These protocols were commissioned and ratified by the Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board, for use in all member agencies, as part of a broader strategy to improve the way professionals and services in Lewisham work together to identify and provide support for children and families affected by substance misuse and mental ill-health. The strategy is based on creating more and better opportunities for communication and learning between services working with children and families in Lewisham, including:
- Information Packs on each service, its purpose, organisational structure and key contacts.
- Active Learning Days where professionals can hear about new developments in services and ask questions.
- Reflective Practice Forums where professionals from a range of services can come together to consider the action required to support children and families with the most complex needs.
- Multi-agency training on the use of these protocols, including drug and alcohol awareness, identification and screening methods, effects of drugs on pregnancy and baby, identifying a child at risk of significant harm, making a referral to Children Social Care, participating in the safeguarding process, etc.
Although the protocols were developed locally, professionals should be aware that it is firmly based within the legislative framework for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and families, especially the Children Acts of 1989 and 2004. It also reflects local and national policy and guidance, including 'Working Together to Safeguard', 'What to do if you’re worried that a child abused' and the pan-London Child Protection Procedures, and has been designed, in particular, to complement 'Safeguarding Lewisham Children: guidelines for interagency working'.
The protocols will only be as successful in achieving its aim as you make it. The Lewisham Safeguarding Board has pledged to review this document annually to ensure that it remains effective in improving the way we work together.