On the 16th November the Commissioner spoke at the ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children from Domestic Abuse’ conference, organised by Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership.
The event was well attended by front-line multi-agency staff whose work requires them to safeguard children across Birmingham including social work staff, police, health practitioners, school and early years staff, probation staff and agencies from the private and voluntary sectors. Speakers included:
· Penny Thompson CBE – Independent Chair of Birmingham Safeguarding Children’s Partnership – Chair of event
· Dr Emma Katz – Academic (Coercive Control and Impact on Children)
· Meena Kumari – Hope Consultancy and Training (Domestic Abuse & Cultural Competence)
· Dr Asha Patel – Clinical Psychologist & Director of Innovating Minds (Trauma Informed work with Children)
The Commissioner said, “Child safeguarding partners should work with local domestic abuse boards and specialist domestic abuse services to align strategies, workplans, and commissioning and have clear referral and accountability mechanisms. They should establish stronger working relationships and clear information sharing protocols.”