Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults Policy Equality Screening

S75 Equality And Good Relations Screening Form

General Information: Policy/ Procedure.

This is a revised policy.

Operational Area: Sport & Wellbeing Department & Council Facilities & Services.

Title: Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy and Procedures and Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures. 

Brief Summary:

The purpose of these policies and their respective associated procedures is to help protect the children, young people and adults at risk who use our services and to ensure that Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council employees, agency workers, volunteers and elected members are aware of issues that can cause children & young people and adults at risk from harm and take effective action to protect them.  By complying fully with these policies and procedures, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council seeks to ensure that employees, agency workers, volunteers and elected members are also protected whilst carrying out their duties.
 

What is it trying to achieve? (intended aims and outcomes)

Every child, young person and adult at risk has a right to feel safe and protected and as a provider of public facilities and services Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council is committed to creating and maintaining the safest possible environment for the children, young people and adults at risk who use our facilities and come into contact with members of our workforce.  These policies will set out the framework for Safeguarding and ensure that Council meets all its legal responsibilities to children, adults at risk and families that it directly or indirectly provides a service to.  These policies aim to:

• Promote zero tolerance of harm to all children and adults at risk.
• Influence the way Council thinks about harm to children and adults at risk by embedding a culture which recognises every person’s right to respect and dignity, honesty, humanity and compassion in every aspect of their life.
• Establish clear procedures for reporting and responding to concerns / incidents.
• Ensure safe recruitment, selection and other relevant HR procedures are integral in creating safe environments for children and adults at risk.
• Ensure effective and co-ordinated multi-agency responses are provided.
• Promote a continuous learning approach to Safeguarding.

Who owns and who implements each element of the function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Sport and Well-being Head of Service owns the policy.

Each directorate is responsible for implementation in their own area.

Council leads provide advice on safeguarding.

Other policies etc. which have a bearing on this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?

Strategies:

These Safeguarding policies & procedures have been developed in association with the NSPCC and has considered all relevant documentation and guidelines within the planning process.  The development of these policies & procedures and presenting them to Council for approval is an integral element of Sport & Wellbeing’s Business Plan for 2023.  These policies operate in parallel and are supported by the following council policies / guidance documents:
• Equality Scheme
• OD/HR policies
• Whistleblowing
• Health & Safety at Work
• Anti Bribery and Corruption Policy
• Complaints, Comments and Compliments
• Data Protection
• GDPR
• Code of Conduct

Studies, Publications, Statistics and Guidance:

• Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency – Census 2021
• Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland
• Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Procedures Manual
• The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007
• Child protection system for Northern Ireland | NSPCC Learning
• Care standards - documents | Department of Health
• Convention on the Rights of the Child | OHCHR

Available Evidence

Evidence to help inform the screening process may take many forms.  Public authorities should ensure that their screening decision is informed by relevant data.
What evidence/information (both qualitative and quantitative have you gathered to inform this function, service, policy, procedure, project, strategy, plan or guidance?  Specify details for relevant Section 75 categories.
 

For the purpose of obtaining data for this screening exercise we are of the view that the Northern Ireland Census 2021 statistics relating to the Causeway Coast and Glens Local Government District, would have the most relevance in providing an illustration of the patrons likely to be affected by both the Safeguarding Children & Young People Policy and Procedures and the Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures.
Causeway Coast and Glens has developed these policies and procedures in conjunction with the NSPCC (recognised as a Leading Authority in all aspects with regard to Safeguarding Policies and procedures). Council is also represented on two professional bodies i.e. the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland and the Local Government Safeguarding Network. These bodies offer an excellent opportunity to benchmark, share information, examples of best practice and to ensure Council meets our obligations pertaining to Safeguarding Legislation.
The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the principles contained within UK legislation and Government Guidance and have been developed to complement the Safeguarding Adults Board’s policy and procedures, and take the following into consideration:

• Adult Safeguarding: Prevention and Protection in Partnership, DoH
• Adult Safeguarding Operational Procedures
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• The Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998
• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007
• The Sexual Offences (Northern Ireland) Order 2008
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Data Protection Act 1998
• Disability Discrimination Act 1995
• Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2015