Voluntary Action Lewisham

Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board is responsible for overseeing safeguarding in our borough.

NEW! The Safe Network supports community organisations with safeguarding. It offers free advice, resources and training. Check it out NOW by clicking here!

To ensure the safety of the children, young people and vulnerable adults you work with at all times, it is your responsibility to:

1. Keep your Safeguarding Policy up to date

• This policy is essential if you work with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults. It sets out your commitments and procedures for keeping them safe.
• Click here for guidance and templates from The Safe Network.
• Click here for useful guidelines and a checklist from LVSC.
• Click here for further guidance from the Charity Commission.
• Click here to order your 'Are They Safe?' Pack from The Safe Network.

2. Make sure you are understand the requirements of the new Vetting and Barring Scheme from the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

• All individuals working with children and young people will be legally required to register with the ISA by November 2010. The Registration process will open in July 2010.
• For more information please download the ISA's toolkit by clicking here.

3. Ensure staff have enhanced Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks where appropriate

• Staff and volunteers must have a CRB check for each organisation where they have direct contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults
• CRB checks are processed by agencies. Checks for volunteers cost much less than checks for paid staff.
• Agencies which members have recommended to us in the past include Wrighton Education Service (020 7564 0480, email info@wrighton-education.com) and Human Resource Background Checks, a convenient online service.
• Once a CRB disclosure is returned, it is the manager's responsibility to decide whether it is safe for that individual to work with children and young people. Click here for an excellent Checklist from London Voluntary Sector Council (LVCS) on safe and responsible use of the CRB process in recruitment.
• For further guidance visit the Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board website (tel: 020 7138 1446) and the Criminal Records Bureau website (tel: 0870 90 90 811)

4. Ensure you are OFSTED registered if you need (or want) to be

• All childcare providers caring for children from birth to five years old must register on OFSTED's Early Years Register and deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).
• Most childcare providers caring for children from five to eight years old must register on OFSTED's Childcare Register. Some providers are exempt - click here for more details.
• Some providers who are not obliged to be on the Childcare Register may chose to join the Voluntary Childcare Register. As well as helping you ensure quality, this may help you gain access to further resources - for example, Lewisham Children's Centres training is open only to VCS childcare settings with OFSTED registration.
• For more information and registration forms, visit the OFSTED website or call them on 08456 404040.

5. Make sure staff, including volunteers, are well trained and up-to-date

• Lewisham Safeguarding Children Board offers free Safeguarding training on different topics and at different levels. Click here for this year's Training Programme or call 020 7138 1285 for more info.

6. Ensure at least one staff member is trained in using the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and ContactPoint

• CAF and ContactPoint are systems which support practitioners in sharing information about vulnerable children. Click here to learn more and access free training.

7. Stay informed of new developments

• Policy and practice around Safeguarding is constantly developing. Check this page regularly for updates.
• Check The Safe Network for support and information aimed at voluntary and community organisations. 
• The London Safeguarding Children Board website contains a wealth of updates and useful information.

For help or more information on any of above, please contact kate@valewisham.org.uk or call me on 020 8314 7018.

Information in British Sign Language (BSL)
Lewisham Council have made films in British Sign Language about the abuse of children and vulnerable adults - click here to view them.