Following its national launch at the end of last year, ChildLine
is now rolling out a new programme in Sussex, to help younger children’s
understanding of abuse and how they can stay safe. Using assemblies and
workshops delivered by volunteers, ChildLine will help children recognise
situations where they may need help and tell them how to access support.
Sessions are sensitively tailored to ensure topics are covered in a way which
children understand.
All children have the right to be happy and safe, but many suffer
abuse in silence, unable to speak out. The ChildLine Schools Service is aimed
at primary age children, particularly focusing on nine to 11 year olds, and
aims to help them understand what abuse is,including bullying, how to protect
themselves and where to get help and support if needed.
The ChildLine Schools Service needs
volunteers to deliver
assemblies at local schools followed by an interactive workshop a week later.
The presentations and messages delivered at schools have been
developed alongside children, parents, carers and teachers. They are sensitive,
age appropriate and engaging. The Service is provided
free of charge and focuses on primary school children, aged nine to 11 years
old. By 2016, the ChildLine Schools Service aims to visit every primary
school in the UK at least every two years.
Full volunteer training and
support is provided by ChildLine, alongside the opportunity to make a real
difference to local children as part of a committed team. Interviews will take
place in Brighton on 17 and 18 April and training will start for successful
applicants on 22 May.
Amanda Rocca, ChildLine Area Co-ordinator
for Sussex, said: “Research undertaken by the NSPCC shows that the majority of
children who contact ChildLine for advice, information and support are over 11
years old. However we know that the majority of children who are subject
to a child protection plan are under the age of 11.
“These younger children are not connected
so much with the outside world. In fact, their world is quite small. So if
abuse is happening to them at that age, then it’s very difficult for children
to speak up. That’s why we want to educate children earlier and ensure
they know how to keep themselves safe or seek help if they need it.”
In keeping with ChildLine’s long history
of volunteering, the schools service will be led by volunteers. They will
be trained to deliver safeguarding assemblies and interactive
workshops. All materials will be provided and volunteers will be given
regular training and support.
Amanda Rocca continued: “What’s key about our Schools Service is
that we need a great team of volunteers. It is very much about mobilising
the community and to make child protection everyone’s responsibility.”
First piloted in 2010, there are two phases to the new
service. The first is a school assembly that provides definitions of
abuse, places to go for help and an introduction to ChildLine. The second
phase takes place one to two weeks later and is an interactive classroom-based
workshop where the messages are reinforced.
Find out more…
For more information about volunteering for the ChildLine
Schools Service, please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/schoolsservice,
or view the latest recruitment video at www.nspcc.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer-your-time/help-in-schools/schools-service-volunteer_wda85310.html.
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