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Welcome to the Safeguarding Section.This section contains guidance on on the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the new Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). As new guidance is developed it will be available for download from this section.

Follow this link for the latest news from the ISA and click here for Frequently Asked Questions on the ISA.

Introduction

Working Together to Safeguard Children, DfES, 2006 outlined the responsibilities of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCB) and states that one of the “core functions” of LSCBs is to ensure appropriate policies and procedures are in place with regard to the recruitment and supervision of people who work with children.

Chapter 3, 3.25 “by establishing effective policies and procedures, based on national guidance, for checking the suitability of people applying for work with children, and ensuring that the children’s work force is properly supervised, with any concerns acted on appropriately”.

Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people. All organisations which employ staff or volunteers to work with children and young people have a duty to safeguard and promote their welfare. This includes ensuring that the organisation adopts safe recruitment and selection procedures which prevent unsuitable persons from gaining access to children.

The following guidance for LSCB partner agencies is based on current legislation, guidance and best practice and aims to promote consistent practice across the county. It is the responsibility of each agency or organisation, including within the voluntary and community sector, to consider how these principles can be embedded in and applied to their organisation. Where appropriate, this will be in consultation with their personnel or Human Resources advisor or other advisory bodies.

Scope

This guidance applies to all adults who have contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults through their work whether in a paid or voluntary capacity. It applies to permanent, temporary and agency staff and to those recruited from overseas. It also applies to staff who do not have direct responsibility for children, but who will have contact with children within the organisation and will be seen as safe and trustworthy and/or have access to confidential and sensitive information e.g. administrative staff, receptionists, caretakers, maintenance workers.

The principles of safe recruitment should also be included in the terms of any contract or service level agreements drawn up between the organisation and contractors or agencies that provide services for, or staff to work with, children and young people. Any service level agreement or contract should contain a safeguarding statement, which makes explicit the standards expected. The agreement should be regularly reviewed.

Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility

Section 11, Children Act 2004, sets out the arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applies to all key local bodies named under section 11(1) of the Act. One of the key features of these arrangements is ensuring safe recruitment procedures are in place.

Organisations should have a policy statement outlining their commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, which it is expected ALL staff and volunteers will share. It should convey that robust recruitment and selection procedures are in place to identify and deter people who might abuse children or are otherwise unsuitable for employment. They are to minimise the possibility of children and young people suffering harm from those in a position of trust.

You can download the guidance by using the links in the left-side menu on this page and then selecting the desired document.