Summer Activities Advice For Parents From SSCB

The following article is shared from the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board. We hope you find it useful in making your preparations for the summer holiday.

When we talk about safeguarding, lots of people think about schools being responsible for children while they’re there.

But the classroom isn’t the only place it’s important to make sure that children are safe and well-cared-for.

Ensuring your child's safety

With summer fast approaching, you’ll be thinking about the activities your children could get involved in during the school holidays so you can enjoy a few extra hours of freedom.

But you’ll also want to make sure your children are safe.                          

There are lots of activities organised by other people, including volunteers, which children and young people can get involved in. These activities can really help with children’s development, help them make new friends, gain confidence and learn new skills.

Most of the people leading these activities have children’s best interests at heart, but it’s not essential  for all activity leaders to undergo safeguarding training to properly care for and be aware of any problems your child may have.

Questions to ask - Remember C.H.E.C.K

Abuse can take place in a variety of situations. Following the historical issues within the Football Association, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Boards feel it’s important parents and carers are aware of some of the checks they may want to make before their child starts an activity, and that activity leaders know about their responsibilities.

Keep them safe in activities this summer. It’s okay to C.H.E.C.K with the people leading the activity:

  • C- Are you confident they have the right qualifications to lead the activity?
  • H-Do they have a history of delivering activities?
  • E- Are they experienced in running activities for children and young people?
  • C- Have they undergone any necessary police checks?
  • K- Do they have a good knowledge of their safeguarding responsibilities?

Remember, you can ask to see evidence if you are unsure.

Choosing summer activities

Please read our Tips to help you choose summer activities page for further information.

https://www.staffsscb.org.uk/ParentsCarers/Be-Activity-Wise-advice-for-parents/Tips-to-help-you-choose-summer-activities.aspx