A new school holiday campaign being launched this week urges everyone in Orkney to enjoy plenty of summer fun time with extended family and friends after months of pandemic restrictions, but to be alert for signs that the lockdown experience was anything but fun for some children.
As Orkney schools prepare to ring the end of term bell on Friday 25 June for the holidays, Child Protection Committees Scotland and Orkney Public Protection Committee’s new “For Kids’ Sake” campaign encourages everyone to look out for clues that a child may have experienced harm, neglect or abuse during the pandemic.
CPC Scotland Chair Alan Small and Tam Baillie, Independent Chair of the Orkney Public Protection Committee says that while everyone is excited about having fun over the summer holidays, some children will have had a very difficult time in recent months.
“Most children and young people in Orkney are really looking forward to having sleepovers, day trips, staycations and time with grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and family friends in the school break. Sadly, some of those children will have been through a rough time during the pandemic. It’s only now that we are beginning to spend significant time with children, we’ve seen very little of during lockdown months, and it’s only now that we might notice or sense that something is wrong,” they said.
In the For Kids’ Sake… campaign, CPC Scotland stresses that everyone can play a part to keep children safe. Paying attention and noticing signs that a child has been abused or neglected is critical, as is taking action to get some support for that child or children.
Alan Small and Tam Baillie stress that it’s essential to do something if you’re concerned about a child’s wellbeing over the school holidays.
“We’re simply asking people in Orkney to be alert for clues that harm has happened. Children can take a long time to say anything if they’ve experienced abuse or neglect, but you can listen carefully, look out for signs or pay attention to signals that there’s a problem. If your gut tells you something is wrong, it’s important not to ignore it. By raising your concerns, you might help something worse from happening to a child you know,” they said.
So for kids’ sake, if you see or hear something which isn’t right, or you notice a big change in behaviour from a child, CPC Scotland say that it’s always better to say something than do nothing. Alan Small stresses that it’s so important to raise your concerns.
“You shouldn’t ignore signs that something is wrong. Get help and support by contacting Orkney Children & Families Social Work Department on 01856 873535. Or, if you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police right away.”
