All children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect have the right to live their lives to the fullest potential, to be protected, to have the opportunity to participate and enjoy any activity and to be treated with dignity and respect.
We have both a moral and legal obligation to ensure a duty of care for all children and adults across our services at the Council and are committed to ensuring that those using the services organised and provided by us are protected and kept safe from harm.
The purpose of this Policy and association procedures is to help protect all children and adults, including those living our communities, placed in our care within our services and to protect Stafford Borough Council, our staff, elected members and volunteers.
Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk of Abuse and Neglect Policy (pdf 666kb)
Safeguarding Children
Improving the way people work together to safeguard, support and improve the welfare of children is crucial. Sections 10 and 11 of the Children Act 2004 place new duties upon Local Authorities and their partners to co-operate to make arrangements to ensure that they improve and safeguard the welfare of all children.
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Safeguarding Adults
A vulnerable adult can be anyone who is 18 years old or over, who has a physical or sensory impairment, a learning disability, or a mental health problem and may be unable to protect themselves from harm or abuse. Many frail or confused older people are especially vulnerable.
Allegations against staff and volunteers
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Points of Contact:
Children's Safeguarding
Staffordshire Families Integrated Front Door can be contacted on 0300 111 8033 during the below hours:
Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5.00pm
Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm
Outside of these hours, overnight, over a weekend and Bank Holidays, any child protection concerns should be directed to Staffordshire County Council Emergency Duty Service on (EDS) 0345 604 2886
Adult Safeguarding
The Vulnerable Adult service can be contacted on 0345 604 2719 of through email at VAstaffordshire@staffordshire.gov.uk during the below hours:
Monday to Thursday from 9.00am to 5.00pm
Friday from 9.00am to 4.30pm
Outside of these hours, if you have a concern about the safety of a vulnerable adult and need to report it overnight, over a weekend or on a Bank Holiday, contact the Emergency Duty Service (EDS) 0345 604 2886.
Alternatively, you can contact Staffordshire Police Central Referral Unit on 101 or dial 999 in an emergency.