Young Firesetters Intervention Programme
A programme designed to educate and inform about the dangers relating to fire caused by young persons involved in fireplay or firesetting activities.
Why do children set fires?
Within our communities, there exists a constant threat from young people who play with fire.
Children who play with fire do so for various reasons, ranging from natural curiosity to attention seeking.
Without help and guidance, fire setting behaviour can develop, leading to more serious consequences such as major injuries and damage to homes, schools and property.
What can be done?
Our One to One Fire Setting Intervention Programme was set up in 1991, to address the growing instances of children and young people becoming involved in fire-play/fire setting behaviour.
The aim of our Intervention Programme is to help children and young people and their families understand the dangers of fire and its consequences.
Who are the advisors?
All our intervention staff are uniformed Community Fire Safety Officers, who receive specialist training in the complex and sometimes difficult area and who will operate within strict Good Practice Guidelines.
What is the programme?
We receive referrals from various sources, including parents, teachers, Police, social workers, Reporters to Children’s Panels and firefighters at the scene of fire.
We are committed to making the first contact with the parents of the child or other responsible/relevant person within two working days of the referral. Arrangements will then be made to meet at an appropriate location where the young person will feel comfortable. No child will be approached without the express permission of the parent(s)/guardian/relevant person and the meeting will normally take place in the family home.
The duration of the intervention programme may vary depending on the circumstances. However, any further involvement by the us will be by mutual agreement with all parties.
Some telltale signs of Fire Setting
- Small burn holes in carpets, clothing and furniture
- Charred paper and/or spent matches in sinks or wastebaskets, etc
- Matches or lighters hidden in the child’s room
- An unusual fascination with fires
- Unexplained fires in the home
- Smell of fire or smoke on the child’s clothing
- Evidence of melted plastic material
This behaviour should be recognised and dealt with before it is too late.
Adults should consider their own actions and how they may influence the behaviour of children for whom they are responsible.
| 
Home |
