Safe Network is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The Department recognised the need for a tailored safeguarding support for the Third Sector following its Staying Safe consultation with charitable and voluntary organisations.
Safe Network, based at the NSPCC’s National Training Centre in Leicester, aims to build capacity of third sector organisations in England to safeguard children by:

• assisting organisations to put policies and procedures in place to prevent abuse within their activities or services
• equipping staff and volunteers to recognise children who may be at risk within their home or wider community and to take appropriate action
• helping organisations introduce safer recruitment arrangements to ensure they have the right people working with children. This will include advising them on the implementation of the new Vetting and Barring arrangements coming into force next year
• providing information on effective anti-bullying policies
• helping organisations reduce avoidable accidents to children when they take part in trips or activities
• providing information for parents and carers so they will know if organisations their children are involved in have sound safeguarding arrangements in place

Safe Network will provide authoritative information and advice through a high quality website - www.safenetwork.org.uk - and telephone helpline  - 0116 234 7217. It will also develop information and training materials for different audiences.

Safe Network will work with delivery partners with established networks – including parenting organisations – to reach as wide an audience as possible. Agencies such as the Independent Safeguarding Authority and Children’s Workforce Development Council will advise on safer recruitment and workforce development. It will reach out to disadvantaged groups and advocate for its safeguarding needs with government and key organisations.

Safe Network’s services will be provided – primarily through its website - to a wide range of third sector organisations that involve children in their activities or services including: local voluntary and community organisations; faith and black minority ethnic groups, cultural and leisure activities; large and medium sized national child care organisations; trustees and funders; parents, carers and children.

The NSPCC and Children England are responsible for the strategic management and co-ordination of Safe Network. They will be guided by an advisory group including representatives of the DCSF, key stakeholders and strategic partners. The NSPCC is contributing to recruit two extra members of staff and will also contribute to the costs of producing training and information materials.

Speaking at the launch at Church House, Westminster, Safe Network’s Director John Brownlow, who until now has been the NSPCC’s Head of Consultancy, said:

“We believe all children and young people have the right to feel safe. They should be able to enjoy participating in activities outside the home and to take proportionate risks, which are an essential part of growing up.

Our vision is for all children and young people taking part in organised activities with voluntary groups to be safe from harm. We aim to achieve this by offering information, training, high quality materials and tailored advice through our website and a telephone helpline.

We will work with partners who have expertise in these areas and use their networks to reach third sector organisations so they can introduce safeguards that are effective and sensible.

All of these things coming together will help keep children safe when they are taking part in local voluntary and community activities.”


Children's Minister Delyth Morgan said:

“Keeping children safe is a top priority for this Government and I am very pleased that the NSPCC and Children England will be running this new unit. Safe Network is a one stop shop for all charities and voluntary sector organisations, no matter how big or small, to get advice on the best way to ensure the safety of the children and young people they come into contact with, tailored to their specific needs.  There are already examples of excellent practice across the third sector and through Safe Network this good practice can be collected and shared so that it becomes common practice. Every child has the right to be safe and protected so they can take full advantage of all the advantages charities and voluntary organisations can offer them."


Maggie Jones, Chief Executive of Children England said:
 
“At Children England we know from our contacts with voluntary groups across England that keeping children safe is a top priority for them. We are pleased and proud to be working with DCSF and our partners NSPCC, giving the advice and help volunteers, parents and organisations need to provide safe environments for children and young people to learn and have a great time.”