Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy 2022

The Council has a 'Whistle Blowing Policy' in line with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. It is also important to have procedures for enabling staff and volunteers to share, in confidence, with a designated person concerns they may have about a colleague's behaviour.

This may be behaviour linked to child abuse or behaviour that pushes boundaries beyond acceptable limits. If this is consistently ignored a culture may develop within an organisation whereby staff and young people are 'silenced'.

The welfare of the child is always paramount to Chorley Council and we fully support 'whistle blowing' for the sake of the child. The Council assures all representatives and professional or voluntary organisations that it will fully support and protect anyone who, in good faith (without malicious intent), reports a concern about a colleague's practice or the possibility that a child or young person may be being abused.
While it is difficult to express concerns about colleagues or issues relating to bad practice, it is vital that these concerns are communicated to a Designated Safeguarding Children Officer or manager. All staff and volunteers will be encouraged to talk to the designated officer if they become aware of anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. For further information please refer to the Council's policy on whistleblowing

Internal complaint procedures

Any complaint or allegation made against Chorley Council's representatives regarding child or young person protection will be handled by Human Resources in conjunction with the relevant Director, following the Council's Disciplinary Procedures. For complaints relating to elected members the matter will be handled by the Council's Monitoring Officer. The Monitoring Officer may decide that the Council's Standards procedures may apply.

Responding to poor practice

If, after investigation, the allegation clearly stems from poor practice, the appropriate Director or manager and Human Resources shall arrange for further information, training and supervision for the representative(s) and service managers. In light of the investigation the Director will be responsible for making any recommended changes to the practices and procedures within their directorate to ensure that the welfare of children and young people is safeguarded and remains paramount. In addition the Lead Safeguarding Officer will undertake a review of the Safeguarding Policy in the light of investigations into poor practice.