Safeguarding children

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. It’s how we protect children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm.

As a major provider of children’s services in the UK, we have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. We share this responsibility with parents, staff, volunteers, and other agencies.

Abuse is the maltreatment or exploitation of a child, young person or vulnerable adult. Abuse can be intentional harm, or the failure to prevent harm.

Abuse can happen online or in person, and can be carried out by adults or other children.

Some of the types of abuse most likely to affect children and young people include: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation, and neglect.

The primary responsibility for safeguarding children and young people rests with their parents and carers. Our services help them keep their children safe.

There may be times when we have to refer a child, young person or an adult to statutory services. We do this when intervention is the best way to keep them safe.

Everyone we work with shares the responsibility to safeguard the wellbeing of our service users. All our staff are asked to abide by our safeguarding framework, and to be responsible for the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of their work.

To learn more about safeguarding in each UK nation, please see the official guidance below.

• Northern Ireland: Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland
• Wales: All Wales Child Protection Procedures
• Scotland: Scottish Government website
• England: Department for Education