Safeguarding policy

Appendix 1: Safeguarding by topic

1. The six key components of good safeguarding practice are summarised for reference in this annex which should be read in conjunction with the Safeguarding Policy. They are:
   1. 1) Safeguarding Children and Young People
   2. 2) Safeguarding Adults at Risk
   3. 3) Domestic Abuse
   4. 4) Preventing Violent Extremism
   5. 5) Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
   6. 6) Hate Crime and Mate Crime

1. Safeguarding Children and Young People

1. 1.1. The Children Act 2004 places a statutory duty on all agencies to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018, defines this as:
   • protecting children from maltreatment
   • preventing impairment of children's health or development
   • ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
   • taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes
2. 1.2. The Children Act requires agencies to co-operate through the Norfolk Safeguarding Children's Partnership (NSCP) to take coordinated action where there is evidence of abuse and neglect, to identify and prevent Child Sexual Exploitation, to safeguard the victims, to review and understand what occurred, and to make every effort to prevent this occurring again.
3. 1.3. The NSCP develops local guidance in response to issues arising from case reviews such as the Pre-Birth Protocol.
4. 1.4. If you have any concerns that a child, young person is at risk of significant harm or that through early intervention agencies working together could offer help or support, follow the Safeguarding guidance on the Council's website which is also available on its intranet site.

2. Safeguarding Adults at Risk

1. 2.1. The Care Act 2014 defines safeguarding as protecting an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It requires people and organisations to work together to prevent and stop the risk and experience of abuse or neglect, and at the same time to ensure that the adult's wellbeing is being promoted.
2. 2.2. The Care Act 2014 and Care and Support Statutory Guidance 2023 (under review at time of ratification) require all agencies to identify, record, respond to, investigate and report concerns which might indicate that an adult is experiencing or is at risk of experiencing abuse and neglect, always taking account of the needs and wishes of the individual. It requires agencies to co-operate through the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board (NSAB) to take coordinated action where there is evidence of abuse and neglect, to safeguard the victims, to review and understand what occurred, and to make every effort to prevent this occurring again.
3. 2.3. Borough, City and District Councils co-operate fully with Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) to manage registered sex offenders, violent and other offenders who pose a risk of serious harm to the public.
4. 2.4. The Care Act specifically refers to safeguarding people who experience difficulty and require support as a result of self-neglect and hoarding behaviours. Hoarding is beyond collecting and in extreme cases puts the individual, and potentially others, at risk of harm. Great Yarmouth Borough Council facilitates a multi-agency Self-Neglect & Hoarding Panel which takes referrals from internal and external partners to consider practical and emotional support for hoarding behaviour. Referrals can be raised via the safeguarding report form on the intranet or through a support request to the Community Hub.
5. 2.5. If you have any concerns that adult with needs for support and care is at risk of significant harm, follow the Safeguarding guidance on the Council's website which is also available on its intranet site.

3. Domestic Abuse

1. 3.1. The 'Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls' Report and The Ending Violence against Women and Girls Strategy' (2016-2020) outline the need for a multi-agency response to support high risk victims with a commitment to preventative action to reduce domestic abuse. These recognise that men and boys are also victims of domestic abuse, challenging established attitudes and beliefs.
2. 3.2. The Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership (NCCSP) has identified domestic abuse as a priority. Reporting to the NCCSP, the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Group (DASVG) takes responsibility for delivering action to reduce domestic abuse, creating an environment where domestic abuse is not tolerated and seeking to reduce the impact on victims. Developed in consultation with partner agencies, councillors and with victims and survivors of domestic abuse, Norfolk's Domestic Abuse Strategy and Delivery Plan sets the vision and direction for tackling domestic abuse.
3. 3.3. Under the DASVB sits a number of operational subgroups and working groups which meet to deliver on the various objectives associated with this strategy these include:
   • that domestic abuse will not be tolerated
   • that domestic abuse is not the fault of the victim
   • that staff and managers should be aware of domestic abuse, its impact and how to respond appropriately
   • that partner agencies must work together to provide a joined-up approach when responding to domestic abuse situations
   • that prevention, provision of services and partnership working in relation to domestic abuse remains a priority
   • that there is a commitment to justice for victims and reduction in risk.
4. 3.4. The Council co-operates fully with Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) where information about high-risk domestic abuse victims (those at risk of murder or serious harm) is shared to develop a risk-focused, coordinated safety plan to support the victim, ensuring their voice is heard through the Independent Domestic Violence Advisor (IDVA).
5. 3.5. If you suspect or become aware that someone is experiencing Domestic Abuse, follow the Safeguarding guidance on the Council's website which is also available on its intranet site.

4. Radicalisation and Extremism: Prevent/Channel

1. 4.1. Whilst there is no specific terror threat to Norfolk, everyone has an important role to play in identifying and preventing people from becoming radicalised into extremist violence. Section 26 of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 placed a 'Prevent Duty' on all local authorities, requiring councils to have "due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism". Channel is part of the Prevent Strategy, nationally and locally, to intervene early to prevent people becoming radicalised into violent extremism. Norfolk's Prevent Strategy aims to empower all communities and to stand up to the small minority who support violent extremism. Information is available on Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board web site and Norfolk Police and Crime Commissioner web site.
2. 4.2. For more information, refer to the Safeguarding guidance on the Council's website which is also available on its intranet site.

5. Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

1. 5.1. Human trafficking is the movement of a person from one place to another into conditions of exploitation, using deception, coercion, the abuse of power of the abuse of someone's vulnerability. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 unified and simplified previous legislation, giving law enforcement agencies new powers, increasing sentencing and protection for survivors. It requires organisations, including Councils, to take steps to ensure that there is no slavery or human trafficking in their own operations or their supply chains, and to publish an annual Modern Slavery Transparency Statement to provide assurance of this.
2. 5.2. For more information, refer to the Safeguarding guidance on the Council's website which is also available on its intranet site.

6. Hate Crime and Mate Crime

1. 6.1. Crimes committed because of someone's disability, gender identity, race, religion / belief, or sexual orientation are hate crimes. Hate crimes include threatening behaviour, assault, robbery, damage to property, inciting others to commit hate crimes, and harassment. Hate crimes must be reported to the police. Mate crime is a form of crime in which a perpetrator befriends a vulnerable person with the intention of then exploiting them financially, physically, or sexually.
2. 6.2. Great Yarmouth Borough Council is committed to reducing Hate and Mate Crime, identified as a priority of Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership. The Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership's Priorities are:
   • Domestic abuse and sexual offences
   • preventing Extremism and Radicalisation
   • County Lines
3. 6.3. For more information, refer to the Safeguarding guidance on the Council's website which is also available on its intranet site.