Letcombe Regis Parish Council Safeguarding Policy
Letcombe Regis Parish Council Safeguarding Policy 2026
SECTION 1
Introduction: Everyone has a duty to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults. This policy promotes good practice in safeguarding for Councillors and for those using parish council facilities in whatever capacity. The Parish Council should review it annually
Definitions:
Children and young people: Anyone under the age of 18 years
Volnerable Adults: Anyone over 18 who is:
Unable to care for themselves
Unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation
Or may be in need of community care services
To whom this policy applies This policy applies to Councillors and anyone working for or on behalf of the Parish Council whether in a paid, voluntary of commissioned capacity, for example contracted to do a piece of work.
Any individual or group hiring, leasing or using the Recreation Ground and Village Hall Trust facilities for the purpose of delivering any service to children, young people or vulnerable adults must follow the Safeguarding Policy of the Recreation Ground and Village Hall Trust.
What should be a cause for concern
Any person listed above to whom this policy applies should be concerned by any action or inaction, which significantly harms the physical and/or emotional developmemt of a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
Abuse falls into ten main categories and can include child exploitation and female genital mutilation:
Physical abuse
Emotiona or Psychological Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Neglect or Acts of Omission
Domestic Violence or Abuse
Financial or Material Abuse
Modern Slavery
Discriminatory Abuse
Organisational or Institutional Abuse
Self-neglect
Councillors, Staff and their agents coming into contact with children and vulnerable adults need to have an awareness of safeguarding.
SECTION 2
Promoting a safe environment
In order to promote a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults, the Parish Council will:
Provide safe facilities and do regular safety assessments on the Millennium Green and Parish Council Burial ground
Ensure that Councillors, employees, volunteers, agents of the Parish Council and leaders of activities on the Millennium Green and Parish council Burial Ground, are aware of the safeguarding expectations.
Display on noticeboards the relevant safeguarding contacts for advice and help. See below
SECTION 3
Safe working practice
All users of Parish Council Facilities must follow the safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults policy and procedures at all times.
Expectations of behaviour
All Councillors and Staff and others to whom this policy applies should:
Ensure that commuications, behaviour and interaction with parishioners should be appropriate and professional
Treat each other with respect
Refrain from any behavious that involves racism, sexism, ageism and bullying and report any instances of such behaviour to safeguarding councillor. See below.
SECTION 4
Allegations against staff and volunteers
All councillors, Staff and agents of the Parish Council should take care not to place themselves in a vulnerable position with a child or vulnerable adult
If an allegation is made against a member of staff, agent or Councillor, the persion receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Safeguarding Councillor or if allegation is made against him or her, the Chair of the Parish Council. In either case the allegation will immediately be reported to the Local Authority Designated Officer.
The Parish Council will follow the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB) procedures for managing allegations against Councillors, staff agents or volunteers as per the OSCB website. No attempt should be made to interview, investigate or take acion bfore consulation with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). See contact details below.
Whistleblowing
All Councillors and staff should be aware of their duty to raise concernes about the attitude or actions of colleagues and appropriate advice will be sought from the LADO or Safeguarding Team.
Useful Safeguarding Contact Details
Contact: Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) to report a concern of abuse or neglect call the MASH Team Email: mash-childrens@oxfordshire.gcsx.gov.uk Telephone; 0845 0507666
Local Authority Designated Officer To report an allegation agains a person of trust
Email: LADO.safeguardingchildren@oxfordshire.gov.uk Telephone 01865 810603
Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB) For general safeguarding issues and training please contact the OSCB Team Email: OSCB@oxfordshire.gov.uk Telephone 01865 815843
Letcombe Regis Parish Council Safeguarding Councillor
Contact: Cllr Lapsley Email: jeannelapsley@gmail.com Telephone 01235772900
March 2025