What is National Safeguarding Day?
With the aim of empowering young people to take an active role in managing their own safety, the National Safeguarding Governing body, National Council for Voluntary Youth service, are asking everyone to STOP what they are doing, LOOK at their safeguarding practices and LISTEN to young people. National Safeguarding day is a chance to show commitment to the safety of young people by making a pledge to improve their safeguarding policies and standards.
Hosted on the 29th February 2016, National Safeguarding day empowers young people to take an active role in managing their own safety. This is especially relevant to young people involved in fostering as they can be at an extremely vulnerable stage in their lives. Making them feel safe and wanted can mean the world to a recently fostered young person.
It’s important to highlight National Safeguarding Day within the fostering community because it’s a decisive factor in the wellness of the young people in care. Being fostered can leave a young person in a vulnerable, fragile state, therefore schemes and initiatives like these to keep improving and pushing safeguarding are essential.
Making a pledge
You may be wondering what you can do to support the safe guarding Stop, Look and Listen Campaign. Here are just a few things you can do to get involved:
- PLEDGE to spend some time on 27th February running or attending a safeguarding session with young people.
- PLEDGE to offer space on your website for free advice and guidance on safeguarding.
- PLEDGE to set up any practitioner development workshops you can offer such as webinars or child protection training.
As Foster Carers why should we get involved?
Foster carers should get involved in National Safeguarding Day because it concerns all of us and our foster children. We want them to be themselves and feel safe. We should listen to their thoughts or opinions and act on them accordingly. As Foster parents we have a responsibility to be up to date with safeguarding and pledge our commitment to the initiative. With the webinars and focus groups available to us and our children, spreading the word and supporting the scheme is vital. For more information on safeguarding your foster children, please do get in touch with us today.