Content

7.1

The
Assistant Director of Community Youth Services introduced the
report to the Committee which explained that the Sheffield
Community Safeguarding Strategy (2025–2028) addresses growing
risks to older children from external factors like technology,
social media, and peer pressure and focuses on providing children
with safe, supportive environments where they can thrive and
belong.

7.2

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Education,
Children and Families Policy Committee:-

Approve the development of Community Safeguarding Strategy for
years 2025 – 2028 with engagement with partners and children
and their families.

7.3

Reasons for Decision

7.3.1

The
Community Safeguarding Strategy (2025-2028) is recommended due to
its comprehensive, proactive approach in addressing the evolving
and external risks faced by children and young people in Sheffield.
Traditional safeguarding methods focused on the family home are not
enough when considering harm in communities, as young people are
increasingly vulnerable to external threats such as exploitation,
gang involvement, and online dangers. This strategy ensures a
coordinated response across communities, services, and agencies to
prevent harm, provide early intervention, and create safe spaces
for young people to thrive. It empowers communities, strengthens
partnerships, and addresses the broader, systemic issues
contributing to vulnerability, making it a crucial step toward
protecting and supporting Sheffield’s children.

7.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

7.4.1

Alternative Option 1: Continued
Focus on Family-Centred Safeguarding
 
Description of Option:
 
This option would maintain a focus primarily on
safeguarding within the family unit, with continued emphasis on
parental support and intervention within the home environment. It
would focus on strengthening the capacity of parents and carers to
protect children from harm, with a more traditional approach to
safeguarding outside the home.
 
Explanation of Why Rejected:
 
This option was rejected due to the increasing
evidence that risks to children and young people are often external
to the home, particularly in relation to peer pressure, online
exploitation, and involvement in criminal activities like gang
violence. These risks are not easily addressed through
family-centred approaches alone. With the growing complexity of
safeguarding challenges, this option would not effectively tackle
the broader issues young people face in their communities and
social spaces. The lack of focus on community-based interventions
and external risks would likely result in missed opportunities for
early intervention and greater vulnerability for young
people.

7.4.2

Alternative Option 2: Citywide Surveillance
and Policing-Focused Approach
 
Description of Option: This option would
involve a more aggressive approach focused on increasing
surveillance and law enforcement presence in areas identified as
high-risk for exploitation and criminal activity. The approach
would centre around reactive measures, such as heightened policing,
monitoring of public spaces, and increased enforcement of laws
related to youth crime and exploitation.
 

Explanation of Why Rejected:
 
While
this option might help deter criminal activity in the short term,
it was rejected due to the potential for negative community
relations and the limited long-term effectiveness of relying solely
on enforcement. Focusing solely on surveillance and policing does
not address the underlying causes of youth vulnerability, such as
lack of safe spaces, support services, and engagement
opportunities. It would also place undue pressure on law
enforcement, without providing the community[1]based, preventative support that
the Community Safeguarding Strategy (2025-2028) aims to achieve.
Additionally, it would fail to build the resilience and
self-empowerment needed in local communities to prevent
exploitation and harm in the firstplace.

7.4.3

Alternative Option 3: Localised Interventions
without a Citywide Framework

 

Description of Option:
 
This
option would involve implementing safeguarding measures and youth
support services on a localised basis, with each community or
neighbourhood developing its own strategy without a cohesive
citywide approach. It would focus on grassroots, community-led
initiatives, leaving more responsibility in the hands of local
communities.

 

Explanation of Why Rejected:

 
Although local community involvement is crucial, this option was
rejected because it risks creating fragmented and inconsistent
responses across the city. Without a coordinated citywide strategy,
there could be significant gaps in service provision, misalignment
of priorities, and missed opportunities for collaboration across
partners. A decentralised approach would also make it difficult to
monitor impact, share data, and ensure that resources are being
used effectively across Sheffield. The Community Safeguarding
Strategy aims to unite communities, services, and partners under a
shared vision to address youth safeguarding in a holistic,
systematic way, ensuring consistency and collaboration across the
city. Each of these alternatives was considered, but the Community
Safeguarding Strategy (2025-2028) was selected because it provides
a comprehensive, coordinated, and proactive approach that addresses
the broad spectrum of risks faced by young people in Sheffield. It
emphasises prevention, early intervention, and collaboration
between agencies, communities, and young people themselves to
create lasting change and ensure their safety and
well-being.