Vulnerable children in care can be preyed upon by gangs, county lines and sexual abusers, and even if they are in a safe fostering environment, they need to receive a full and frank education about the dangers around them. Who better to deliver this information than the police force?  

Our London and East fostering service has built up a good relationship with their local Essex constabulary. Earlier this year three of our young people in fostering participated in a Police talk at our offices in Romford. 

Two lovely, friendly Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), Pete and Jackie, were invited to give a presentation of a number important topics including: 

• How to behave on public transport
• Online safeguarding
• Gangs/County Lines/Drugs 
• Knife Crime
• Exploitation 
• Stranger Danger 
• Personal safeguarding awareness
• Law and age offences 

Pete and Jackie were impressed at the level of interest and questioning by the  young people who were very inquisitive about the day to day demands of their job.  Pete and Jackie even let them try their uniform for size!

Our staff were delighted by the response of our young people, and hope that they continue on their care journey with a positive attitude to the police that will carry them through any challenges they might meet when they leave care. 

Our service manager Hannah Hassan said,

“Jackie and Peter spoke to our young people about how to become a police officer and what the career is like. We are very proud of all of our young people and children that attended our visit from the police. We would also like to give a special thanks to Peter and Jackie for volunteering their time to speak with us – and agreeing to come back!!