Eyes Open approach encouraged to protect children from risk

02 July 2018

Everyone in Aberdeen City should keep their Eyes Open for children at risk during the school holidays.

In the week that Aberdeen City’s schools sound the end of term bell, Child Protection Committees across Scotland are encouraging the public across the whole country to be extra observant to help protect potentially vulnerable children when school’s out for summer.

Child Protection Committees Scotland, a nation-wide grouping of child protection professionals, hopes their Eyes Open campaign will raise awareness that members of the public can play an important role to keep children safe from harm in the holidays. The group believes that everyone is responsible for child welfare in Scotland.

Councillor Jennifer Stewart, Convener of the Public Protection Committee at Aberdeen City Council, said: “The safety of our children and young people is paramount and anyone who has read our newly launched Play Policy will see that we want to remove all barriers to children’s being able to play.

“Childhood should be a carefree time and the summer holiday should be a one fun and enjoyment for all children. As a mother I know parents want to feel reassured when children go out to play. The Play Policy will I hope help to reassure them and allow children the freedom of childhood.

“This why we are also playing an integral role in the Eyes Open campaign during the summer holidays; so everyone can play their part to make sure that children can make the most of the summer, safe from harm.”

CPCScotland Chair Anne Houston says, “Aberdeen City’s children are about to be away from the usual school routine for a few weeks. For most local children this is a time of year filled with fun and free time, but for some families the summer holidays is a time of increased stress and pressure. In some cases, children are not supervised or cared for adequately, others might even experience serious neglect.”[1] 

By taking an Eyes Open approach, Aberdeen City’s own child protection committee hope that members of the public will take a more active, watchful role when it comes to protecting children in the area,and take action if they’re concerned for a child’s wellbeing. Anne Houston[2] is clear that each and every one of us has a role to play in keeping our youngsters safe.

“By keeping our eyes open and our other senses tuned in, we might spot the telltale signs that a child is at risk. These signs include seeing children wandering about at all times of day and night, children who are very dirty or unfed, unsupervised children going into “party” flats, or whose parents are drunk in charge of them. However, spotting the signs isn’t enough. If something doesn’t seem quite right for a child, or a family of children, it’s better to say something than do nothing.”[3] 

Not only does the campaign support a public Eyes Open approach, it also encourages us to speak up instead of staying silent. Anyone who has concerns about a child or children can ask the child if they’re okay, offer the family some support, or contact Aberdeen City’s social work service, or the police.