Business people are being urged to sign up to innovative new NSPCC training to help them spot children at risk of abuse and neglect.
The charity’s ‘It’s Your Call’ training is designed to give local businesses and sole traders whose job involves visiting customer’s homes, the knowledge and confidence to recognise possible signs of child abuse.
The safeguarding training, which covers all types of abuse, also provides them with guidance on who to tell if they have concerns about the wellbeing of a child they come across while working in or around customer’s homes.
Last year (2106-2017), the NSPCC’s Helpline referred 563 calls and emails to Northern Ireland agencies such as the PSNI or children’s services, the majority of which were from people concerned a child was being abused or neglected.
David Burns, NSPCC helpline manager for Northern Ireland, said: “Professionals who come into contact with people and their homes through their jobs, may see or hear things that others may not.
“While it is not their job to decide if what they have seen is abuse or not, it is their responsibility to talk to someone to discuss their concerns.
“Some may have already come across signs of child abuse or neglect and not known what to do about it.
“This course is designed to equip them with the knowledge and confidence to help them trust their instinct and report their concerns. By being prepared and knowing what steps to take they can make a real difference to a child’s safety and wellbeing.”
For more information about ‘It’s Your Call’ visit:
xa0www.nspcc.org.uk/itsyourcall,
emailxa0[email protected]
or call 0808 800 5000.
