PSNI set up and ran a physical safety centre called RADAR in Belfast, but it closed in 2019 due to funding challenges.
The service see 360 as much more than just a replacement, and is keen to test the concept in a number of schools in Mid Ulster initially. They have also been advising on content for the safeguarding phase from a schools policing perspective.
Chief Inspector Joanne Gibson sits on our stakeholder panel, and School Liaison Officer Sue Wright has been a great source of advice on content.
“We are very keen to support the 360 Skills For Life Pilot on safeguarding. We believe this model provides an important platform to ensure our young people are educated across a wide range of key areas, with the ultimate aim of keeping them safe. The 360 approach provides an accessible platform, an important feature in the current environment, with consistent messaging to ensure young people of Northern Ireland have the opportunity to receive education around key safety concerns.
The approach is something we would recommend to schools as accessible, consistent and which will ensure pupils receive important messaging and input from a range of partners including the Police.”
– Joanne Gibson, Chief Inspector, PSNI