Safeguarding Community Network
The Safeguarding Community Network provides support for people working in the VCSE sector to access information and advice on safeguarding practice, and to learn from local practice reviews where people have come to significant harm. It ensures that children, adults with care and support needs, carers and the local community have a voice in developing children and adult safeguarding practice.
How often does it meet?
The Safeguarding Community Network meets online every three months for around two hours providing a space for learning and reflection on emerging safeguarding themes, and an opportunity for peer support with day-to-day practice. Network members can also help identify issues of concern.
What does it do?
One issue identified by network members is the apparent under-reporting of discriminatory abuse. The Safeguarding Community Network approached the Involvement Matters Team about this, which acts as a reference group for people who have learning disabilities. Many members of this group had directly experienced discriminatory abuse and agreed to co-produce a video with East Sussex County Council about their lived experience:
ESCC Involvement Matters Team - discriminatory abuse awareness campaign short version
ESCC Involvement Matters Team - Discriminatory Abuse Awareness campaign full version
Who does it involve?
The Safeguarding Community Network works together with people who have lived experience and is moving towards recruiting a Chair who has experience of Social Care.
It is always open to new members so if you work in the VCSE sector and want to know more then please contact info@escv.org.uk.
The network feeds into the East Sussex Adult Safeguarding Board and East Sussex Safeguarding Children’s Partnership. More information about safeguarding children and adults can be found on their websites.
