The first surgery was chaired by Stephen Nicholls (Information Officer - @thesafenetwork) while Cate Meredith (Safeguarding Manager - @SafeGManager) and Simon Massey (Service Head - @simonheadof) provided responses to the enquiries.

During the surgery the team dealt with 10 enquiries which were a combination of ones received before the surgery and live ones during the two hour slot.  They covered a range of topics and allowed the team to signpost people to appropriate resource.

We were delighted with this first attempt at responding to enquiries from individuals and groups and we felt like we learnt a lot from it. We are aiming to run these on a monthly basis from now on.

We are also looking at having guest experts involved in future including the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) and the Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU)

Here are the enquiries and responses:
Q: What insurance do I need to setup a new group?
A: Gd question, important to consider. Safe Network SG Standards resource from toolbox - Link

Q: I work for a voluntary organisation, where can I get safer recruitment training? Can you help?
A1: Link & new modular training programme released Nov. CWDC-Link
A2: @NSPCC offering 50% off 5 places Safer Interviewing Skills Leeds 9Nov for VCS 08448921026 quote Safe Network

Q:Do you feel there is a lack of genuine care within the fostering sector?
A: Fostering not our focus but vital for #safeguarding children @NSPCC looked after children theme covers this area

Q: I keep hearing the phrase 'unregulated sports clubs', but I don't really know what that means - can you help?
A: Unaffiliated clubs are not joined to the sport's governing body & run for individual purposes Link

Q: What is a SCR?
A: It's a local enquiry following the death or serious injury of a child led by the LSCB For more info see Link

Q: What should I include in my #safeguarding policy?
A: Who it relates to, info re: SG, what to do if you have concerns. See Link
basic procedures: child protection, staff selection, anti-bullying, assessing & avoiding serious accidents

Q: What are the most important things to consider for my new youth club?
A: Basic procedures on child protection, staff selection, anti-bullying & ways of assessing & avoiding serious accidents

Q: Working remotely with volunteers in teens as peer educators, best practice guidelines?
A: Gd Q! Try @NCVYS  pages Link; @Beatbullying cyber mentors has good principles Link

Q: What blogging platform do you use with YP & how do you tackle #safeguarding issues?
A: Talk to the young people, families & ensure they know the risks & how to get help Link

Q: How do I involve children and young people more in my group?
A: Include them in writing bullying policies, in feedback about groups. @bycLIVE wrote great stuff for us Link

Join us next time Thursday 24th November 2011 between 2 – 4pm
**Guest expert -  Sarah Harris from the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).