Introduction

Introduction This Safeguarding policy is designed to provide straight forward information and advice for frontline staff, volunteers and managers who work with children and young people and their families and those working with adults at risk of abuse; supporting them to respond promptly and effectively to allegations or concerns of abuse.

Additional information and advice concerning children and families is available from the Children's Safeguarding Assurance Partnership (CSAP) website.. This includes access to Lancashire Council's safeguarding policies and procedures concerning the welfare of children.

Additional information concerning the protection and wellbeing of adults can be found at the Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board website, which should be viewed alongside the with the Pan-Lancashire and Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures

Chorley Borough Council and South Ribble Borough Council (hereafter The Council) policy is consistent with key legislation and national and local guidance for the protection of children and adults including:

The Children Act 1989, The Children Act 2004, Children and Families Act 2014, Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, Working together to safeguard children 2018, Modern Slavery Act 2015, The Prevent Duty Guidance, Mental Health Act 1983, Mental Capacity Act 2005, The Marriage and Civil Partnership (minimum Age) Act 2022, Protection of Freedoms Act 2012, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Mental Capacity Act and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards 2015, The Care Act 2014, and The Care and Support Guidance 2023.

In partnership with other organisations, the Council deliver a range of services and activities for children, young people and adults, some of whom may be vulnerable to abuse and neglect. The Council's safeguarding responsibilities need to be understood and fulfilled in partnership with a range of agencies and professionals and this policy sets out the ways in which the Council and its representatives will work to keep people safe and promote their welfare.

Everyone employed by the Council has a responsibility to adhere to and implement this policy and to report suspected abuse or poor practice to the Officers and agencies identified within it. For the purpose of this policy the term 'employee' relates to any person paid or unpaid working with adults in need of protection, children and their families on behalf of the Council i.e. a representative of the council for example an Elected Member.

The purpose of this policy and procedure sets out our commitment to addressing children and adult safeguarding issues and ensuring that the appropriate agencies are engaging in providing a response to any concerns raised. It outlines what should be the response of a council representative if they encounter any safeguarding issue.

This policy applies to all children and adults in need of safeguarding that come to the attention of Council officers and representatives as they undertake their roles and responsibilities for the Council.

Under the Care Act 2014, the term "vulnerable adults" became "adults at risk" to recognise a shift in service philosophy and practice. The term 'Safeguarding Adults' reinforces that all adults have the right to live free from abuse and degrading treatment, but that some people may have that right compromised. Throughout this policy the term adults at risk, adults in need of protection or simply adults will be used to refer to adults who may be vulnerable due to their circumstances.

 It is recognised that particular sections of our community such as those that access social care; those who are elderly and those with learning difficulties may be at greater risk from abuse than others.