Community, voluntary and faith groups play a huge role within the community by providing services and support to children and their families. They can often be the first point of contact for local families, children and young people needing help and support and are therefore well placed to recognise and respond to the signs of child abuse or neglect.
To support these organisations in their safeguarding responsibilities, Hampshire Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Isle of Wight Safeguarding Children Partnership have developed a Community and Voluntary Organisations Toolkit.
The toolkit is free to access and available to anyone working with expectant parents/unborn babies and children and their families across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It includes resources to support safeguarding processes and governance as well as information on different types of abuse and what to do if you are concerned about a child. Cases studies that you can work through with colleagues are also incorporated, as well as access to free training to support community and voluntary staff in recognising potential indicators of abuse.