Safeguarding Children in Custody: Relationships, Advocacy and Power

This practice-focused resource delves into how social workers, youth justice workers and Independent Reviewing Officers can play a positive safeguarding role in the lives of the children in custody they are responsible for.

They will gain a deeper understanding of the types of harm a child in custody might come to, how they can determine if they have come to harm, and how to ensure that any concerns are addressed appropriately.

Description

In this replay, Wendy Tomlinson reflects on what her four years as Head of Safeguarding at the Youth Custody Service taught her about how children are cared for and advocated for by social workers, youth justice workers and Independent Reviewing Officers from their 'home' authorities. She will offer her thoughts on how practitioners with responsibility for children in custody can be proactive about ensuring those children have their needs met, are safe and have opportunities to learn and develop.

In an article for BASW's In Focus publication entitled Children in Prison - a social worker's perspective, Wendy provided a list of questions that she believes social workers should be asking to help them determine how safe and well cared for their children in custody are. In a mixture of pre-recorded conversation and live discussion, Wendy will bring these questions to life - providing the context for why it's important to ask these questions - and provide insight into the kinds of responses you might get and how they can be interpreted.

You will gain a deeper understanding of the types of harm a child in custody might come to, how you can determine if they have come to harm and how to ensure that any concerns you have are appropriately addressed. You will develop an understanding of how to escalate your concerns if necessary.

There will be time at the end of the webinar for Wendy to discuss the questions and themes that arise throughout the session.

These resources will help you:

• Develop clarity about your rights and responsibilities as social workers, youth justice workers and IRO with responsibility for a child in custody
• Expand your understanding of the types of harm a child in custody might come to
• Develop the confidence to ask questions, dig deeper and escalate concerns when you need to
• Explore the types of questions you could ask and critically reflect on how to read the responses you might get
• Critically reflect on your own practice, or practice that you are responsible for

Bonus content

Safeguarding Children in Custody: Q&A

In this supplementary video and audio, Wendy Tomlinson answers additional questions focusing on children being searched, the differences and similarities between Secure Children's Homes and YOIs, and the lasting power for a child in custody of knowing that someone is advocating for them. Watch or listen

Safeguarding Children in Custody: Understanding the Work, Remit and Scope of Youth Justice – Background and Context

In this bonus content Wendy Tomlinson discusses the context behind this resource. Watch or listen

Safeguarding Children in Custody: How to Escalate Issues of Concern 

In this bonus content, CareKnowledge's Sarah Leon asks Wendy Tomlinson what guidance she can give to practitioners on how to escalate concerns. Watch or listen

Further reading