Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy - North Devon ...

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NORTH DEVON COUNCIL SAFEGUARDING POLICY 2010 POLICY STATEMENT North Devon Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and protecting them from abuse when they are engaged in services organised and provided by, or on behalf of, the Council. We will endeavour to keep children, young people and vulnerable adults safe from abuse and suspicion of abuse will be responded to promptly and appropriately. We will act in the best interest of the child, young person or vulnerable adult at all times. We will proactively seek to promote the welfare and protection of all children, young people and vulnerable adults living in the community at all times. North Devon Council will ensure that unsuitable people are prevented from working with children, young people and vulnerable adults through its Recruitment and Selection policy. North Devon Council will take any concern made by a Member, employee, volunteer or contracted service provider or child/vulnerable adult seriously and sensitively. Referrals made by a Member, employee, volunteer or contracted service provider cannot be anonymous and should be made in the knowledge that, during the course of enquiries, the agency who made that referral will be made clear as individuals may be required as prosecution witnesses. North Devon Council will not tolerate harassment of any Member, employee, volunteer, contracted service provider or child/vulnerable adult who raises concerns of abuse. The Council will work in cooperation with Devon County Council as required under the Children Act 2004 and will respond positively to any recommendations regarding the improvement of the Council’s safeguarding policies and procedures. AIMS North Devon Council will promote the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults by: ♦ Respecting the rights, wishes, feelings and privacy of children, young people and vulnerable adults by listening to them and minimising risks that may affect them ♦ Preventing abuse by good practice, creating a safe and healthy environment to avoid situations where abuse or allegations of abuse occur ♦ Ensuring that Members, employees and volunteers understand North Devon Council’s relevant Codes of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy ♦ Raising awareness among Members and officers of the safeguarding duty the Council has in relation to the Children Act 2004, where the County Council has lead responsibility ♦ Ensuring that contracted/commissioned and grant funded services have safeguarding policies and procedures commensurate with the level of involvement they have with children, young people and vulnerable adults. ♦ Responding to any allegations appropriately and implementing the appropriate disciplinary and appeals procedures. 2
To achieve these aims, North Devon Council will endeavour to: NORTH DEVON COUNCIL SAFEGUARDING POLICY 2010 ♦ Ensure that training appropriate to the level of involvement with children, young people and vulnerable adults is available for Members, employees, volunteers and contracted service providers ♦ Respond appropriately to concerns reported ♦ Develop and implement effective procedures for recording and responding to incidents and accidents ♦ Develop and implement effective procedures for recording and reporting to the County Council, any allegations or suspicions of abuse ♦ Promote the welfare and wellbeing of children, young people and vulnerable adults during and within Council services, including in the planning of services ♦ Maintain a good level of safe working practice at all times to minimise risk to children, young people and vulnerable adults that come into contact with Members, employees, volunteers and contracted service providers. (See Safe Working Practice Page 12) SCOPE OF THE POLICY This Safeguarding Policy covers all Members, employees, volunteers and contracted services providers (who have appropriately adopted this policy). However, few Members, employees or volunteers will be working directly with children, young people or vulnerable adults as part of their duties or activities for or on behalf of the Council. Safe Working Practices (see page 12) should be used on all occasions where Members, employees, volunteers or contracted services come into contact with children, young people or vulnerable adults. There is also a protocol for working safely with children, young people and vulnerable adults that employees should refer to. There are some occasions when using Safe Working Practice is of particular importance: ♦ School talks and events ♦ Work experience ♦ Community engagement ♦ Housing visits ♦ Visits to homes/private premises for inspection/enforcement purposes ♦ Parks and Grounds Maintenance There are a small group of employees for whom a CRB/ISA registration will be required where there is substantial or regular contact which may be unsupervised such as museum employees running holiday activity sessions. DEFINITIONS The phrase ‘children, young people and vulnerable adults’ refers to: a) anyone under the age of 18 years, b) someone who is over the age of 18 who is, or may be in need of community care services by reasons of mental health or other disability, age or illness and is, or may be, unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation. (Lord Chancellor’s Department, 1997) 3
Page 2 and 3: CONTENTS Introduction Page 1 Policy
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Page 12 and 13: Licensing NORTH DEVON COUNCIL SAFEG
Page 20 and 21: APPENDIX 4: PHOTOGRAPHY AND PORNOGR
Page 22 and 23: APPENDIX 5: RELEVANT LEGISLATION NO
Page 26 and 27: APPENDIX 2: EQUALITY IMPACT AND NEE
Page 28 and 29: 6. Please mark answers with a X NOR
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Children and Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Policy - North Devon ...

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