Quality Assurance Group – Key Updates (June 2026)

The Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership (CSCP) Quality Assurance Group met on 3 June 2026, bringing together partners from across children’s social care, health, education, police, youth justice, and the voluntary sector to review safeguarding activity, strengthen multi-agency working, and improve outcomes for children and families.

Strengthening Safeguarding Through Audit and Learning

The partnership continues to develop a robust programme of multi-agency audits to better understand practice and improve safeguarding outcomes.

The recent Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) audit is being progressed, with a renewed focus on:

• strengthening multi-agency participation in strategy discussions

• improving timeliness and measurable actions

• ensuring learning is shared effectively with frontline practitioners

  
  

A new “Racism is Silent” audit will begin in June 2026, supporting partners to better identify and respond to racial bias and inequality in safeguarding practice.

Planning is also underway for an audit focused on emerging risks for children aged 10–13, reflecting growing concern about vulnerabilities in early adolescence.

These audits are aligned with Working Together 2026 and are designed to ensure safeguarding practice is consistently evaluated, impactful, and child-focused.

Improving Multi-Agency Safeguarding Arrangements

Partners reviewed progress against national reforms, including Working Together 2026, the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act, and Families First Partnership (FFP).

Key areas for improvement include:

• Moving from late intervention to earlier support, ensuring children and families receive help before risks escalate

• Strengthening multi-agency coordination, with a shared ambition for:

• better data sharing

• more integrated planning for children

• improved joint accountability across agencies

• Addressing challenges such as:

• capacity pressures across services

• the need for stronger engagement from housing services

• increasing demand on mental health provision

The partnership agreed that safeguarding must be collectively owned, with agencies working together to design solutions and manage risks.

Families First Partnership – Local Progress

Croydon continues to develop its Families First Partnership (FFP) model, which brings services together to provide earlier, more joined-up help to families.

• Multi-disciplinary teams will be based within local neighbourhoods

• A pilot will launch in the south of the borough in September 2026

• The model is being developed with strong engagement from education, police, voluntary sector partners, and plans to include adult services

This approach aims to ensure families receive the right support at the right time, reducing the need for statutory intervention.

Supporting the Voluntary and Community Sector

A new CSCP web resource for voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) organisations has been launched.

This includes:

• safeguarding guidance and tools

• a tailored Section 11 self-assessment

• resources to support organisations in demonstrating safeguarding standards

This strengthens the role of community organisations as key partners in safeguarding children.

Annual Report and Ongoing Accountability

Partners reviewed the draft CSCP Annual Report 2025/26, which:

• reflects the voice and experiences of children and young people

• demonstrates the difference made through partnership working

• aligns with Working Together 2026 requirements

  
  

Agencies are contributing final feedback ahead of publication in September 2026.

Impact Highlights from Partners

Partners shared evidence of positive progress across the system, including:

• Reduced re-offending and custody rates within Youth Justice Services

• Improved police data sharing to support safeguarding activity

• Increased engagement from community and faith groups, including demand for safeguarding training

• Continued emphasis on capturing and reflecting the voice of the child

Next Steps

The Quality Assurance Group agreed several key actions to strengthen safeguarding further, including:

• progressing CSA audit learning and reviewing impact at the next meeting

• supporting delivery of new audits and learning dissemination

• refining strategic priorities to reflect children’s lived experiences and poverty

• continuing to influence national reform discussions

• progressing integrated approaches through Families First Partnership

Croydon Safeguarding Children Partnership remains committed to continuous learning, strong partnership working, and ensuring that all children and young people in Croydon are safe, supported, and able to thrive.