The NSPCC has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of their helpline. Since schools, sports and activity settings have closed, referrals to Children's Social Services have fallen dramatically. With millions of children remaining at home, there is a hidden group of children potentially at risk of abuse or neglect who are having much less interaction with statutory services.
Through the month of May the government has been supporting the NSPCC to expand and promote their helpline. If you're worried about a child or young person, you can contact the NSPCC helpline for support and advice for free on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing the charity at: help@nspcc.org.uk
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyone's lives - and this has brought a whole new area of concern about children. The NSPCC has already seen a range of new queries come in to the helpline, ranging from worries about domestic abuse, through to parents needing support with their children's mental health and behaviour.
With a range of online platforms now being used to host public meetings, the NSPCC is also warning of serious safeguarding risks as a result of a growing trend in Zoom calls being ‘bombed' with child sexual abuse images.
The charity has said a worrying pattern is emerging of public meetings held on the online platform being targeted by criminals sharing illegal and disturbing material, with law enforcement investigating a number of reports. The NSPCC is urging parents to supervise their children when using Zoom and conference organisers to take steps to secure meeting details and passwords.
The Head of Child Safety Online Policy at the NSPCC, said: Â"While the responsibility for this [crime] lies with those uploading this terrible footage, it's important to take precautions to lessen the risks posed to children and adults, including not sharing full meeting details and passwords on social media and only providing them to people you trust. Zoom needs to urgently act to protect their users, while all tech firms providing video conferencing services must immediately set out how they are responding to these very real risks.”
The NSPCC and O2 have published safety advice about Zoom on their Net Aware site which applies for all video conferencing services.
To help protect children, the NSPCC is receiving £1.6 million of government funding to expand and promote the helpline. This service is open every day with free support for anyone who's worried about a child - over the phone, via email or through the charity's online form.
Remember, home isn't always a safe place
Schools closing could put some children at greater risk of abuse and neglect. If you're worried about a young person, the @NSPCC are here. Call 0808 800 5000 (8am-10pm Mon-Fri/9am-6pm weekends) or email help@nspcc.org.uk at any time.
Children can contact Childline for free on 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk and speak to a counsellor about a worry or concern they may have 365-days-a-year.
Archery GB Safeguarding Officer:
We do appreciate that these are uncertain times and can present new safeguarding challenges. If you have any safeguarding concerns, contact the Archery GB Safeguarding Officer on the contact details as listed below:
Archery GB Safeguarding Officer:
Anne Rook:Â 01952 602792Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Email:Â anne.rook@archerygb.org
Archery GB Performance:Â Â
All Performance concerns should be raised with a member of the Performance Management Team.
Contact details are as follows:
Director of Sport - David Tillotson:Â david.tillotson@archerygb.org
Performance Co-ordinator:Â Stephanie Kelly:Â stephanie.kelly@archerygb.org
Take a look at Archery GB's guidance for safeguarding in sport and Covid-19 which is also shown as a downloadable link below.
