Players and staff at Motherwell Football Club’s youth academy, together with the North Lanarkshire Child Protection Committee, are working together to raise awareness about what we can all do to help keep North Lanarkshire’s children and young people safe.
We can all play our part by helping to make our communities safe nurturing places for all children to grow up in. Listening to what children say to us and taking any worries they have seriously helps children feel valued and respected, and encourages them to speak up if they don’t feel safe.
The long-established partnership sees the youth academy continue to back the child protection message by displaying the Child Protection Committee logo on their tops throughout the season.
The club will also display prominent child protection messages around Fir Park, as well as information on how to report concerns. Motherwell will also promote important child protection messages through their social media and digital channels.
“We are delighted to continue our partnership between our academy and the Child Protection Committee,” Suzanne Reid, head of commercial and marketing at Motherwell FC, said.
“Our particular focus this year will be on keeping children safe online, especially in the area of social media.
“Our first team and academy players and coaches will work to spread the message of internet safety across our local area.”
Marian Martin, chair of the North Lanarkshire Child Protection Committee, added: ”Protecting our children from abuse, neglect and exploitation, whether online or in our communities, is everyone’s responsibility.
“We want to make sure that everyone understands what to look out for and is confident that they can talk to someone who can help, if they are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person.
“Working with the academy at Motherwell Football Club, we can extend the reach of our message amongst those who might not otherwise hear it.”
If you are worried about something that is happening to your child or a child you know, please speak out.
You can contact a child’s health visitor or teacher, or contact the locality social work office or Police Scotland. All information shared is treated seriously and the first priority will always be to make sure the child is safe.
For more information go to northlan.gov.uk/childprotection.
Contacts
Childline – 0800 1111 (free 24 hour service), childline.org.uk
Parentline – 08000 28 22 33 (free to call 9am-9pm Mon – Fri and 9am-12pm Sat – Sun), children1st.org.uk/help-for-families/parentline-scotland
CELCIS Protecting Children – celcis.org/our-work/protecting-children
Think u Know, an education programme for children, young people parents and workers – thinkuknow.co.uk