Safeguarding
What is Safeguarding?
Everyone who uses our services and facilities, or who participates in our activities has a right to do so in an environment free from potential abuse and harm. Safeguarding is a term we use to describe all of the measures we take as an organisation to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals, especially children and adults at risk.
A child is anyone aged under 18 years of age.
An adult at risk is anyone aged 18 years or over who could be at risk of harm due to their personal or environmental circumstances.
Our commitment to Safeguarding
Derry City and Strabane District Council aims to create a safe and welcoming environment, where everyone who uses our services and facilities is respected, valued and kept safe from potential abuse and harm. We work to ensure that our organisation is run in a way that actively prevents harm, harassment, bullying, abuse and neglect. We train our staff to be ready to respond if there is a problem and we actively monitor our progress on an ongoing basis.
Our Safeguarding Policy
Our Safeguarding Policy which aims to:
Put safeguarding at the heart of what we do to ensure the personal safety of all children and adults who use our facilities/services.
Encourage our staff to adopt safe practices when working with children/adults at risk and ensure that new staff are vetted appropriately;
Provide guidance and support to staff and users on how best to record and report suspected abuse;
To work towards continuous improvement in the area of safeguarding to inspire confidence is service users and in our staff alike.
Download our Safeguarding Policy here:
Download our Safeguarding Guide for Users here:
If you would like further information about Safeguarding please contact safeguarding@derrystrabane.com or call T: 028 71 253 253.
IMPORTANT: If you are concerned and need immediate or urgent help, please refer to our list of useful numbers below.
Useful Contact Numbers
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Child Safeguarding (9am – 5pm)
Social Services Western Trust (Gateway):
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02871 314090
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Adult Safeguarding (9am-5pm),
Social Services Western Trust: (Gateway):
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028 7161 1366
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Children and Adult Safeguarding
Regional Out of Hours Service
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028 9504 9999
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Police: Urgent/Emergency
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999
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Police: Non-Urgent
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101
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NSPCC Child Safeguarding Helpline
For parents and other professionals
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08 8800 5000
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Childline
For Children
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0800 1111
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Domestic Violence Helpline
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080 8802 1414
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Forced Marriage Unit
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020 7008 0151
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Human Trafficking
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080 0012 1700
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Mental Health & Wellbeing Services
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https://tinyurl.com/y6xkebvu
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Safeguarding is everyone’s business. Together we can make a difference.
Derry City and Strabane District Council is a member of the Leisurewatch scheme which provides training and support to our staff to help them recognise concerning behaviour and take action to stop it, making our public spaces safer for all of us.