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Railway Children equip LNER Safeguarding Champions to protect vulnerable children on rail during busy Christmas period
LNER colleagues completed intensive Railway Children safeguarding training, making them official ‘Champions.’
Author: Con Enzler | Date: 28th November 2025
Safeguarding Champions training
A group of LNER colleagues have completed Railway Children’s intensive safeguarding training to strengthen the protection of vulnerable passengers and help make the rail network safer during the busy festive travel period.
These specially trained LNER colleagues play a vital role in supporting passengers at risk across the entire route. Thanks to the training, they earned the title of “Safeguarding Champion” and are now better equipped to identify, supporting, and protecting young people who may be at risk while travelling on the network.
The comprehensive training was led by our expert team at Railway Children and covered a wide range of critical topics, including:
- Exploitation and County Lines
- Modern Slavery
- Drug and alcohol dependency
- Mental health and homelessness
- Identifying signs of vulnerability and risk
Empowering the rail industry to protect vulnerable children
The Champions learned practical steps on how to keep people safe in difficult situations and how to make effective referrals to the British Transport Police and other partner agencies to ensure vulnerable people receive continuous help and support.
As part of the session, colleagues also committed to extending their role as protectors by signing up to become White Ribbon Ambassadors and Champions. They pledged to ‘Speak up’ against violence towards women and girls and actively challenge sexist behaviour whenever they witness it.
A powerful partnership
Joe Clay, Safeguarding Partnership Programme Manager for Railway Children, said:
“We work closely with LNER to highlight the key role their colleagues play in identifying vulnerability and preventing harm. Thousands of people pass through stations and travel on trains every day, some of whom may be experiencing violence, abuse, or intimidation. LNER colleagues are perfectly placed to help in those moments of need. After receiving their training, Safeguarding Champions share their knowledge with colleagues, making the railway network safer for everyone.”
Jim Rawcliffe, Security and Safeguarding Manager at LNER, said:
“Our Safeguarding Champions are an important part of how we keep thousands of customers and colleagues safe. We don’t just run trains and manage stations – we look after people. By enabling our colleagues to identify someone in a dangerous or difficult situation and offering support, we’re acting on an LNER core value and putting our customers at the heart of everything we do.”
Railway Children is proud to partner with LNER to ensure that the railway network is a secure environment for all. This training is part of our ongoing commitment to helping vulnerable children and adults find safety.
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