The voluntary and community sector have an important role to play in the support and safeguarding of vulnerable children, young people and families. In the Wakefield district, there is a large and very diverse community of voluntary organisations, from small, local groups to larger organisations providing services that are commissioned by organisations such as Wakefield Council and NHS Wakefield District. This includes faith groups.

Voluntary sector organisations who want to ensure that they are safeguarding the children and young people they work with can gain support from two main bodies:

The Wakefield and District Safeguarding Children Board

The Safeguarding Children Board provides support to the voluntary sector in a number of important ways. Firstly, we offer free online Child Protection training to anybody who works with children, young people or families (either paid or unpaid) in the district. We also offer a programme of multi-agency taught courses on various aspects of safeguarding and Child Protection and these are all free of charge. Our training brochure can be found in Related Downloads.

We also offer support in the development and review of policies and procedures related to safeguarding children, Child Protection, safer recruitment etc. Organisations who wish to use this service should contact Richard Fawcett (WDSCB Business Manager) on 01977 727037 or rfawcett@wakefield.gov.uk

The Young Lives Consortium

The Young Lives Consortium is a voluntary sector organisation based in Wakefield whose primary purpose is to offer support to the part of the voluntary and community sector that works with children, young people and families. The Young Lives Consortium can offer support in all aspects of work, and provide a strong network with regular meetings, newsletters etc.

However The Young Lives Consortium also have a dedicated Safeguarding Development Worker, who enables them to provide specific support on aspects of safeguarding and Child Protection, including training, development and review of policy and procedures etc.

The Young Lives Consortium have their own website (www.ylc.org.uk see Related Links) and can be contacted on 01924 304345.

The Young Lives Consortium’s newsletters, and guidance on safeguarding children in the voluntary sector, can both be found in Related Downloads.