Home Truths Campaign
T.A.L.K

Home Truths is Internet Watch Foundation's latest campaign to help prevent the creation of self-generated child sexual imagery online. In 2020, we confirmed 68,000 cases of self-generated imagery, a rise of 77% on 2019. Self-generated imagery accounts for nearly half (44%) the imagery we took action on last year.  In 80% of these cases, the victims were 11- to 13-year-old girls. Any child, no matter what their background, with unrestricted access to internet-connected devices, is at risk. We want to build resilience to the threat of self-generated sexual abuse of children, thereby reducing the number of incidences. We want parents/carers to have an increased awareness of this problem and feel motivated and equipped to protect their children. Parents are encouraged to T.A.L.K to their children about the dangers.

• Talk to your child about online sexual abuse. Start the conversation – and listen to their concerns.
   
• Agree ground rules about the way you use technology as a family.
   
• Learn about the platforms and apps your child loves. Take an interest in their online life.
   
• Know how to use tools, apps and settings that can help to keep your child safe online.

Help us spread the word and close the door to online child sexual abusers. More info and resources at talk.iwf.org.uk.

Please see the following message below from London Borough of Hillingdon

Dear parents, carers and foster carers, 

To follow up from the recent email relating to an invitation to a witness session regarding a Committee review of persistent absenteeism, please find some clarifications below: 

• Please be reassured that this invitation has gone out to all parents/ carers/ foster carers of young people within Hillingdon, and is not a reflection of your child(ren)’s rate of attendance. Apologies for the confusion.
• The intention is to hold one session with all parents, carers and foster carers who are happy to participate.
• The session will enable the Councillors on the Committee to ask you questions about your experiences of your child(ren) being absent from school.
• Example questions that the Councillors may ask:
  • Has your child experienced any difficulties in attending school on a regular basis?
  • If so, what were the main causes of these difficulties?
  • How did these difficulties affect your child(ren)?
  • How did you overcome these difficulties?
  • What is the Council or your child(ren)’s school doing to help you with this, and are these methods effective?
  • What could the Council do to help improve your child(ren)’s attendance?
• Purpose of the review
  • The Select Committee agreed to consider the issue of attendance/ persistent absence of statutory school age children in Hillingdon, including how this has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Please be advised that the Committee chose to review this topic because it is one that affects schools and families across the country.
  • It is intended that the review will support the work of the Attendance Support service in helping to shape its ways of working, identifying areas of weakness and how overall engagement with parents and schools can be improved.
• What does the review aim to achieve?
  • To identify the prevalence and patterns of persistent absenteeism in children in Hillingdon
  • To explore the root causes and contributing factors of persistent absenteeism in children in Hillingdon
  • To consider the impact of persistent absenteeism on academic outcomes on children in Hillingdon
  • To review the effectiveness of existing interventions and policies in place for children and families struggling with persistent absenteeism in Hillingdon
  • To review and identify the trends and patterns of persistent absenteeism when considering demographic factors such as age, race, religion, wealth and disability, as well as considering differences between the North and South of the borough.
  • Subject to the Committee’s findings, to make any conclusions, propose actions, service and policy recommendations to the decision-making Cabinet
• Examples of issues that can affect school attendance:
  • Health issues (e.g. illness/ mental health)
  • Socioeconomic factors (e.g. poverty/ housing instability)
  • School environment (e.g. bullying/ school culture)
  • Academic challenges (e.g. learning disabilities/ lack of relevance)
  • Transportation issues (e.g. lack of transportation/ transport costs)
  • Peer influence (e.g. peer pressure)
  • Communication barriers (e.g. language barriers)
• The Committee has already conducted a number of witness sessions as part of this review with key partners including:
  • Council Education officers
  • Schools
  • Children’s services officers
  • Young people

Thank you,
Democratic Services
democratic@hillingdon.gov.uk 

Hillingdon Christmas Card Competition

The Hillingdon Christmas Card Competition is Back! Our residents (of all ages) are invited to submit a festive image related to the borough and 1 winning entry from two categories, one for entries submitted by adults and one for cards designed by children aged under 18 years old, will be selected by Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Edwards, to feature on this year's corporate Christmas card. For more details, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/christmas-card  

Last years winning entries below: