SAFEGUARDING

SAFE NETWORK FOR CHAMPIONS AND PARTNERS - click here for the latest briefing that covers:
? The highlights, practice and progress for the July – Sept period,
? the Core Standards 2012 and their further evolution,
? ISA : The Duty to Refer
? The latest from the Child Accident Prevention Trust and
? a snapshot of Children England’s wider work.
(Posted 21/12/11)

CRIMINAL RECORDS - Third Sector magazine has reported that the Government is considering charging volunteers to use the ‘portable' criminal records checking system that is due to come into force in 2013. It says that "under the system, laid out in the Protection of Freedoms Bill currently before parliament, there would be two types of criminal records check: a one-off check and a portable one based on a continuously updated criminal records database, which would allow an individual to work or volunteer for a number of organisations. A Home Office spokesman said the one-off check would remain free for volunteers. He said, however, that the government was looking closely at whether volunteers would have to pay a yearly subscription fee to have the portable check."  Read more .... (Posted 16/12/11)

THE BULLYING INTERVENTION GROUP (BIG) has set up a national anti-bullying award scheme that helps schools and other children and young people's services  achieve award status. A school develops a portfolio of evidence over time. They get online support and resources to work towards excellence, with updates on policy and research. When they are judged to have achieved all the criteria, they are given the BIG Award. Parents who see the BIG Award logo can feel confident that this school has key elements in place. If bullying occurs it will be dealt with effectively. Parents can hold their school to account. BIG works with their partners to ensure that every child’s right to be safe is upheld in schools and services for children. Awards are renewed annually. Bullying Intervention Group is a not for profit social enterprise. It will award schools and services and sits alongside the Diana Anti-Bullying Award for Children and Young People. (Posted 09/09/11)

CHILDREN ENGLAND BRIEFING ON MUNRO RECOMMENDATIONS - Children England has published a briefing on the Munro Review. The briefing is provided on behalf of the Department for Education's overarching strategic partnership  which aims to support the evolving economy and infrastructure of the whole voluntary, community and social enterprise sector serving children, young people and families.  (Posted 6/7/11)

E-SAFETY HELPLINE LAUNCHED - The UK's first ever helpline for professionals, specifically dealing with e-safety issues has been launched. The helpline is part of the UK Safer Internet Centre (www.saferinternet.org.uk) and is for all professionals and volunteers who work with children and young people, and aims to address online safety issues they face, both professionally and personally. The helpline, based in Exeter, is available by email via helpline@saferinternet.org.uk or from 10am to 4pm (Mon to Fri) on 0844 381 4772. Visit the UK Safer Internet Centre website.  Visit the Safeguarding pages on the Excellence Gateway (Posted 16/5/11)

POSITIVELY SAFE - Download this practical guide to Safeguarding for workers, parents, children and young people from Children England. (Posted 15/06/10)

THE SAFE NETWORK Take a look at this invaluable website for the third sector to support all organisations and groups that offer services and activities for children, young people and their families.  Look at the tools, guidance and good practice case studies to help keep children and young people safe from harm.

WORKING TOGETHER TO SAFEGUARD CHILDREN The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) have published the updated Working Together to Safeguard Children: A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The document comprises of two parts. Part one is issued as a statutory guidance and part two as a non-statutory practice guidance. The guidance sets out how organisations and individuals should work together collaboratively and share information to ensure that children are sufficently safeguarded. (Posted 22/03/10)

 VETTING AND BARRING – this is a useful ‘myth buster’ that identifies examples of when you won't have to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority ISA under the new scheme.  (Posted 25/02/10)

REGIONAL SAFEGUARDING REPORT A Regional Safeguarding report has been produced by the Regional Youth Work Unit in conjunction with the Safe Network, Children England and the NSPCC.  Click here to see a copy of the report (Posted 24/11/09)

EQUAL PROTECTION FROM ASSAULT - The Children's Commissioner for England, along with the Commissioners from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, strongly supports the removal of a reasonable punishment defence to allow children the same protection from assault as all other groups of people in society are entitled to. To read the case for a change in the law please see: Equal Protection from Assault