Draft Safeguarding Policy

Everyone has a fundamental right to be safe. Whatever the cause, and wherever it occurs, harm caused to children and adults by abuse, exploitation or neglect is not acceptable.

Our Safeguarding All ages Policy emphasises that safeguarding is everyone’s business. As a Council, we will strive to prevent harm to children and adults from abuse, exploitation, or neglect. The policy requires us to put all individuals who may be at risk at the centre of what we do, to listen to them and to work in partnership with them and on an inter-agency basis to create an organisation which has a zero-tolerance of harm to the most vulnerable people living in Northern Ireland.

This policy is Belfast City Council’s contribution to the fulfilment of a Northern Ireland Executive Programme for Government commitment to deliver a package of measures to safeguard children and adults who are at risk of harm and to promote a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s business. It sets out the Councils responsibilities and details where support can be obtained.

We recognise that the Safeguarding Policy must be owned at all levels within the organisation. The Chief Executive, Elected members and the Corporate Leadership Team, will be responsible for its approval and ensuring it is fully implemented and reviewed. We will strive to incorporate the ethos of trauma informed practise into all aspects of council life by incorporating the key principles of safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, voice and choice. Whist also recognising the impacts of cultural, historical, and gender issues.

Our revised policy:

Our policy coves two main areas:

Part 1 - Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy

Part 2 - Safeguarding Adults Policy

Why your views matter

It is important the community and all interested stakeholders are given the opportunity to have their say or to raise any concerns in relation to this new draft policy. This helps ensure our new policy is fit for purpose. Each response will be given due consideration to enable the council to identify issues and, where appropriate, consider potential solutions to address any issues identified.

We very much welcome your views and comments. Please complete the survey to share your views with us.