Safeguarding

• Awareness of issues about the abuse of adults - including, for example, easily accessible information to the public about what is abuse and where to get help
• Ensuring priority is given to keeping people safe from abuse - including, for example, leadership within organizations and a clear commitment to stamp out abuse
• Helping to prevent people from experiencing abuse in the first place - including actions that can be taken to reduce the potential for abuse
• Recognising and acting appropriately when there are allegations of abuse - including prompt referrals to councils under the multi-agency procedures
• Supporting the person who has experienced abuse - including supporting the person through the process and involving them where appropriate in the development of a protection plan

The 'Making Safeguarding Personal' agenda is at the heart of the Safeguarding sections of The Care Act 2014.

The ethos of MSP is to make safeguarding person centred, outcome focused and less 'process driven'. This means supporting the individual by involving them and supporting them to have choice and control to improve their quality of life, safety and well-being. This is a move away from safeguarding being 'done to' an individual to working with them to make choices and understanding risk taking.

The emphasis must be on sensible risk appraisal, not risk avoidance, which takes into account individuals' preferences, histories, circumstances and lifestyles to achieve a proportionate tolerance of acceptable risks.

Safeguarding means:

• protecting children from abuse and maltreatment
• preventing harm to children’s health or development
• ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
• taking action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes.

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This includes multi agency child protection procedures which detail how to respond to concerns about a child. This may also include early help for children and their families.

Domestic abuse is behaviour from a family member, partner or ex-partner. It can include:

• physical or sexual abuse
• violent or threatening behaviour
• psychological or emotional abuse
• coercive behaviour - for example, humiliation or intimidation
• controlling behaviour - for example, making someone feel less important or dependent on the abuser
• 'economic abuse' - this includes controlling someone's possessions or how they earn or spend money

Domestic abuse can happen to men or women. It can include harassment, stalking, female genital mutilation, forced marriage and 'honour-based' abuse. Children are also considered victims if they live in circumstances where domestic abuse takes place.

Some of our services will ask about your safety at home and in the community. Please do not be offended – we ask everyone.  It gives those who are at risk the opportunity to be signposted to help and support.

If you considered the child or adult to be at immediate risk, please phone 999.

Otherwise use the following numbers.

Adult MASH team at Wiltshire Council Telephone: 0300 456 0111

Children’s MASH at Wiltshire Council Telephone: Wiltshire Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

0300 456 0108

(08:45am-5pm Mon-Thurs) and (8:45am-4pm) Friday

Out of hours for both adult and children:

0300 456 0100