Information for Parents and Carers

The safety and welfare of children - or safeguarding - is everyone's business. You could be a neighbour, friend, parent, relative, child minder, teacher or doctor - or working for any organisation which has contact with children and young people.

Safeguarding means protecting children from physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect. It also means helping children to grow up into confident, healthy and happy adults.

Agencies that deal with issues involving children are keen to offer parents and carers' advice and support throughout a child or young person's life.

If you have any ideas about what you would like to see included on this website for parents or carers then please contact us on BWSCP@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

Important Safeguarding Message

Please watch this important message about Safeguarding - We are asking you to be brave, to speak up on behalf of a child, or an adult who may be at risk - click here.

Online Radicalisation Information and Support

This is a difficult time for parents and carer and it is having a significant impact on families.  Children are likely to be spending more time online and whilst rare, there are negative influences and online groomers who use online platforms to share their extreme views and ideas.  Please click here to find out more information about the signs that someone may need help.

Leaving Children Alone - Guide for Parents

The NSPCC have produced a helpful guide for parents and carers if you are considering leaving your child(ren) alone. This can be accessed via the following link:

NSPCC - Leaving Children Alone Guidance

"Is My Child Ready To Be Left Home Alone?" Booklet

Internet safety

Please click here to read the UKCCIS guidance about internet safety.

Useful websites

• Citizens Advice Bureau 
• Missing People
• Parentline Plus

Call 999 in an emergency If you believe a child is in immediate danger

Safer Sleeping

Oxfordshire CCG have produced the following video providing advice on safe co-sleeping. Click here to watch it. Visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk for more information and tips on how to sleep safely

Berkshire West CCG produced the following video because each year children and babies in the UK die or sustain life changing injuries that could possibly have been prevented. The video is called Lift the Baby and is aimed at promoting safer sleeping in younger babies.  More than 130 babies die in the UK every year in hazardous sleeping circumstances. For example: where a parent or carer falls asleep whilst holding the baby, this places the child at risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) - Lift the Baby: https://liftthebaby.org.uk/

How to calm a crying baby

All babies cry, some more than others. It is their way of telling you that they need comfort and care. Here are some ways you can sooth your baby:

• Play gentle noise in the background - plays for white noise, rain or nature sounds
• Stroke your babies back firmly and rhythmically
• Massage your baby
• Try a warm bath
• Rock your baby backwards and forwards in their pram
• Take your baby for a walk
• Ask your health visitor for advice

The NHS website has lots of useful top tips: NHS - Soothing a crying baby. No matter how stressed or frustrated you feel, you must never shake your baby.

ICON Infant crying information leaflet

Please watch this video to understand how you can support parents and carers to cope with a crying baby: https://youtu.be/gyQPzIxyTSA 

Handle with Care - A Guide to keeping your baby safe

The NSPCC has published a guide on how to stay calm, handle your baby and cope with crying. This guide includes useful links for the support on offer to families with young babies. You don't have to go through it alone. 

Link to the Handle with Care Guide: Handle with Care - A Guide to keeping your baby safe

Babies and Children - Safety Messages can be downloaded in a printable format, please click here.