London steps up safeguarding advice

A London-wide project is attempting to strengthen third sector safeguarding procedures in a bid to help voluntary organisations win more contracts from local authorities.

The initiative, which is being led by one of London’s regional safeguarding advisers, will provide charities with advice on safeguarding policy and practice.It is hoped this advice will help charities improve their ability to engage with local authority commissioning procedures.

Kay Bell, the adviser leading the scheme, believes the voluntary sector’s contribution to safeguarding has been underplayed in the past.

“We’re looking at how the sector can come up with a much more robust safeguarding offer for the boroughs,” she said. “It’s really important to remember that the voluntary sector plays a big role in terms of safeguarding children, particularly in the area of early intervention, as well as the more targeted services.”

Maggie Jones, chief executive of the umbrella organisation Children England, whose members are involved in the project, said the regional safeguarding advisers are key if charities are to keep abreast of rapidly changing policy, especially on issues such as serious case reviews.

“This work is building capacity,” she said. “It can be hard for our members, particularly the smaller charities, to feel confident about safeguarding. Now we have the opportunity to work with our safeguarding colleagues and learn from each other.”

The project, which is in its early stages, is part of the wider London Safeguarding Children Board scheme.