ST HELENA REPRESENTED AT BOTCCS INTER-TERRITORIAL CONFERENCE

Attorney General, Angelo Berbotto, and Director of Safeguarding, Matt Ansell, recently represented St Helena at the first British Overseas Territories Co-Operation in Child Safeguarding (BOTCCS) Inter-territorial Conference, held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, London, on 17 and 18 October 2017.

In November 2016 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by British Overseas Territories (BOT’s) concerning the closer co-operation between the Governments of BOT’s and the Government of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to facilitate the joint sharing of information for the purposes of more effective safeguarding of children.

The conference promoted discussion on ways in which the BOT’s can work together when children in need and risky adults cross our borders, when we recruit to roles working with children, when the court orders involving children need to be executed in another BOT’s, and when we provide alternative care for children in need and at risk.

Matt Ansell said:

“This was a really informative and valuable conference creating the opportunity to share ideas, hear from other territories and also contribute to the development of safeguarding practice for BOT’s.

“There were a number of highly respected guest speakers who contributed to discussions and supported the forming of future planning. I must extend our thanks to Penny Nicholson, Crown Counsel for the Falkland Islands, who arranged and facilitated the conference and to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for their hospitality and ongoing support and commitment towards safeguarding children.”

Angelo Berbotto presented a paper on the legislative reform on St Helena since the Wass Inquiry. This highlighted the improved capability in safeguarding across agencies on Island. This stimulated discussion amongst the participants in relation to safe recruitment and resilience in small territories.

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SHG
27 October 2017

St Helena Government Communications Hub

Telephone: 22470
Email: kimberley.peters@sainthelena.gov.sh