A new website about safeguarding children has been launched today (February 5) to mark Safer Internet Day.

The Essex Safeguarding Children Board, which brings together agencies that promote the welfare of children and young people in the county, launched the site to encourage safer and more responsible use of the internet and mobile phones.

It provides information for professionals, parents, carers, children and young people.

Cllr Ray Gooding, cabinet member for children’s services at Essex Council, said: “Safeguarding is an extremely important issue and we need to make sure information concerning it is as accessible as possible. The new website provides a great deal of information in an easy to navigate and accessible format.”

Simon Hart, chairman of the Essex Safeguarding Children Board, said: “Not only does it have information for professionals, parents and carers we have also made it appealing and accessible for young people and children, which is really important as it provides them with lots of information and signposts them to organisations that can offer guidance, advice and support.”

The website can be found at www.escb.co.uk.