#AreTheySafe
In 2020, NAVCA was commissioned by the National Lottery Community Foundation to create a national campaign to tackle the issue of underreporting of safeguarding concerns, specifically amongst staff, volunteers and trustees in the voluntary sector.
We formed a partnership with two of our members, Community Action Suffolk (CAS) and Basingstoke Voluntary Action (BVA), to tackle the issue. This partnership used the following plan to develop and share the #AreTheySafe campaign.
The issue of underreporting of safeguarding concerns was identified because historically people have seen or heard signs of abuse or neglect but failed to report them.
A YouGov poll (2013) states the reasons child abuse or neglect is underreported is the fear of:
• Falsely accusing someone of abuse (59%)
• The consequences on the victim (39%)
• Splitting up a family (17%)
• What would happen to the accused (17%)
• What happens next (15%)
It is also important to understand that not all safeguarding concerns look alike, that you understand the main categories of abuse in children and adults, and how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse.
By removing the stigma of reporting and creating a greater understanding of safeguarding, we can change the behaviours of people witnessing potential abuse and neglect, and empower people to speak up and help people in abusive or neglectful situations receive the support they need.
Use the link below to download the campaign pack which includes:
- A2 poster
- A5 flyer
- Social media cards – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
- Email footer
- A template social marketing plan – adaptable to your organisation and your audience
#AreTheySafe Partners
Safeguarding Podcast – Voluntary Impact Northamptonshire
The purpose of the podcast is to raise awareness of Safeguarding for members of staff, volunteers, and trustees in the voluntary sector. The podcast features a range of guests from organisations in Northamptonshire such as Right Resolution CIC, Age UK, NDAS, Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board, North Northants Council and Northamptonshire CCG.
The five episodes in the series cover the following topics: Roles and Responsibilities, Policies and Procedures, Recognising and Reporting Risk, and Recruitment and Criminal Record checks.
Rural Safeguarding Conference – Community Action Suffolk
Community Action Suffolk delivered a rural safeguarding conference (via Zoom) focusing on safeguarding issues in rural areas including: isolation, domestic abuse, elder abuse – safeguarding adults with dementia, mental health and safeguarding, balancing safety with need for community. The event was opened to organisations across England to attend, with a range of national and local speakers across multiple sectors.
Slides from Anthony Douglas CBE – Independent Chair of the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership
Slides from Lyn Romeo – Chief Social Worker for Adults
Slides from Katherine Ahluwalia – Training Manager for Lighthouse Women’s’ Aid
Online information sessions for volunteers in the East Midlands region – Bassetlaw CVS
Bassetlaw CVS have created three online courses which raise awareness of safeguarding requirements when working with volunteers with different needs, including a particular focus on young people (aged 16-18) and those over 18 with mental health issues.
Peer-to-Peer Mentoring – Third Sector Leaders Kirklees
TSLK have set up a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme which is currently supporting three local organisations with their Safeguarding needs. These Safeguarding Leads will feel better supported, and less isolated in their role as a result of the project. They have also increased their local Safeguarding Network from 36 members to 44 members, developed and piloted new training resources on ‘Understanding Boundaries’ in response to sector needs and created a new ‘Introduction to Safeguarding’ workshop to support smaller community groups and volunteer-led organisations.
Safeguarding training and a West Yorkshire Safeguarding Board and VCSEs Workshop – Voluntary Action Leeds
VAL have been able to deliver 2 free training sessions: one Level 1 Working Together to Safeguard Children & Young People, and a pre-entry level Basic Safeguarding course to over 25 local organisations. As well as this, they hosted a workshop for VCSEs with the West Yorkshire Safeguarding Board to discuss the development of their new single ‘gateway’ (a web-based tool) for organisations to complete a ‘section 11’ self-assessment (an assessment of safeguarding effectiveness). This session improved local VCSEs' understanding of the tool and how it will improve safeguarding processes throughout West Yorkshire.
Our safeguarding work has enabled us to connect with the DBS Regional Outreach team, who focus on the national and corporate elements of the DBS’ work, to provide local level support and build regional relationships by acting as the first point of contact for the DBS. The Regional Outreach Advisors’ job also run training and information sessions, and feed back to DBS about needs in their area.
We were able to introduce some of the DBS Regional Outreach Advisers to local organisations through our ‘Every Person, Every Conversation: Are They Safe?’ events which took place in 2021. We found that there was a lot of value in building relationships between the DBS and VCSEs to make sure there is easy and consistent access to vital Disclosure and Barring information and updates. We then hosted a full DBS overview event and wrote a blog post about our reflections on this.
Here is the current list of DBS Regional Outreach Advisors and their contact details:
North West: Jordan Hayden - Jordan.Hayden@dbs.gov.uk
North East: Beth Dale - Beth.Dale@dbs.gov.uk
East Midlands: Lizzie Whittington - Elizabeth.Whittington@dbs.gov.uk
Greater London: Kiranpreet Rehal - Kiranpreet.rehal@dbs.gov.uk
East of England: Georgina Mitchell - Georgina.Mitchell1@dbs.gov.uk
Yorkshire and The Humber: Rebecca Bool - Rebecca.Bool@dbs.gov.uk
West Midlands - Joanne Wheatley - Joanne.Wheatley1@dbs.gov.uk
South East - Kelly Matthews - Kelly.Matthews@dbs.gov.uk
Wales: Carol Ann Eland - CarolAnn.Eland@dbs.gov.uk
Northern Ireland: Allister Woods - Allister.Woods1@dbs.gov.uk
General Mailbox: dbsregionaloutreach@dbs.gov.uk
