Last updated: 12 October 2023
Next review: 12 October 2024
Keeping children safe as a professional or volunteer
The children and young people's workforce consists of a vast number of professionals and volunteers who each have their own level of expertise and skills to improve the outcome and welfare of children.
As part of the workforce that is responsible for safeguarding children, it is important that you:
- make sure that the child is at the centre of all the work you do and that you listen to children that you work with
- take a Think Family approach
- have professional curiosity
- work collaboratively with other agencies and services
- reflect on safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in management and supervisions
- challenge other professional views in a respectful manner to understand issues relating to children and young people
If you are a other community group delivering online sessions to children/young people, find out how to safely do remote sessions in line with safeguarding procedures. If you are a sports organisation, find out more about safeguarding in sport and COVID 19.
Where can I get help from?
If you feel that a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm please call the police on 999 who can provide an immediate response.
Alternatively, you can contact your local police on 101 at any time.
If you don’t believe the risk requires immediate action, contact the Waltham Forest Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) team to discuss your concerns
Opening times
A social worker from the MASH team will speak to you. They will need to get as much information as possible about the child and the family.
Keeping children safe is everyone's responsibility and your call could mean the start of getting the right help to a family and may even save a child’s life.