Press Release

1 March 2006

Organisations providing activities or services for children and young people can benefit from a new safeguarding scheme launched on 7 March 2006 by the NSPCC.

The Staying Safe Commitment Scheme has been designed to help large and small non-statutory organisations in the voluntary and commercial sectors in England and Wales take their first steps towards protecting children and young people.

Evidence from a number of high profile cases has shown that children and young people can be at risk of abuse when taking part in community, recreational, leisure and faith activities.

The Staying Safe Commitment Scheme aims to raise awareness and understanding of the need for policies, procedures and practices which not only protect children and young people, but also reassure parents, give confidence to staff and volunteers and strengthen the organisation's reputation.

Fiona Becker, Senior Consultant, NSPCC Training & Consultancy, said: "We want organisations to consider implementing child protection measures before something goes wrong, just as they would consider fire, health and safety measures, so that risks to children and young people are minimised."

The NSPCC's Staying Safe Commitment Scheme helps organisations keep up with recent key changes in childcare policy and fulfil their obligations:

1) contributing to the Government's commitments to children and young people in Every Child Matters (England) and Rights to Action (Wales)

2) helping to meet the principles set out in the Children's Act 2004

3) helping organisations establish clear procedures for vetting people working with children
For more information about the NSPCC's Staying Safe Commitment Scheme visit www.nspcc.org.uk/commitmentscheme. For queries or to request an interest pack (available in English and Welsh) please email commitment@nspcc.org.uk or call 0116 234 7276 (England) or 01978 310192 (Wales)

MEDIA ENQURIES:
For further information contact Luisa Clarke at the NSPCC press office on 020 7825 1385 or email luisaclarke@nspcc.org.uk. For out-of-hours queries call 07976 206625.

NOTES:

1) To be awarded an NSPCC Staying Safe Commitment certificate of recognition an organisation will need to provide NSPCC with the following evidence:

• A child protection policy statement endorsed by the head of the organisation (or equivalent)
• Child protection procedures on what to do if there are concerns about a child's welfare or safety
• The name of a 'designated person' in the organisation who is responsible for the implementation of the child protection policy and procedure
• Confirmation that the organisation has full public liability insurance
• A self assessment and action plan identifying how the organisation plans to put in place further safeguarding measures e.g. safe recruitment and selection, codes of practice and behaviour, and education and training.

2) Written guidance and access to advice and training opportunities will be available to organisations to assist them to achieve the commitment scheme requirements

3) The NSPCC Staying Safe Commitment certificate will be awarded for a two year period during which there will be a review process if organisations wish to renew their commitment.

4) The NSPCC is asking organisations to cover costs of the commitment scheme. There is a sliding scale of charges in order to help smaller organisations:

• Commercial/Private: £250 + VAT
• Voluntary/Charity/Community: £195 + VAT
• Organisations with fewer than five full time equivalent paid staff: £125 + VAT