Safeguarding children policy

HM Government: Working Together to Safeguard Children (2015) guidance covers the legislative requirements and expectations on individual services to safeguard and promote the welfare of children; and sets out the following priorities which all organisations providing services for children, parents or families should demonstrate to fulfil their commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council has agreed to be audited regularly on these outcomes by the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board.

To meet these priorities we will:

• Have a policy for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in line with guidance from Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children's Board.
• Develop and implement recruitment and selection procedures that take account of the need to protect children and young people including arrangements for appropriate checks on new staff and volunteers.
• Take all reasonable measures to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
• Lead from the top through clear commitment by senior management to safeguard and promote children's welfare.
• Put in place sound governance arrangements with a clear line of accountability within the organisation in relation to safeguarding issues.
• Have in place recruitment and human resources management procedures which take account of the need to protect children and young people, including arrangements for appropriate checks on new staff and volunteers.
• Develop and implement clear and comprehensive procedures for reporting and dealing with allegations of abuse against members of staff, Members and volunteers.
• Put in place arrangements to ensure all staff and Members undertake and refresh appropriate training to equip them to carry out their safeguarding responsibilities effectively.
• Put in place arrangements to work effectively with other organisations to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, including arrangements for sharing information.
• Promote a culture of listening to and talking with children to ensure their views on actions and intervention are taken into account.

Further professional guidance is available from the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board Procedures Manual