Safeguarding
Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service believe that all adults and children must be protected from harm at all times. We believe every person should feel and be safe. Safeguarding is work that enables individuals to retain independence, wellbeing and choice and to live a life free from abuse and neglect. We want to make sure that everyone we come into contact with understands this and that they are empowered to tell us if they are suffering any type of harm.
We want to ensure that everyone we come into contact with are able to use the services we offer in safety and that parents and carers who have contact with our Service are supported to care for their children in a way that promotes the child’s health and well-being and helps to keep them safe.
Responsibility for ensuring that safeguarding is part of the organisation’s business model lies with the Area Manager of Prevent, Protect and Partnerships. However, it is important to understand that safeguarding is the responsibility of all our people - whether a volunteer, paid employee; operational or support staff, regardless of managerial responsibility.
Our Safeguarding Policy and procedures are not only for our people to use when they have either recognised a Safeguarding concern when performing their role or for when a Safeguarding concern has been brought to their attention from a colleague; it should also be used to assist all staff, apprentices and volunteers and to support them as individuals if they have recognised a Safeguarding concern, either for themselves as individuals or if they have concerns for their family members, friends or neighbours.
We all have a responsibility to ensure safeguarding and prevention of abuse.
- ACFO Michelle Hickmott
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the term used to describe all work to help children, young people and adults with care and support needs to stay safe from abuse and neglect and, wherever possible, to prevent or limit the risk of that harm.
There is a duty on organisations to make appropriate arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults with care and support needs who are at risk of or experiencing abuse and neglect. This involves people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that a child or adult’s health, safety and wellbeing is promoted.
How can I report abuse?
If you feel that anyone, a child or an adult is at immediate risk of harm or their life is in danger call 999.
If you are concerned an adult or child is at risk of, or experiencing abuse and neglect - the following websites have information about how to report this, within your local area:
Adult Safeguarding Concerns - Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent