The enquiry surgery was chaired by Stephen Nicholls (Information Officer - @thesafenetwork), while Cate Meredith (Safeguarding Manager - @SafeGManager) Simon Massey (Service Head - @simonheadof) and our guest expert the Independent Safeguarding Authority (@ISApartnerships) helped provide responses to the enquiries.

During the two hour afternoon surgery the team and @ISAPartnerships dealt with 19 enquiries. You could follow the surgery using #safeguarding

Next surgery on Wednesday 25 January 2012, 10:00am-11:00am

Here are the enquiries and responses:
Q1 from @HannahTDC, is it ok to transport young people at my youth group to organised events in my own car? #safeguarding
Answer from @simonheadof, best practice to have more than 1 staff member & correct insurance - for own/child's protection. #safeguarding

Q2 from @karenwalkden, how do we equip YP with learning difficulties 2 protect themselves?Links to SRE delivery too. #safeguarding
Answer from @SafeGManager, #safeguarding, important 2 offer all yp access to info and help. See link

Q3 from @BanzyHan, can you tell me what an ISA referral is? thanks #safeguarding
Answer from @ISAPartnerships, it is made by an employer or organisation if it has concerns that a person has harmed/is a risk to children/v.adult 

Q4 from online enquiry service, how do I get in to working/volunteering with children?#safeguarding
Answer from @simonheadof, Check out SN volunteer pages link Other vol sites http://www.volunteering.org.uk/ http://www.csv.org.uk/ http://vinspired.com/ direct.gov.uk  #safeguarding

Q5 from @SuzannahBrown, my adult community choir is performing with YP at Chrimbo. What #safeguarding issues should we be aware of?
Answer from @SafeGManager Have a lead person for the yps who ensures the #safeguarding issues are covered. See link

Q6 from @Katebines, Pls could you clarify what CRB checks involve, who needs them and in what circumstances? #safeguarding
Answer from @ISAPartnerships, you would need to contact the CRB. Their helpline is 0870 9090811. Enhanced CRB do check corresponding ISA lists

Q7 from @tewkesey, is it correct that a barred teacher can still volunteer with children as long as they are supervised? Bit risky. #safeguarding
Answer from @ISAPartnerships, It is an offence to work with children (paid/unpaid) if on the Children's Barred list #safeguarding

Q8 from online enquiry service, I’m worried about a child that comes 2 a church club I run,what should I do? #safeguarding
Answer from @SafeGManager, #safeguarding check out your church procedure or ring NSPCC helpline 0808 800 5000. See also link

Q9 from @HannahTDC, many thanks for Q1 answer, what are the statistics like in regards to instances of abuse? #safeguarding
Answer from @simonheadof, @NSPCC released research, news item on SN site link #safeguarding

Q10 from @ackb2000, my friend's kids go to a street dance club, how could she assess the organisation? #safeguarding
Answer from @simonheadof Check out parent/carers info link & grps assessing selves link  #safeguarding

Q11 from @tewkesey, my baby has just started crawling. Please can you give me some safety tips? #safeguarding
Answer 1 from @simonheadof, check out @NSPCC  All Babies Count campaign #safeguarding.
Answer 2 from @Katebines CAPT's Now I can crawl I can... is a perfect guide to keeping 'crawlers' safe link

Q12 from online enquiry service, Why was ISA setup? #safeguarding
Answer from @ISAPartnerships, an inquiry after Soham found there should be 1 body making barring decisions about people unsuitable to work with ch/v.a

Q13 from @doogie192, When will the Vetting & Barring scheme come into action for the voluntary sector? #safeguarding
Answer from @ISAPartnerships, Although aspects of VBS were halted ISA makes barring decisions about people working/volunteering with ch/v.a

Q14 from online enquiry service, I'm self employed,how do i show i'm safe to work with children? #safeguarding
Answer 1 @ISAPartnerships, the ISA handles safeguarding referrals and cannot advise on CRB/employment matters. Call CRB 08709090811
Answer 2 @SafeGManager, u can’t get a CRB check on yrself. U can get a subject access check from police and have yr own #safeguarding policy.

Q15 from @calamityshell, who makes barring decisions? #safeguarding
Answer from @ISAPartnerships, a team of highly trained, skilled caseworkers make barring decisions with support from ISA's board

Q16 from @doogie192, where can volunteers find good guidance on how to write #safeguarding policy and procedures?
Answer 1@SafeGManager, help with writing #safeguarding policies etc on http://www.safenetwork.org.uk .Check out resources section
Answer 2 @simonheadof, also worth registering for the @thesafenetwork monthly e-newsletter, lots of update info & #safeguarding news

Q17 from @PSEducation2011, school Confidentiality, should #media & #social networking b in the policy?or is it a #safeguarding issue?
Answer from @simonheadof, #safeguarding issue if linked to cyberbullying or similar. Working with @Beatbullying on resources

Q18 from email enquiry Can i transfer my CRB from one place to another? #safeguarding
Answer from @SafeGManager, CRBs not currently portable but there's been talk about this happening as part of the new scheme. See link

Q19 from online enquiry service, what is meant by regulated / controlled activity? #safeguarding
Answer from @ISAPartnerships, Unfortunately regulated/controlled activity cannot be described in 140 characters. Please visit link