The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is working in collaboration with Wales Council for Voluntary Action (WCVA) and County Voluntary Councils to deliver a series of new joint roadshows.
The roadshows, which will be piloted across North Wales, supported by the North Wales Safeguarding Board, will help ensure best practice recruitment practices are being followed by the voluntary sector.
They will cover an overview of best practice in safeguarding policies, DBS products and services – such as eligibility criteria for different levels of DBS certificates and making barring referrals to DBS, including where there is a legal duty to refer and also an overview of the Wales National Safeguarding Training Standards and how they affect voluntary organisations.
The first set of roadshows were recently piloted in Conwy with Community & Voluntary Support Conwy (CVSC) and Conwy County Borough Council hosting the event. Over 45 voluntary organisations attended the roadshow where they received guidance on new safeguarding training standards, best practice safeguarding policies and advice and information on how DBS’ Regional Outreach Service and WCVA can offer further support.
The National Safeguarding Training Standards will provide a framework for consistency and help to raise the quality of safeguarding training for all practitioners, which it is hoped will support better outcomes in relation to the protection of children and adults in Wales
Jan Smith, Deputy Chief Officer of CVSC, said: “CVSC was delighted to host the pilot North Wales multi-agency safeguarding roadshow here in Conwy, giving the opportunity for community groups to be updated directly about the new Safeguarding Training Standards, DBS Outreach Service and safeguarding good practice.
“Safeguarding is everybody’s business and through our joint working efforts, we can be sure that wide ranging support is made accessible and available.”
Helen Chandler, Head of Partnerships at DBS, said: “We are delighted to be working with Wales Council for Voluntary Action and CVCs across North Wales to provide the voluntary sector with access vital safeguarding information to help them to protect vulnerable groups including children.
“We have developed tailored advice, information and guidance on how to make recruitment safer. This includes explaining what DBS checks they can get and where those checks might fit in terms of their wider recruitment processes. It also includes information on how and when to make a referral to the DBS where someone has harmed or posed a risk of harm to vulnerable individuals.”
DBS is committed to working with organisations through its Regional Outreach Service and any organisation of any size can access free support. Find out more by accessing DBS regional outreach guidance here: www.gov.uk/guidance/the-dbs-regional-outreach-service
