DCSF funds NSPCC to boost third sector safeguarding standards

The NSPCC has been awarded £2.2m by the Department for Children, Schools and Families to set up a third sector safeguarding unit to improve child protection standards within charities.

The unit, which will be set up at the NSPCC National Training Centre in Leicester in conjunction with child care charity coalition Children England, will be a “one-stop-shop” for information and advice on safeguarding.

It will also establish a framework of child protection standards specifically for the third sector, and advise on recruitment practices for both paid staff and volunteers.

Specialist support

Junior children’s minister Baroness Delyth Morgan said that the unit would provide specialist additional support where it was needed. She added: “The role of this unit is to co-ordinate the work of any agency, charity or organisation working with a child or young person to ensure that every child can stay happy, healthy and safe.”

The NSPCC is planning to launch the unit, along with an associated website, in April this year.

NSPCC chief executive Andrew Flanagan said: “The third sector makes a major contribution to children’s well-being and development but it is vital they can reassure and demonstrate to parents that their children are in safe hands.”

The creation of the unit follows the cross-departmental Staying Safe consultation, which highlighted the need for tailored safeguarding support for the third sector.

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