Beyond Safeguarding

‘Professional excellence’ is a term often used within Beyond the Streets – a value that we aren’t just driven by compassion and a desire to see real change happen, but we build healthy, sustainable and effective projects that are growing and long lasting.
Safeguarding has become an increasingly intentional focus within Beyond the Streets and the network over the last couple of years, within our policies, training and recruitment of our staff and volunteers.
In May, Beyond the Streets hosted our annual Safeguarding Day for projects working with women in prostitution and we welcomed 27 guests from 17 different projects, in 12 different towns and cities around the UK. Elaine Davidson from HRSG Services came to train and facilitate with us, as we explored what it looks like to increase our awareness of Safeguarding in this sector.
We have been contacted by many projects who have told us they feel more confident as a result of the Safeguarding training.  We know that this will lead to women and their children being safer.
A key theme for the day was the importance of creating an ’embedded culture’, rather than just creating more policies and procedures. We have seen one specific incident in the last 2 weeks, where the training has been invaluable.
One participant said, “I learnt loads, but have also got an action plan on how to move my project forward. Great stuff, thanks!”
We are planning another event for next year – dates to be announced.