Safeguarding statement

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