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Mindful Emotion Coaching Training must include Safeguarding Updates ....... as we work with the children and young people's workforce in Somerset we will remind them what children and young people say. These quotes are from the children and young peope's version of Working Together:

The Children’s Rights Director asked children and young people what they thought teachers should do to help keep them safe:

• check that children are eating at school and aren’t too hungry;

• talk to parents and build a relationship with them;

• don’t tell the parents what a child has said – it could make things worse;

• be someone they can trust; • don’t tell other teachers what they’ve told you;

• be someone that deals with it straight away, not six days later;

• be careful how you word things – don’t annoy parents the child has to go home to;

• look for children who are withdrawn or who start bullying others; and

• don’t get too friendly to try to get children on your side.

The Children’s Rights Director asked children and young people what they thought social workers should do to help keep them safe:

• be qualified (and, preferably, have some experience of being a parent yourself);

• be trustworthy and able to share information appropriately;

• be good listeners;

• be good at explaining what is happening (including where children have difficulty communicating or speaking);

• avoid asking the same question over again;

• be ready to answer children’s questions;

• be able to tell when a child doesn’t want to talk about something;

• be available and see children often (children are not going to want to talk to you if you don’t make the effort to get to know them first and build up some trust);

• be willing to take action rather than putting things on file;

• make children aware of dangers;

• be more protective of primaryage children;

• keep an eye out for dangers;

• do more home visits and see that children are OK;

• see the children away from their family;

• don’t ask parents if you can speak to the children; and

• do fun activities so the child will open up.

The Children’s Rights Director asked children and young people what they thought school counsellors should do to help keep them safe:

• give children advice on how to deal with things; and

• give leaflets and phone numbers of helplines.

• The Children’s Rights Director asked children and young people what they childcare staff should do to help keep them safe:

• keep an eye out for children; and

• speak to children’s social care services if a child is dirty or hungry.

The Children’s Rights Director asked children and young people what they thought health visitors should do to help keep them safe:

• chat to parents – build up a relationship with them;

• communicate with social workers;

• call round out of the blue;

• look round the house; and

• look in the fridge and cupboards.

The Children’s Rights Director asked children and young people what they thought doctors should do to help keep them safe:

• tell people if you’re concerned; and

• do more home visits to see what the home is like.

The Children’s Rights Director asked children and young people what they thought the police should do to help keep them safe:

• keep an eye out

• share information

• pop into schools so the kids get used to you and trust you

• interview children wearing plain clothes – have your badge with you