New rules on age limit for ScUK Safeguarding & Protecting Children workshops

There have been concerns regarding the attendance of 16-18 year olds at ScUK Safeguarding & Protecting Children Workshops, regarding the learning experience being provided to this age group.

Young people attending the workshops are of course aiming to support their understanding of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and protecting children and young people, however they are themselves defined as children under the Children Act 1989 and are potentially subject to the issues that the workshop aims to address.

ScUK have taken guidance from the NSPCC and have recommended the following:

• 16-18 year olds are allowed to attend where the workshop is run solely for participants of the same age group. It should be delivered by a tutor who is experienced in facilitating training for this age group and who is sensitive to the impact of the materials and discussions.
  
• Where the above is not possible young people should only attend alongside adults where the group includes at least four 16-18 year olds, again delivered by an appropriately experienced tutor as above.
  
• Where either of the above is not possible, they may attend if they are chaperoned by an appropriate adult.

Organisers of these workshops should inform administrators when any 16-18 year old participants are proposed to allow the tutor to prepare appropriately.