Real Love Rocks?

Hi there,
I am aware that there is a lot of work currently going on, nationally and internationally, regarding raising awareness of child sexual exploitation, (CSE), and I have just been revisiting Barnardo’s Real Love Rocks website. I am choosing to share information about this resource as I think it has a lot to offer in terms of the way it fits with the PB process. It also has information and resources for children, young people, adults, parents and professionals which fit beautifully with Themes 1 & 2 of the PB process: ‘We all have the right to feel safe all the time’ & ‘We can talk with someone about anything, even if it feels awful or small’. And thank goodness people are finding ways to talk/communicate about CSE.

I would also like to emphasise once again that, for me, the joy of PBs is that it is a multi-functional tool and can be used for absolutely anything and not just the current ‘hot topic’. It would feel and be absolutely fabulous, in my opinion, if more local authorities took on the Warwickshire model and offered Protective Behaviours training and resources to all primary schools. This could provide an opportunity for PBs to become embedded in the curriculum on a day-to-day basis and the ethos of the school community. Perhaps then we will see children and young people develop greater resilience, self-esteem and feel more confident about who they are and not therefore, as open to the belief that someone else has the power to make them feel special. Having such power over someone else provides, I believe, the perfect climate to groom and exploit. So please let's teach all people not to give this power to someone else and instead, highlight that this power lies within each and everyone of us - which again brings me back to PBs: I own my own feelings, thoughts and behaviour and will not allow anyone else to make me feel anything :woohoo:

As you probably tell this is something I feel really strongly about - so apologies if it sounds a bit of a rant.
As ever, looking forward to hearing your opinions and for any further ‘sign posting’.
Sally Ann

I couldn't agree more Sally Ann and feel very lucky to be working promoting Protective Behaviours across Warwickshire. Indeed it would be great if that model was replicated nationwide. For sure Protective Behaviours has a role to play in CSE prevention/ awareness work. Who knows where it may go from here...

And so say I !!
After attending the raising awareness of Child Sexual Expoitation in Northampton recently and talking to my dear collegue and friend there, I was hoping to go on the Real Love Rocks training. I will look into that now
Melanie

Not sure if you managed to 'get there' yet Melanie so thought this link might also be helpful as it describes the Primary phase version of Real Love Rocks:
www.barnardosrealloverocks.org.uk/primary-schools/

And just heard that training on this and the Secondary resource is coming up soon in Birmingham - further info attached.

SA

Hi

We are indeed running some training on the primary resource as well as awareness about CSE in Birmingham at the same venue on 9th December. Training places are £50 per place so if you'd like any more information or want to book on please email me at rlr@barnardos.org.uk or rosie.hall@barnardos.org.uk.

Do have a look at our animation that outlines the Primary resource pack www.barnardosrealloverocks.org.uk/primary-schools/

Rosie

Hi folks
So far I have not been a great blogger, however Sally Ann has encouraged me to respond to the messages about PBs and Real Love Rocks. It has been part of my job role to promote PBs across Northamptonshire for many years and I was really pleased when we had funding to provide lots of PB training across the county. As Sally Ann says, Real Love Rocks is very compatible with PBs and I am really pleased to say that all Primary schools in Northants who sign up to the PB Foundation course with CSE Awareness raising not only receive the excellent Taking Care Pack for PBs, but also the Real Love Rocks Primary Resource for Year 6 pupils. I attended Real Love Rocks training for secondary schools last summer, way up in Manchester, so was fortunate enough to meet Jenny Mort and colleagues and I stringly endorse this resource.

My hope is that all schools and education provisions in Northamptonshire take up the offer of this excellent Protective Behaviours training package and make use of the PB resources and Real Love Rocks. This would transform the ways in which school staff relate to each other, the pupils and parents. As one Northamptonshire Head Teacher said to me 'Protective Behaviours changed my life.'