Deliveroo riders will be playing a vital role in helping to detect signs of child abuse.
The online food delivery company and the NSPCC have today announced a new partnership to help children who may be at risk of abuse or neglect.
This is especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic as children may be more out of sight than usual. The NSPCC, in a report released last week, revealed how lockdown has increased the risk of child abuse.
The partnership will provide hundreds of Deliveroo riders with free, vital training – It’s Your Call – delivered by the NSPCC to help them recognise children at risk of abuse and neglect. It will also raise awareness of the NSPCC Helpline with riders promoting the number on their delivery bags, so that any adult concerned about a child can call to speak to a trained professional.
Deliveroo will also deliver hundreds of free meals to NSPCC Helpline staff to say thank you for their hard work in keep children safe during the COVID-19 crisis.
People who work within their community can play an important role in helping to keep children safe and spotting possible signs of child abuse, neglect and domestic violence.
Deliveroo riders, with their role delivering to homes, are well-placed to spot any emerging safeguarding concerns.
The idea of the partnership came about after a rider contacted the NSPCC after becoming worried for a child’s welfare.
Although the lockdown is easing and some children have returned to school, many are still spending a lot of time at home and have limited contact with wider support networks.
A new NSPCC report, ‘Isolated and Struggling’, brings together evidence from academics, charities and frontline professionals, and identifies three ways in which lockdown has increased the risk of child abuse, such as a reduction in normal protective services.
To combat the issue the NSPCC has temporarily made its ‘It’s Your Call’ course free during the pandemic, as well as expanded and promoted the helpline in response to the situation, which has now received more than 10,000 welfare contacts.
The riders will also promote the NSPCC Helpline number with a sticker on their delivery bags, so that any adult concerned about a child can make the call.
Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said riders and other workers visiting people’s home during the pandemic have the unique opportunity to see or hear things that others may not.
“Therefore, it is important that they feel confident in knowing what to do if they are concerned about a child. It’s fantastic of Deliveroo to take this positive step with us – together we believe everyone can play a part in keeping children safe.”
Will Shu, CEO Deliveroo, adde: “We are so proud of the vital role Deliveroo riders are carrying out during the COVID-19 crisis. As key workers, riders are at the heart of local communities and will be able to play an important role to help keep children safe.”
To show their appreciation Deliveroo will be delivering hundreds of free meals to NSPCC helpline frontline workers in Belfast and Salford who have been working during the coronavirus pandemic. The free food will be delivered by Sushi and Ramen restaurant Kamakura in Belfast and Pizza Hut in Salford.
Abdelziz Abdou, Deliveroo rider, said he was really proud to ride for Deliveroo and have the opportunity to train with the NSPCC.
“I will also be displaying the NSPCC Helpline number while out riding and hope that this will encourage people to call up and speak to a trained professional. This is a really important partnership and I am pleased to show my support for the NSPCC and all their hard work to keep children safe.”
Over the coming weeks and months, Deliveroo will be encouraging riders across the UK to complete the training and order stickers to support and raise awareness amongst their communities.
The NSPCC Helpline is available for advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or via help@nspcc.org.uk.
The NSPCC has made its safeguarding awareness course, It’s Your Call, temporarily free in response to the pandemic. All other NSPCC safeguarding online training has been discounted, to support people during this time.