The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) has launched a new safeguarding scheme in the UK, designed to help non-statutory organisations in the voluntary and commercial sectors better protect children and young people.

The Staying Safe Commitment Scheme can be used by either small or large groups and aims to raise awareness of the need for policies and procedures to protect children while also reassuring parents.

It is hoped that the new scheme will also be able to raise confidence levels in staff and, in doing so, strengthen a participating organisation’s reputation.

Fiona Becker, a senior consultant within the NSPCC’s training and consultancy team, said: “We want organisations to consider implementing child protection measures before something goes wrong, just as they would health and safety measures, so that risks to children are minimised.” Details: www.nspcc.org.uk