We have a new Safeguarding Policy Statement which outlines what The Boys’ Brigade does to keep children and young people safe.
We are currently reviewing and updating all of the supporting safeguarding policies, procedures and guidance. These will be available in early 2024 within a new Safeguarding Hub on our website.
View the Safeguarding Policy Statement online
We can all play a part in keeping children safe online, but in order to do this, we need to understand the harms that children and young people can face. The Children’s Society and NSPCC have some really useful guidance for parents/carers, which are also suitable for volunteers.
The NSPCC has been campaigning to make the internet safer for five years. Finally in October 2023 the Online Safety Bill was passed. This requires companies that operate online services (including chat and instant messenger platforms, online gaming, and photo and video sharing services) to be legally responsible for keeping people, especially children, safe online.
The Bill has been shaped by young people who have experienced child abuse online, and their families who have been impacted. You may have read in the media about the campaigning by the parents of Molly Russell. The inquest into her death ruled that self-harm and suicide content online had contributed to her death.
During the five years that the NSPCC has been campaigning, their research has shown there has been an 82% rise in online grooming crimes and a 66% increase in child abuse image crimes.
There are currently over one million children in schools who manage lifelong medical conditions (Diabetes UK). Around one in 11 children in the UK are living with asthma (NHS UK).
BBHQ is working on resources/guidance to support young people with health conditions to safely attend residentials, and help leaders feel confident and able to support them.
In the meantime, the following is not an exhaustive list but gives an idea of some of the necessary steps to be undertaken. Remember planning in advance is essential.
If you would like any advice or guidance please contact us at safeguarding@boys-bigade.org.uk