All children and adults at risk of abuse and neglect have the right to live their lives to the fullest potential, to be protected, to have the opportunity to participate in and enjoy any activity, and to be treated with dignity and respect.
It is the duty of every organisation working with children or adults at risk to put in place safeguards to protect their clients. East Staffordshire Borough Council has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure a duty of care for children and adults across its services. The Council are committed to ensuring that all children and adults at risk are protected and kept safe from harm, whilst engaged in Council services.
Safeguarding is broader than ‘child protection’ as it includes prevention and has been defined as:
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All agencies working with children, young people and their families taking all reasonable measures to ensure that the risks of harm to children’s welfare are minimised; and
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Where there are concerns about children and young people’s welfare, all agencies taking appropriate actions to address those concerns, working to agreed local policies and procedures in full partnership with other local agencies.
You can view our Safeguarding Policy here, East Staffordshire Safeguarding Policy, along with supporting information in:
Reporting concerns
When a crime has been committed or if you’re worried about someone’s immediate safety, contact the Police by dialling 999. Otherwise you should report your concerns to Staffordshire County Council’s Social Care team:
Children
Staffordshire Children Advice and Support – 0800 1313126 (between 8:00am and 5:30pm and 4:30pm on a Friday) or on Staffordshire County Council's website.
Outside of 8:00am and 5:30pm contact Staffordshire County Council’s Emergency Duty Service on 0345 6042886.
Adults
To make an Adult Protection referral, advice should be sought from the Contact Centre 0345 6042719 (between 8:30am and 5pm and 4:30pm on a Friday).
Staffordshire Safeguarding Boards
The Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board brings together representatives of each of the main agencies and professionals responsible for promoting the welfare and safety of children and young people in Staffordshire. Download a copy of the Board's annual report here. Follow this link to the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Board.
Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board brings together representatives of key agencies to make sure that local safeguarding arrangements help and protect adults in the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent area. Download a copy of their annual report. More information on the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Adult Safeguarding Partnership Board.
Designated Safeguarding Officer for East Staffordshire Borough Council
The Designated Safeguarding Officer who is the point of contact for any matters arising from East Staffordshire Borough Council's safeguarding responsibilities is Joanne Barrington who can be contacted at joanne.barrington@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk.