Practice Tools
Our Practice Tools have been developed through multi-agency collaboration in response to learning identified from reviews and feedback or requests from practitioners.
SUDI Practice Tool (PDF, 2024) (under review June 2026) - A thematic review of sudden unexpected deaths in infancy (SUDI) in Southend, Essex, and Thurrock led to the development of this tool. This tool is available for practitioners across all agencies to use. Find out more about Safer Sleep.
Engaging with father figures - practice tool (PDF, 2024) - In Essex, a practice tool has been developed to help practitioners have conversations with fathers and families with the aim of positively including them in work with their children. Studies show that when fathers/father figures are engaged early on, children have better educational, emotional, and social outcomes. Find out more about working with male carers.
Safety Planning Practice Tool (PDF, 2025) - During reviews including Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews (CSPRs) and Multi-Agency Case Audits (MACAs) there were inconsistencies in the meaning of a safety plan in different organisations. The plans ranged from verbal advice through to very comprehensive plans which may not have been aligned to each other. This guidance has been produced to help create a better shared understanding.
Physical Chastisement Practice Tool (PDF, 2025) - This practice tool includes a list of questions/prompts aimed to support curious conversations with parents/care givers to consider the child’s lived experience. It aids the identification of both protective factors and potential risks, and to consider how possible risks might be mitigated. The practice tool should support planning for children and families within organisations and networks.
Race, Ethnicity, Culture and Religion Practice Tool (PDF, 2026) - This practice tool has been designed for practitioners to help them to feel confident having conversations to explore a child and family's identity. Using the prompts from this tool will help you to gain greater depth of understanding of each child and their family and the core components that underpin a child and family’s identity.
