Firstcheck: a step-by-step guide for organisations to safeguard children : NSPCC inform

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Firstcheck

A step-by-step guide for organisations to safeguard children

A step-by-step guide to help you develop your child protection policies and procedures

Firstcheck (2nd edition, 2006) provides advice on developing a code of good child protection practice and is supported by professionally qualified NSPCC staff who can assist you if you have any difficulties.

Firstcheck will help your organisation to prevent abuse and protect children
Firstcheck promotes best practice in all areas of your work with children

Take action

All organisations working with children need to have sound child protection policies in place. Using Firstcheck, effective action to protect children in your organisation won't be as daunting as you think.

Children have the right to be safe and happy in the activities they choose - and in most cases parents and carers can have confidence that the organisations to which they entrust their children will look after them.

Unfortunately, sometimes people who work with children pose a risk to them. Firstcheck is designed to help childrens organisations to take simple steps to prevent this happening and create safe and enjoyable environments for children and young people.

Who needs Firstcheck?

Firstcheck is specially designed for all organisations, clubs, charities and groups that provide activities or services for children, such as:

youth and community activities
creative pursuits, like music, drama, painting and crafts
vocational activities
recreation and leisure
faith based or linked activities
day care, after-school and play schemes
and many others.

Why use Firstcheck?

Firstcheck is your organisations health check - the first check to assess whether your organisation is safe and child-friendly. For example, by using our Safetycheck self-assessment tool you will identify what safeguarding measures may be appropriate for you. Then, using the guidance and templates you can develop your own individual child protection materials.

Features

Firstcheck is an attractive and accessible pack, divided into four
cross-referenced sections:

using the pack - simple introductory guidance on using the materials
putting safeguards in place - all the background information necessary to
begin to plan your materials
working in partnership - helping you to properly involve children, parents and other organisations who can help
safetycheck - a self-assessment tool.

These sections are supplemented by four annexes of detailed information and templates, for ease of cross-reference and photocopying.

The advice is relevant for organisations throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. We also produce a bilingual version of Firstcheck (Prawfcyntaf) in Welsh and English.

Support, advice and expertise

Firstcheck is part of a range of services offered by NSPCC Consultancy.

When you have completed your work on policy and procedures, our specialist consultants can help by checking, revising if necessary and endorsing your work. Alternatively, we can work with your organisation in greater depth. Our consultants can assist in all aspects of implementing your organisations procedures including a training strategy. There are additional costs for these services, which may be negotiated.