Caithness.org News Bulletins

RELAUNCH OF CHILD PROTECTION GUIDANCE

Community groups in the Highlands are welcoming the relaunch of a policy, which aims to ensure the safety and protection of children while attending community or sporting activities.

The Highland Child Protection Committee has revised, updated and reprinted its child protection policy for community groups, incorporating many of the issues that groups frequently ask for. These include advice on what constitutes substantial access to children, vetting, and how to maintain confidential records. The policy is written in a user-friendly way that enables groups to work through it and adopt it as appropriate for their circumstances.

Arthur McCourt, Chief Executive of The Highland Council and Chairman of the Highland Child Protection Committee, said that children have the right to be protected from abuse and harm at all times and in all situations. Child protection was the responsibility of every adult who has an involvement with children. He said: "At this time of understandable concern about the safety of children, community groups are anxious to ensure that they are doing all that they can to protect the children and young people they work with.

"The Highland Council has endorsed the child protection policy as a positive step forward in helping community groups to improve the safety of children in their care. It now expects the policy to be adopted by all voluntary organisations, which involve children and which wish to use our facilities, or seek to receive financial assistance from the council."

Many voluntary sport and leisure groups work with children, and some organisations offer a service and support to children and families. The Highland Child Protection Committee has worked with The Highland Councils Cultural and Leisure Services to develop a child protection policy for use by all such groups. The policy was introduced to groups through a series of presentations and question and answer sessions across the Highlands.

Any group wishing a copy of the revised document should contact their local Highland Council Cultural & Leisure Services office.  Community Education will also be able to get hard copies for you if required.

The full copy of the updated policy is reproduced in our Community Pages.  Click Here

Caithness Sport Culture & Leisure
Wick 01955 607771

Caithness Community Education
Wick 01955 604523
Thurso 01847 895782

Caithness  Council Service Points Are -
Wick  01955 607702
Thurso 01847 894545