Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector
The voluntary, community and faith sector play an important role in delivering services for children and families in Lambeth and they need to ensure that their services are fully compliant with safeguarding standards. There is an expectation that any voluntary, community and faith organisation that has been commissioned or is grant-funded in Lambeth is compliant with safeguarding requirements, or is working towards compliance with a view to completion by next year.
The LSCB have recruited a dedicated person to work closely with this sector in Lambeth in order to raise awareness and standards around the safeguarding of children and young people. The LSCB voluntary, community and faith sector safeguarding adviser is here to assist your organisation, community or group with developing effective safeguarding practice by providing advice and support on the following:
1. developing your safeguarding work and policies;
2. help with assessing your safeguarding standards and helping to improve them;
3. identifying your staff’s safeguarding training requirements and needs;
4. participating in safeguarding audits;
5. contributing to Serious Case Reviews and producing Individual Management Reviews;
6. specific child protection issues - please do not refer children about whom you have a concern. If you are worried about a child please contact the Referral and Assessment Team;
7. accessing appropriate safeguarding guidance and information material.
For support with any of the above and for any further information, please contact the LSCB safeguarding adviser for the voluntary, community and faith sector Serena Tommasino at stommasino@lambeth.gov.uk - 0207 926 4759.
A new government funded organisation has recently been created to assist voluntary agencies called Safe Network. The Lambeth Safeguarding Children Board recommend that voluntary agencies make full use of the training, policies and guidance available there, but ensure that all policies borrowed from there are cross referenced with those of the Lambeth Safeguarding Board to ensure local fit.
The LSCB has developed a Voluntary Sector Safeguarding Guidance tool to assist the voluntary sector in Lambeth and puts on training events that they can access free of charge through the Training Brochure. Both can be downloaded by clicking on the link.
On 16th July 2009 the LSCB supported the Commissioning and Performance Division of Children and Young People's Services (CYPS) to deliver a Safeguarding Conference to CYPS grant based or commissioned voluntary sector organisations . The power points and supporting policies from the event can be downloaded below.
Further events are anticipated later in the year. For further information about events coming up in the year will be sent by the CYPS Commissioning and Performance Division.
Presentation Voluntary Sector Safeguarding Conference
Revised London Child Protection Procedures 2008
What to do if you are worried about a child
DCSF Sharing Information Leaflet
Missing from Care Procedures Executive Summary
Safeguarding Children who may have been Trafficked
Sexually Exploited Children Policy
Abuse Linked to a Belief in Spirit Possession - Summary
Domestic Violence Protocol and Risk Assessment Matrix
Guidance on Safer Recruitment - 7 July 2008
Generic Safeguarding and Vetting Statement
AMA Safer Working Practice Guidance
LSCB Referral Form for Allegations Against Staff
Allegations-Concerns against child protection process PP Flowchart
LSCB Audit template for Allegations Against Staff Policy
Roles of Designated Officer - Allegations against Staff -Appendix_1
Safeguarding Guidance for Voluntary Sector
Safer Recruitment for Commissioned services July 2009
