Home Office Vulnerable Children’s Charity Fund
Back in August 2020 Essex was awarded £98,101 from the Home Office Vulnerable Children’s Charity Fund. The VVU invited groups to apply for funding to continue their support for vulnerable young people at risk of violence, during the Covid-19 Pandemic. For example, by adapting support services if necessary, by using remote working and technology. 14 groups were awarded funds, read about some of their work.
“Stay safe” webinars (January – March 2021)
During January – March 2021 we are working in partnership with Southend, Essex and Thurrock Safeguarding Boards to deliver webinars to professionals across the county.
November 2020 – Operation Henderson: Exploitation on public transport
The VVU supported the Essex Safeguarding Children Board campaign ‘Operation Henderson’ to raise awareness of child exploitation at stations and transport networks in Essex.
“Every Contact Counts” training (April – December 2020)
These ‘Every Contact Counts’ sessions aim to raise awareness of exploitation among those in the wider violence and vulnerability partnership, and particularly those with public facing roles.
Working in partnership with the VVU, ECC’s Children and Families Commissioning team commissioned the sessions and coordinated delivery alongside Community Safety Partnerships with VVU funds.
October 2020 – Online Child Exploitation
The VVU supported the Essex Safeguarding Children Board and Southend and Thurrock Safeguarding Children Partnerships with their campaign aimed at supporting parents to be more aware of online child exploitation and how to help children stay safe online.
‘Youth Voices’ on gangs and knife crime
Between December 2019 and March 2020 the VVU worked with youth groups and young people to understand their thoughts and feelings on gangs and knife crime.
