Safeguarding Policy
Document Control
Document No. POL-P15
Adoption Date Sep 2019
Last Review Date Apr 2026
Next Review Date Feb 2028
Parish Office
Whittle Hall Community Centre
Lonsdale Close
Great Sankey www.greatsankeypc.org.uk
Warrington enquiries@gs-pc.net
WA5 3UA 01925 712279
GSPC Safeguarding Policy
1. Executive Summary
Great Sankey Parish Council has a duty to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable
adults. This policy outlines practice that will promote the safety of children, young people and
vulnerable adults using parish council facilities. The policy will be reviewed regularly by the
parish council.
Great Sankey Parish Council recognises that for this policy to be effective, it is essential that
everyone working in and for the organisation understands what safeguarding is, knows that
safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and knows how to access further advice, support
or services.
2. Definitions
Children and young people: anyone under the age of 18
Vulnerable Adult: anyone over 18 who is unable to care for themselves; unable
to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation as a
result of age, frailty, disability, illness or lifestyle; in need of
community care services.
3. Policy Objectives
• To ensure where possible all facilities and activities offered by the Parish Council are
designed and maintained to limit risk.
• To promote the general welfare, health and development of children by being aware of
child protection issues and to be able to respond where appropriate as a local
government organisation.
• Whilst the parish council does not directly provide care or supervision services to children
and vulnerable adults, it expects all children and vulnerable adults using its facilities to do
so with the consent and necessary supervision of a parent, carer or other responsible
adult.
• The parish council will endeavour to ensure that any organisation or group providing
activities for children and vulnerable adults within its facilities have their own safeguarding
policies, as well as appropriate training and DBS checks for staff and volunteers.
4. Promoting a Safe Environment
To promote a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults, Great
Sankey Parish Council will:
• provide safe facilities and undertake regular safety checks and risk assessments
• ensure that employees, councillors and volunteers are aware of safeguarding
expectations and receive appropriate training
• provide a point of contact for reporting any concerns and for further information (Parish
Office)
5. Recognising Signs of Abuse
5.1 Children – look for changes in the following:
• appearance – such as frequent unexplained injuries, consistently poor hygiene, matted
hair, unexplained gifts, parents regularly collecting children when drunk/under the
influence of drugs
• behaviour – such as demanding or aggressive behaviour, frequent lateness, avoiding
family members, misusing drugs or alcohol, being constantly tired
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GSPC Safeguarding Policy
• communication – such as sexual or aggressive language, self-harming, becoming
secretive and reluctant to share information or being overly obedient
5.2 Adults
Abuse or neglect of adults can be single or repeated acts, be done deliberately or
unintentionally, be a result of a failure of other to protect them. I can occur in many forms, for
example:
• Physical abuse – such as hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, or restraint
• Domestic Abuse – psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse or
‘honour-based violence’
• Sexual abuse – such as rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, or innuendo
• Psychological abuse –intimidation, bullying, shouting, swearing, taunting, threatening or
humiliating someone.
• Financial or material abuse – theft, fraud, forcing someone to do something in relation
to their financial arrangements (for example wills, property, financial transactions),
misusing or taking their money, possessions or benefits.
• Modern slavery – Slavery (including domestic slavery), human trafficking and forced
labour.
• Discriminatory abuse – such as harassment, slurs or similar treatment
• Organisational abuse – organisational neglect and poor care in an institution such as a
hospital, care home or care agency. This could be a culture of bullying, poor organisation,
denying people choice, and lack of dignity and respect for service users.
• Neglect and acts of omission – ignoring medical, emotional or physical-care needs,
failing to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services,
and withholding necessities, such as medication, adequate food and drink and heating.
• Self-neglect – this covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s
personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding
6. Reporting Concerns
Staff, Councillors and volunteers should report any concerns as soon as possible to the
Parish Office who will advise on the appropriate contact, or directly to the following:
Warrington Borough Council
Children’s Safeguarding/Social Work Team 443322
(Out of Office Hours 444410)
Police
If you believe a crime has been committed 101
If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm 999
7. Allegations against Staff and Volunteers
All staff should take care not to place themselves in a vulnerable position with a child or
vulnerable adult and should not take on a supervisory role at any time whilst on duty for the
parish council.
Should an allegation be made, the matter will be reported to the relevant organisation (see
above) and the parish council will follow its own disciplinary procedures as appropriate,
including suspension from work during any investigations if necessary.
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8. Further Information
Warrington Safeguarding Partnership: – www.warrington.gov.uk/wsp
Gov.uk: Report child abuse – www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse
NSPCC: What is child abuse – www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/
NHS: Child sexual abuse – www/nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/spotting-signs-of-child-sexual-
abuse/
Action for Children – www.actionforchildren.org.uk/how-to-help/worried-about-a-child/
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