Safeguarding Policy

Policy Statement

Illogan Parish Council is committed to promoting a safe environment and protecting the welfare and wellbeing of all children, young people and adults who come into contact with the Council through its activities, services, facilities and events.

The Council recognises that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is committed to taking appropriate action whenever concerns are raised regarding the welfare or safety of any individual.

The Council will work in partnership with statutory agencies, community organisations, contractors, volunteers and residents to help ensure that children and adults are protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm.

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

Safeguarding is about preventing abuse and protecting those who may be at risk. It includes creating safe environments, promoting wellbeing and responding appropriately where concerns arise.

While social care services, healthcare providers and the police have specific safeguarding responsibilities, everyone has a role to play in keeping people safe.

Scope of this Policy

This policy applies to:

• Parish Councillors
• Employees
• Contractors
• Agency staff
• Volunteers
• Anyone acting on behalf of Illogan Parish Council
• The policy applies whenever individuals are involved in Council activities, services, facilities or events.

Activities Covered by this Policy

Illogan Parish Council may come into contact with children, young people and adults through:

• Organised events, commemorations and community activities, including:
• Christmas Light Events
• Illogan Fun Day
• Remembrance Parade
• Other community events and celebrations
• Council meetings and public consultations
• Maintenance and operational services, including:
• Litter picking
• Park and play area inspections
• Grounds and facilities maintenance
• General contact with members of the public
• Use of Council-owned facilities, land, parks and open spaces

Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

• Provide a safe environment for all individuals.
• Protect children, young people and adults at risk from abuse and neglect.
• Promote a culture of safeguarding awareness and vigilance.
• Establish clear procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure safeguarding considerations are included in Council activities, recruitment and risk assessments.
• Support staff, councillors and volunteers to understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

Definitions

Child: anyone who has not yet reached their 18^th birthday

Adult: a person aged 18 years or over

Adult at Risk:  An adult aged 18 or over who has needs for care and support and may be unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation because of their circumstances.

Safeguarding:  The actions taken to protect an individual’s right to live safely, free from abuse and neglect.

Abuse:  A violation of an individual’s human and civil rights through the misuse of power or control by another person.

Types of Abuse

Abuse can occur in many forms and may involve a single incident or repeated acts.

These include:

Children and Adults

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Neglect and acts of omission
• Financial or material abuse
• Verbal abuse
• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Intimidation or harassment
• Discriminatory abuse
• Domestic abuse
• Modern slavery and exploitation
• Online abuse

Adults at Risk

Additional forms may include:

• Organisational or institutional abuse
• Self-neglect
• Coercive or controlling behaviour

Responsibilities

Illogan Parish Council

The Council will:

• Promote a culture of safeguarding awareness.
• Ensure safeguarding considerations form part of risk assessments.
• Have procedures for reporting concerns.
• Review safeguarding arrangements regularly.
• Cooperate with relevant statutory agencies.
• Ensure this policy is reviewed and updated when necessary.

Councillors, Employees, Contractors and Volunteers

All individuals working on behalf of the Council must:

• Remain vigilant and alert to safeguarding concerns.
• Treat all individuals with dignity and respect.
• Report concerns promptly.
• Follow this policy and related procedures.
• Avoid placing themselves in situations that may give rise to safeguarding concerns or allegations.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Safe Recruitment and DBS Checks

The Council is committed to safer recruitment practices where appropriate.

The Council will:

• Consider safeguarding requirements during recruitment.
• Assess roles to determine whether Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are required.
• Seek advice from the DBS where appropriate.
• Conduct the appropriate level of DBS check where legally required.
• Review staffing and volunteer roles periodically to ensure safeguarding requirements remain appropriate.

Contractors

Where contractors undertake work on behalf of the Council:

• Appropriate risk assessments will be completed.
• Contractors will be expected to comply with relevant safeguarding requirements.
• Contractor performance will be monitored.
• Any safeguarding concerns or complaints will be reported and addressed promptly.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

If You See Something, Say Something

Anyone who has concerns about the welfare or safety of a child or adult should report those concerns immediately.

You do not need proof of abuse to report a concern. Concerns should be shared if there is reasonable suspicion that someone may be at risk.

Do not:

• Investigate the matter yourself.
• Promise confidentiality to the person making a disclosure.
• Delay reporting concerns.

Do:

• Listen carefully.
• Remain calm.
• Record what was seen, heard or reported.
• Report concerns to the appropriate agency as soon as possible.

Where to Report Concerns

Children

Cornwall Multi-Agency Referral Unit (MARU)

Telephone: 0300 123 1116

For advice, guidance or to report concerns about a child.

Adults

Adult Safeguarding Triage Team

Telephone: 0300 123 4131

For advice, guidance or to report concerns about an adult at risk.

Emergency Situations

If someone is in immediate danger or a crime is being committed:

Call 999 immediately.

Anyone can also make a referral if they have concerns that a person may be causing harm to another individual.

Recording Concerns

Whenever a safeguarding concern is identified:

• A written record should be made as soon as possible.
• Records should be factual and objective.
• Individuals should avoid expressing opinions or assumptions.
• Records should include:
• Date and time of concern
• Name of person involved (if known)
• Details of what was seen, heard or disclosed
• Action taken
• Agency contacted

Records must be stored securely and treated as confidential.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Information relating to safeguarding concerns will be handled sensitively and in accordance with relevant data protection legislation.

However, the welfare and safety of an individual takes precedence over confidentiality.

Information may be shared with relevant agencies where there is a safeguarding concern or legal obligation to do so.

Allegations Against Councillors, Staff, Contractors or Volunteers

Any safeguarding concern or allegation involving a councillor, employee, contractor or volunteer must be reported immediately to:

• The Clerk to the Council; or
• The Chairman of the Council (if the allegation concerns the Clerk).

The Council will seek advice from the relevant safeguarding authorities and cooperate fully with any investigation.

Training and Awareness

The Council will:

• Promote awareness of safeguarding responsibilities.
• Provide safeguarding information and guidance where appropriate.
• Ensure those with safeguarding responsibilities understand reporting procedures.
• Review training needs periodically.

Record of Reviews of the Safeguarding Procedure – For Council Use Only

Review Date:

Minute Number:

Reviewed By: Governance Review Committee.

Amendments: