Information Bulletin
14 September 2004
Keeping our Children Safe in Partnership with the Voluntary Sector
Children and young people have a right to have services provided to them in a child-friendly and safe way. Ensuring a safe environment for children and young people is the responsibility of all organisations and community groups working in Shetland.
The Scottish Executive, through the development of National Standards, is emphasising the requirement that all agencies establish and promote good practice in the area of child protection. The need for this is all too evident from cases highlighted in the press such as Soham. Likewise, from a local perspective it is recognising that Shetland is not immune to child protection issues. Last year in Shetland of 51 children referred for child protection concerns, 30 were serious enough to require joint investigation by the Police and Social Work, and in other cases the referrals enabled timely help to be offered to children and their families.
The voluntary sector provides a wide range of activities for many children and young people through out Shetland. It is recognised that many of these groups are run by a small number of dedicated local people giving up their time to support activities in their local communities.
To assist all voluntary organisations an Independent Project Manager has been appointed to support the voluntary sector to promote and develop child protection and safety guidelines suitable for use in their organisations.
This project will involve contact with voluntary agencies known to be working with children and young people to identify existing good practice, to highlight any issues and concerns groups have about child safety and to discuss and develop information and support that would be useful to the voluntary sector in promoting child protection.
Fiona Robertson, the Independent Project Manager, is starting the project now (September 2004) with a completion date in March 2005. Fiona will work with a steering group reporting to Shetland's multi-agency Child Protection Committee. Funding for this project has been obtained by the Child Protection Committee through Shetland Community Safety Partnership funding, to assist the voluntary sector in meeting the child protection standards expected by the Scottish Executive.
Sandy Cluness, the Convener of the SIC feels that "This project should make it easier for groups to put in place measures that will help us maintain Shetland's reputation as a great place to bring up a family"
The first stage of the project will be to meet with voluntary groups providing services and activities for young people. 25 groups will be identified for face to face interviews with other groups being contacted through the post. However, if any group wishes to make direct contact to discuss any issues relating to this project they are welcome to phone Fiona Robertson on 01950 460373.
The aim of this project is to promote child protection and safety to ensure a safe environment for our children and young people in Shetland.
Further information from: Dr Sarah Taylor, Chair of Shetland Child Protection Committee, Tel: 01595 743072 or Jacqui Watt on Tel. 01595-744001.