At the recent meeting of Board of Trustees much reflection took place on the current budgetary constraints which local authorites have now been required to impose which has had a knock on effect on conferences, events, external memberships of professional organisations and continuous professional development (CPD)

We do not have all the answers but there is concern that practitioners involved in SAFEGUARDING are being affected by these cut backs and joining or renewing memberships of professional organisations or gaining the opportunities for CPD are being lost.

The Board of Trustees whom all are passionate about safeguarding and the need for it in society have come up with two novel ideas.

1)  PAVAUK, to be known as PASA UK (Practitioners Alliance for Safeguarding Adults) will offer a number of discounted personal memberships for first time individual joiners. These will be valid until 30th September 2011, personal members renewing will also be up till this date.

These discounted rates will not offer additional discounts for attending PAVAUK/PASAUK branded events but as we enjoy national membership we have far more members than those whom attend events and as budgets are so tight our reduction assists members in keeping abreast of concerns without an expectation of long travel arrangement in most cases where there is no budget expectation for same

There will be no change in affiliated (group) memberships

2) For some time now when members have joined there has been a delete or tick box facility indicating a willingness to co-ordinate, join or take part in local groups to your geographical area.  In the second part of 2010 this will be developed and nominated Trustees have agreed to be your focus in assiting you in setting up a local group to be developed in your own peculiar style.

A sum of money will be set aside by the charity to support funding of your group for up to four meetings a year to a maximum of £200 per year, your nominated Trustee or our registered officers will assist you in development of Safeguarding Practitioners Groups.  We will also be looking at the possibility of formal training and validation or accreditation to support MEMBERS continuous professional development.

We are well aware, and applaud throughout the UK the focus groups and forums which have been set up, often attended by many people from different facets of safeguarding, sadly many unsupported other than their line managers who may equally need support.

We believe that in structured supported groups in this way, MEMBERS can feel a sense of belonging, gain support and also ensure their continuous professional development.

On this site you will find a contact form, an e mail address and a postal address, all methods of contacting us.  You will also find a telephone number but as the charity is run voluntarily and both our CEO and Secretary are healthcare and criminal justice practitioners in their own rights, the telephone can not always be answered.

Take the first step today to increase your personal and a collective role in safeguarding.