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A hotline allowing islanders to raise concerns about children and families at risk of abuse or other domestic issues has had more than 130 calls in its first few weeks.
More than half of calls to the Children and Families Hub came from teachers, GPs and health visitors, among other professionals, while 50 were received from members of the public.
The hub was set up amid rising reports of domestic violence as a way of providing guidance and support to those in difficult family situations, as well as third parties wanting to raise safeguarding alerts.
Its launch was followed by a campaign urging islanders to be the "eyes and ears" of vulnerable people in the community throughout the lockdown period.
Among the calls received from the public was one from an islander claiming they had witnessed what the government described as a "domestic incident in a home". The Police and Children and Families Hub were subsequently able to deal with the matter "straight away".
Pictured: Police were able to intervene after one member of the public raised the alarm via the helpline.
Expressing his gratitude to the community, Children's Minister Senator Sam Mézec commented: In this incident, this member of the public has very helpfully reported a domestic violence incident involving a child, which may have otherwise gone un-noticed. We can now offer the family support. It is vital that members of the public continue to be our eyes and ears in the community to help keep vulnerable children and families safe."
He emphasised, however, that the hub isn't just about safeguarding, but also offers "wider support, advice and guidance".
In total, there were 49 calls for support for a family, child or young person, 23 calls for safeguarding, 35 for advice and guidance between 25 March and 15 April. Some islanders asked for help on managing shared care of children, while 18 islanders sought covid-19 advice, and had their calls redirected.
"We also receive many calls to the Hub about family difficulties, which may or may not be to do with the current circumstances. These can be anything from domestic abuse, alcohol abuse, depression or anxiety, children's behaviour in the home or relationship issues," Director of Safeguarding and Care Mark Owers explained.
"When all of these difficulties come together, a family needs more support than can be provided by single agencies acting alone and this is the great strength of the Hub, where a lead worker can be found to co-ordinate a wide range of support for a family.
"Families are also calling in distress, where there are a lot of things going on for them at the same time. Sometimes this just needs talking through and the provision of support and advice over the phone, for example managing relationship difficulties or managing routines in the home to help a child's behaviour, and sometimes it needs a more in-depth approach. Parents can then receive a call from a specialist worker or from a family support worker, who will start the multi-agency approach to help the family."
Meanwhile, Jersey Women's Refuge has offered some tips to islanders at risk of domestic violence, including setting up a 'code word' with friends and family.
Pictured: Advice from Jersey Women’s Refuge on keeping safe during lockdown. (Jersey Women's Refuge)
Read more about their guidance HERE.
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