Safeguarding Adults and Children
Concerns about practitioners and people in positions of trust
The Wales Safeguarding Procedures (opens in a new tab) explains what happens when concerns are raised about a professional, volunteer, carer, or other person in a position of trust whose role brings them into contact with children or adults at risk.
Every Council has a duty to manage allegations and concerns about any person who works with children and young people and adults at risk in their area. This includes Council staff, staff or partner agencies and volunteers. All Local authorities should have an identified senior manager responsible for safeguarding who is accountable and responsible for allegations against professionals and those in positions of trust. Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) has been an identified title associated with these responsibilities.
The purpose of these procedures is to:
- Protect children and adults at risk from harm
- Ensure concerns and allegations are taken seriously and responded to promptly.
- Make sure investigations are managed fairly, consistently and lawfully.
- Support organisations in managing concerns alongside their internal employment or disciplinary processes where appropriate.
A "position of trust" is someone who has power, influence, responsibility, or authority over a child or adult at risk through their work, volunteering, or caring role.
When a concern is raised, agencies work together to assess risk, protect those who may be vulnerable, and determine what action is needed. The welfare and safety of children and adults at risk remain the primary consideration throughout the process, while ensuring that individuals who are the subject of a concern are treated fairly.
If you are worried that a professional, volunteer, carer, or anyone in a position of trust may be causing harm, placing someone at risk, or behaving in a way that is unsuitable for their role, you should report your concerns to the relevant safeguarding team as soon as possible.
Contact us
Child Care Assessment Team: 01437 776444
Adult Safeguarding Team: 01437 776056