Source: Home Office
Date: 03 August 2021

The Home Office is consulting on draft domestic abuse statutory guidance which will support the implementation of the definition of domestic abuse in England and Wales. Chapter 3 of the guidance looks at the impact on children and young people who are recognised as victims of domestic abuse for the first time. The guidance highlights different aspects of the experience of children and young people, so that this can be considered in seeking to meet their needs. It explains how the statutory definition of domestic abuse is to operate alongside other measures that address the safeguarding of children and young people. The consultation closes on 14 September 2021.

Read the draft guidance: Domestic Abuse Act statutory guidance
See also on NSPCC Learning: Protecting children from domestic abuse

Source: The Independent Review of Children’s Social Care
Date: 05 August 2021

The Chair of the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care in England has written to the government setting out three areas identified as needing urgent investment that should be prioritised in the spending review. The areas include: family help to support families who are struggling to parent their children in conditions of adversity; homes for children in care; and the mental health of children in care.

Read the letter: Letter to government on spending review

Source: Home Office

Date: 21 July 2021

The Home Office has published the Tackling violence against women and girls strategy. Elements of the strategy relating to crime, policing and justice apply to England and Wales, while elements relating to health, social care, and education apply to England only. The strategy sets out the government’s plan to increase support for victims and survivors, increase the number of perpetrators brought to justice and to reduce the prevalence of violence against women and girls. Immediate steps to improve safety for women and girls include: a new national policing lead on violence against women and girls; a £5 Million ‘Safety of Women at Night’ Fund focussing on the prevention of violence against women and girls in public spaces at night; and appointing two Violence Against Women and Girls Transport Champions, to tackle the problems faced by female passengers on public transport.

Read the news story: Tackling violence against women and girls strategy launched

Read the strategy: Tackling violence against women and girls strategy

Source: Department for Education
Date: 06 July 2021

The Department for Education (DfE) has published updated Keeping children safe in education 2021 statutory guidance for schools and colleges in England. This guidance comes into force on 1 September 2021 and replaces Keeping children safe in education 2020 (updated January 2021). Substantive changes, outlined in Annexe G, cover areas including: child on child sexual violence and sexual harassment; safeguarding information for all staff; the management of safeguarding; safer recruitment; and allegations made against or concerns raised in relation to teachers. Separately, the DfE has published a summary of the responses to its consultation on proposed changes to the statutory guidance for schools and colleges in England. NSPCC Learning has published a CASPAR briefing summarising key points in the updated guidance

Read the guidance: Keeping children safe in education
Read the consultation responses: Keeping children safe in education: proposed revisions 2021
Read the CASPAR briefing: CASPAR briefing: Keeping children safe in education 2021

NSPCC Learning has published a CASPAR briefing summarising key findings from the Independent review of children’s social care in England's initial report. The briefing focuses on key findings from The case for change report organised under the following themes: helping families; the child protection system; the care system; and addressing issues in the system. This is an initial report from the independent review aimed at starting the conversation about possible solutions to the issues faced by social care, and the review is calling for feedback, as well as further ideas, views and evidence, by 13 August 2021.

Read the CASPAR briefing: The independent review of children's social care

Give feedback: Case for change: feedback form