Be Activities Wise this summer

There are thousands of activities for children and young people taking place right across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent this summer.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Boards are calling on activity leaders and parents to ‘be activities wise’ to help keep children and young people safe this summer and make sure parents and activity leaders are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities.

If you’re a parent or activity leader and want to find out more about your safeguarding responsibilities and how you can be activities wise, visit your local safeguarding children board website:

Stoke-on-Trent: www.safeguardingchildren.stoke.gov.uk  and click on the Be Activities Wise link in the left-side menu

Staffordshire: www.staffsscb.org.uk/beactivitieswise/parents

Activity leaders

If you lead activities with children and young people, don’t forget to C.H.E.C.K. your safeguarding responsibilities.

If you lead activities for children and young people, it’s important to keep on top of your safeguarding responsibilities. Remember to check:

Are you confident that you’re qualified to lead the activity? Do you have a history of leading similar activities, and any supporting references? Are you experienced in working with children and young people? Have you undergone any necessary police checks? Do you have a good knowledge of your safeguarding responsibilities?

For more advice, visit your local safeguarding children board website:

Stoke-on-Trent: bit.ly/EStokeleaders or call: 01782 232200

Staffordshire: bit.ly/EStaffsleaders or call: 0800 1313 126

Parents – It’s okay to C.H.E.C.K!

There are loads of great activities for kids and teens taking place over summer. If your kids are going to be getting involved in activities, it’s important to make sure they’re safe. Remember, it’s okay to check with activity leaders if you’re unsure:

Are you confident that they are qualified to lead the activity? Do they have a history of leading similar activities? Do they have experience of leading activities with children and young people? Have they undergone any necessary police checks? Do they have a good knowledge of their safeguarding responsibilities?

For more advice, visit your local safeguarding children board website:

Stoke-on-Trent: bitl.y/EBAWStokeparents or call: 01782 232200

Staffordshire: bitl.y/BAWEStaffsparents or call: 0800 1313 126

Are you activities wise?

There are loads of activities for children and young people taking place across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire this summer. These activities can help them to develop hobbies and interests, learn new skills, make new friends and gain confidence.

Safeguarding is everyone’s business. It’s important that parents know of the checks they can make to help keep children safe when taking part.

1. Are you confident that the people leading the activities are qualified to do so?
2. Do you have a history of leading similar activities? Can I see a reference?
3. Do you have experience of working with children and young people?
4. Have you undergone any necessary police checks?
5. Do you have knowledge of your safeguarding responsibilities?

It’s also useful to ask:

1. Do you have a photography policy? (such as getting parental consent before taking any photos)
2. Do you have a safeguarding policy?
3. Have you done any safeguarding training?
4. Are you, or any of the adults involved, first aid trained?
5. Are you insured to run this activity?

Don’t forget, it’s okay to C.H.E.C.K. – confident, history, experience, checks, knowledge.

Visit your local safeguarding children board website to find out how you can be activities wise:

Stoke-on-Trent: bitl.y/EBAWStokeparents

or call: 01782 232200

Staffordshire: bitl.y/BAWEStaffsparents or call: 0800 1313 126