Partnership puts children's safety first

A well-established safety initiative for school children in West Kent will go ahead next year as planned thanks to funding from the West Kent Partnership.
The future of the Safety in Action Scheme was under threat following the withdrawal of sponsorship for 2005 until the Partnership agreed to make up the shortfall.
The Safety in Action Scheme takes place every year and provides approximately 900 year six children with the opportunity to learn and practise a variety of road safety, crime prevention, fire safety and personal safety skills through a series of role plays.
Co-ordinated by the West Kent Education Business Partnership, the Scheme delivers a hands-on approach to learning with the help of Kent Fire and Rescue Service, Kent Police, Kent Ambulance NHS Trust, the Health & Safety Executive, EDF Energy, Royal Life Saving Society, Connex, KCC Road & Coach Safety departments and the local authorities.
Next year's scheme will take place from 28 February to 11 March at Dorton House School, Seal, near Sevenoaks.
Mark Worrall, Chair of the West Kent Partnership said:
Our objective is to improve the quality of life of families in West Kent and members of the Partnership felt it was vital to make sure that this important safety initiative could go ahead again next year.  This scheme helps to equip children with the skills they will need to deal with potentially dangerous situations in the future and putting the safety of children first must be one of our highest priortiies.
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Alison Cook, Leader of Sevenoaks District Council said:
"I have always been an enthusiastic supporter of the work undertaken by the Safety in Action scheme.  I believe that safety awareness is an essential element of personal development for our young people and this scheme addresses serious issues in a creative and enthusiastic way which engages the children.  We are delighted that the event will once again be held at Dorton House."