Decision Reference Number: WPCC4-0029
Lead Officer: Polly Reed
Chief Officer approval: N/A
Date: 16/10/24
Publication
Information in this form is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act) and other legislation. Unless the information provided is covered by an exemption and stated to be either confidential or partly confidential, the information contained in the form will be published on the OPCC website.
Status: Non-confidential
Decision summary:
This policy sets out the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCCs) approach to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults. It applies to all aspects of our work and to everyone working for the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) including permanent and temporary employees, contractors, self-employed contractors and anyone working on behalf of or undertaking work or volunteering for the OPCC.
I confirm that my register of interests declaration is up to date and that none of my interests preclude me from making this decision.
Signature: P.Seccombe
Date: 18.10.2024
Supporting information
1. Background information: why do we need to make this decision?
This policy sets out the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCCs) approach to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
As an organisation we are fully committed to our statutory safeguarding responsibilities, including our responsibilities under the Children’s Act 2004 to cooperate with relevant partners with a view to improving the well-being of children (Section 10) and to make arrangements for ensuring that our functions are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, including any services provided by another on our behalf (Section 11).
We further recognise our responsibility to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and ensure the protection of all vulnerable people from harm. We acknowledge our duty to respond appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse and seek to ensure that any safeguarding issues identified as part of the OPCC’s work (including any reports made directly to our organisation) are handled in accordance with the policy. This includes ensuring that the providers we commission have effective procedures for keeping children, adults at risk, and other vulnerable individuals, safe from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The aim of the policy is to ensure staff are aware of the expectations placed on them in relation to safeguarding, and to provide clear guidance, procedures and signposting information, which should be adopted in line with best practice.
2. What additional documents are relied upon? Please provide a link or separate attachments.
Safeguarding Policy Policy – Safeguarding
3. What benefits will this bring, including financial, social or environmental benefits?
This policy sets out the expected actions and behaviours of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
4. What is the impact of not approving the application?
Lack of clarity to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults.
5. How much will it cost? (please provide cost breakdown, including any identified savings, and include where they have been approved)
None Identified.
6. Who has been consulted on this proposal?
The policy has been written to be fully compliant with all relevant legislation and statutory guidance.
7. Will this decision have an impact on any specific individuals or groups or communities?
This policy should support the office’s wish to treat all those who they affect with equality and fairness and recognise
8. Does this decision have legal implications? Has legal advice been sought?
Legal advice has been sought.
Comments from the Chief Finance Officer
There are no financial implications or costs directly associated with this decision, but it will provide for strong governance and professionalism within the OPCC which will help to ensure that value for money and risks are reduced which could result in cost avoidance.
Comments from the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer
This agreed policy is an essential element of the office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, providing evidence of sound governance processes.
