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The NSPCC Schools Service: working to protect children in Wales

The NSPCC Schools Service: working to protect children in Wales

Date: 17th January 2020 | By: national

The National Children of Wales Awards are proud to be supporting the NSPCC (National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children) Cymru/Wales, helping it continue its work supporting children, young people and their families throughout Wales.

One aspect of this work is its service to schools. Every week of the school term trained volunteers and staff from the Schools Service at NSPCC Cymru/Wales deliver free ‘Speak out. Stay safe’ assemblies and workshops to local primary school children. The sessions empower children, aged 5-11, to understand how to recognise and report abuse in an accessible, interactive, and age-appropriate way.

Offered free of charge to every primary school, in the last academic year the children’s charity delivered the safeguarding sessions at 436 primary schools across Wales, reaching 80,257 children with the help of its popular mascot, Buddy.

In the average primary school classroom, at least two children have suffered abuse or neglect. That’s why it is vital that children are equipped with the knowledge and skills to speak up if something doesn’t feel right, assured that a trusted adult, such as a teacher, will act to keep them safe.

“It can be difficult for teachers and parents to know how to tackle this sensitive but incredibly important subject,” said Candia Crosfield, Schools Manager – South West and Wales Region.

“Through our Speak out. Stay safe. programme we talk to children about the different types of abuse and let them know there are people out there who can help them.”

NSPCC Cymru/Wales is able to offer this important service to primary schools thanks to donations, which the charity relies on to fund 90% of its operations. A donation of £3 can help the Schools Service team reach one primary school pupil, giving them the knowledge to know what to do when something isn’t right. A £90 donation will cover the costs of delivering an assembly to 30 primary school pupils, and £580 will help reach a whole school of children.

Tailored workshops are available for SEND schools, and assemblies and workshops can be delivered in Welsh and English.

Schools can request an NSPCC school visit via the NSPCC Learning website at nspcc.org.uk/speakout

Anyone interested in volunteering for the Schools Service in Wales can contact 0121 227 7577 or email volunteerrecruitment@nspcc.org.uk. The service is currently appealing for more Welsh-language speaking volunteers.