Designed to streamline and enhance the process of supporting adolescents across the city, the ASIL handbook is a valuable pan-London resource which draws on best practice and the experiences of professionals and young people across the region.
The handbook (available here) is a key resource for both those leading safeguarding initiatives and those working directly with young individuals. It offers a unified approach to safeguarding that reflects current research and practical experience across London. Its goal is to help all local authorities and professionals navigate the complexities of adolescent safeguarding effectively. Florence Kroll, the Director of Children's Services at Greenwich (and Chair of the London Adolescent Safeguarding Oversight Board), noted the value that this resource brings to London. Watch the launch video of the handbook below.
“Adolescent safeguarding is a complex system. We wanted to make sure all of London’s authorities had a handbook that helped them navigate through that complex system.” Florence Kroll, Royal Borough of Greenwich
“Adolescent safeguarding is a complex system. We wanted to make sure all of London’s authorities had a handbook that helped them navigate through that complex system.”
Florence Kroll, Royal Borough of Greenwich
The ASIL handbook brings together research, policy, and best practice examples from across London in a comprehensive resource that:
aides professional development through its detailed case studies and examples from different local areas, serving as a learning resource for social workers to enhance their skills and apply best practices.
emphasises multi-agency collaboration, the handbook facilitates better coordination among professionals, improving support for young people.
The ASIL handbook hopes to positively impact young people by providing a coherent framework, which improves their interactions with professionals and consequently their overall safety and wellbeing. For instance, the handbook’s practice section focuses on young-person centred engagement, hearing young people’s voices and working in partnership with parents, carers and communities. One social worker noted that the 'voice' of London's young people is heard in the resource.
“When I was exploring the handbook with young people in the borough it was highlighted that they felt heard. The handbook had large amounts of real accounts of what it’s like, this voice was reported to be essential to ensure the handbook feels credible.” Social Worker, London
“When I was exploring the handbook with young people in the borough it was highlighted that they felt heard. The handbook had large amounts of real accounts of what it’s like, this voice was reported to be essential to ensure the handbook feels credible.”
Social Worker, London
The launch of the second edition of the ASIL handbook is scheduled for late 2024. This refresh will respond to feedback (from both professionals and young people) and incorporate new policy and practices. This ongoing development ensures that the handbook remains a relevant and practical resource that enhances practice and supports better outcomes for young people.
Prior to the launch of the second edition of the handbook, the London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA) are hosting a webinar on September 24th at 10:30am in collaboration with Partnership for Young London.
The webinar features Colin Michel (the author of the ASIL handbook) and Luke Billingham (a youth worker at Hackney Quest), who will discuss the themes from their recent article on the impact of relational practice on safeguarding (available to read in full on the LIIA website). You can register for the event here.
To find out more about Safeguarding in London, visit the London Innovation and Improvement Alliance (LIIA) website.