The policy covers all Bassetlaw District Council's functions and services and the operations of partners, contractors and voluntary organisations that deliver services for the Council, through grant or contract arrangements, who must maintain or develop their own safeguarding policy statement and procedures to reflect this manual.
Bassetlaw District Council recognises that Nottinghamshire County Council, Health Services and the Police are the lead agencies in the District regarding safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. However, it also recognises that everyone has a responsibility for safeguarding, and those employees who come across children, families and vulnerable adults in any aspect of their work have an important role to play in ensuring that the inter agency processes are effective.
Bassetlaw District Council has a specific statutory duty under Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 to make arrangements for ensuring that their functions, and services provided on their behalf, are discharged with regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. See Statutory guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under section 11 of the Children Act 2004 (updated 2007)
Bassetlaw District Council applies the same degree of commitment to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults.
The term 'employee' in this context is used to cover employees of Bassetlaw District Council and its partners and contractors, as well as volunteers involved in the delivery of activities in Bassetlaw District Council premises or facilities.
Housing needs staff and others with a front line role such as benefits staff, environmental health officers, wardens and those providing sports and leisure services can play an important role in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults as part of their day-to-day work - recognising child welfare issues and the vulnerabilities of some adults, sharing information, making referrals and subsequently managing or reducing risks of harm.
The two main functions of Bassetlaw District Council which specifically impact on safeguarding are housing and leisure. Bassetlaw District Council directly owns the housing and it is the responsibility of the District Council to assess the needs of adults and children under homelessness legislation. In addition, sport and cultural services designed for adults and children - such as play schemes and play facilities, parks and gardens, sports facilities - that are provided by Bassetlaw District Council, and staff who provide these services have various degrees of contact with children and adults who use them. The issue of safeguarding, however, is not relevant only to these functions. There will be other employees of Bassetlaw District Council who may become aware of children and vulnerable adults during the course of their work and these procedures provide the framework within which they all should operate if they have any concerns that safeguarding action may be required.
Last Updated on Wednesday, October 30, 2024