1. Safeguarding and Volunteers Training
KNOWLE WEST MEDIA CENTRE

2. Aims of the Training
Understanding of what safeguarding and child protection and abuse is and what to do if you suspect any child abuse.
Understanding of confidentiality and professional boundaries and how to protect yourself as a worker.

3. What is Safeguarding?
The Government has defined the term ‘safeguarding children’ as:
‘The process of protecting children from abuse or neglect, preventing impairment of their health and development, and ensuring they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care that enables children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully.’

4. Definition of Child Protection
A broad term to describe philosophies, policies, standards, guidelines and procedures to protect children from both intentional and unintentional harm. In the current context, it applies particularly to the duty of organisations - and individuals associated with those organisations - towards children in their care.

5. Factors to determine child abuse
•What is the context of the behaviour? •Is the behaviour age-appropriate? •Are there cultural, gender, religious or other factors to consider? •Is the activity of a sexual nature? •Are forms of discipline proportionate to the bad behaviour committed? •Is the behaviour repeated or one-off? •How does the child feel about the behaviour - uncomfortable, embarrassed, humiliated? etc.

6. Definition of Child Abuse
According to the World Health Organisation, ‘Child abuse’ or ‘maltreatment’ constitutes ‘all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.’

7. Scenarios
In groups, discuss two case studies which you will be allocated. Each group should answer the following questions:
a) What should your organisation do?
b) What could you do to prevent it happening again?
Optional questions if time:
c) If you have a child protection policy, does it cover these issues?
d) How does the situation make you feel?

8. A Brief History of Safeguarding
The death of Victoria Climbie in Feb 2000 – review of CP services – importance of multi-agency working and sharing information - preventative and early intervention agenda.
By coming together and raising concerns that we can increase the likelihood of protecting children from harm and promoting their welfare so that fewer children have to face the terrible circumstances of Victoria Climbie.
Development of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and voluntary organisations play a key role in these forums.
Voluntary and community sector organisations are often the ones who work very closely with families and may be the most important service to a child and their family but this might not always be known to other agencies needing to support those families.
Show the video – the shit children say – at the beginning of slide

9. Confidentiality and Disclosure
"need to know" principle
You must respect people's right to confidentiality
Information sharing needs to have consent
You must disclose information if you believe someone may be at risk of harm

10. What do you do if a child discloses?
Stay calm and do not display any emotion such as shock, disgust or denial.
DO NOT ASK ANY QUESTIONS OR INTERROGATE
DO NOT PROMISE TO KEEP ANY SECRETS
Once the child/young person has made a disclosure, encourage them to keep the explanation to a minimum (ask open questions if absoultely needed)
Reassure the child / young person that they have done nothing wrong.
Let the child know that you what they have said is a very serious matter and that you will need to let your manager, a senior member of staff know straight away.
Protect yourself – make sure you are not alone with the child and that you alert a member of staff straight away. Write a full account of what has happened for your Manager and the Social Worker.

11. Protecting yourself Do not promise to keep secrets.
Avoid being on your own with a young person
Talk to your line manager about any issues with a child straight away
Maintain professional boundaries
Do not give out your personal information
Keep up-to-date with and read through policies in your organisation.
(not accepting gifts, not giving your personal information, no physical contact, setting a positive example, not being alone with a young person, speaking out if there is unacceptable behaviour, positive role model, language, treating everyone equally – not favorising anyone, keep distance from yp, no phsyical contact)