Safeguarding Activity designed to promote the welfare of vulnerable adults, children and young people and minimise the risk of harm

National picture  A number of County and Metropolitan Unitary councils have been in the news over the last twelve months over their failure to safeguard children adequately from sexual exploitation.  A high profile case involving the sexual exploitation of children in Oxford 2012 and in Banbury in 2014  Parish councils have been largely unaffected by this activity

Safeguarding policy A safeguarding policy should outline the range of issues being covered – Abuse – physical, mental, neglect, sexual, financial, FGM – Exploitation – slavery, trafficking, CSE – Radicalisation And then where this intersects with areas of your operation how you will manage the risk

Considerations  Employing staff – robust recruitment policies in place to ensure staff and contractors have been vetted  Physical safety in parish council owned premises and play areas  How to respond to allegations levelled at a member of staff or Councillor  Training

Support  SNC are recommending that parish councils consider adopting a safeguarding policy  SNC will help any Parish with developing a policy  NALC may have a template policy that members can use  LSCBN and LSABN both have websites with further detailed information  Contact: Nicola Riley or Paula Judd