A new multi-partnership scheme in Colchester has been endorsed by Colchester McDonald’s. Aimed at helping protect young people from child exploitation, Every Contact Counts was launched to help make our communities more vigilant to the signs of child exploitation and provide greater protection to young people.
Approximately 100 members of McDonald’s frontline staff in the Colchester area will be undertaking the Every Contact Counts training over the coming months. Delivered by expert trainers in partnership with the Essex Safeguarding Children Board, the training explains how to spot the signs of criminal and sexual exploitation, gangs, county lines, modern slavery, domestic servitude, and missing children.
The campaign offers free training from safeguarding experts, with a particular focus on taxi operators and call handlers, food establishments and hoteliers, door security staff, delivery drivers and other industries that can have unique insights into a child’s lifestyle that can provide the opportunity to spot signs of child exploitation.
Every Contact Counts training consists of a free 2-hour session and explains how and where to report your concerns, as well as understanding how to respond safely to concerns and when it is appropriate to do so.
McDonald’s will also be promoting the #SeeYouSafer campaign across its outlets in and around Colchester. #SeeYouSafer is a multi-pronged programme which runs community events, promotes partner campaigns, such as Every Contact Counts, delivers an informative website at www.seeyousafer.co.uk and stages drop-in advice clinics for those enjoying a night out in Colchester.
See You Safer is an initiative from the One Colchester partnership – a multi-agency group including Colchester Borough Council, and representatives from Fire, Police, Essex County Council, Probation, Health, Education, Business, Voluntary Services and the cultural sector.
Pam Donnelly, Chair of One Colchester, said: “The Every Contact Counts initiative can make a real difference to the people of Colchester and help keep some of our most vulnerable residents safe. We all have a responsibility to be vigilant and share concerns in a safe and appropriate way. Every Contact Counts is working with key individuals and organisations who are best placed to be able to do that.”
Matt Ladkin, from McDonald’s, said: “This is a fantastic campaign for the whole of Colchester and McDonald’s is delighted to support it. It’s crucial to us that all our staff get the best standards of training and working being part of the See You Safer campaign helps us to make a real difference to the community in Colchester.”
For more information about the #SeeYourSafer campaign visit www.seeyousafer.co.uk
