Resources to improve practice

In Waltham Forest we have built a culture of continuous learning and development. This work is led by the Learning and Improving Practice Forum that ensures learning from reviews and audits is shared across the multi-agency partnership.

The aim of the forum is to provide a think family approach to learning and improving practice across the four strategic boards:

We have developed a variety of resources to support how we improve practice, and these can be found below.

Training

We do things differently in Waltham Forest. All four boards work closely to make the best use of resources, which enables the greatest impact on improving outcomes for our residents. Our training offer centres around the priorities and areas of practice that are of interest to all the Boards. This also includes training from other regional and local partners.

View and sign up to FREE training and events from:

Professional curiosity resource

Professional curiosity is a combination of looking, listening, asking direct questions, checking out and reflecting on information received. This resource pack aims to raise awareness about the topics we want to embed into practice

Professional curiosity resources pack (PDF)
Professional curiosity (bitesize video)

A guide to thresholds and practice

The London Threshold Document: Continuum of Help and Support provides a framework for professionals who are working with children, young people and families.

Our Guide to Thresholds and practice for working with children and families in Waltham Forest (PDF) aims to help practitioners understand and apply our approach to working with children, families and communities locally. It sets out our vision and values, and the role and responsibilities of all agencies to work together so that every child in the borough has the best possible outcomes. You can watch this video about the threshold guide using this link Bitesize video - Thresholds and practice for working with children and families in Waltham Forest

Adults’ Threshold Guidance (PDF) and Threshold guidance adults bitesize video set out the role and responsibilities of all agencies working together to ensure vulnerable adults are safeguarded in Waltham Forest.

Keeping children and young people safe outside their home

Adolescent Safeguarding in London is a practice handbook for anyone who works with children and young people experiencing harm or at risk of harm from outside of their family lives. This harm could include sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, County Lines, trafficking, modern slavery, online abuse, and extremism that leads to radicalisation.

The following resources provide further local information on this topic:

Safeguarding in the community, voluntary and faith sector

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. If you are worried that a child or adult with care and support needs is at risk of harm, it is your duty to raise a safeguarding concern. This document gives an overview of resources and telephone numbers for reporting concerns.

Safeguarding in the community, voluntary and faith sector
Safeguarding Awareness for Volunteers (bitesize video)

Self-Neglect Multi-Agency Guidance

This guidance is for anyone who supports an individual who self-neglects or is at risk of self-neglect. See the document for information on various aspects of self-neglect including, indicators, advice on how to start a difficult conversation and fluctuating capacity.

People at the Heart of our place

In Waltham Forest, we recognise that in order to support families to make changes that are helpful and long-lasting, we need to work with all the members of the family. If we understand and recognise that the needs and desired outcomes of each person in the family affect each other, we are more likely to support and enable sustainable change.

People at the Heart of Our Place (PDF)

Mental Capacity Guidance

The Multi-agency mental capacity guidance (PDF) provides information on various aspects of assessing mental capacity; including a flowchart to signpost professionals to appropriate routes of support; advice on how to have a difficult conversation and how to support fluctuating capacity when a resident is abusing substances. There is also a detailed case study section to guide professionals in supporting residents where their mental capacity is being impacted in different ways.

Find out more about Mental Capacity in Waltham Forest.

Pressure care

A pressure ulcer, often known as a pressure sore or bed sore, is damage to the skin and deeper layer of tissue under the skin. This happens when pressure is applied to the same area of skin for a period of time and cuts off blood supply. It is estimated that nearly half a million people in the UK will develop at least one pressure ulcer in any given year.

Love great skin booklet (PDF)
Preventing pressure ulcers flyer (PDF)

Safer sleeping

Safe sleep messages and resources (PDF)

Read latest Spotlights (2021/23)

Read previous Spotlight bulletins:

Spotlight on alcohol (PDF)
Spotlight on violence against women and girls (PDF)
Spotlight on improving practice (PDF)
Spotlight on escalation (PDF)
Spotlight on challenging the culture of knife crime (PDF)

Read 7 Minute Briefings

Bitesize Video Guides

Learn about the four strategic boards in Waltham Forest

We are proud of how differently we do things in Waltham Forest, with the boards working closely to achieve the best outcomes for our residents. We want to ensure as practitioners you feel connected to this work.

You can watch our Bitesize films or if you prefer, read the scripts.