Safety scheme has the sign of success

Enfield’s Community Help Point Scheme (CHPS) won the national ‘Staying Safe’ award at the Children & Young People's Award ceremony held last night.

Introduced in January this year this unique scheme now involves over 100 Enfield locations including businesses, police stations, shops and libraries that help children and young people who may have a momentary fear while travelling in and around Enfield.

Designated as Community Help Points (CHPs) these locations provide safe havens for young people who feel threatened or need help in any way.

If young people feel unsafe or worried while travelling about they can take refuge at local shops and businesses displaying the distinctive CHPs sign in their windows.

Introducing the award, Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said that the scheme is an excellent example of what can be achieved by working together and a way of ensuring the safety of many of Enfield's young people.

Ex Blue Peter presenter, Peter Duncan and Baroness Delyth Morgan of Drefelin presented the award to the Enfield team.

More than 10,000 young people have been made aware of the scheme and there have been a number of examples where it has helped young people.

Wherever there is a CHPs sign there are trained people able to calm a frightened young person, make a phone call or summon other help.

Staff working at businesses in the CHPs scheme, have received full training; and checks have also been made with the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure that they are responsible people who can be trusted.

All Enfield pupils have details of premises that are in the scheme and will be able to identify the nearest help points on the routes of their most common journeys - whether to school, leisure centres or other activities.

Cllr Glynis Vince, cabinet member for education, children’s services and youth, said, “This is a great example of the work of our Children’s Trust. Our partners have worked extremely hard to create a scheme that offers great help and reassurance to young people. Congratulations on this success.”

Peter Lewis, director of education, children’s services and leisure, added, “CHPs can be used to help schools, parents and young people plan safe journeys to and from school and will also reassure parents who may be worried about young people travelling through Enfield alone.

“This award shows just how valuable the scheme has been and I am delighted that it has been recognised in this way.”

Borough Commander Adrian Hanstock added, “For all young people this is good news. There is no need for them to feel threatened now that this network of locations has been established. I am delighted that so many businesses and organisations have agreed to take part and thanks go to our partners who put the scheme together.”

Caterina Vetrano who displays the sign at her café La Dolce Piazza at Edmonton Green, said, “We want to do all we can to help anyone who may feel threatened, particularly young people. We have had excellent training and feel confident that we can provide the security that will help a young person overcome a fear.”

Key to the scheme’s success are Claire Whetstone of Enfield Children and Young People's Service who originally suggested the idea, Sgt Neil Standring from the police Youth & Partnerships, Anne Stoker (formally Safeguarding Board), Janet Leach (Enfield Joint Disability Service), Barbara Atkinson (Enfield Children's Trust) and Shafiqul Karim (Enfield Children & Young People's Service).

This document was last updated on 2008-11-24 15:03:05 published by the Communications team. Document Reference:LBE_133584