An ongoing issue across the country has been the challenge for both third sector (charities, voluntary organisations, etc.) and the statutory safeguarding teams in making a good referral. Referrers will say “we don’t understand why it’s not been accepted” or “we hear nothing back”, whilst statutory teams will say, it’s obvious that “they don’t understand safeguarding”

Our aim is to have a conversation involving colleagues from local authorities and a charity to share their experiences and to help identify what each can do to improve the quality of referrals.

• Jennifer Kelly – Head of Safeguarding, Leonard, Cheshire
• Armstrong Mvura – Strategic Safeguarding Manager, Luton Borough Council
• Alison Clark – Head of Safeguarding and Mental Capacity, Essex County Council