Agencies represented:

• Children's Social Care (CSC)

• Education

• Youth Justice Service

• Housing

• South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB)

• Croydon Health Services

• South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM)

• Metropolitan Police

• School Representatives

• Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations

• CSCP Business Team

Chair: Amanda Andrews, Head of Family Assessment Service (Acting Chair).

Overview

The Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) Quality Assurance Group met on 8 October 2026 to consider how local agencies are working together to keep children and young people safe.

The Group also reviewed safeguarding arrangements in schools, examined emerging trends affecting children and young people, and considered how partners can respond to changing risks and vulnerabilities across the borough.

The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) Annual report was reviewed and endorsed.

A key focus of the meeting was understanding the risks children face in an increasingly digital world. Partners discussed online safety, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), children's experiences on social media and how agencies can better support young people and families to navigate online risks safely.

Positive work highlighted

Members welcomed evidence of strong safeguarding practice across Croydon's schools. Schools continue to play a vital role in identifying concerns early, supporting children and families, and helping to create safe learning environments where children can thrive.

The Group heard encouraging reports showing reductions in a number of issues affecting children and young people, including incidents involving weapons and other serious safety concerns. These improvements reflect the collective efforts of schools, safeguarding partners and community organisations working together to prevent harm and support young people.

Partners also explored innovative work taking place nationally to improve online safety education. This included practical approaches to helping children understand digital risks, develop healthy online behaviours and recognise situations where they may need support from trusted adults.

The meeting further welcomed the continued work of professionals across Croydon who respond to concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children, ensuring that appropriate advice, guidance and action are taken when safeguarding concerns arise.

Challenges discussed

The Group discussed the growing impact of online harm on children and young people. Concerns included cyberbullying, online exploitation, harmful online content and the rapid development of new technologies that can create additional safeguarding risks.

Partners also noted an increase in the number of children being educated outside of mainstream school settings and agreed that it is important to understand the experiences of these children and ensure that they remain visible to services and able to access support where needed.

The meeting considered wider concerns about children's emotional wellbeing and mental health, recognising the pressures many young people face both online and offline.

Members agreed that safeguarding arrangements must continue to evolve to meet changing needs and ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

Key discussion items

• Emerging online safety risks affecting children and young people.

• The impact of artificial intelligence and digital technology on safeguarding.

• Safeguarding practice and learning from schools across Croydon.

• Children's emotional wellbeing and mental health.

• Understanding the experiences of children educated outside of mainstream school settings.

• Learning from recent safeguarding reviews and quality assurance activity.

• Future priorities for partnership safeguarding work.

Actions agreed

• Strengthen partnership understanding of children educated outside of mainstream school settings and any associated safeguarding risks.

• Share learning and good practice relating to online safety with schools and partner agencies.

• Improve understanding of safeguarding experiences and outcomes for children with additional needs and vulnerabilities.

• Continue developing quality assurance activity to ensure emerging risks are identified and responded to effectively.

• Support agencies to remain focused on early identification and prevention of harm.

Closing statement

The Quality Assurance Group reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that children and young people in Croydon grow up safe, supported and able to achieve their potential.

Members recognised the positive work taking place across schools, health services, safeguarding agencies and community organisations, while acknowledging that new challenges continue to emerge.

By working together, sharing learning and responding to changing risks, partners remain committed to improving outcomes for children, young people and families across Croydon.