Schemes to keep children safe

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on staff numbers for agencies that support the Wandsworth Junior Citizen Scheme. We are now offering schools five interactive films online. All Wandsworth primary schools have been made aware of the availability of this service.

For further information email andrew.jolly@richmondandwandsworth.gov.uk.

The schemes

The schemes are aimed at giving young people the skills to deal with a wide range of emergency situations.

There are two schemes:

  • The Junior Citizen Scheme (for Year 5)
  • The Safer Citizen Scheme (for young disabled people)

We run the programme with the Police, Health Authority and Fire Service staff. The scheme is accredited by The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.

The scheme's importance in keeping children safe was highlighted by the case of two boys from a primary school in Battersea. They were approached by a man in the street and told that he had their mothers' permission to take them to Thorpe Park. One of the boys wanted to go, but his friend who had attended the Junior Citizen Scheme recognised the danger signs and convinced his friend not to go. They then told one of the teachers at their school and the matter was reported to the police.

Junior Citizen Scheme

The Junior Citizen Scheme gives young children the skills to deal with a wide range of emergency situations. It can also help children contribute to their community through good citizenship.

The scheme is aimed at Year 5 (9 to 10 year old) children, and runs twice a year in the spring and summer terms.

Scenarios

The scheme provides children with realistic scenarios and encourages them to think through the problems and resolve them. It uses twelve scenarios to cover the following issues:

  • Health issues
  • Fire safety
  • Personal safety
  • Citizenship
  • Home safety
  • Rail safety
  • Graffiti and vandalism
  • Dangerous substances
  • Online Safety
  • First aid
  • Water safety
  • Road safety

Topics are regularly reviewed to ensure that current issues and concerns are addressed.

The children will get a pack which includes an activity booklet to reinforce the messages they have been taught.

The teachers will get a pack to prepare Year 6 children for starting secondary school. The pack will contain ideas and projects, which will extend knowledge and reinforce the key messages.

The Safer Citizen Scheme

The Safer Citizen scheme is aimed at young people aged 11 to 18, with hearing, visual or mobility impairments.

The scheme is hosted by the Randall Close Day Centre (Leonard Cheshire Foundation), the centre's facilities for dealing with people with disabilities enhancing the efficient running of the scenarios.

Scenarios

They are presented with four scenarios:

  • Stranger Danger
  • Fire Safety
  • Home Safety
  • Home Security

Join the schemes

For more information or to join the schemes, contact the Community Safety Service team.

Up to Crime prevention

Updated: 01/09/2022