Deputy First Minister John Swinney supported NSPCC Scotland today by helping to deliver one of the leading children’s charity’s ground-breaking Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies at an Edinburgh primary school.
Mr Swinney was joined by Minister for Children and Young People Maree Todd and NSPCC volunteers at The Royal High Primary School in Edinburgh to see how the charity carries out its work in schools to keep children safe from abuse and neglect.
The Speak Out Stay Safe assemblies, which the NSPCC runs in primary schools, help children to recognise different types of abuse and to feel confident about speaking out to a trusted adult.
Research from the leading children’s charity shows that on average at least two children in every primary school classroom across the UK will have suffered some form of abuse or neglect.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “All children have the right to be cared for and protected from harm, and to grow up in a safe environment in which their rights and needs are respected. Understanding how to recognise abuse and when and how to seek support enables children to Speak Out and Stay Safe. I thank NSPCC Scotland for their important work to inform children across Scotland of potential concerns and what action they should take.
“Everyone working with children, not just core professionals, has a role to play in identifying and acting on any concerns to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the child.”
NSPCC Scotland began the assemblies in Scotland in 2012 and since then its staff and team of dedicated volunteers have spoken to tens of thousands of school children the length and breadth of the country.
During 2018/2019 The NSPCC’s Speak Out Stay Safe programme visited 900 Primary schools across Scotland and delivered keeping safe messages to almost 160,000 children to help them develop an understanding of abuse in all its forms and of how to get help. In the same year, 11,855 children were reached in 31 schools in the Edinburgh area.
Karin Walker, NSPCC school service co-ordinator for Edinburgh, said: “We are delighted that we have an opportunity to work with the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Children and Young People to highlight the vitally important work of the NSPCC Schools service.
“We are working across the country every single day helping to keep children safe and empowering them to understand that abuse and neglect are not ok. Working collaboratively with local authorities and primary schools allows us to do this and contributes specifically to the health and wellbeing element of the curriculum as well as supporting children to realise their right to be safe.”
Anna Hazel-Dunn, head teacher of The Royal High Primary School said: “At our school there are a number of key elements at the core of our vision and values, with health and wellbeing playing a vital role in children's learning and development.
“With the support of the NSPCC, we aim to empower and help children and provide all teachers and support staff with the tools to do that. Through the 'Speak Out, Stay Safe' programme our children are encouraged to be confident and knowledgeable about the importance of being safe. This programme provides a superb vehicle with which to achieve this. We are delighted to be taking part in this innovative programme and working together so we can keep every child safe."
If you are interested in volunteering with the NSPCC schools service please go to https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-you-can-do/volunteering-nspcc-childline/volunteer-childline-schools-service/
Deputy First Minister supports NSPCC