CMARS | January 2026 Communication

# CMARS

14:09, Wednesday, 15th April 2026

New Resource Available: Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) Page

We’re pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated page on the North Lincolnshire Children’s MARS website in respect to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) process for Children and Young People. This new resource provides clear, accessible information for any professionals supporting a child or young person following sexual assault, including:

What SARC is and how it can help
How to access services confidentially
Guidance for professionals and partners
Links to further support and safeguarding resources

The page also includes a video from Sheffield Children’s Hospital in respect to supporting children with their journey through the SARC.

Please take a moment to explore the page and share it within your networks to help raise awareness.

Visit the page here: https://www.northlincscmars.co.uk/sexual-assault-referral-centre/

Refreshed e-Workbooks Now Available!

We’re excited to announce that our Children’s MARS e-Workbooks have been refreshed and given a brand-new look. These updates make the learning experience clearer, more engaging, and easier to navigate.

The eWorkbooks can be found on our website and below:

Alongside the new design, we’ve introduced an improved process for requesting your certificate of completion: Once your Safeguarding Lead has signed off your e-Workbook, your Safeguarding Lead can now request your certificate quickly and easily using our new online form included at the end of our e-Workbooks.

Thank you for continuing to support safeguarding best practice. Please share this update with your teams and networks.

Coming Soon: cMARS Raising Awareness Week – March 2026

Following the success of our last Children’s MARS Raising Awareness Week in 2025, we’re excited to announce that the cMARS team is planning another Raising Awareness Week, commencing Monday, 2 March 2026.

This week will shine a spotlight on the different departments and roles across the partnership, highlighting how each contributes to safeguarding children and young people. The week will also include webinars and thematic training courses.

What to expect:
A timetable of events and activities will be shared in the coming weeks.
Opportunities to learn more about safeguarding practices across the partnership.
We want your input!
Have suggestions for topics or activities you’d like us to include? Share your ideas using our suggestion form: cMARS Raising Awareness Week Suggestions – Fill in form

Keep an eye on our communications for updates and the full schedule.

Let’s work together to make this week impactful and informative!

New Resource: Online Harms Page Now Live

We’re pleased to announce the launch of a dedicated Online Harms page on the North Lincolnshire MARS website. This resource provides essential guidance on identifying, preventing, and responding to online risks that may affect children and young people.

The page includes:
Information on different types of online harms
Practical advice for parents, carers, and professionals
Signposting to trusted websites and resources for further support and guidance
Our goal is to help everyone across the partnership stay informed and proactive in keeping children safe online.

Explore the page here: CMARS | Online Harms – CMARS

Please share this resource widely to help raise awareness and strengthen safeguarding practices.

Reminder: Centre of Expertise Prioritising Child Sexual Abuse Roadshow 5 February 2026

Join cMARS and the Centre of Expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) for the Prioritising child sexual abuse roadshow, a roadshow to support professionals in identification and response.

The roadshow has been designed to build the confidence of professionals in North Lincolnshire in effectively identifying and responding to child sexual abuse, and best supporting children and families.

Visit the CSA Centre website to learn more about the work of the Centre, and to access latest research and resources: Home | CSA Centre

A formal agenda and brochure can be found here: https://www.northlincscmars.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/North-Lincs-Roadshow-Brochure-1.pdf

To book your ticket and select your workshop, please visit the following link: Select tickets – Prioritising Child Sexual Abuse Roadshow – CSA Centre of Expertise – The Baths Hall

Upcoming cMARS Training

Child Sexual Abuse and Violence Awareness Briefing – 29th January 14:00 – 15:00 via MS Teams

Presented by The Blue Door, this course provides an overview of the North Lincolnshire referral pathway for individuals impacted by sexual violence and sexual abuse in North Lincolnshire. It explores how professionals can navigate the local system to ensure timely and appropriate support and outlines the range of services available. Participants will gain clarity on referral procedures, key contacts, and how to sensitively guide individuals toward the help they need.

Managing Allegations – The Role of Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) for School Leaders – 27 January, 2026 09:30 – 11:30 – Face to Face

The aim of the workshop is to know what an allegation is, explore What is the SCOPE, what constitutes harm, low level concerns (linked to KCSIE 2024), and what to do when an allegation is made regarding someone who works or volunteers with children. The workshop will also cover
records keeping, the role of the Chair of Governor and Whistleblowing.

Objectives:
• To have an understanding of the role of LADO
• To have an understanding of the managing allegations process from start to conclusion
• To effectively respond to and manage allegations.

Please email mars@northlincs.gov.uk to book onto these sessions.

Child Exploitation Masterclass – 28 January 2026 – 11:00 – 17:00 – Face to Face
Participants will:
• gain an understanding of what Child Criminal and Child Sexual Exploitation is
• understand the County Lines model and the local approach to Risk Outside the Home
• be able to identify the vulnerabilities and risk factors for children
• understand the local picture and themes arising
• consider your role in reducing the risk to children

This session also includes National Referral Mechanism awareness which will cover:
• What is Child Exploitation and how this links into the umbrella term “Modern Day Slavery”
• The types of exploitation and how a child or vulnerable adult can benefit from having an NRM
• What is an NRM? What it means to the child
• How to make a referral and how to write an effective NRM referral
• Stages through the process and decision
• What support the Child Exploitation Intervention Team can offer

The Kite Project – What is Trauma Therapy? – 4 February 2026 – 10:00 – 12.30 – Face to Face

A training workshop which will enable professionals to gain an understanding of trauma therapy. We will describe the process and explain how trauma therapy is delivered. We will share the criteria and trauma pathway, enabling you to understand when to refer on to the specialist trauma service.

Objectives
• Develop a clear understanding of trauma therapy
• Gain knowledge of the variety of approaches within trauma therapy
• Understanding therapy from a families perspective
• Identify when trauma therapy is not suitable or safe
• Recognise when a referral is required for specialist provision (The Kite Project)

Who is the training for?
All professionals working with children, young people and families who have previously attended the full day ARC training

Drug and Alcohol Strategy Launch and Recovery Celebration Event

Northern Lincolnshire Drug and Alcohol Strategy Launch and Recovery Celebration Event will take place on 12 February 2026.

The event marks the formal launch of the strategy and is also an opportunity to celebrate recovery, share positive stories, and promote messages of hope, inspiration and stigma reduction across Northern Lincolnshire.

It has been designed for colleagues across services and partner organisations, as well as people with lived experience, and will highlight the importance of recovery-focused, compassionate and inclusive approaches in supporting individuals, families and communities.

The event will include:
An overview of the Northern Lincolnshire Strategy
Contributions from people with lived experience of recovery
Reflections from partners and services
Opportunities to celebrate recovery and challenge stigma

Please share the attached poster within your teams and networks.

Places should be booked via Eventbrite using the link provided on the poster.

Early Help System Changes

The new Early Help system is now live for uploading all Early Help Assessments, Reviews, and Closure Forms. You can access it via the link on the CMARS Early Help page.

The new process involves:
Completing the provided Word templates (available on the CMARS page).
Completing a brief online form and attaching the document.
Please also take a moment to review the recently refreshed Helping Children and Families in North Lincolnshire guidance, available on the website. The previous suggestion that an Early Help Plan is required when two or more formal agencies are involved has been removed. This means that Early Help can now be used to coordinate support even when a single agency is working with a family, ensuring flexibility and a more tailored approach to meeting their needs.

Thank you for your continued support for children and families through quality Early Help assessments, plans and coordinated intervention. Your efforts make a real difference.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, feedback on the new system is always welcome.

January 2026 Communication