2.1 Safeguarding
Safeguarding is broader than child or adult protection. It includes:
- promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults experiencing or at risk from abuse or neglect.
- protecting children, young people and adults from abuse and maltreatment, preventing harm to the health or development of children, young people and adults experiencing or at risk from abuse or neglect.
- ensuring children and young people grow up with the provision of safe and effective care.
- taking action to enable all children, young people and adults experiencing or at risk from abuse or neglect to have the best outcomes.
- the provision of specialist services where harm or abuse has or is suspected to have occurred.
Safeguarding is everybody’s business – the public, volunteers and professionals. The Council recognises that safeguarding is the corporate responsibility of every employee, councillor, organisations and contractors who work for or provide services on behalf of Norwich City Council.
2.2 Child
The term child or young person is used to refer to anyone under the age of 18.
2.3 Adults experiencing or at risk from abuse or neglect
Under the Care Act 2014, a person who is 18 years of age or older is considered to be an adult at risk if she or he:
- has needs for care and support (whether or not the Local Authority is meeting any of those needs) and;
- is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and;
- as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.
2.4 Other terms
- The term ‘parent’ is used as a generic term to represent parents, carers and guardians.
- The term ‘staff’ or ‘employee’ is used to refer to any person working for or on behalf of the council in a paid or voluntary capacity.
- The term ‘elected member’ is used to refer to any councillor elected to serve Norwich City Council.
- The term contractor or sub-contractor is used to describe any individual or organisation delivering services on behalf of the council.
