Library Volunteer Newsletter - October 2022

We've got a new website

Our new look website is now live!

The new website has:

• Eye-catching carousels of the latest books to inspire you
• Full exciting details of what's on at your local library
• Enhanced resources for children and teens to engage younger readers
• A new look to the eLibrary that shows the breadth of content available

Excitingly there is also a section all about Volunteering.  Do take a look and there will be more information being added in the coming months.

Watch out for cost of living scams!

The cost-of-living situation we are currently facing can enable fraudsters to successfully exploit heightened emotions, needs and fears. This blog post from Get Safe Online gives lots of advice and information to avoid falling victim to this type of scam. If you have any queries from customers do refer them to a member of staff.

Volunteer Manual - Adult Safeguarding and Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures

Adult Safeguarding Procedures Summary for West Sussex Library Volunteers  Adult Safeguarding refers to work aimed at preventing or stopping abuse and neglect of adults who need care and support and who are more at risk of harm because of those needs. These are people who are 18 years or over, who have care and support needs because of their age, physical or learning disability, mental-health needs, or other illness and are, or may be, unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect because of their care and support needs. Other adults who may be at risk include people who are: unpaid carers, homeless, experiencing domestic abuse, addicted to drugs or alcohol, badly treated and forced to work for little or no pay, or forced to marry. Abuse can take many forms, including physical, sexual, psychological, financial, discriminatory (or hate crime), organisational and domestic. It also includes neglect, modern slavery and self-neglect. It can be deliberate or unintentional. Anyone may recognise and report abuse and neglect. However there are specific responsibilities for statutory bodies such as local councils. The Care Act requires local authorities to make enquiries, or ask others to make enquiries, when they think an adult with care and support needs may be at risk of abuse or neglect in their area and to find out what, if any, action may be needed. This applies whether or not the authority is actually providing any care and support services to that adult. For more information about adult safeguarding and how to raise a concern about an adult visit the West Sussex County Council Website. If you are worried or concerned about an adult, the first step is always to discuss and share your worries with library colleagues and managers.  If the danger is immediate and urgent phone 999. Then phone Adults’ Carepoint on 01243 642121 If it is less urgent use one of the following options: Phone Sussex police on 101 Phone Adult Social Care on 01243 642121 Complete the Adult safeguarding concern form and email it to the Social Care Team. Anonymity If you wish your concern to remain anonymous, for example you do not want the person for whom you have raised the concern to know that it was the library service that had done this, state this in your phone call or email. Do not use the online form on the webpage as there is no option to ask for anonymity.

Child Protection & Safeguarding Procedures

Summary for West Sussex Library Service Volunteers

Safeguarding children and young people is everyone’s responsibility.

The West Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership consists of all the different organisations working to protect children and young people across the county. Their website brings together information for children, young people and their families and the professionals who work with them and can also be accessed via the WSCC website.

The role of the board includes ensuring children know who they can contact when they have concerns about their own or others’ safety and welfare and ensuring that adults know who they can contact if they have a concern about a child or young person.

The website has a lot of useful information on a range of topics including Child Sexual Exploitation and what to do if you are worried about someone in a range of different situations such as neglect.

There is also some useful, straightforward information suitable for staff and enquirers
about ‘Keeping Children Safe’ particularly the section where you may raise a concern about a child where you will find an online form option as well as the contact details listed below.

If you are worried or concerned about a child, the first step is always to discuss and share your worries with library colleagues and managers. 

Most importantly:

If you think a child is at immediate risk, always call 999 and ask for the police.

Anyone (staff or public) who has serious concerns for a child or young person who may be at risk of serious harm should contact the Integrated Front Door (IFD). Phone: 01403 229900.

The out of office hours number (5.00pm – 8.00am weekdays) and 24 hour emergency number on weekends and bank holidays is 0330 222 6664 or email West Sussex Children's Services.

Ask for library details to remain anonymous so that the information about who made the report is not shared with anyone.

If you are worried or concerned about a child, the first step is always to discuss and share your worries with library colleagues and managers.

You have received this email because you are registered as a volunteer with West Sussex Library Service. If you have any feedback or no longer wish to receive the Library Volunteer Newsletter please email us.
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