School of Human and Social Sciences leader authors new child safeguarding standard
Intro
University of West London (UWL) Deputy Head of Human and Social Sciences Dr Simon Ian Fox was selected to author a new child safeguarding standard in out-of-school settings for global certification body The British Standards Institution (BSI). The standard was funded by BramahHR in collaboration with the charity One Small Thing.
Article body
Doctor Fox is an academic leader and expert in safeguarding, criminal law, criminology, policing and police ethics and investigative process. He was contacted to become the technical author of the standard known as PAS 5222 by Mark Bramah, Independent Chair for Hampshire Children Services and BramahHR. A former senior detective in child abuse cases, Mark is also responsible for managing individuals who pose a risk within religious organisations and conducts independent reviews of child safeguarding practices.
PAS 5222 is designed to close the gap where organisations or individuals hold a responsibility for children’s care outside of school settings. This includes businesses, charities, uniform and non-uniformed cadet providers, leisure industry, security industry, festival organisers, religious bodies and sporting clubs.
The Standard is now applicable to all providers of activities for children in out-of-school settings. It provides a clear framework to embed safeguarding measures into governance, policies and procedural operations.
Commenting on being the author for the new child safeguarding standard, Dr Fox said:
Creating this standard was a joyous experience for me. It is a timely and essential endeavour. I am assured of its quality and relevance because it underwent a meticulous writing process, incorporating feedback from a steering group of experts and a public consultation phase. It was a significant amount of effort, but undoubtedly worthwhile.”
Mark Bramah said:
The issue of safeguarding children in adult environments has very much been at the core of my professional, academic and even personal life. Being able to offer a clear framework for organisations that are not schools to safeguard children has to be the right thing to do. Allowing independent scrutiny of safeguarding measures demonstrates an organisation’s commitment to getting it right.”
Anne Hayes, Director of Sectors at BSI, said:
Prioritising safeguards for children, among society's most vulnerable, can ensure a safe environment in which they can flourish and develop in their formative years. This new standard is intended to address the lack of statutory guidance and processes for organisations and individuals responsible for the care of children in non-educational settings!”
Related news
-
New UWL study identifies parental alienation as a significant risk factor for those coping with family breakdown
Almost 60 per cent of people going through family breakdown are or have experienced parental alienating behaviours, according to a new report from the School of Human and Social Sciences.
-
University of West London recognises the importance of knowledge exchange with inaugural awards ceremony
April saw the University of West London recognise its growing portfolio of Knowledge Exchange activities with the UWL Knowledge Exchange Awards. Featuring five categories, the awards took place at the Ealing site.
-
Criminology students attend International Women’s Day security industry celebration
Students heard presentations from inspiring women at different stages of their career. They then had the opportunity to network with speakers and guests from across the security profession.
-
School of Human and Social Sciences leader authors new child safeguarding standard
Dr Simon Ian Fox was selected to author a new child safeguarding standard in out-of-school settings for global certification body The British Standards Institution (BSI).
-
UWL hosts inaugural TEDx event: Beyond Boundaries: Unleashing Limitless Perspectives
Topics under discussion included SEGA Europe and cyber security; research on astronaut bone health using smart tech to improve osteoporosis; digital dexterity, artificial intelligence (AI) and the future of creative communications and immersive engineering.
-
UWL welcomes Robert Vaughan as Head of Psychological Sciences
Robert has cited the institution’s overall positivity rating as the top provider in England in the National Student Survey as per (Times Higher Education) as a key factor for joining UWL.
-
University of West London welcomes new Professor of Psychology
Professor Mark Coulson joins UWL from the University of East Anglia where he was Director of Employability, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Placement Director, and Director of Masters programmes.
-
Students and graduates find out about job opportunities at Life and Health Sciences Careers Fair
Hundreds of attendees connected with more than 30 organisations offering employment opportunities plus UWL’s Volunteering, Peer Mentoring, Talent Bank and Careers teams.
-
UWL research reveals hidden public health crisis affecting separated fathers
A new report titled Lost Dads: The Fathers and Family Breakdown, Separation, and Divorce Project reveals that more than 40 per cent of men (41.9%) seeking help after family breakdown had suicidal thoughts.
-
SHSS Lecturer co-writes report on food banks in schools for leading educational research body
Ms Sharon Vince, a lecturer in Early Years and Education at the School of Human and Social Sciences, received funding from the British Educational Research Association (BERA).
-
UWL lecturer’s research article published in the Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice
Dr Rashid Minhas' article uses real-life cases to illustrate instances where negative stereotypes have influenced decision-making, leading to unjust outcomes.
-
2023 graduation celebrations begin for UWL students!
Across two days and eight ceremonies featuring thousands of students, 15 honorary degrees and countless handshakes and hugs, it is time for the University of West London’s graduation festivities to begin!
-
Meet Dr Jen Mayer, new Head of the School of Human and Social Sciences
SHSS is a vibrant, multidisciplinary school that brings together disciplines, including criminology, psychology, education, addiction studies, nutritional therapy, sociology, international relations and forensic science.
-
Ealing social work students take on three-day charity challenge
Doing their bit for their community, social work students in Ealing have raised more than £2,000 to support refugees after throwing themselves into days of fundraising across the borough.
-
Transformative Policing Institute launches in West London
The University of West London (UWL) has launched its new Institute for Policing Studies to continue its commitment to training and educating forces across London.
-
Far-right extremism is a growing threat, says UWL expert
The UK must be alert to far-right extremism infiltrating the police and armed forces to prevent the spread of harmful ideologies, a security expert has warned.
-
Expert looks back on using forensics to catch a killer
Decades after helping catch the Camden Ripper with innovative forensic techniques, a UWL forensics expert and former police officer has relived his part in the investigation for a TV documentary.
-
UWL honorary academic recognised by the Queen
An honorary academic at University of West London (UWL), Professor Zenobia Nadirshaw, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours list for her services to people with learning disabilities and mental health treatment.