CYSCP
Latest news
City of York Council’s Children’s Services rated as Outstanding
Published 16 April 2025.
Independent inspectors, Ofsted, have rated York’s services for children and young people as Outstanding in all areas.
The inspectors reviewed 4 key areas of the council’s work including how it supports children who need help and protection:
- children in care
- care leavers
- leadership
Each was rated as Outstanding following the inspection in February, leading to an overall rating of Outstanding. This puts York in the top 7% of local authorities’ children’s services in the country.
York Children’s Services were last inspected in 2022, when each of the areas inspected were rated as Requires Improvement.
York is the first local authority nationally to have moved from a rating below Good to Outstanding in all areas in a single inspection cycle.
The inspectors attributed the ‘relentless drive by senior leaders’ for the significant improvement in the standard and quality of children’s services, highlighting the council leadership’s aligned core values and strong commitment to children, young people and families.
They also recognised the council’s ambition and determination to provide outstanding services, creating an environment for improvement, based around putting children first.
The council’s commitment to recruiting and maintaining a stable workforce was also highlighted, noting that doing so created good experiences and progress for children.
Work to ensure that children’s views and feelings are central to decisions that are made for them was also praised, with inspectors recognising that children are supported to remain within their wider family networks where possible.
Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, said:
One of my key priorities since becoming Leader has been to work as a single leadership team of politicians and officers to help the council improve the services it delivers for residents.
“I’m delighted by this recognition and pay tribute to the leadership of Cllr Webb, Martin Kelly as Corporate Director and to the ongoing hard work of all Children’s Services staff. This judgment shows that everyone being aligned, with a shared commitment to do the best for children and young people in York, is resulting in improved services and I couldn’t be happier."
Cllr Bob Webb, the council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:
Supporting children and young people in York to live safe, healthy lives and to fulfil their potential is central to everything we do as a council.
“Our fantastic team in York is absolutely committed to achieving the best for every child, young person and family they’re working with and I’m delighted that the inspectors have recognised the exceptional quality of support they provide each and every day.
“Our relentless focus on putting children and young people at the heart of everything will continue, so we can ensure that York is a great place for all children and young people to grow up, now and in the future.”
Martin Kelly OBE, the council’s Corporate Director of Children and Young People, said:
I’m immensely proud of our Children’s Services teams and the many colleagues across other parts of the council whose dedication and absolute commitment to achieve the best outcomes for children, young people and families in York have made this rating possible.
“Their resilience and desire to continually review, reflect and improve outcomes for the young people they’re working with is outstanding. I look forward to continuing to work with them, and our partners across the city, to support children, young people and families in York.”
Yvette Stanley, Ofsted's National Director for Regulation and Social Care, said:
Today’s inspection report highlights the determination of all those working across York to make a positive difference for children and their families. It is a rare achievement to move from a judgement of requires improvement to outstanding in all areas, and it was a pleasure to hear about the team’s successes. I was particularly pleased to read how they have created an environment for improvement that always puts children first.
“This inspection outcome is a significant achievement and reflects the hard work and commitment of York’s leadership team, their managers and frontline staff, as well as the wider council and safeguarding partners.”
The judgement places York with only ten other authorities in the country, all of which have achieved a rating of Outstanding in all areas for their Children’s Services.
Read a copy of the full Ofsted report (.pdf).
Counter-Terrorism E-Learning
Published 2 April 2025.
The online training section of the partnership website has now been updated to include all the various e-learning training available in relation to counter-terrorism.
Visit the multi-agency online training page to see further information and access counter-terrorism e-learning relevant to you and your organisation.
New Service - Lauren's Ladies
Published 25 March 2025.
A new free weekly group has been set up to support students in North Yorkshire who identify as female, and are either struggling with their mental health or experiencing suicidal thoughts, or have friends or family who are.
How has this come about? Kayleigh and Cheryl, Co-founders of Lauren’s Ladies, said:
Lauren's Ladies has been created to honour the memory of our beautiful, clever and kind friend Lauren. Lauren never failed to bring the sunshine on a rainy day, her smile and infectious laugh brought joy and happiness to all lucky enough to meet her. However, Lauren was battling demons that no one knew about and heartbreakingly chose to take her own life in August 2023, aged just 22. Lauren was the 'cheerleader' friend, bringing encouragement and support to her friends. We want to embody that energy with Lauren's Ladies and show you that you are loved, we've got you, and you are not alone.
How we can help?
In the group you will have the opportunity to share your experience and talk about your thoughts and feelings with others who may be going through something similar. The sessions are a non-judgemental space where everyone can talk, listen, and support each other. There will also be an experienced facilitator and 2 peer supports, who will be there to provide further support. As part of the group, you will be asked to complete some clinical forms and a short survey when you finish, which will be anonymous and will help us to evaluate the effectiveness of the group. Who is it open to? Lauren's Ladies is open to all students in North Yorkshire, aged 18+, and who identify as female. It's for those who may be experiencing and struggling with depressive or suicidal thoughts and who might want to speak to someone or have friends or family who are, make connections, and gain some support. When is it? The first 5-week pilot group starts Wednesday 30 April, 10.30am to 12.00pm.
How to access?
The group is free to join. It will be held in person at our Centre premises at 32-34 Clarence Street, on the York St John University campus. If you or someone you know would like to join, you can self-refer using our online form, and one of the Centre team will be in touch. You do not have to be a student of York St John to access this.
Cultural Competency: Identifying and addressing barriers to better outcomes Yorkshire and Humber Multi-Agency Safeguarding Trainers presents ‘Improving Cultural Competency: Identifying and addressing barriers to better outcomes’
Published 20 March 2025.
Join us for a thought provoking, interactive webinar exploring systemic barriers affecting racialised and marginalised communities in safeguarding. Learn from expert speakers, engage in discussions, and gain practical strategies to drive meaningful change.
Speakers:
- 9.30am: Hari Sewell: The Invisibilised Relevance of Race and Culture in Safeguarding
- 11.15am: Jahnine Davis: Child Safeguarding Review: A thematic analysis on Race, Racism and Racial bias in Child Protection and Safeguarding
- 1.15pm: Jordan Alexander: Spiritual and Ritual Abuse
- 2.45pm: Panel Discussion – Overcoming barriers to equitable outcomes
Reflection breaks between sessions to allow you to process insights and make notes
- Date: Wednesday 21 March
- Time: 9.15am to 3.00pm
- Venue: Microsoft Teams Webinar This webinar is free to access for Yorkshire and Humber professionals
Register your place now via Microsoft Teams
Signs of Safety Building Brighter Futures Practice Model Partner Briefing Session
Published 19 March 2025.
Target audience
Open to all multi-agency partners including Children’s Social Care and Adult Social Care, Police, Health, Local Authority, Education, Voluntary Sector etc.
Course outline
Following the overarching briefing session regarding Building Brighter Futures Practice Model (which covered Family Seeing and Signs of Safety Approaches) the Learning Development and Implementation Team Members will be holding a series of workshop style briefing sessions focusing on the practice model as a whole, but also introducing the safe and together approach.
‘Safe and Together’ is an internationally recognised model that was first developed in the United States. The model encourages cultural and systematic shifts in practice, including changing the language around working with survivors and perpetrators of domestic abuse. Lead practitioners are provided with a suite of tools and interventions to identify and highlight survivor strengths and recognising domestic abuse as a parenting choice of the perpetrator. As such, the model equips practitioners to deal with risk and take a strengths-based approach in engaging whole families where domestic abuse is a factor, including holding the perpetrator accountable for the impact of the abuse on family functioning.
The model has three key principles:
- Keeping children Safe & Together with their non-abusive parent, ensuring safety, healing from trauma, stability, and nurturance.
- Partnering with the non-abusive parent as a default position ensuring efficient, effective, and child-centred practice.
- Intervening with the perpetrator to reduce the risk and harm to the child through engagement, accountability, and criminal justice.
The training dates are as follows:
- Tuesday 20 May, 10.00am to 11.00am
- Thursday 22 May, 11.00am to midday
- Friday 6 June, 9.00am to 10.00am
All will be held via MS Teams
Developing an Understanding of Harmful Sexual Behaviour Training
Published 14 March 2025.
We're pleased to announce that new dates have been scheduled for the Developing an Understanding of Harmful Sexual Behaviour course during 2025.
The training dates are as follows:
- Thursday 29 May, 10.00am to 2.00pm
- Thursday 21 August, 10.00am to 2.00pm
- Thursday 27 November, 10.00am to 2.00pm
These courses will all be held face-to-face at West Offices.
Changes to Safeguarding A and B Training – April 2025
Published 12 March 2025.
From April 2025, a new one day course is being launched. This will replace previous A and B courses which will no longer be available. We're hoping that attendees will find this a much better way to deliver the course.
Dates are now available for the new course Safeguarding children: Shared Responsibilities and Procedures Working Together, log into Mylo and sign up.
North Yorkshire and City of York Partnership Information Sharing
Published 21 February 2025.
The North Yorkshire and City of York Partnership Information Sharing Form can be used if you think you have information to share with the police about situations in which children, young people or adults may be vulnerable to exploitation.