Children and Young People Safeguarding Policy 2022

The legal principle that the welfare of the child is paramount may mean that usual considerations of confidentiality which would apply in other situations should not be to allowed override the Council's exercising of a duty of care and the protection of children and young people from harm. However, every effort shall be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information will be handled and disseminated on a need to know basis only.

This could include sharing information with the following parties to safeguard children and young people:

• statutory child protection agencies: Children and Young People's Services or the Police
• Designated Safeguarding Officer and HR Services Manager.
• the parents of the person who is alleged to have been abused (only following advice from Children and Young People's Services).
• the person making the allegation. (Feedback will only be provided if appropriate).
• OFSTED in the case of a child or young person making a disclosure regarding a staff member of an OFSTED registered facility.
• the alleged abuser and parents if the alleged abuser is a child or young person. (Following advice from Children and Young People's Services).

Information shall be stored in a secure place by the HR Services Manager with limited access by designated people; relevant measures will be taken to ensure confidentiality when sharing information to ensure the protection of children and young people. If information is shared with other agencies a secure method of transfer must be used.