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Resources to improve practice

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In Waltham Forest we have built a culture of continuous learning and development. This work is led by the Learning & Improving Practice Forum that ensures learning from reviews and audits is shared across the multi-agency partnership.

The aim of the forum is to provide a think family approach to learning and improving practice across the four strategic boards: Safeguarding Adults Board (SAB) Waltham Forest Safeguarding Children Board (WFSCB), SafetyNet, and Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB).

We have developed a variety of resources to support how we improve practice and these can be found below. Our training offer centres around areas of practice that are of interest to the Boards and all training sessions can be found here.

Bitesize Video Guides Click to get info

Learn about the four strategic boards in Waltham Forest; Health and Wellbeing Board (HWBB), SafetyNet, Waltham Forest Safeguarding Adults Board (WFSAB) and Waltham Forest Safeguarding Children Board (WFSCB).

We are proud of how differently we do things in Waltham Forest, with the boards working closely to achieve the best outcomes for our residents. We want to ensure as practitioners you feel connected to this work.

You can watch our bitsize films or if you prefer, read the scrips:

Alcohol

Read the script.

Child neglect

Watch

Read the script.

Core groups

Watch

Read the script.

Domestic abuse

Watch

Read the script.

Early Help

Watch

Read the script.

Emotional harm

Watch

Read the script.

Language matters

(No script available)

Making referrals

Watch

Read the script.

Making safeguarding personal

Read the script.

Mental wellbeing

Read the script.

Private fostering

Read the script.

Professional curiosity

Read script

Safeguarding Adolescents

Read the script.

Self-neglect

Read the script.

Think Family

Watch

Read the script.

Thresholds and practice for working with children and families in Waltham Forest

Read the script.

Voice of the child

Watch

Read the script.

Waltham Forest Strategic Partnership Boards

Read the script.

Cuckooing

Watch

Read the script.

Adult threshold guidance

Watch

Read the script.

Training Click to get info

We do things differently in Waltham Forest. All four boards work closely to make the best use of resources, which makes the greatest impact on improving outcomes for our residents. Therefore, our training offer centres around areas of practice that are of interest to all the Boards.
 
As frontline practitioners you may not be aware of the boards or how their work directly relates to yours, so each year, we run the ‘Safe & Well’ campaign to raise awareness of issues related to the board priorities as well as areas of practice that we know we can improve on.
 
There are a range of activities that take place, such as seminars, presentations, hearing from users about their experiences, good practice case studies, training, resources to watch, read and listen to, signposting, and sharing good practice. 
 
All training and learning events are free and can be found on Eventbrite. Use the Eventbrite website to view and to attend any events. We update this regularly so do keep checking in.

Resources Click to get info

As a partnership we have learnt lots of lessons from audits and reviews and now we want to focus on sharing that learning. During 2020/2021 we will be looking at four key topics that we want to embed into practice:
  • Professional curiosity 
  • Think Family 
  • Multi-agency working and 
  • Escalation 
Please share our professional curiosity resource pack widely and use it:
  • in team meetings
  • as part of group/individual supervision
  • for your own development
 
A Guide to Thresholds and Practice for Working with People, Carers and Families in Waltham Forest
This guide has been developed to help anyone who supports and works with people, carers and families in Waltham Forest to understand and apply the borough’s approach to work with them and their communities. Use this guide for information about all levels of needs review. 
 
It sets out our vision and values, and the roles and responsibilities of all agencies to work together so that every vulnerable person in the borough has the best possible outcomes through the Right Conversation, Right Care, Right Time.
 
 
Child Neglect Resource for multi-agency working
WFSCB are pleased to advise that Waltham Forest Child Neglect Resource for Multiagency Working is now available on the website.  This has been produced by a multi-agency group of practitioners from across the partnership to support the WFSCB priority work around child neglect. Please use this to add to your understanding and practice in relation to child neglect and cascade and share with colleagues in your organisation and networks.”
 
 
Cuckooing
Under the WFSAB we have worked together to address many issues around cuckooing within the borough. Please use the poster and the training slides, to extend your own knowledge of cuckooing and share it with your agencies.
 
Safeguarding Adolescents: A Practice Guide
This Practice Guide aims to equip all professionals in Waltham Forest working with adolescents with ways of working that will improve the response to children aged between 10-18 who experience risk or harm, and includes up to date information about adolescent development. It also aims to remind practitioners that adolescence is a complicated phase of development for both the adolescent and the care givers (e.g. parents) and to understand the vulnerability they are exposed to. The approaches in the Practice Guide deal with both support and enforcement methods, as different combinations of these elements are required at different times.
 
 
Safeguarding in the community, voluntary and faith sector
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you are worried that a child or adult with care and support needs is at risk of harm, it is your duty to raise a safeguarding concern. This document gives an overview of resources and telephone numbers for reporting concerns.
 
 
Self Neglect Multi-Agency Guidance
The Waltham Forest Safeguarding Adults Board has worked closely with practitioners to create workable and usable guidance. This is for anyone who supports an individual who self-neglects or is at risk of self-neglect. See the document for information on various aspects of self-neglect including, indicators, advice on how to start a difficult conversation and fluctuating capacity.
 
 
Think Family Approach
In Waltham Forest we recognise that in order to support families to make changes that are helpful and long lasting we need to work with all the members of the family. If we understand and recognise that the needs and desired outcomes of each person in the family affect each other, we are more likely to support and enable sustainable change.
 
Some services are already working within a Think Family approach and we now want to embed this in all services and agencies in the borough.
 
This will require us all to work differently, but with the same aim of working with families to achieve their outcomes. We believe that this document will help inform and create a common approach across all agencies, across adult and children services.
 
 
 
Mental Capacity Guidance
Waltham Forest's Mental Capacity Sub-group has worked closely with practitioners to create usable guidance for professionals working with vulnerable adults, in order to support the application of the Mental Capacity Act. The document contains flow charts on best interests decisions, advice on fluctuating versus temporary capacity, and more.
 

Spotlights and 7-minute practice briefings Click to get info