Safeguarding children by listening to their views

Hundreds of children’s services staff will be converging on Bristol this Friday as part of a conference to help vulnerable children by just listening to their views.

The event is being organised by the Bristol Safeguarding Children Board, and is aiming to build on the current expertise the city already has.

There are 9,320 people working as part of the children’s workforce in Bristol, including 245 social workers.

Chair of the Bristol Safeguarding Children Board, Dr Ray Jones, said: “The annual safeguarding children conference in Bristol is an opportunity to give recognition to all the work and workers engaged in protecting children. It is also an opportunity to continue to learn and to reflect on how best to work together.”

Schemes running in Bristol to make sure professionals are listening to children include school councils where pupils contribute to the running of the school, including being involved in the controversial appointment of staff which is currently upsetting some teaching unions.