Clicking on 'Branch Details' will give a list of BASPCAN branches. There are many areas of the UK not served currently by a branch and so if you feel that you can help establish a branch in your area, please contact the National Office.
BASPCAN National Office can provide lots of help and advice on setting up a local branch.
LATEST NEWS
London Branch day on
11 September - page down for
more details and booking form
BRANCHES REQUIRING NEW MEMBERS
There are certain past branches that just need new stimulus to revamp them. Branches looking for colleagues to help re-establish are South Wales, Greater Manchester, London and East Midlands
Branch background
The Berkshire branch has been running for 20 years now. While membership has ebbed and flowed, there is a renewed commitment to the branch from professionals and others following recent successful conferences organised by the branch.
The branch meets
approximately monthly (alternating between Reading and Slough).
At present the branch is largely focused on organising smaller
workshops during the year and an annual conference.
The Branch Chair is Mark
Bryant, the Treasurer is Sheila McKeand and the Secretary is
David Chapman.
To contact the branch, please email Mark Bryant - rosta.online@tesco.net
Branch background
A branch was first
established on 25th October 1989 when the inaugural
Study day was led by Kate Burgess, the then Assistant Director
(social work) Western Europe SSAFA.
Future events saw many
BASPCAN officers present i.e. Dr Jean Price, David Spicer,
Professor Margaret Lynch and Richard White.
The years saw many changes of committee members but events were held regularly and the branch is still flourishing and planning events for the coming year.
Chair is Dr Raj, Secretary
Sue Cooke and Cathy Dobson is Treasurer.
Current Contact:
Sue Cooke, Secretary
Telephone 00 49 2161 908
2523
Email susan.cooke721@land.mod.uk
Branch background
This branch was established
in 1985 and held regular evening Seminars and Conferences over
the years. Unfortunately for the last few years there has been
little branch activity and we would love to see anyone in the
area take up the challenge to work with the branch and help to
get up it and running again. The office can assist and put you
in touch with other members who still wish to play an active
role.
The Greater London Branch Re-launch.
Approximately 45 delegates attended for a seminar and networking event held on 1st May 2008 at Weston House, Great Ormond Street Hospital. This was a re-launch of what had been a very active branch of BASPCAN, and it was heartening to have such a positive response !
Jonathan Picken, chair of BASPCAN introduced the aims and role of BASPCAN as a unique multi-disciplinary professional association, and the benefits of membership in serving a wide range of professionals who work in the field of safeguarding children. It seems to me that in our present times, in which legislation, policy and guidance rush out at a pace; and corporate services and individual accountability is always under the spotlight; the opportunity to meet together and discuss and debate within a multi-professional network is crucial.
We were fortunate to have the commitment of two eminent speakers for this event; Christine Christie, Manager of the London Safeguarding Children Board and Margaret Buttigieg, an Independent Consultant. Christine introduced Margaret who described her role and experiences in the task of reviewing and updating the 2002 guidance ‘Safeguarding Children in Whom Illness is Fabricated or Induced’ for the Department of Health. Christine provided excellent handout material, which included the completed review document and the Supplementary guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children: ‘Safeguarding Children in whom illness is fabricated or induced’.
Questions raised from the floor reflected the anxieties and complexities that this topic raises for practitioners, especially those who work in primary health and social care. Communication and the sharing of timely information is key; and this is a process that we all need to have a greater awareness and understanding of. Christine Christie referred to a series of cases in London that she had reviewed (unpublished); information sharing was a challenge and a key factor in many of these. Fabricated and Induced Illness is certainly a topic that will be included in further seminars.
Our next meeting is planned for Thursday 11th September, when we are hoping to invite speakers to address other important and topical issues. Our speakers are now confirmed as Keith Giannoni, Detective Chief Inspector of the Metropolitan Police Child Abuse Investigation Command, John Fox Independent Consultant and Associate Tutor, National Police Improvement Agency, and Rosie Midson, End of Life Care manager, Great Ormond Street Hospital. Book your place now – It’s only £20 for BASPCAN members and £30 for non-members !
Download the booking form here
Bookingformfor11SeptemberLondonBranchevent.doc
I would like to pay tribute to Benedicta Ogeah who previously chaired this branch so successfully and with great commitment.
We now need a willing and committed team to carry the torch onwards, (in tandem with the Olympics !) Please contact the BASPCAN office in York; you will get a tremendous amount of support from a very experienced team. We need a London based team to make our Branch dynamic; work and run smoothly. We plan to have a short meeting on 11 September to nominate committee members, especially those who can assist with event planning. It would be great it people contacted me prior to this on MonicaJillKing@aol.com
Monica King. Acting Chairperson. May 2008
Branch background
This branch was first established as the North West branch in 1988 but was disbanded in 1991. Allan Sale formed a steering group to create a Greater Manchester branch in 1992 but it took him 5 years before the first conference was held in Spring 1997 and a committee was formed. Allan formally retired as branch representative in 2004 and Simon Goulding took over as chair. A one day Seminar on ADHD held on 21st July 2005 was the last event held by the branch.
Please contact the BASPCAN office if you feel you are in a position to work with the branch in developing training events or if you are interested in providing a presentation.
Dr John Devaney is the current branch Chair and David Hayes is the Secretary. Both are based at Queens University, Belfast and can be contacted on 028 9097 5907/028 9097 5971 or alternatively J.Devaney@qub.ac.uk and D.Hayes@qub.ac.uk. The other branch committee members are: Dr Helga Sneddon, Dr Erin Knowles, Dr Catherine Bane, Dr Benny McDaniel and Colin Reid.
The Branch are planning a Conference in March 2009 on 'Safeguarding Children and Cultural Diversity'. This is in recognition of the increasing changes in Northern Ireland society as a result of the expansion of the EU and the increased confidence amongst migrant workers and refugee's and asylum seekers that NI is a safe place to go to. This event will be held in conjunction with the Volunteer Development Agency who have strong connections with the voluntary and community sectors in both NI and the Republic of Ireland. More information will be available shortly but you can register your interest by contacting John or David on the emails above.
A successful seminar presented by Judith Masson was held by the NI Branch in January 2008 on research conducted on the use of emergency protection orders and police protection. The research, conducted by Judith and colleagues, was well received by an audience of approx sixty attendees.
The Branch has been refreshed by the increase in membership following the conference in November 2007.
The branch were pleased that the "Faith Communities" seminar came to Northern Ireland in June 2008 - we are delighted at the opportunity to share in this event. Unfortunately the conference planned for June 2008 on the new RCPCH guidelines on CSA has been cancelled. This event is also being held at other venues and it is hoped those in Northern Ireland who wished to attend may be able to access the London, Leeds or Cardiff events.
A conference is also planned at Stirling Management Centre on 15 November 2008.
Branch background
Since 1987 this branch
has remained strong and flourishing.
Regular committee meetings occur during the year and the Autumn of each year sees the annual Conference held at various venues around Scotland and they are extremely well attended.
Past chairs include
George Livingstone who still plays an active part of the running
of BASPCAN as part of the National Executive Committee.
Dr Joy Mires is the
current chair and has the support of a dedicated committee of
12. The strength of the branch lies in their independence in the
running of all events etc. The national office play little part
in the running of the branch except when requested to assist
when necessary.
The national BASPCAN
events held in previous years in Scotland have always been very
well supported which is indicative of the support of the local
branch.
Since taking over as
chair Joy plans to still hold the annual conference but hold a
mid-year seminar incorporating the AGM.
Annette Ewen is the treasurer. Ann Smeaton, our administrator
for the past year oversees the smooth running of committee
meetings and the administration for the conferences. Christine
Simpson has to be thanked for her role in organising the
speakers for this year’s conference in November. Thanks also
to John Gilruth, secretary and committee member Sara Lovelock
for organising the successful mid year seminar.
The committee is indebted to Jennifer Stark, vice chair, who is
now resigning from the committee and moving on to pastures new.
Jennifer has been a valued and hard working member on the
committee and we all wish her well.
The Scottish branch hope to link with the national branch to
establish their own website link in the near future.
We will
keep members informed of any forth coming events.
Dr Joy Mires can be contacted at email: joy.mires@nhs.net
Branch background
The South East branch
is well-established and centres round the Clermont Child
Protection Unit in Brighton, East Sussex. It is now
entering its 17th year since establishment in 1990,
when the National BASPCAN held a Conference and AGM at the
University of Sussex, Brighton, in November that year.
The branch found the
format that worked best for them was to hold an annual day
conference, and has done this for a number of years. All
have been very well attended with around 130 or more
delegates. The Conferences are usually held at the
Brighthelm Centre in Brighton itself, giving easy access to
those travelling. Historically, the conference is planned well
in advance and advertised nationally through BASPCAN mailings,
and so delegates attend from throughout the UK.
Arnon Bentovim is the
Named Branch Chair but Graham Willis acts in his absence and the
Secretary is Elaine Streeter. The branch have a healthy
bank balance, administered for many years by Lulu Maslen, their
Treasurer. Although Lulu retired from Clermont in November
2006 to spend more time with her family she has agreed to
continue as Treasurer for the time being.
Branch background
This new branch was
established in autumn 2005 by Dr Charles Holme, a Consultant
Paediatrician with the Royal Devon & Exeter Healthcare NHS
Trust.
The inaugural branch
seminar was held on Friday 7th October 2005 and was
free to all wishing to attend. The guest speaker from the
USA, Patricia Behman attracted many delegates all showing an
interest in establishing a branch within the South West. The
first branch meeting was held on Tuesday 31 January when officers were
elected :Chair – Dr Charles Holme;
The branch then held a successful joint event with the Devon & Cornwall Constabulary in Exeter on SUDI/SIDS. Over 100 delegates attended.
Following on from these successes a National Conference
was
held in Taunton on February 26th 2007. Sarah Webb
from the BASPCAN committee assisted and chaired the day
which was
entitled ‘Safeguarding Requirements: From Safe Recruitment,
through to safe working Practice and Managing Staff’.
Anyone wishing to join the branch can contact Charles.Holme@rdehc-tr.swest.nhs.uk for information.
Branch background
In 1998 Joan
Waddingham, a local member, contacted the national office to
seek guidance to establish a branch in the Dorset/Hants area.
Along with her
colleague Daphne Rose, Joan set up an initial interest meeting
in February 1999. This was held at the Dorset Healthcare Trust
in Boscombe, which is still the centre for the branch activities
and attended by around 23 interested parties and a steering
committee of 6 was formed. The Wessex branch then went from
strength to strength under the chair of Claire Molloy. Joan
Waddingham was elected secretary and Daphne Rose became branch
Treasurer and they still both play an active part in the branch.
Joan attends the NEC meetings as the nominated branch
representative.
The success of the
October 2005 conference meant that Wessex was able to sponsor
overseas delegate attendance and the Foreign Delegates drinks
reception at Congress 2006. They also sponsored the attendance
of 4 local members of the local branch to attend Congress. This
was greatly appreciated by all.
West Midlands Branch
Branch background
The local branch in the West Midlands was first established over 20 years ago chaired by Maureen Curran with Paul Tudor as secretary. Unfortunately in 1992 the branch was temporarily suspended.
In October 1997, John Barker, Senior Assistant Director of Solihull Social Services held an exploratory meeting of interest which led to a steering committee being re-established in 1998.
The Inaugural Day Conference on the 17th September 1998 in Birmingham had 117 attendees including 32 joining members to BASPCAN. Jean Lockley has held the position of Treasurer from this event.
In 1999 Jonathan Picken (BASPCAN current chair) represented the branch on the National Executive Committee until 2002 when Dr Vic Tuck took up the post and represented the branch at national meetings.
The branch went from strength to strength with regular meetings of the committee, evening seminars and study days often held at the Children’s Hospital, Birmingham on varied topics ie “Working with Sex Offenders”, “Domestic Violence” and “Sudden Unexplained Deaths of Children”.
From 2000 Dr Geoff Debelle, Consultant paediatrician, became branch chair supported by a strong committee. Each year saw evening seminars and an Annual day conference. 2004 saw the committee meet 8 times and Robin Grove elected to the position of chair. Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis is the current chair-person. The pattern of meetings and seminars established under previous branch chairs, continues.
Contact may be made with the branch via the branch secretary: Heather Giannasi at: HGiannasi@worcestershire.gov.uk or NEC Representative: Vic Tuck at: victuck@warwickshire.gov.uk