Child First Swindon
Learning from two Rapid Reviews in 2023 and 2024 identified practice that had adultified the children and did not fully promote a pro-social identity for those children. The use of language, such as, how we spoke to and about the children was also a key feature in the reviews.
An action for the Safeguarding Partnership was to consider how it could learn from and adopt the ‘Child First’ approach used within Youth Justice Services.
In July 2024, the Safeguarding Partnership commissioned Swindon’s Young Changemakers, who are a diverse group of children and young people, aged 12 to 15 years, with a range of experience, passions and skillsets, to co-produce a ‘Child First’ approach and subsequent manifesto to support the Partnership to embed the ‘Child First’ principles into policy and practice.
The aim of the Swindon ‘Child First’ approach is to ensure every child and young person in Swindon, is put first and empowered to thrive.
How to get involved
Organisations are encouraged to sign up to the ‘Child First’ approach using the application form on the Child First Swindon website.
To become a ‘Child First Committed’ organisation, an application form will need to be completed and submitted to the Partnership Strategic Support Unit for review. Organisations signing up to be ‘Child First Committed’ will need to provide evidence and assurance as to how they are going to implement the approach across their organisation.
Once evidence has been provided, the ‘Child First Committed’ logo will be issued for organisations to use along with social media artwork.
Further information about the child first manifesto which has been written by children and young people, the four core principles and child first commitments, can be found via the Child First Swindon website.