Parents’ events to highlight ‘safeguarding issues’ for children and young people

PARENTS and guardians at two comprehensives in Swansea along with those from their feeder primary schools are being invited to events to learn more about some of the concerns children and young people face when out in their communities and the steps that can be taken to help to make them safe.

National Safeguarding Week
The West Glamorgan Safeguarding Board is organising the two pilot events as part of National Safeguarding Week.

The first event is taking place at Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive on Monday (Nov, 11) and the second is at Penyrheol Comprehensive the following day. Both run between 3.15 pm and 5.30 pm.

The pilot scheme gives parents a chance to find out about current national and local safeguarding issues including ‘County Lines’.

This is the term used when drug gangs from larger cities expand their operations to smaller towns and villages, often using violence to drive out local dealers and exploiting children and vulnerable people to sell or transport drugs.

A number of different agencies will be present at both events including South Wales Police and Swansea Council’s education, housing and children’s services.

There will be a chance to visit various information stalls and there will be a presentation on the current safeguarding issues facing communities delivered jointly by the police and children’s services.

Mark Child, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Lead on Safeguarding, said: “The safeguarding of all vulnerable people in Swansea, young and old, is the council’s number one priority.

“The aim of these two events is to arm parents with the information they need to understand the dangers and risks to young people, the signs to look out for, what to do if they have concerns and the help that is available.

“I think parents will find it informative and helpful and it will be well worth attending.”

If the two pilot events are a success then they may be rolled to other schools across the West Glamorgan Regional Partnership area.

National Safeguarding Week runs between Monday, November 11th and 15th.

The aim is to raise awareness about safeguarding issues and to reinforce the message that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

More than 40 events will be taking place at venues across the West Glamorgan Safeguarding Board area.