The NSPCC has today (Tuesday 18 November), announced a new partnership with HSBC where the Bank will invest both money and time into a programme which aims to help protect current and future generations of Isle of Man children from abuse. The announcement comes this week during national Anti-Bullying week (17th-21st November).
 
The ChildLine Schools Service helps primary school age children understand what abuse is and how they can stay safe. The service, which will visit every primary school on the Isle of Man, delivers assemblies and interactive workshops designed to encourage children to recognise situations where they may need help and explains ways of accessing support.
 
To mark the launch of the service across the Island, representatives from HSBC and Mal Keary, Physical and Emotional Health Education Officer with the Department of Education joined ChildLine at Cronk y Berry Primary School to observe a ChildLine Schools Service assembly in action.
 
Chris Dunn, ChildLine Schools Service area coordinator for the Isle of Man was at the launch, and commented: “Research tells us that the majority of children who contact ChildLine for advice, information, and support, are over 11 years old. However we know that the majority of children who are on a child protection plan are under the age of 11.
 
He added: “These younger children are not connected so much with the outside world. In fact, their world is quite small. So if abuse is happening to them at that age, then it is very difficult for children to speak up. That’s why we want to educate children earlier, and ensure they know how to keep themselves safe and seek help if they need it. We want to prevent child abuse before it starts.”
 
Rob Sellers, Headteacher at Cronk y Berry Primary School, said: “We were delighted to welcome ChildLine into Cronk y Berry and to be involved in helping launch the ChildLine Schools Service across the Isle of Man. The Schools Service programme complements the Personal Social and Health Education programme we deliver in school and today’s launch is timely during Anti-Bullying week.
 
“The service is about raising awareness of the numerous support agencies children can access, including from parents, carers, teachers and also ChildLine. It is really important and really succeeded in delivering some very important messages in a clear and engaging way that was easy for the children to understand.  Child abuse is a very difficult subject to talk about at any age but the staff and volunteers in the ChildLine Schools Service managed to strike the right balance in conveying the very important messages in an age appropriate way that wasn’t scary.

 “I would recommend that all primary schools, take the opportunity to have a visit from the ChildLine Schools Service as it’ is an essential part of their curriculum and really important that we all take steps to give our children and young people the voice they need to protect themselves.”
 
The service is provided free of charge and focuses on primary school children, aged nine to 11 years old. It is led by volunteers who deliver assemblies at local schools followed by an interactive workshop a week later. The presentations and messages delivered at schools have been developed alongside children, parents, carers and teachers. They are sensitive, age appropriate and engaging.
 
In addition to a three year investment to deliver the service in the Isle of Man, a number of employees from HSBC will also be actively involved by becoming ChildLine Schools Service volunteers themselves.

Nigel Hair, Chief Operating Officer, HSBC, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, said: “I am delighted that HSBC is supporting the NSPCC via a service that will make a real difference to local children and the community.”
 
Mal Keary, Physical and Emotional Health Education Officer with the Department of Education and Children said: “I am delighted to give my support to the ChildLine Schools Service and its roll out across the Isle of Man. All children have the right to be happy and safe, and this service has a very important role to play in educating children about how to do just that. It is a really powerful intervention that really could help us protect children.”
 
Chris Dunn, ChildLine Schools Service area coordinator, finished: “We cannot thank HSBC enough for their support with this initiative. Because of their funding we have a real opportunity to change the face of child protection on the Isle of Man. “Imagine a generation of children who have the knowledge to prevent abuse. We can make it happen through the ChildLine Schools Service. With the support of HSBC and the community across the Isle of Man, we can make an impact on children’s lives now, and for generations to come. As a result of our work so far, we have already found that some young children have been able for the first time to disclose abuse and have been protected from it.”
 
To find out more about the ChildLine Schools Service and how you can get involved in supporting the service, please visit www.nspcc.org.uk/schoolsservice