Safeguarding

Our Commitment to Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk

At Ards and North Down Borough Council the safety, welfare, and well-being of everyone we work with, volunteer alongside, or provide services to, is our paramount concern. We are fully committed to safeguarding children and adults at risk from all forms of harm, abuse, and neglect. We believe everyone has the right to feel safe and respected.

What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding means:

Protecting children and adults at risk from abuse and maltreatment.
Preventing harm to their health or development.
Ensuring children grow up with safe and effective care.
Taking action to enable all children and adults at risk to have the best outcomes.
Promoting their welfare and acting in their best interests.

Who Do We Safeguard?

Children: Anyone under the age of 18.

Adults at Risk: Individuals aged 18 or over who may need community care services due to disability, age, or illness, and who are unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.

Recognising Abuse and Neglect

Harm, abuse, and neglect can take many forms. It's important to be aware of the different types, which can include (but are not limited to):

Physical Abuse: Hitting, shaking, poisoning, burning, etc.
Emotional Abuse: Constant criticism, threats, humiliation, bullying, harassment.
Sexual Abuse: Forcing or enticing participation in sexual activities, sexual exploitation.
Neglect: Persistent failure to meet basic physical and/or psychological needs.
Financial or Material Abuse: Theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure regarding wills, property, or benefits.
Discriminatory Abuse: Abuse based on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, etc.
Organisational Abuse: Neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting.
Modern Slavery: Encompassing slavery, human trafficking, forced labour, and domestic servitude.
Self-Neglect: Neglecting one's own care needs, leading to significant risk.

Signs of abuse or neglect are not always obvious, but could include unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour or mood, withdrawal, fear of certain people or places, or appearing unkempt or hungry. Trust your instincts - if something doesn't feel right, it's important to report it.

Our Safeguarding Approach

Ards and North Down Borough Council is committed to effective safeguarding through:

Clear Policies and Procedures: We have robust safeguarding policies in place for both children and adults at risk, which are regularly reviewed.
Designated Safeguarding Officers (DSO): We have designated people responsible for overseeing safeguarding within our organisation.
Safe Recruitment: We follow safe recruitment practices for all staff and volunteers who work with children or adults at risk, including appropriate checks.
Training: We ensure our staff and relevant volunteers receive regular safeguarding training appropriate to their roles.
Raising Awareness: We promote awareness of safeguarding issues and responsibilities.
Responding Effectively: We take all concerns seriously and respond promptly and appropriately, working in partnership with statutory agencies where necessary.
Creating a Safe Environment: We strive to create a culture where everyone feels safe, listened to, and able to speak out.

What To Do If You Have a Concern

If someone is in immediate danger, always call the police on 999.

If you have any concerns about the safety or well-being of a child or an adult at risk connected with Ards and North Down Borough Council or about the conduct of a staff member or volunteer, please report it immediately to one of Councils Designated Safeguarding Officers - 0300 013 3333

When you report a concern, please provide as much factual information as possible (who, what, where, when). All concerns will be treated seriously and handled sensitively and confidentially, although information may need to be shared with relevant authorities if required to protect someone.

Report Externally to Statutory Agencies

If you prefer, or if you cannot reach our DSO, you can report concerns directly to the relevant authorities in Northern Ireland:

Concerns about a Child:

Gateway Service (South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust):

Phone (Office Hours): 0300 100 0300

Emergency Out of Hours Social Work Service: 028 9504 9999

NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI):101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency)

Concerns about an Adult at Risk:

Adult Protection Gateway Service (South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust):

Phone (Office Hours): 028 9250 1227

Emergency Out of Hours Social Work Service: 028 9504 9999

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI):101 (non-emergency) or 999 (emergency)

Confidentiality

Information shared regarding a safeguarding concern will be handled sensitively and shared only on a 'need-to-know' basis with those who can help ensure the person's safety (such as our DSO, statutory agencies like Social Services or the Police). Our priority is always the safety and well-being of the child or adult at risk.

Worried about a child or need advice?

If you think a child is in immediate danger, please call the Police Service Northern Ireland on 999 straight away.

NSPCC: You can contact NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email help@NSPCC.org.uk. It's free and you don't have to say who you are. Visit www.nspcc.org.uk/helpline to find out more.

Childline: Free, private, and confidential service for anyone under 19. Phone: 0800 1111 (childline.org.uk)

Age NI: Supports older people in Northern Ireland. Phone: 0808 808 7575 (ageni.org)

Our Safeguarding Policy

You can view our full Safeguarding Policy here: Safeguarding Policy (2025) (PDF, 873 KB) (opens new window)

If you need any further information, please contact one of our DSOs.