POCSA
Voluntary Sector Training Pack
And Guide

Some important national developments relating to the care and protection of children and young people

It is important that your care and protection policies and guidelines reflect national best practice. At the time of developing this material, two national developments should impact on your care and protection work; these are the:

• Children’s Charter;
• Framework for Standards.

The Children’s Charter

The Charter is made up of 13 statements which are presented as statements from children and young people to adults; these are:

• “Get to know us”
• “Speak with us”
• “Listen to us”
• “Take us seriously”
• “Involve us”
• “Respect our privacy”
• “Be responsible to us”
• “Think about or lives as a whole”
• “Think carefully about how you use information about us”
• “Put us in touch with the right people”
• “Use your power to help”
• “Make things happen when they should”
• “Help us be safe.”

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The Framework for Standards

The Framework is written for all staff and agencies involved in the protection of children and young people both directly and indirectly. It includes the voluntary sector. It applies to all staff and volunteers who work with children or any adults who are parents/carers or have significant contact with children and young people. Voluntary sector organisations that are not commissioned or contracted to provide services to children do not have to comply with the standards set down in the Framework.

Both the Children’s Charter and the Framework for Standards should help you to think about and reflect on (for example):

• How you view children and young people and their rights;
• How you respond to a child or young person who tells you they are being harmed/abused or when this is suspected;
• How you manage confidential information about a child and their family;
• How effective your referral procedures are;
• The steps you take to recruit workers and how you check their suitability to work with children and young people;

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You can get copies of the Children’s Charter and the Framework for Standards from the Scottish Executive’s website – www.scotland.gov.uk/childprotection