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Duncan Cordy

First Aid and Basic Life Support for Children – 7 Minute Briefing

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Findings from the 2025 North Central London Child Death Overview Panel (CDOP) review identified learning relating to first aid preparedness across settings where children and young people are present.

 

The CDOP recommended that those who work with children and young people should have first aid and basic life support training and have access to appropriate equipment. This recommendation follows several child deaths in which gaps in staff training and access to appropriate equipment were observed. While these gaps were not found to have directly influenced outcomes, they highlight a wider and important need for consistent preparedness across all settings – including those not specifically designed for children but where children frequently attend.

 

It is important that those who care for or work with and around children know what to do in an emergency. First aid and basic life support skills can save lives and ensure people are confident and able to respond quickly when needed.

 

Click the link below to see the briefing:

 

7 Minute Briefing

VAC Newsletter: 23/01/2026 – Covenant fund announced

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The government have announced the Local Covenant Partnerships fund as part of the Civil Society covenant, find out more and keep up to date on all the events, jobs and projects happening over the next few weeks.

 

There’s also some sad news in this week’s newsletter about the passing of local resident and well-known figure in Camden’s charity sector, Peter Simonson.

 

VAC Newsletter: 23/01/2026 – Covenant fund announced

Statement from CSCP regarding Operation Lanark

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Camden Safeguarding Children Partnership have released a statement on Operation Lanark, which we are sharing for anyone affected.

 

Operation Lanark

 

Operation Lanark is an ongoing police investigation led by the Metropolitan Police Service (the Met).

 

It is a highly sensitive matter so please continue to be mindful of what you communicate to prevent victims being identified and to prevent the ongoing investigation being jeopardised.

 

Operation Lanark relates to serious offences, including child sexual abuse, committed by a nursery worker at a now-closed Bright Horizons nursery in Camden.

It does not relate to any setting run by Camden Council or any Camden Council staff member.

 

You can find more information at camden.gov.uk/OperationLanark – including dedicated support for directly affected families and if you want to, how to participate in the Local Child Safeguarding Practice Review (LCSPR), which begins in January 2026.

 

If you’re directly affected by Operation Lanark, a range of confidential support is available: 

 

  • You can call the dedicated NSPCC helpline number on 0800 028 0828 who may refer you to other services as needed. It’s open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays. You can also email NSPCC on help@nspcc.org.uk. You can contact them anonymously if you want to and your call or email will be dealt with confidentially.
  • Our Children’s Social Care team can provide emotional and practical support. If you want to speak to a social worker, call our Children and Families Service on 0207 974 3317 or email them at LBCMASHadmin@camden.gov.uk. The call or email will be handled by trained staff who are ready to help and will make sure that you get the most appropriate support.
  • You can speak to your GP who can also help you access the support you need.

 

Safeguarding

 

If you are worried about a child or a young person, please let us know and contact the council’s children’s social work team on 020 7974 3317 or email LBCMASHadmin@camden.gov.uk. For more information visit camden.gov.uk/are-you-worried-about-a-child.

 

 

 

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