Safeguarding Policy

Basildon Borough Council (the council) is fully committed to its duties and responsibilities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation. This Safeguarding Policy reinforces that commitment and provides reassurance that the council will act in the best interests of the local community.

Safeguarding cannot be achieved by one agency alone and the role we play, alongside our partners to effectively deliver this commitment across Southend Essex and Thurrock is paramount. We will therefore demand good public services from our partner agencies in this regard.

All children and adults have the right to participate and be safe receiving the services provided for them regardless of age, race, disability, culture, gender or any other protected characteristic. This includes a right to protection from abuse, neglect, and any form of exploitation.

This Safeguarding Policy aims to ensure that a consistent approach to safeguarding exists across all council services. It outlines key roles and responsibilities of individual officers to embed safeguarding policies, practices and procedures into the council's everyday business.

The council offers support to those working with children, young people and adults at risk by providing training, guidance and procedures, enabling them to protect themselves and others when dealing with residents who are at risk of abuse, neglect and exploitation.

This policy is supported by the Safeguarding Strategy which sets out the required actions to be taken to secure delivery of this policy, underpinned by a range of operational procedures which are consistent with the local authority areas of Southend, Essex and Thurrock (SET).