer
was provided with access to the entire sample, to assure
the robustness of the audit. Following this, six
representative children were selected for a multi-agency
round table discussion led by the Independent Scrutineer.
There was good representation from the partnership
involving senior safeguarding leads from the police, local
authority children’s services and education, Central and
North West London NHS Foundation Trust, the Hillingdon
Hospital and North West London NHS Integrated Care
Partnership.
The Safeguarding Children Partnership Board has a
dedicated plan in response to the areas for consideration.
This includes developing and commissioning additional
training around domestic abuse, working in conjunction
with Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
there needs to be clear and consistent arrangements,
processes and guidelines for child protection medicals and
seeking assurance around the protection of children at risk
of extrafamilial harm.
To be assured that processes are in place to enable
school attendance at strategy discussions during school
holiday periods
To regularly review and monitor strategy discussions to
ensure appropriate attendance from safeguarding
partners.
To be assured there are clear and consistent
arrangements, processes and guidelines to address any
barriers to child protection medicals.
To be assured that frontline practitioners understand
the impact of coercive control and that there is wide
recognition of children as victims in their own right.
To be assured that all cases where children are
experiencing extrafamilial harm and are deemed to be at
risk of suffering or likely to suffer significant harm, are
subject to enquiries under s47 of The Children Act, 1989
Areas for Consideration
17
Independent Scrutiny - Outcome
...there continues to be many strengths to the safeguarding
arrangements for both children and adults across Hillingdon. I
have found a strong partnership that is open to scrutiny and
challenge and one that strives to continually learn and improve
practice. As last year, I have not come across any areas of poor
practice or weaknesses in service provision. The areas I have
outlined for the partnership to further consider, are there to help
the partnership on its journey to improve collaboration and
coordination and therefore consequently, to improve outcomes
for children, families and adults in Hillingdon.
There is strong leadership from the ELG and a clear sense of joint
and equal responsibility from the three safeguarding partners.
The partnership is one that is built on high support, high challenge
and where difficult conversations are encouraged.’
Alan Caton, OBE, 2025
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8. The Children’s Partnership Board
In 2024-2025 the Safeguarding Children Partnership Board was
chaired by Detective Superintendent Rebecca Reeves. This
responsibility will transfer to the Integrated Care Board in the next
year.
The Partnership Board is made up of senior safeguarding leads
across the borough including:
The London Borough of Hillingdon Children and Young Peoples
Services
North West London Integrated Care Partnership
Metropolitan Police Service
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
The Hillingdon Hospital
Education (Primary, Secondary, and Further Education)
The Safer Hillingdon Partnership
Prevent and Stronger Communities Lead
The Probation Service
Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations
Border Force
The Partnership Board meets four times per year and is generally
well attended, with proactive engagement in the event of non
attendance to identify and remove any barriers where necessary.
In October 2024 the Partnership Board held a reflective session
focussing on the impact of various strands of strategic work on
safeguarding practice. This included the effectiveness of awareness
raising activity as a preventative tool, the impact of practice
development activity and the value added by subgroups and
multiagency Task & Finish Groups.
Feedback from members has been used to inform plans for the
coming year, with a reduction in those areas deemed not to have
the most impact (awareness raising activity, newsletters and
webinars) and focus on those deemed as making the most
difference (commissioned training, audits).
The chair of the Children’s Partnership Board attends the Executive
Leadership Group to provide a quarterly update of progress made.
In the coming year the Partnership will be developing some
guidance around the roles and responsibilities of Chairs and
members. It is anticipated that this will support the increased
impact of strategic work.
19
9. Our Business Plan 2024-2027
To reinforce the Safeguarding Children
Arrangements across the partnership
To develop and strengthen quality
assurance processes
To ensure that there are effective
arrangements in place to reduce the risk
of harm to children
To ensure that the voice of the child is
heard and made central to safeguarding
practice
The strategic direction of the Safeguarding Children Partnership
Board is informed by our three year business plan. Each priority
is supported by underpinning actions, with progressed
monitored against measurable outcomes.
In common with safeguarding partnerships across the region
there is an ongoing challenge with securing a consistent and
reliable multiagency dataset to inform strategic decision making.
In the last year the local authority has made considerable
progress with the implementation of a Power BI Dashboard,
however the capacity to include data from health, and police is
reduced due to incompatibility between recording systems and
functionality. This continues to be an area of focus in Hillingdon,
and more widely across London.
In addition to the overarching priorities the Board sets areas of
focus, in 2024-2025 these were:
1.Contextual Safeguarding
2.The Response to Child Sexual Abuse
3.Education Safeguarding
4.Transitional Safeguarding
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Progress Against Priorities
Priority 1: To reinforce the Safeguarding Children
Arrangements across the Partnership Your paragraph textPriority 2: To develop and strengthen quality
assurance processes
Our Multi Agency Safeguarding Arrangements were updated
an published in December 2024
All partnership strategies and practice guidance have been
updated to reflect the changes in Working Together to
Safeguard Children 2024
We have worked closely with related strategic boards to
ensure that our work is collaborative and complementary, this
reduces duplication and increases the effectiveness of
strategic leadership. In respect of domestic abuse we have one
delivery group led by the Domestic Abuse Steering Executive,
with cross representation of senior safeguarding leads in adult
and child services
We are continuing to build links with the community and
voluntary sector, with representatives attending the
Partnership Board and contributing to the work of subgroups
Through the year our Partnership Board forward plan ensured
that every agency participates actively, with themed and
focused discussions of specific issues as they arise.
In line with other Partnerships, we acknowledge that the
development of a shared dataset continues to be a
challenge for Hillingdon. The local authority has
successfully implemented Power BI, a data analysis tool
that allows for live identification of themes and patterns
Our Risk Register is updated and reviewed by the Executive
Leadership Group, with actions assigned to reduce risk
wherever possible to do so.
We have implemented a multiagency quality assurance
schedule to provide a breadth of information about local
safeguarding practice. In the last year we have audited
compliance with s11 of the Children Act, 2004, undertaken
the Education Safeguarding Audit, and reflected on
compliance and engagement with our Equality, Diversity
and Inclusion Statement. Independent Scrutiny focussed
on the impact and effectiveness of Child Protection
Enquiries.
21
Progress Against Priorities
Priority 3:To ensure that there are effective
arrangements in place that reduce the risk of harm
to children
Your paragraph textPriority 4: To ensure that the voice of the child is
heard and made central to safeguarding practice
This year our areas of priority focus were harm outside of
the home, safeguarding in education, preventing and
responding to child sexual abuse and the introduction of
our local approach to transitional safeguarding
Our Multiagency Training programme provides a range of
opportunities for practitioners from all disciplines, and is
closely linked to learning from local audits and practice,
and the progression of national priorities
We have continued to reinforce our ‘think family’ approach,
so that child and adult practitioners both understand, and
are equipped to respond to, the needs of all family
members
Our awareness raising campaigns are designed to be
accessible to frontline practitioners, with some resources
suitable to be displayed in publicly accessible spaces, for
example libraries, hospitals, schools and GP surgeries
In the last year the wider partnership engagement with
children and young people has continued to gain strength
and momentum
Our children and young people have delivered Walking in
Our Shoes training to police officers, health professionals
and at the Designated Safeguarding Lead Development
Day, this is in addition to the regular provision of
multiagency training
Where Children and Young People deliver Walking in Our
Shoes Training to agencies external to the council they
now receive payment in reflection of their status as
experts by experience.
Young people have also participated in the Metropolitan
Police Service’ Young People Panels and engaged in
focussed work as part of the Safer Hayes Project
22
10. Harm Outside the Home
The Strategic High-Risk Panel is mandated to develop a collaborative strategic
response to children at risk of contextual risk factors. The group collates
information from safeguarding partners and community intelligence, to
understand the risk factors children and young people face outside of the family
home. The overarching objectives are to prevent, intervene and disrupt child
exploitation.
This subgroup is intended to be co-chaired by the local authority and Metropolitan
Police Service. Due to a restructure and changes in responsibilities there have
been some challenges in securing consistent representation from the police. This
is now assured for the coming year.
In March 2025 Partners agreed to be part of a police led North West London pilot
to develop consistency in the strategic response to harm outside the home. There
is no substantive change to the focus of the subgroup, which will be renamed:
Multi Agency Risk Outside the Home (MAROTH).
Supporting and scrutinising the Community
Safety led Safer Hayes Project
Analysing the findings and local implications
of the Jay Report, and the Children’s Society
Report about lived experience
Reviewing the local multiagency response to
Child Sexual Exploitation
Contributing to the development of the Multi
Agency Risk Outside the Home Pilot
In HMICRFS revisited the findings of the inspection of their 2023 Inspection of the Metropolitan Police Service response to sexual and
criminal exploitation. Inspectors found evidence of positive progress, and have closed the three areas of concern identified. In Hillingdon
MPS will be introducing a Local Missing Hub that will provide 24 hour coverage for missing person enquiries. In partnership with the
London DCS network the Child Exploitation Protocol will also be updated in the coming year.
23
Child Exploitation - Impact
The vision of the Making Hayes
Safe Project is to eliminate
violence and exploitation in the
Hayes area, and make
communities feel safe. The
project is underpinned by a
comprehensive delivery plan,
that seeks to tackle serious
youth violence and exploitation
through a lens of contextual
safeguarding by empowering
Understand Prevalence
Respond
Identify victims
Preventative Focus
In November 2024 the Partnership undertook a
benchmarking exercise to establish shared understanding
around the provision locally in respect of Child Sexual
Exploitation (CSE). It served to provide a snapshot of current
prevalence, awareness raising activity, professional
development and resources for the assurance of
safeguarding partners.
The exercise concluded with a range of recommendations to
reinforce our prevention, identification and response to child
sexual exploitation. A CSE specific action plan has been
developed, and will be progressed within the subgroup.
279 children and young
people have participated in
the Youth Engagement aspect
of the Safer Hayes Project.
the community to develop sustainable solutions. Anticipated
outcomes include a reduction in volume and risk associated with
exploitation and increased feelings of safety for children and young
people.
Safe Hubs are being
introduced into the Hayes
area to provide support and
a place of sanctuary.
24
11. Child Sexual Abuse
The remit of the Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) subgroup, was to consider multi-
agency work on all forms of child sexual abuse (CSA), including within the
family environment and outside the family home. The work of the subgroup
was structured within the following three domains:
Prevention: Children, young people, their families, and the community are
appropriately informed about child sexual abuse.
Identification: Professionals can recognize the signs and indicators of child
sexual abuse
Response: Children who are known, or strongly suspected, to have suffered
abuse are well protected.
Multi Agency Quality Assurance
Prevention through the PANTS
Campaign
Building capacity of practitioners to
identify signs and indicators through
resources and training
Increasing knowledge of perpetrator
behaviour and disruption
Local partners have contributed to the
development of the North West London CSA Hub
project over the last four years. Unfortunately this
is now on hold. Children impacted by sexual abuse
continue to access specialist services through the
Haven and Tigerlight project.
Hillingdon Children
and Young People’s
Services now has
three trained Child
Sexual Abuse Leads.
Whilst our focussed Subgroup has
concluded we will continue to raise
awareness of child sexual abuse and
drive practice improvements in this
area. This will include a focussed audit
in 25-26.
25
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
The NSPCC Talk PANTS campaign is an initiative to empower children to understand their rights
to safety and to recognise the potential risks of abuse. Talk PANTS aims to teach children how
they can speak up if anything doesn’t feel right. This campaign is a preventive campaign in efforts
to stop children experiencing Child Sexual Abuse.
Talk PANTS is aimed at parents of children between ages 3-11, giving adults advice on how to
talk to children in an age-appropriate way about sexual abuse, without using any scary words or
even mentioning sex. We know that simple conversations can make a big difference, and that's
what the Talk PANTS campaign is all about.
There was excellent engagement across the week with 56 schools participating, 28 of which
achieved Gold Standard requirements. 55 Early Years settings also participated - this meant we
engaged directly with 68% of all education settings for children aged 3-11 years.
The message was also reinforced through coordinated awareness raising in libraries, GP
surgeries, and the hospital.
In total 329 practitioners in Hillingdon are now trained as Talk PANTS Champions, ensuring a
sustainable and impactful project for years to come.
11 safeguarding referrals
directly linked to Talk
PANTS
12,265 parents and carersengaged with the PANTSmessage
12,674 children engaged
with the PANTS message
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Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Conference
Our October conference was effective in reaching a broad audience across the Safeguarding Partnership,
with 126 delegates from early years settings, primary schools, libraries, children’s centres, community and
acute health services, midwifery, the voluntary and community sector, integrated care board and children
and young people’s services.
The learning outcomes were:
To improve understanding of perpetrators of child sexual abuse
To learn about child sexual abuse by people in positions of trust, and organisational safeguarding
To understand the impact of language choices on victims, and in the assessment of risk
To share the NSPCC PANTS message
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive with delegates reporting an increase in their
knowledge and understanding.
‘To be much more aware of
observing relationships in
positions of trust.
Understanding perpetrator
behaviour and having an
update on Talk Pants’
‘Thinking about the perpetrator
and understanding their
behaviours ....never thought of it
like that before and found it
interesting informative and
thought provoking’
‘The importance of language,
very interesting presentation
regarding understanding
perpetrators and Talk Pants
sounds like a fantastic way to
start those conversations as
young as possible in an
accessible way’
‘We should not be afraid to
speak out when we have
concerns about Child Sexual
Abuse and we should not
blame children for any
sexual abuse that they
suffer’
‘What one thing will you take away with you following the conference?’
27
Our Education Safeguarding Subgroup was implemented in May 2023.
The publication of Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023
prompted some reconsideration of the format of the subgroup with a
refocus on the importance of a ‘pure education voice’ in our
safeguarding arrangements.
In response we have worked with the Primary and Secondary Head
Teachers Forums to identify representative head teachers to lead the
subgroup, and ensure that the education perspective is represented
fully at the Safeguarding Children Partnership Board and Executive
Leadership Group.
The primary focus of the subgroup this year has been to embed the
voice of education in the strategic arrangements.
12. Education Safeguarding
SEN
Early
Years
Primary Head Teacher
Forum
Designated
Safeguarding
Leads
LADO & CP Lead
for Education
School
Nursing
Neighbourhood
Policing
Secondary Head Teacher
Forum
Post
16 Virtual
School
Domestic Abuse
Lead
LA
Education
Our subgroup is chaired by Surjeet
Johra, Primary School Head Teacher
representative, and we have
recently secured representation
from the Secondary Head Teacher
Forum, Antonio D’Onofrio
The two chairs also attend the
Safeguarding Partnership Board,
along with representatives of early
years and further education. Surjeet
Johra is a member of the Executive
Leadership Group.
The subgroup has links into all other
education networks and fora, along
with key representation from
health, police and the local authority
education service.
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Education Safeguarding - Impact
Embedding education in the strategic
network
Improving links between MARAC and
schools.
Reviewing education specific guidance
and resources
Leading the Education Safeguarding
Audit
The Education Safeguarding Audit is now scheduled for conclusion in the first
quarter of 2025-2026. Early analysis shows variation in take up of the audit
across schools, with some preferring to use their own, or their Multi Academy
Trust, tools. A thematic analysis will be presented to the subgroup to inform
ongoing development.
Operation Encompass, a direct information sharing process between police
and schools is well embedded in the borough. There are ongoing discussions
about how to broaden this to include our independent schools. The Domestic
Abuse Lead for Education is a core member of the subgroup, providing a
conduit between school leads, and domestic abuse specialist services. In the
coming year there will be specialist domestic abuse support for children who
are impacted by domestic abuse in their own relationships.
In the 2024-25 academic year to date 23 children have been
permanently excluded from school, this is a 20% year-to-date reduction
in comparison to last year. The most common causes recorded are
Persistent Disruptive Behaviour and Physical Assault.
In the summer of 2025 we will be completing an exploratory analysis to
understand what can be learnt about the lived experience of these
children and how we can work together to reduce the risk of exclusion in
future.
The Safeguarding Partnership Neglect Policy is
being updated to include specific guidance
around Educational Neglect. This aims to
provide schools and Children's Services with
greater understanding of school attendance as
a safety factor for children, as well as guidance
around identification and multiagency
response.
29
Strengthening Safeguarding Conference
The Education Safeguarding Team hosted a conference
Strengthening Safeguarding: Best Practice for School Leaders.
The aim was to provide an opportunity for safeguarding leads to
come together, review the findings of the safeguarding audit, and
think about creative and impactful ways to ensure
comprehensive safeguarding practice in their settings.
The conference was attended by fifty of our schools. With
delegates hearing directly from children and young people about
their lived experience of safeguarding in education, and a guest
speaker on the topic of harm outside the home.
“I have heard such great feedback about
Friday already. I personally feel that it has
been the most meaningful and impactful CPD
that I have attended in a very long time. There
was great networking, excellent discussions
and meaningful reflections. The day in my
opinion was a huge success!! Andrew Fuller
(Hood Lessons – Guest Speaker) was
inspirational!!”
30
13. Transitional Safeguarding
In recognition of the need for cross partnership working our
Transitional Safeguarding Task & Finish Group was developed
collaboratively by the Safeguarding Children Partnership, the
Safeguarding Adults Board and the Safer Hillingdon (Community
Safety Partnership). This has ensured the availability and input of
a broad range of expertise to support the evolution of
transitional safeguarding in the borough.
The Transitional Safeguarding Task and Finish Group will develop
a comprehensive framework to ensure effective safeguarding for
individuals transitioning from adolescence (14–25 years) to
adulthood, addressing risks, gaps, and service integration.
This group aims to:
1.identify key transitional risks, including violence, exploitation,
mental health, and criminal justice involvement.
2.Build capacity within services to support young people during
their transition from youth services to adult services, such as
YJS to probation, CAMHS to adult mental health, children’s
social care to adult social care, and education to employment.
3.Ensure that individuals falling outside statutory eligibility are
not left unsupported and that there are adequate community
resources for this group.
4.Establish a clear, coordinated protocol for supporting young
people during transitions and mitigating risks, including
crime, victimisation, and exploitation.
The work of the subgroup is informed by knowledge of local
needs and services, and through the application of learning and
recommendations within relevant reviews, inspection reports and
knowledge of best practice. This group met for the first time in
January 2025, therefore it is in infancy and will continue into the
new year.
31
14. Learning from Practice
Learning from Practice Framework
The Children’s Learning from Practice Task and Finish Group
coordinates the identification, consideration, and dissemination of
learning from practice with children and families. The Task and
Finish Group considers learning from a range of sources. this is
used to inform our multiagency training offer, the focus of
practice development activities, including briefings, newsletters
and the content of the Safeguarding Partnership Information
Webinar that is held regularly through the year. This webinar
serves a dual purpose of providing an introduction and overview
of the local Safeguarding Arrangements.
Discussion at Learning from Practice is not an alternative route for
escalation, the focus is on practice development and wider system
learning. In 2024-25 we undertook two reflective learning reviews,
one in response to an incident of serious youth violence where
there were no known, or suspected, issues of abuse and neglect
and one to explore learning from the experience of supporting a
child with highly complex needs to return to local residential care.
Key Area of Learning: A trauma informed approach is
fundamental to understanding the impact of a child’s
experiences, the context of current presentation, and the
development of multiagency plans to support and protect
children and young people.
Key Area of Learning: The application of professional curiosity
across all disciplines and services enables practitioners to
have an accurate understanding of lived experience. In the
next year the Safeguarding Partnership will focus on this area
of practice.
32
Learning from Practice
In response to the changes within Working Together to Safeguard
Children we have updated our serious incident consideration
process. Where there is a concern that child has died, or suffered
serious harm, and abuse or neglect is known or suspected then a
‘Need to Know’ (NTK) proforma is completed. Any agency can
complete a NTK, but in practice it is usually the local authority social
work team.
The NTK is reviewed by the Directors of Children’s Social Care,
Education, and Safeguarding & Care and a decision made about
sharing with Safeguarding Partners. Where the criteria are clearly
met for a serious incident notification, partners are informed of this.
Where there is a need for additional information a Consideration
Discussion is held with attendance from the Metropolitan Police
Service, Central and North West London NHS Trust, and the North
West London Integrated Care Partnership. Where appropriate the
child’s head teacher will also be invited. If partners are unable to
reach consensus then the decision is escalated to the Chair of the
Safeguarding Partnership Board.
The Partnership has convened two consideration meetings in the
last year, with neither resulting in a serious incident notification. As
this is a new process we will continue to refine it in the coming
months.
33
Learning from Practice
We convened a Mental Health Strategic Task and Finish Group following a
local, and national, increase in child deaths by suspected suicide. There were
no issues of abuse or neglect known, or suspected, to have impacted on the
children affected, however in recognition of the significance of the loss of their
lives and the impact this has on their families, friends and wider community it
was agreed to establish any thematic learning and to identify any local or
national resources to promote emotional wellbeing in adolescence.
A key area of learning was that there was a need to increase practitioner
awareness of suicide prevention strategies. In May 2024 we held a focussed
week of awareness raising activity. This included the development of practice
resources, and webinars delivered in conjunction with Papyrus, sector leaders
in suicide prevention, CAMHS services and referral pathways, and Youth
Services around the relationship between movement and emotional
wellbeing. 125 practitioners and managers across the partnership attended
the webinars.
Suicide prevention now
forms part of the core
offer of multiagency
training to support the
sustainability of this work.
34
I wanted them all to notice
We reviewed the findings and recommendations of the
National Child Safeguarding Practice Review against the
work undertaken within our Child Sexual Abuse subgroup.
The Review highlights key areas of learning for safeguarding
practice across all disciplines.
As a local partnership we have developed a multiagency action plan with
focus on those areas most relevant for Hillingdon. To disseminate the
learning in an accessible way to practitioners and managers we have
circulated a summary, with resource guides in respect of listening to children,
the impact of language and understanding perpetrators. A webinar
summarising the review has also been delivered, with a recording available
to support a range of learning styles.
Our Probation leads have helpfully agreed to provide a workshop for
practitioners across all agencies, explaining their role, and the methods used
to assess risk when working with perpetrators.
As a partnership we acknowledge that embedding learning, and changing
practice, is an incremental process, and not one which is achieved through a
tick box approach. We will continue to work through our plan over the
coming year. This will include concluding our training needs assessment, and
an audit of the multiagency safeguarding response to child sexual abuse.
35
15. Quality Assurance - s11 Self Assessment
Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 places duties on a range of
organisations and individuals to ensure their functions, and
those of any services that they contract out to others or license,
are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and
promote the welfare of children. The application of this duty will
vary according to the nature of each agency and its functions.
The Safeguarding Partnership has undertaken an audit of
compliance with section 11 across relevant partnership member
organisations for the period 2024-25. The last audit of section
11 compliance was undertaken in 2022-23. A number of
recommendations were made and acted upon.
The findings from this year’s audit have provided assurance the
organisations that completed the self-assessments are, in the
vast majority, discharging their duties with regards to the
welfare of children and are therefore compliant with the duties
set out in Section 11 Children Act 2004 and Working Together to
Safeguard Children 2023.
93% of all organisations approached responded with completed
audits. 53 out of 57 responding organisations met 80% or more
of the standards required for compliance with section 11.
Primary care was the largest group of respondents, making up
44 of the 57 completed audits. This equated to 100% of the GP
surgeries in the borough. 42 of 44 fully met 80+% of the
required standards.
The local authority’s responses were much more thorough this
year than in 2022-23, which has produced valuable information.
However, there remains a gap in assurance of compliance in
sexual health services.
There has been an improvement in the robustness of the
licensing process with regard to the welfare of children,
however, there are still improvements that can be made
through further dialogue between local authority departments.
Agencies should proactively share examples of good
practice in respect of ensuring the voice of the child is
heard and acted upon
There is a need to increase direct engagement with
primary care in strategy discussions
There is a need to reinforce understanding of the role and
function of the LADO
36
Quality Assurance - Equality Diversity & Inclusion
The purpose of this review was to explore the impact and
application of Hillingdon Safeguarding Partnership’s Equality,
Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.
Hillingdon Safeguarding Partnership will:
Work in partnership with children, young people, adults, and
carers who have protected characteristics to ensure that their
views are represented.
Acknowledge, promote, and celebrate the value of diversity.
Ensure that issues of equality and diversity are considered
across all functions of the Safeguarding Partnership, including
Boards, subgroups, and Reviews.
Foster a culture of high support/high challenge to counteract
any discrimination and/or oppression.
Be honest about areas/incidents we need challenge and
develop to ensure that we are proactively counteracting
discrimination and oppression and promoting equality.
Ensure that equality and diversity is considered in quality
assurance frameworks to identify strengths and areas for
development.
Ensure that we have impactful training in place to educate and
inform professionals around their responsibilities and duties in
relation to issues of equality and diversity.
The review achieved a response rate of 66%, with 8 out of 12
agencies completing the self-assessment.
The self-assessments indicate multi-agency partners are actively
considering EDI in their operations, highlighting several strengths,
including a strong commitment to EDI and the integration of EDI
considerations into agency practices.
Partners also identified areas for development:
“To work collaboratively as a partnership to meet the needs and
celebrate diversity. Ensuring we are included in all religious and
cultural celebrations. The organisation's approach to acknowledging
and valuing diversity in the workforce. Ensuring we are including all
celebrations.”
“Review and refine existing policies and practices to ensure they are
inclusive and responsive to diverse needs, enhance the representations
of children’s views and how these are obtained, and have better
transitions for YP especially those with additional needs.”
Participation in Self-Assessments: The self-assessment
process is a valuable tool for understanding practice.
However, its effectiveness depends on the level of
participation. It is therefore vital that moving forward, all
partners engage in these processes to enable a
comprehensive review.
37
16. Practice Development Activity
The focus of the Practice Development Forum (PDF) is to ensure that
learning from practice, is disseminated across the safeguarding
partnership as required. The Practice Development Forum also considers
learning from audits and other statutory reviews, including Domestic
Abuse Related Death Reviews. The group has a core membership across
both the child and adult partnerships, in recognition that learning usually
has applicability across both sectors.
During the year, to help disseminate and share information in different
ways, we published the Safeguarding Partnership Newsletter which
continues to provide practitioners with an accessible overview of key
practice developments, resources and learning from practice. The
Newsletter is sent to members of the Safeguarding Boards to cascade
through their organisations, and to those individuals who sign up to a
dedicated distribution list. It is also used by partners and relevant agencies
to disseminate key information about services
Due to the complexity of the organisational structures that make up
the Safeguarding Partnership it is difficult to measure the impact of
practice briefings and newsletters. In the coming year we will be
developing a mechanism that allows us to do this effectively and
minimises any additional administrative burden on busy frontline
practitioners and managers.
38
Equality Diversity & Inclusion
We recognise that an Anti Racist and Anti-Discriminatory approach is
fundamental to safeguarding practice. This is threaded through our practice
development activity, the work of our Boards, Subgroups and in our
practice with individual adults and children.
As a partnership we have marked Show Racism the Red Card since 2022,
producing resources that highlight the critical importance of an active
stance of anti-racism.
We know that our global majority children and adults are impacted by
structural inequalities, and strive to proactively challenge this. We recognise
that our global majority colleagues are also impacted by societal
inequalities.
39
Awareness Raising & Prevention
Our Safeguarding Awareness Raising activity is designed to be
suitable for practitioners working with both adults and children.
This is to reinforce the principal of ‘Think Family’ and our
endeavour to ensure that the needs of the entire family are
considered, with any risks recognised, and action taken to
mitigate these.
In the last year the Partnership has marked the following
national and international awareness campaigns.
Mental Health Awareness Week
Child Exploitation Awareness Day
International Day of the Girl Child
Show Racism the Red Card
Safeguarding Adults Week
Internet Safety Day
ICON Week
World Suicide Prevention
Text extracted automatically from the PDF, so layout, tables and images are not shown. Only the start of this long document is shown here. Open the original PDF on LB Hillingdon’s website.