Safeguarding and Young People's Conference

A national conference aimed at improving education, engagement and safeguarding for young people was held at Safety Central on Wednesday, 26 September.

More than 90 professionals from across the country attended the IFE Centenary Conference in Lymm, which was entitled 100 Years Young – futureproofing Generation Alpha.

The key focus was how we can all target Generation Alpha, young people born after 2011 and predicted to be the most transformative generation ever.

The conference speakers included Cllr Sara Rowbotham, Deputy Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, George Martin, Fire and Rescue Service National Liaison Officer at The Prince’s Trust, Phil Garrigan, Children and Young People lead for the NFCC, Jeff Coghlan from Matmi and Joanna Foster from Fabtic

Chris Cloke, head of safeguarding in the communities for the NSPCC was the keynote speaker at the conference.

It explored issues related to the education, engagement and safeguarding of young people. Covering topics such ‘safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility’, ‘interagency working in safeguarding’, ‘who will care and protect the carers?’, ‘knife crime and young people, tackling the issue in partnership’ and ‘how digital experiences can help futureproof the young’ and the response of the FRS sector nationally.

Organisational Performance Manager Ant Jones was involved in arranging the conference and said: “The Cheshire Group of the north-western branch of the IFE wanted to deliver a national centenary conference embracing the theme and key areas, especially as our group was the chair during the centenary year and the CFO Mark Cashin is the branch president.

“Building on the brand and reputation of CFRS in their work with young people and prevention we knew we could deliver a truly unique and game changing national conference centred on the theme of children and young people.

“The conference itself could not have gone better, the planning and preparation paid off and the extended team delivered on the day to perfection. The presenters amazed the delegates and the delegates fed back with entirely positive comments.

“I could not be prouder of the team who supported me through this journey and thankful to our brilliant presenters and our amazing delegates. 100 Years Young – futureproofing Generation Alpha will live long in mine and many others memories as a truly unique conference centred on the safeguarding, education and engagement of young people with the fire and other sectors.”

IFE conference

Speakers and delegates also took to Twitter following the conference to praise the event and the work being done with young people.

Joanna Foster, director at Fabtic, said: “Huge thanks to CFRS and all at the IFE for such a successful #safeguarding conference. You have allowed for vital debate and discussions that will help keep #children #teenagers and staff safer.”

Cllr George Hayes, Children and Young People Champion for CFA, said: “My ongoing work with CFRS as CYP champion never fails to astound me. A great day shared with many other great speakers and delegates, let’s carry on the conversation.”

And George Martin OBE added: “#thanksamillion @cheshirefire & @ifeglobal for giving @princestrust the opportunity to speak about the fire and rescue service and police collaborative work on knife crime at the #generationalpha event. #YouthCanDoIt.”