“Voluntary organisations and private sector providers play an important role in delivering services to children. They should have the arrangements described in paragraph 4 of this chapter in place in the same way as organisations in the public sector, and need to work effectively with the LSCB. Paid and volunteer staff need to be aware of their responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, how they should respond to child protection concerns and make a referral to local authority children’s social care or the police if necessary”. (Working together to safeguard children; a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children – March 2015)
It is difficult to acknowledge that abuse or harm could take place within your organisation but any group working with children is vulnerable. It is the responsibility of all of us to put the welfare of children and young people first, and to recognise behaviours that can put children at risk. Under the terms of the Children Act 2004, anyone up to the age of 18 is considered to be a child/young person.
All Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) organisations need to have appropriate arrangements in place for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. These arrangements should include –
- Procedures for staff (paid and unpaid) and others to report concerns they may have about the children and young people they meet that are in line with their Local Safeguarding Children Board’s procedures
- Appropriate codes of practice for staff (paid and unpaid), particularly those working directly with children and young people
- Recruitment procedures in accordance with Working Together to Safeguard Children Guide to Inter Agency Working, and the East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership (ERSCP). Access the ERSCP website (external website)
- Training and Supervision of staff (both paid and unpaid).
For more information on what support you might need for your group or organisation to keep children safe, please contact Detty Tyler, Children and Young People’s Services Co-ordinator on 01482 871 077 or email detty@ervas.org.uk.
Local Safeguarding Children Boards
For information on the local children safeguarding boards please look at the following –
Other Websites Relating to Safeguarding Children and Young People –
Not in Our Community – Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation
Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation
Child Exploitation and Online Protection
Churches Child Protection Advisory Service
Diocese of York Safeguarding Children
Guide to Free Domestic Violence Helplines