CTSI Conference 2016 - News In this feature scam campaign YCOY Playsafe CONFERENCE 2016 Banks and charities urged to do more Financial institutions and charities can and should take greater responsibility for the victims of scams, according to research by trading standards and social work experts. CTSI and Bournemouth Universitys National Centre for PostQualifying Social Work believe more can be done to protect the vulnerable from criminals. At the launch of CTSIs annual conference, the research partners called on banks and charities voluntarily to implement the ndings of the research, which urge relevant organisations to: G Recognise their duty of care to dementia sufferers, who could make an unwise decision as a result of their cognitive state. The term is often cited in nancial scamming cases G Allow vulnerable people to put a 24-hour delay on new or large transactions leaving their bank accounts, and send an email or text alerting a carer or loved one at the start of that period G Adopt a default position that personal data is not shared without a clear opt in and that it is not held for more than 12 months before permission is sought again, to prevent suckers lists from being created During the launch, Professor Keith Brown, of Bournemouth University, said: How could we have been so arrogant about nancial scamming? How could our society have missed the plight and not protected some of the most vulnerable citizens in our society? I think this is going to become a big issue. Leon Livermore, CTSI chief executive, said: Vulnerability is not a term that is dened in law, which means it is difcult for professionals to introduce measures to protect vulnerable people. We believe banks and charitable organisations can do more without the need for legislation, and that these relatively straightforward asks would lead to a dramatic reduction in detriment. Adult social care faces a massive funding shortfall and people who are scammed are much more likely to need support. These measures will protect our ageing population and reduce the burden on the state. Edinburgh students put trading standards officers to shame in YCOY final Four students from Boroughmuir High School in Edinburgh have been named consumer champions in the Young Consumers of the Year Competition (YCOY). The students, aged 14 to 17, reached the final round of the two-day competition after scoring the highest points in a series of challenges, and went on to claim victory at the end of the national final quiz. Organised by CTSI and the Consumer Empowerment Alliance, the annual event is for schools and youth groups across the UK, and is intended to test their consumer and financial knowledge. The competition, which used to be staged during Conference week, has grown in size and stature, and now has its own slot, the week before Conference. David Dempster, headteacher of Boroughmuir High School, said: Winning the British final of the young consumer competition is a prestigious achievement and one we are very proud of indeed. This award is the result of a lot of hard work from our pupils and our young consumer coach, Alex Jones, from the City of Edinburgh. The winning YCOY students from Boroughmuir Jessica McGhee, Clare Wilson, Henry Speir and Calum Mackay won 1,000 for their school, the YCOY trophy and a 50 voucher each. Leon Livermore, CTSI chief executive, said: The knowledge and understanding that these students have shown during the competition has been impressive, and even put some of the trading standards officers and professionals in the room to shame. Now in its 30th year, the 2016 YCOY competition was sponsored by Experian, the British Standards Institution, CTSI College of Fellows and the British Toy and Hobby Association. For the first day of the competition, students were invited on board a luxury charter on the River Thames to tackle three 30-minute challenges. There was then a national final quiz on the second day, at Novotel Hotel. Playsafe winner announced A teenager has scooped the top prize in a national competition that aims to raise young peoples awareness of consumer issues and product safety. Shannon Pardoe was announced as the overall winner of Playsafe at CTSI Conference in Telford. The 14-year-old, from Highsted Grammar School, Kent, impressed judges with her Wack A Math toy design, which incorporated safety features but also had a fun, educational twist that challenged players to answer maths questions correctly. Organised by CTSI and the British Toy and Hobby Association (BTHA), Playsafe is an annual competition that encourages children to design toys that reect appropriate product-safety requirements. Leon Livermore, CTSI chief executive, said: These days, it is important that children and young people understand the issues that consumers face every day, and the risks that certain types of products pose. We received some fantastic entries from across the UK that demonstrated a practical understanding of the safety requirements in the toy industry. This years winner showed great imagination and creativity. Shannon was chosen from more than 250 entries and selected as the overall winner. She also came rst in the 12 to 17 age category, and took home 100 for herself and 1,000 for her school. In order of recognition Kia Head, from Laleham Gap School, Kent, G 1st place in the special needs school was awarded rst place in the special needs category was awarded to Kia Head, 14, school category for her design Dino Roar, from Laleham Gap School, Kent, for her while Cara Spice, from Brent Primary School, design Dino Roar Dartford, was the winner of the six- to 11-year G 2nd place in the special needs school category for her creation Personality Dolls. category went to Ralph Noble, 12, Playsafe is open to students aged between from Laleham Gap School, Kent, for his six and 17, with the top entries in each design Bear Photo Friend category showcased to judges for their G Highly Commended in the special consideration at CTSIs Conference. needs category was awarded to Keiran The competition is run locally by schools Chetwynd, 11, from Portal House School, across the UK and aims to challenge Dover, for his design Super Teddy children to gain a better understanding of G 1st place in the 6-11 age category product safety. was awarded to Cara Spice, 10, from Natasha Crookes, director of Brent Primary School, Dartford, for her communications and public affairs at BTHA, Personality Dolls said: The judges had a hard time picking G 2nd place in the 6-11 age category a winner in each of the categories as the went to Erin Bennette, nine, from Seafield standard was high across all nalists. Primary School, Elgin, for her entry Erik It was amazing to see the fun and and Erika Elephant innovation incorporated in the entries, as well G 2nd place in the 12-17 age category as the serious message of the importance of was awarded to Shellie Stinton, 13, from knowing about product safety. High Arcal School, Dudley, for her design Shannon was our overall winner as she Travel Buddies incorporated a huge amount of detail in G Highly Commended in the 12-17 her entry. category went to Lauren Scott, 14, It had a great name, was educational from Highsted Grammar School, while still being fun, and included detailed Sittingbourne, for her design World instructions, safety information and childMap Game development knowledge a fantastic idea and Shannon Pardoes Wack A Math design (above) and (left) Dino Roar by Kia Head brilliantly executed. Credits Images: Sam Atkins To share this page, click on in the toolbar You might also like Conference news 2015