Safeguarding and Child protection

Safeguarding at Army Youths

At Army Youths, the safety and well-being of our young members is our top priority. We are committed to creating a secure environment where every youth can thrive, learn, and develop essential life skills. Our safeguarding policies are designed to protect young individuals from harm, ensuring they feel safe and supported throughout their involvement with our programs.

We implement rigorous recruitment processes for all staff and volunteers, including background checks and training in safeguarding practices. Our team is dedicated to fostering a culture of openness and trust, encouraging youths to speak up about any concerns they may have. Regular training sessions are held to keep our staff informed about the latest safeguarding protocols and best practices.

In addition, we have established clear reporting procedures for any safeguarding issues that may arise. Our designated safeguarding officers are always available to provide support and guidance, ensuring that all concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.

We believe that safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and we actively engage with parents, guardians, and the wider community to promote awareness and understanding of safeguarding issues. Together, we can create a safe and nurturing environment for our youth, empowering them to reach their full potential while participating in Army Youths activities.

Your trust is paramount to us, and we are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of safeguarding to protect our young members.

Online safety
While mobile phones are banned whilst on the training grounds, we recognize that some families may wish their child to have a mobile phone on them to use to before and after our sessions. We remind families that the legal age to access most social media sites such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat is 13 and strongly advise families to monitor their child’s use of social media and more general use of the internet.

Tips for families to support keeping children safe online:

• Educate your children about online safety and privacy, including the dangers of sharing personal information online.

• Set ground rules for internet usage, such as time limits and appropriate websites and apps.

• Use parental controls and monitoring software to limit access to inappropriate content and track your child's online activity.

• Encourage open communication with your child about their online experiences and any concerns they may have.

• Teach your child to be respectful and kind online, and to report any cyberbullying or harassment they may encounter.

• Keep your own devices secure and model safe online behaviour for your child.

• Stay up-to-date on current online threats and trends to better protect your child.

Personal safety

Our students’ safety is important to us at Army Youths, we do everything we can to make sure that students learn in a safe environment. If students feel unsafe at any time, they are reminded that they should report any concerns to a trusted adult or a member of the Staff or safeguarding team immediately.

Tips for families to support keeping children safe outside of Army Youths:

• Set clear boundaries and rules for where they can go, who they can spend time with and what time they should return home.

• Ensure they know how to call for help if they need it, and have a designated safe space, such as a neighbour's house, for emergencies.

• Teach them the importance of stranger danger and how to recognise risky situations.

• Encourage them to walk in groups rather than alone and always wear visible clothing when out in the dark.

• Remind them that alcohol and drugs can harm their health and cause them to take unnecessary risks.

• Have open and honest conversations about their experiences to help them feel supported and safe, reminding them that if an adult tries to hurt them it's not their fault.

Mental Health Support and Information