Children’s Services launches bold new service to help better protect children and young people

Redbridge Council has launched an innovative and revolutionary new service, marking a significant step in understanding and responding to the risks vulnerable children and young people face outside their homes.

The Family Help: Contextual Safeguarding Service, a collaborative effort that includes specialist exploitation practitioners, youth intervention specialists and social workers, is here to support children and young people in Redbridge.  It will be there for them at the earliest opportunity when risks have been identified in their lives outside of the home, including concerns such as child criminal and sexual exploitation.

In April 2024, Redbridge was selected to deliver the Families First for Children (FFC) Pathfinder programme. This national initiative aims to improve services to help more children stay with their families in safe and loving homes and protect vulnerable children from harm where needed. Redbridge Children’s Services has worked closely with the Department for Education to advance the pathfinder agenda. Launching the Contextual Safeguarding Service is the first significant milestone in the delivery phase, as Redbridge is revolutionising its services for children and families through FFC.

Cllr Lloyd Duddridge, Redbridge Council Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: “In Redbridge, we have always risen to the challenge of protecting the vital services local people rely on and delivering innovations – so I am thrilled to be launching our brand new Family Help: Contextual Safeguarding Service.  

“As such, we have an incredible opportunity ahead of us in Redbridge. We already know that we deliver outstanding services to children and families and that our borough is a great place to live, but more work must be done to ensure every single one of our children can build a positive future.”

Local community leader Irfan Shah, Chief Executive of Frenford Clubs, a community organisation dedicated to providing young people opportunities, facilities, and personal development, attended the launch event.

Irfan said: “Over the past few years, Frenford Clubs has worked in strong partnership with the Council's Family Intervention Team, working hand in hand to make a profound difference in the lives of our most vulnerable children and young people, providing them with hope and a brighter future.  Children's Social Care professionals work incredibly hard behind the scenes to improve the lives of some of our most vulnerable children and young people. Their dedication and hard work are truly commendable and deserve our utmost appreciation.

“It was heartwarming to see our hard work finally come to fruition at the launch of the Contextual Safeguarding Service. This significant milestone will greatly impact our community and is one we can all be proud of.”

For further information about The Family Help: Contextual Safeguarding Service or to share your thoughts and feedback, please get in touch with Siobhan McGeary at siobhan.mcgeary@redbridge.gov.uk