Working together to keep children and vulnerable adults safe in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire and York Safeguarding Week 24 – 28 June 2019 #nyysw19

This regional campaign aims to raise awareness around identifying signs of abuse and neglect, and to encourage people to help prevent it by reporting it. It is also an opportunity to acknowledge the positive work of safeguarding agencies across the county who continue to protect children and vulnerable adults.

There will be a number of free information events across North Yorkshire and York during Safeguarding Week (24 – 28 June), including public displays for anyone wanting to find out more.

On Monday 24 June, Explore libraries in York will host information stands throughout the day for residents to collect safeguarding material. Residents are also invited to drop in to the café at Acomb Explore Library between 10am–12noon on June 25 to talk to council experts about safeguarding. City of York Council social workers for both adults and children will also be talking to the public and answering their questions at West Offices’ customer centre throughout Safeguarding Week. A full list of events running throughout the week is at: https://www.york.gov.uk/SafeguardingWeek

Officers from North Yorkshire County Council will be holding workshops throughout the week. This includes offering advice along with police officers on avoiding illegal money lenders, at locations Whitby, Scarborough and Malton. Council experts will talk about the danger of being stalked and how to report it, while the CAB (Citizens Advice) bus will visit Northallerton and Catterick to share safeguarding information with residents.

North Yorkshire Police will also be engaging with residents throughout Safeguarding Week, attending events in York where they will talk with vulnerable people including those who sleep rough and those living with dementia. Among their conversations, officers will advise on how to stay safe, avoid fraud and how to report concerns.

The region’s second Annual Safeguarding Week Conference will take place on Tuesday 25 June and bring together over 350 professionals from across North Yorkshire and York. The conference in Harrogate, will focus on domestic homicide, and modern slavery and human trafficking. This will include looking at domestic abuse and stalking, as well as cross-county boundary drug networks – known as county lines – suicide prevention and adult self-neglect.

For more information on Safeguarding Week 2019 please visit: https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/sgweek2019.

Julia Mulligan, North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“A huge amount of time and effort goes into keeping children and vulnerable adults safe across North Yorkshire and York. There are many organisations and individuals involved, so I hope Safeguarding Week shines a spotlight on the crucial and demanding work they do, as well as providing an opportunity for them to come together and share best practice.

“Safeguarding Week is also a chance to ensure everyone is aware of the key role we all have in identifying the signs of abuse and neglect in our communities, and ensure action is taken to stop it. If you have concerns, it’s important to speak up and take action and I hope the events of this week ensure that happens more in the future.”

Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: ”

When safeguarding is effective, the most vulnerable in our communities are less likely to suffer the trauma and long-lasting distress that abuse and neglect brings. Whether these signs appear in children or vulnerable adults, or whether modern slavery is suspected, we all have a part to play.   In Safeguarding Week, we want to help more people understand that safeguarding is everyone’s business and to recognise that they should report their concerns so as to help prevent it.”

Cllr Michael Harrison, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Adult Services and Health Integration, said:

“Safeguarding people is a top priority for North Yorkshire. Councils, the NHS, Emergency Services, the voluntary sector and care providers work with people to help prevent abuse and to tackle it when and where it happens. Safeguarding Week is an important part of raising awareness and encouraging people to look out for others and to report any concerns they may have.”

Lisa Winward, Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police, and Chair of the North Yorkshire and York Systems Leadership Group, said:

“The week of activities across North Yorkshire and the City of York provides an ideal opportunity for all professionals involved with protecting vulnerable adults and children to promote the great work they do every day to keep people safe from harm.

“It allows our communities to develop their understanding of how professionals work within a multi-agency arena to support and care for individuals, but equally important, how individuals can make themselves safer from incidents such as fraud or where help can be found.

“A significant event during Safeguarding Week is the conference with subjects being presented which are important to professionals from all the partner agencies, and which are intended to increase their knowledge and experiences to help keep communities safer.”

For information about types and signs of abuse in children, visit: www.safeguardingchildren.co.uk/; or www.saferchildrenyork.org.uk/

For further information about types and signs of abuse in adults, visit: www.safeguardingadultsyork.org.uk/ or www.northyorks.gov.uk/safeguarding-vulnerable-adults