Safeguarding Policies Overview

A formal policy that outlines guidelines for protecting individuals from harm, ensuring their well-being, and safeguarding their rights.

The act of protecting individuals from harm, abuse, and neglect, ensuring their health, well-being, and human rights.

The scope of a safeguarding policy covers employees, service users, and visitors to the organization, protecting them from harm.

A statutory duty of local authorities to safeguard and promote the welfare of individuals at risk, including children, young people, and adults.

General practitioners (GPs) play a crucial role in safeguarding by identifying potential neglect patterns and referring patients appropriately to secondary care or social care.

Hospitals, as part of the secondary healthcare system, follow up on referrals and respond to inter-agency requests related to safeguarding issues.

Educational institutions, such as schools and colleges, play a vital role in safeguarding by identifying early warning signs of neglect or other issues that may impact students.

Ofsted inspects and regulates services caring for children and young people, ensuring quality and safety standards are met.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) monitors, inspects, and regulates health and social care services, ensuring quality and safety are maintained.

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) provides criminal record checks and decisions regarding individuals working with vulnerable groups, ensuring safer recruitment practices.

A model where agencies and professionals involved in child safeguarding collaborate to gather and process information quickly, leading to efficient and effective decisions regarding child safety.

A legally binding agreement between an employer and an employee outlining terms of employment, rights, responsibilities, and duties.

Formal assessments of an employee's work performance against standards and expectations, including targets and formal standards for highly regulated sectors.

Formal processes for addressing unacceptable employee behavior (misconduct) or performance issues (lack of capability), ensuring fair and consistent treatment.

A formal process for resolving concerns, problems, or complaints raised by employees regarding their work, working conditions, or relationships with colleagues.

Any concern, problem, or complaint raised by an employee at work.

Making all groups of people in society feel valued and important, promoting equality and inclusion.

The exclusion of certain groups from society, often based on factors like homelessness, drug or alcohol dependence, or being a victim of modern slavery.

The term used by Public Health England to describe how socially excluded groups experience multiple health risks, stigma, and discrimination, hindering their access to healthcare.

The pattern where those with the greatest need for medical care are often least likely to receive it, perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage.

Strategies for promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, valuing employees, customers, and stakeholders to address disparities and create a fair and equitable environment.

A service provided by Acas (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) to help resolve workplace disputes, ensuring fair and equitable practices.

Employment tribunals are responsible for resolving legal disputes between employers and employees when individuals believe they have been treated unfairly.

The importance of adhering to quality standards in organizations to ensure consistent, high-quality outcomes, whether they are national, international, or internal standards.

A legal document outlining employment terms, including employer and employee information, payment details, work schedule, and job duration.

Agreements between employers and unions or staff associations, often forming the basis of employment contracts.

Terms implied in employment contracts that are not explicitly stated but are generally understood, such as maintaining a safe workplace.

A wider statement provided by employers within two months of employment, including details about pensions, collective agreements, and training opportunities.