Safety Net 2012 Calendar

2012 Calendar and Annual Report

Working with Communities to Keep Children Safe Safety Net is a local charity that works with communities to help keep children and young people safe at home, school and in their neighbourhoods across Brighton & Hove and Sussex county.

Early Help The theme of our Calendar and Annual Report this year is Early Help; by this we mean how information and support can be provided to children, young people and families at an early point before things get too serious or reach crisis level.

We have highlighted examples of the early help work we have delivered to children and young people experiencing bullying and low self-esteem, and to families who are going through tough times.

We also show how our practical help can prevent harm to children through initiatives such as our home safety equipment scheme and the training and groups we run that give parents, children, volunteers and groups new skills and new opportunities to work together.

We believe that there is untapped potential in communities to keep children safe and we continue to use the Protective Behaviours programme to underpin our work around this.

Protective Behaviours is a useful framework that gives children, young people, families and communities the tools to improve safety for themselves and others.

A big thank you to all of the children, young people and families who have worked with us over the last year and to all of our partners in the community, voluntary and statutory sector who have supported us.

Terri Fletcher (Director) and Jean Spray (Chair)

Our Projects Work Together to Stop Bullying Playground Buddies Scheme works with primary schools across Brighton and Hove providing training and support to children who help make playtimes safer for other children who might have been bullied, or are feeling left out of games or activities.

SNAP (Safety Net Assertiveness Project) provides assertiveness training to children and young people aged 8-13 who have low confidence and self-esteem and may have experienced bullying either at school or in their communities.

Shooting Stars - Building Confidence and Resilience is a new project that will help children aged 8 – 11 to develop their confidence and aspirations.

Giving Children a Voice Participation Work Safety Net involves children through our Children’s Board and Forums, child-led projects and children helping other children at school and in their communities. Last year children designed their own web-site with tips, views and information on keeping safe – please visit www.safetynetkids.org.uk.

The Safety Net Award Ceremony is our annual event where children from schools across the city meet to celebrate the work they have been doing to keep children safe in Brighton and Hove.

Keeping Safe in the Community

Contact us:

01273 411613 info@ safety-net.org.uk

www.safetynetkids.org.uk

Protective Behaviours Safety Net uses the Protective Behaviours Safety Awareness Programme in our work with children, young people and families. Last year we delivered training to over 80 staff and volunteers and worked with Children’s Centres to run groups for parents, called ‘Feeling Good, Feeling Safe’. We also used Protective Behaviours to address stress in the workplace for small to medium sized enterprises working with children and vulnerable adults.

Preventing Accidents in the Home for 0 – 5’s www.safety-net.org.uk

Our Home Safety Equipment Scheme provides and fits home safety equipment to families living on a low income or whose children may be more at risk of accidents. The scheme works closely in partnership with Children’s Centres across the city. Our Home Safety Co-ordinator visits families at home and in community settings advising them about potential hazards to children in the home.

Safety Squads are children and young people aged 8-13 who are worried about safety in their community and want to do something about it. They consult other children and tell local adults how these issues affect them. Safety Squads have been successful in; getting equipment for their local parks, tackling graffiti, making school bus journeys safer and producing a personal safety booklet for children in their neighbourhood.

Let’s Protect offers safeguarding support for community organisations working with children and young people across the city. It provides child protection training, signposting, help with policies and advice about Criminal Records Bureau checks. We have also launched a quality assurance scheme for groups this year called Simple Quality Protects.

The Director of Safety Net is the elected representative for the Community and Voluntary Sector Forum on the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.

CRB Checking Service at Safety Net In 2010 Safety Net registered as a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Umbrella organisation. As well as processing CRB checks, we provide user-friendly information and advice about the requirements of CRB checks and dispel some of the myths around criminal records and employment or volunteering.

Support for Families Training to Keep Children, Young People and Families Safe We have over 16 years’ experience in running and developing Training Courses for workers and volunteers who support children and young people. We provide training in: Child Safety and Protection, Protective Behaviours, and Skills Development either as general courses or as tailor-made training for individual organisations.

Our Family Link project works with primary schools in East Brighton offering support to families with children aged 4 – 11. This includes; a home visiting service to help families going through a difficult patch; groups for parents like Triple P – the Positive Parenting Programme and Moving up to Secondary School (where parents can get information, share ideas and support each other); as well as workshops and activities where children and parents do fun activities together and make new friends.

Useful contacts Safety Net 01273 411613 www.safety-net.org.uk Help with bullying prevention, family support, protective behaviours, training and home safety

Allsorts

Children’s Centres

01273 721211 www.allsortsyouth.org.uk

Conway Court Children’s Centre

Support for young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or unsure

012173 266011 Clarendon Road, Hove BN3 3WR

Young Carers

North Portslade Children’s Centre

01273 746222 www.thecarerscentre.org

01273 294062 The Rise, Portslade BN41 2PY

RISE

Provides information, support and activities for young carers

Moulsecoomb Children’s Centre

01273 622822 www.riseuk.org.uk

AMAZE

Hodshrove Lane, Moulsecoomb BN2 4SE

01273 772289 www.amazebrighton.org.uk

Roundabout Children’s Centre

Advice and support to parents of children with special needs and disabilities

Whitehawk Road, Brighton BN2 5FL

Supports women, children and young people affected by domestic violence

Mosaic 01273 234017 www.mosaicequalities.org.uk Aims to empower and support black, Asian and mixed parentage families to combat racism and promote positive cultural and racial identity

Parents’ Forum 01273 294391 www.bhparentsforum.org Connecting parents of Brighton and Hove

01273 294040

01273 290300

Tarner Children’s Centre 01273 296700 Ivory Place, Brighton BN2 9QE

Hollingdean Children’s Centre 01273 295623

ACAS

Brentwood Road, Brighton BN1 7DY

01273 696970 www.oasisproject.org.uk

(Advice, Contact & Assessment Service)

Family Information Service

Support to prevent drug and alcohol related harm to women and their families

If you are worried about a child or young person’s safety

Oasis

01273 295920

01273 293545 www.familyinfobrighton.org.uk

Safety Net Needs You! As a registered charity we depend on people just like you.

Supporting us is easy, quick and (sometimes) free!

Do you have 5 minutes? £5.00 can help keep your local children safe

Take up a Sponsored Challenge

Donate instantly and securely at www.safety-net.org.uk/supportus/ donate-online

How about some time on a regular basis?

Volunteer

What about an hour?

Shop For Us

Do your normal shopping online through the Give as You Live App, and a proportion of your spend gets donated to us - at NO COST to you!

Download the App at www.safety-net. org.uk/supportus/give-as-you-live

Could you spare a day?

Organise an Event for Us Run a race night, pub quiz, car boot sale… the only limit is your imagination!

Ask your work to get involved Do a dress down day, have a collecting box, hold a cake sale perhaps?

Run, bike, swim, shave off your beard….what could you do?

Make a difference to your local community, learn new skills and have fun!

Or a week you’ll never forget? Challenge yourself Perhaps you would like to Ski to the North Pole? Trek to Everest Base Camp? Climb Kilimanjaro? Get inspiration at sign up for Safety Net at www.charitychallenge.com

Timeless Remember Us with a Gift in your Will

Leaving a legacy to Safety Net is a really special way to ensure local children are kept safe now and in the future.

Visit www.safety-net.org.uk/supportus to learn more.

Thank You!!

Success story Dylan was bullied for many years in school and as a result had few friends and almost no confidence.

Since Dylan found Safety Net, he is a new person.

He is very popular at school with both children and teachers and is always happy and has a very positive attitude.

Dylan has been involved with various activities within Safety Net and is always eager to help and very passionate in all that he does.

Recently Dylan has taken part in an interview on Radiofree promoting Safety Net with his friends. This is something he very much enjoyed, especially when he won the competition for designing the advertising poster.

Since then Dylan has told his personal story on BBC radio and has also appeared on the BBC news and website. This was to encourage donations to Children in Need and to show how their contributions have helped him and now he wants to help others like him.

This was a difficult, but very brave thing to do. He was a little star and has made everyone who knows and meets him, so very proud.

Well done Dylan!

By Dylan’s Mum Dylan was involved with Safety Squad and SNAP

January 2012 Monday

Tuesday

Things that you can do:

If we all work together we can make our neighbourhoods a better and safer place for children and young people to grow up in.

Wednesday

Look out for the kids in your neighbourhood

Get to know the names of children in your street

Thursday

Friday

Notice the good things that children and young people do

Think about how you could help a family in your neighbourhood

Saturday Find ways to work together to keep kids safe in your area

Sunday 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Notes

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

February 2012 Monday Think about what helps us to feel happy and safe?

Tuesday Who is around who could listen and help?

We all have the right to feel safe.

Here are some ideas you could try with your children:

Wednesday 1

Thursday 2

Friday 3

Saturday 4

Sunday 5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

Talk about feelings

Make sure children know the names for parts of their bodies

What does it feel like to feel unsafe?

What happens in our bodies?

What can we do when we feel unsafe?

Notes

web link www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

www.protectivebehaviours.co.uk www.safe4kids.com.au

Who is on your Helping Hand?

March 2012 Monday

Tuesday

Things to think about:

There is nothing so awful that we can’t talk with someone about it.

Wednesday

Thursday It could be someone 1

Who could you talk to if you had a worry or a problem?

Friday 2

Saturday 3

Sunday 4

at home, at school or in your community

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

29Can you draw your Helping Hand?

30 A safe person to31 talk to is someone who will: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Listen

Believe you

Be available

Take action to help you

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

Notes

www.samaritans.org

“When I’m scared I get a dizzy head, I cry and get a knot in my throat”

April 2012 Monday What are your Early Warning Signs?

Tuesday Do you get butterflies in your tummy?

Our bodies are clever, they tell us when we are unsafe.

We call these our ‘Early Warning Signs’.

Wednesday Do you get jelly knees?

Thursday Do you get sweaty palms?

Friday

Saturday

Do you get goose bumps?

Does your heart beat faster?

Sunday 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

If our Early warning Signs don’t go away, we need to do something to feel safe again, like telling someone, removing ourselves from the situation or thinking about our safe choices.

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

Notes

May 2012 Monday

Children aged 0—4 years old are the most at risk from accidents in the home.

These simple safety measures can help make sure your home is safe:

Tuesday

Things that you can do:

Wednesday

Do a home safety check to find out what the risks are in your home

Thursday

Make sure young children are supervised

Friday

Keep risky items out of reach

Use safety equipment to reduce risks

Saturday Fit a fire alarm and carbon monoxide detector

Sunday Be prepared, eg learn First Aid

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Notes

web link www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

www.ROSPA.com www.CAPT.org.uk

Where is your safe place?

June 2012 Monday Can you visit first or do a trial session?

Tuesday

We all need a place where we can relax and feel safe. If your children attend clubs and activities, these questions will help you know if it’s a safe place for them:-

Wednesday

Do all staff and volunteers have Police checks?

Thursday

Are there Safety policies which parents can see?

Is it a registered organisation?

Friday 1

Saturday 2 Find ways to

Sunday 3

work together to keep kids safe in your area

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

29 Talk to other parents and children – what do they say?

Notes

web link www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

www.safenetwork.org.uk www.brightonandhovelscb.org.uk

July 2012 Monday

It is adults’ responsibility to keep children safe, but it is also important to let children and young people share their views and ideas.

Tuesday

Things that you can do:

Wednesday

Practice safety ideas with your children.

Talk with your child about their interests.

Thursday

Friday

Stop and pay attention if your child wants to tell you something.

Spend time with your children to understand their views.

Saturday Visit the Safety Net kids’ website for useful tips and activities.

Sunday 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Notes

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

www.childline.org.uk www.rights4me.org

August 2012 Monday

Listen to children and young people’s worries, no matter how big or small.

Tuesday

Social Networks are exciting places for kids but can be a worry to parents, help keep your child safe online with these simple tips:-

Wednesday 1 Get to know

Thursday 2 Notice the good

the names of children in your street

Friday Saturday 3 Think about how 4

things that children and young people do

Sunday 5

you could help a family in your neighbourhood

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Notes

Always keep your personal stuff private and think about what you say and do

If you are worried or unhappy about anything you see online, tell a parent or an adult you trust

Remember that people online may not be who they say they are

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

Never agree to meet someone that you meet online

Block people who send you nasty messages

www.thinkuknow.co.uk www.kidsmart.org.uk www.cybermentors.org.uk

September 2012 Monday Before anything has happened, practice safety ideas with your children.

Tuesday

Here are some tips from parents to help keep children and young people safe:

Wednesday

Listen to what your children say and take notice of their feelings

Thursday

Check out people that you leave your children with

Friday

Keep an eye out for each other’s children, be a good neighbour

If in doubt, check it out. Talk to someone who can help

Saturday 1

Sunday 2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Trust your own instincts and encourage your children to do the same – it is usually our “gut” feelings that first tell us that something is not ok.

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

Notes

www.direct.gov.uk/yourchildshealthandsafety

support

October 2012 Monday These tips for parents might help:

Tuesday Try to spend time together doing things you both enjoy

Being a parent is hard and sometimes all parents need extra support.

Make sure you look after yourself.

Wednesday Give your child lots of affection and tell them you love them

Thursday Praise your child when they do something that you would like to see more of

Friday Model the behaviour that you want to see in your child

Saturday Set clear limits on your child’s behaviour, have clear family rules

Sunday Have realistic expectations

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

Notes

www.familylives.org.uk www.supportline.org.uk

November 2012 Monday

Tuesday

Use this technique in tricky situations:

No-one deserves to be bullied. We all have a right to feel and be safe. Let’s work together to stop bullying!

Wednesday

STOP

Thursday

THINK

Are you feeling unsafe?

Are you at risk?

Tell someone or get help if you need it.

Friday What are your options, there are more choices than you think

Saturday

GO

Sunday Choose your best option to stay safe.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

Notes

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

www.bullying.co.uk www.beatbullying.org www.bullyfreezone.co.uk

December 2012 Monday 200+ children helped to develop our kid’s website.

Tuesday

It’s good to celebrate the things that have gone well over the year, however big or small. Here are some of our successes, what were yours?

Wednesday

95% of children said they were more confident after our SNAP courses .

Thursday

265 people from 62 different community groups were trained in Child Protection.

Friday

96% of families saw a positive change after receiving family support from us.

Saturday 1 Find ways to

Sunday 2

work together to keep kids safe in your area

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

Our CRB Disclosure service undertook 874 applications 80% of which came from not for profit organisations.

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk

Over 200 families received home safety equipment.

Notes

Making a difference Helping Stop Bullying: 88% of Children in Key Stage 1 at Rudyard Kipling School said they felt safer because of their playground buddies scheme.

95% of children attending SNAP courses said that they felt more confident and able to deal with situations better.

Students at Longhill School conducted a questionnaire about bus safety to 882 of their peers and now report feeling safer on the buses.

facts and figures

Giving Children a Voice Over 200 children and young people helped to develop the Safety Net kid’s website.

Safer Communities Our Safety Squads were highlighted as an example of good practice in the National Report by Respublica called: “Children and the Big Society: backing communities to keep the next generation safe and happy” (2011).

Partnership work Last year we worked in partnership with the Fire Service, Police, Brighton and Hove Albion, Marine Safety and Communities Against Drugs to offer safety awareness courses to 84 children and young people in Whitehawk and Moulsecoomb. During Safety in Action week which provides safety sessions to Year 6 children, we provided sessions to 375 children from schools across Brighton and Hove.

Let’s Protect Child Protection Courses were delivered to 265 people from 62 different community groups during 2010-11. This compared to only 17 staff completing child protection training through the statutory sector.

Financial info SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS

RESERVES

2010

2010

£

£

Total income

466,578

General funds

82,075

Total expenditure

468,961

Less:

Net outgoing resources

-2,383

Tangible fixed assets

2,783

Funds brought forward

87,226

Total free reserves

79,292

Funds carried forward

84,843

The funds carried forward are made up of: Restricted funds

2,768

General funds

82,075

Thanks!

CRB Service During the Year 2010–11 our CRB Disclosure service undertook 874 applications, 80% of which came from not for profit organisations.

The service responded to 570 telephone calls and made approximately 2-3 client and group visits per week.

Supporting Families In 2010-11, 467 family members engaged in one or more activities.

An Independent Evaluation of our family support service found that: • 65% of parents said relationships with school had improved • 96% said there had been a positive change in the relationship with their children • 84% said the support had prevented family breakdown

Reducing Accidents in the Home for under 5’s In 2010-11, 139 families and 27 teenage parents received home safety equipment from the scheme. Since the beginning of the scheme in 2008 a total of 460 families have been referred to the scheme and received equipment.

We would like to thank all of our Staff and Volunteers in our Children and Young People’s Team, Family Link Service, Triple P Team, Home Safety Team, Let’s Protect Project, CRB Service, Protective Behaviours Project, our Training Team and last but not least our Admin and Support Team, all of whom work hard to provide these services and projects for children, young people and families in Brighton and Hove.

Thanks to our Board of Trustees who support and help develop this work and all of our partner organisations and funders who have helped to make the work possible.

Most of all a big thank you to all of the children, young people and families who have worked with us, shared their stories and showed such courage and determination to change things for the better. A special thanks also to the children who have contributed to the wonderful artwork in this calendar from: Rudyard Kipling Primary School, St Mary Magdalene, Carlton Hill, St Andrews and St Marks Primary Schools, Longhill Secondary School and the Cedar Centre.

Trustees:

Protective Behaviours Training

Jean Spray (Chair) Brendan Ward, David Ely, Jo Tulloch, Dee MacDonald, Patricia Cunningham, Bob Skinner

Protective Behaviours training was delivered to 80 staff and volunteers and will be delivered next year to families through all Children’s Centres across the city.

Our Funders

Work Well Project: reducing stress in the workplace Outcomes after the training have included: a more communicative workforce, a happier workforce, less absenteeism due to stress and increased productivity.

The Big Lottery Children in Need Brighton and Hove Primary Care Trust Brighton & Hove City Council Brighton and Hove Local Safeguarding Childrens Board The LankellyChase Foundation Safeguarding Children e-Academy Community of the Blessed Virgin Mary Rotary Club of Brighton

Safety Net Manor Offices, Emmaus, Drove Road, Portslade BN41 2PA 01273 411613 info@safety-net.org.uk

www.safety-net.org.uk www.safetynetkids.org.uk Charity registration number 1108772 Company Registration 05319388 Design + communications: SImon Bottrell at 7creative