Parents get advice on keeping their kids safe at clubs
ACAMPAIGN has been launched giving parents advice on how to keep their kids safe at summer holiday and after school clubs.
The Safe After School campaign gives parents a list of ‘key questions’ to ask to ensure the club and those running it are properly qualified and regulated.
Rochdale is thought to be the first council to launch such a move.
Council chiefs say the campaign follows ‘many instances, nationally as well as locally, about inappropriate behaviour and abuse perpetrated by adults in a position of trust at an after school activity’.
As the Observer reported earlier this month Abdul Rauf, 51, an imam at a mosque on Crawford Street was jailed after subjecting his young pupils to over 100 physical assaults
And in November last year Middleton-based Thai boxing coach Peter Feeley, 56, who a court heard was nicknamed ‘Mr Touchy-Feeley, was jailed after secretly filming himself having sex with a girl at his gym.
Gail Hopper, director of children’s services at Rochdale council, said: “We have seen, through the recent cases of Abdul Rauf, Peter Feeley and others across Greater Manchester, the importance of having a campaign like this.
“This is an issue for all parents and we want to make sure that, where regulation isn’t required, we’re helping parents feel confident in where they send their child.
“We believe we are the first council to develop a campaign on this topic and we are pleased with what we have developed and the positive impact it will have.
“We hope to work with national providers to encourage that this campaign is rolled out nationally and we will be working hard to achieve that.”
Ash Greenhalgh, from children’s activity provider EdStart, which runs a number of sports camps in Rochdale during the school holidays, is backing the campaign.
He said: “This is a fantastic
The child safety campaign has been launched following a series of incidents including court cases which saw Abdul Rauf (left) and Peter Feeley (right) sent to jail campaign; we welcome parents asking us questions on our safeguarding procedures. It should be no trouble for a provider to answer the questions and give parents reassurance.”
Coun Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This is really important information for all parents. I would encourage parents to ask the right questions of providers they send their children to after school and in the school holidays.
“This campaign will really make people think and ultimately help keep children safe.”
For more information on the Safe After School campaign visit rbscb. org.
To report concern about a provider email lado@rochdale.gov.uk.