13:56, Monday, 20th April 2026
Launch: New Free Training Opportunity: Developing and Understanding Child Sexual Abuse
Following on from the recent CSA Roadshow, and in preparation for the upcoming launch of the North Lincolnshire CSA Strategy and Pathway Document, we are pleased to share a new training opportunity. We now have a number of practitioners across the partnership who have been trained by the NSPCC to deliver this accredited two‑day course.
What will teams learn?
The training uses case studies, small group activities and interactive tools to help professionals respond to child sexual abuse.
After completing the training, teams will be able to:
identify the types of child sexual abuse (CSA)
use appropriate language
understand the research base
determine ways to support most vulnerable groups at risk for CSA
identify the ways CSA can impact children, their families, and society
recognise, respond, report and record concerns
share best practice with others in your network.
gain knowledge of the local pathway document
Upcoming Training Dates
27 and 28 May 2026
22 and 23 June 2026
7 and 8 July 2026
10 and 11 August 2026
10 and 11 September 2026
5 and 6 October 2026
19 and 20 November 2026
To book onto any of the above sessions, please book via our TicketTailor account: https://buytickets.at/childrensmarspartnership/2156605
CMARS Shine a Light Areas of Focus 2026 – 2027
The Children’s MARS Board agrees a small number of priority areas each year where it will “shine a light” to maintain strategic oversight and drive focused partnership action. These priorities are intended to strengthen safeguarding arrangements, support system change and promote consistently effective practice to improve outcomes for children and families.
Shine a Light Areas of Focus – 2026/27
The three areas of focus for 2026/27 were shaped through a collaborative and evidence‑informed process.
Initial themes were explored at the Safeguarding Partnership Meeting in January 2026 and refined through discussion at the January 2026 Children’s MARS Board, with input from Designated Safeguarding Partners. The Board also drew on learning from assurance activity, including audits, reviews and performance analysis.
Children and young people’s voices were central to shaping the final priorities.
Together, professional expertise, local evidence and the lived experiences of children and young people informed the final Shine a Light priorities for 2026/27:
- Safeguarding children with additional needs, including disability and neurodiversity
- Reducing the impact of parental mental ill health, domestic abuse and substance misuse on children
- Online and technology‑related harm
Right to Roam and Wider Line of Sight
Alongside its specific Shine a Light priorities, the Children’s MARS Board adopts a ‘right to roam’ approach. This enables the Board to maintain a wider line of sight on safeguarding assurance across emerging risks and areas of concern, ensuring responsiveness to changing need and harm.
This approach includes ongoing oversight of areas such as:
- Domestic Abuse
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Transitions
To support this, the Board will continue to draw on performance information, practice wisdom, and the voices and experiences of children, young people and families, ensuring a well‑rounded understanding of safeguarding effectiveness across the system.
CMARS Training Offer 2026 -2027
We’re excited to share the latest CMARS training offer for 2026–27, packed with free, high‑quality learning opportunities designed to support and enhance your professional practice.
What’s included?
A wide range of free training courses tailored to support your development
Opportunities to build new skills and strengthen existing ones
The chance to earn a certificate upon completion
A programme that’s regularly updated with fresh and exciting learning options
Be sure to take a look here: Training and Events Calendar
New courses are added throughout the year, so check back often!
To book onto any CMARS training courses, please visit our TicketTailor account: https://buytickets.at/childrensmarspartnership
SafeCall Designed Service for Young People
SafeCall is a free, confidential, and anonymous support service for young people across the UK who feel unsafe, are away from home, are thinking about leaving, or are being pressured to leave their home or care setting. The service offers a non-judgemental space to talk and provides practical advice. Please click the following link to access the service: Get Help – SafeCall.
Neglect Consultation
As part of our work to develop a refreshed Neglect Strategy and Toolkit for North Lincolnshire, we are gathering insight from practitioners across all agencies. Your experience and views are essential in helping us understand what is working well, what the challenges are, and what additional support or tools may be needed when identifying and responding to child neglect.
The information you share through this questionnaire will directly shape the design of the new strategy and toolkit, ensuring they are practical, evidence‑based, and truly reflect the realities of frontline practice.
By taking part, you are playing an important role in strengthening our collective response to child neglect and improving outcomes for children and families.
Please see below the link to the survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=7VVmWP8siUCBl7TBC3s9o1ZbntbUUW1ClisNYxT2hCZUNjJEU0FVUzdYOU0zTUxNUFdFWThQWTdUVi4u
Please complete your responses by Friday 17 April 2026
The Blue Door Support Service Training Offer
The Blue Door are currently offering multiple training opportunities in respect of Domestic Abuse which include the following:
Responding to Domestic Abuse: A Practical Guide
This is the mandatory foundation session that must be completed before accessing any further courses. It provides essential awareness, guidance, and trauma‑informed approaches for recognising and responding to domestic abuse.
Domestic Abuse: Advanced Practice Training
A deeper exploration of patterns of abuse, coercive control, safeguarding frameworks, and practitioner responsibilities.
Attendance is strictly limited to those who have already completed the ‘Responding to Domestic Abuse: A Practical Guide’ session.
Domestic Abuse Through the Child’s Eyes
An additional development opportunity focused on understanding the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people.
Skills for Enabling Change
A skills‑building session focusing on empowering conversations and supporting safer outcomes.
Booking and Further Information
You can view all upcoming sessions and book your place via The Blue Door’s Eventbrite page here: The Blue Door Support Service CIC Events – 23 Upcoming Activities and Tickets | Eventbrite
