(Above, centre) Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at one of the sessions for young riders at The Ride High Equestrian Centre, a charity based in Loughton
16 local organisations have so far been awarded with the City Council’s Youth Provision Safe Practice Mark in the first six months of the scheme, with more in the pipeline.
Milton Keynes City Council launched the scheme in March to recognise and promote good practice in youth clubs and activity groups across the city. The Safe Practice Mark is awarded to organisations who can demonstrate that appropriate safety and safeguarding measures are in place. This will help parents and carers to make informed decisions about local clubs for children and young people.
Organisations wishing to gain the Safe Practice Mark need to fill out an online application which is reviewed by a specialist panel. Successful clubs gain access to free training and the opportunity to apply for funding. Clubs must re-apply annually to continue using the mark.
“We’re delighted to see so many local organisations taking up this opportunity for additional support, training, and access to funding. Most importantly, the safe practice mark recognises those providers who take safeguarding seriously and provides extra assurance to parents and carers who are looking at what is available for their children.”
“We found the process of applying for the Safe Practice Mark very straightforward and intuitive. The city council provided us with regular updates and clear direction as we moved through each step. Our decision to apply for the Safe Practice Mark was driven by both our desire to ensure that Ride High is a safe place for the children and young people that attend, whilst also benefiting from the support and training available as a result.”
The city council also leads a Youth Provision Forum where organisations from across the city meet to share good practice and work together to ensure high quality services for young people.
If you run a club or provide activities for young people and want to find out more, please email YPSafePractice@milton-keynes.gov.uk or visit www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/YPSafePractice
(Above) Cllr Zoe Nolan with Richard Lee - Youth Participation and Engagement Team Manager from Milton Keynes City Council and some of the team at The Ride High Equestrian Centre, a charity in Loughton.