Safeguarding

The Barnsley Safeguarding Children Partnership supports a multi agency approach to promoting better outcomes for children and young people. Their aim is to protect them from harm and neglect. 

Practitioners and professionals can access vital safeguarding resources below.

Information and resources

COVID-19 guidance

Multi-agency training and events

Find out more about the training and events available to professionals

View training calendar



Support for children's social workers

Children's social workers across Yorkshire and Humber make a positive change to the lives of hundreds of people everyday.

Children's Social Work Matters is a programme that aims to attract and support children's social workers. It'll improve social work practice across the Yorkshire and Humber region.

If you're a children's social worker, make sure you register with our local Children's Social Work Matters. You'll be able to stay up to date with social work news and connect with colleagues. You'll also get access to monthly webinars.

ICON programme about infant crying

ICON aims to prevent abusive head trauma in babies by helping parents know that crying is normal. It helps them to develop ways of managing crying. Stopping them getting to the stage where they feel like harming the baby. 

The ICON message is being given by midwives and health visitors. It's done prior to, and after birth.

If you're working with families with new babies, please ask them how they're doing. Remind them of the ICON message, and that they can get support if needed.

  • I - infant crying is normal. It peaks around six weeks of age.
  • C - comforting methods can help soothe a baby. Doing this may stop the crying.
  • O - it's OK to walk away for a few minutes if crying is becoming too much. You just need to make sure the baby is safe.
  • N - Never ever shake a baby. It can lead to serious lifelong injuries and death.

You can find more details on the ICON website.

Private Fostering

Private fostering is when a child under the age of 16 (or 18 if they have a disability) is cared for by someone who is not their parent or a close relative for 28 days or more.

For this purpose, a ‘close relative’ is defined as a:

  • Grandparent.
  • Brother or sister.
  • Uncle or aunt.
  • Step-parent by marriage or civil partnership.

If a child is living with a close relative, they are not privately fostered.

Professionals have a statutory duty in relation to private fostering. If you have become aware of a possible private fostering arrangement, you must inform our children’s social care team.

Find  out more on our private fostering webpage.

What to do if you're worried about a child

Contact us online for advice Don't use this form to report abuse