Safeguarding
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding means keeping people safe from harm, abuse and neglect. We believe children and adults at risk have a right to live in their homes free from abuse and we work with partner agencies to identify risks and report neglect or abuse.
Examples of abuse includes:
- being attacked verbally, physically or both
- being sexually abused
- being neglected – lack of food, warmth, clothing
- being taken advantage of – e.g. having money taken from them
- being targeted by the community
- unable to protect themselves from harm
- lacking awareness of their own personal safety
- a victim of domestic violence/abuse
- being bullied
If you believe that a child or adult are at immediate risk of harm and in need of protection then you should call the Police on 999, straight away.
To report a safeguarding concern for a child or adult, use the forms on Derby City Council’s website. You'll also find information and advice along with other ways to tell someone including out-of-hours phone numbers. You can also raise your concerns with our staff.
How we protect vulnerable adults and children
We all have a duty to safeguard people from harm. Derby Homes takes this responsibility very seriously.
Our staff and contractors receive training, so they are able to identify potential cases of neglect and abuse and follow the correct procedure to raise their concerns. We work in partnership with other agencies, sharing information when appropriate and our staff attend regular safeguarding board meetings.
When staff identify a risk to the safety or wellbeing of a child, young person or adult, they will discuss their concerns with a manager or ‘Safeguarding Champion’ before completing a referral.
Read our Safeguarding Policy for more information.
Safeguarding adults
If you are worried an adult is being abused, harmed, or neglected, you should report the issue centrally using the ‘Report a Safeguarding Concern’ form on Derby City Council's website. You'll also find information and advice along with other ways to tell someone including out-of-hours phone numbers. You can also raise your concerns with our staff.
Safeguarding children
If you have concerns that a child is being harmed or living in circumstances that might be harmful in the future, you can contact Derby City Council's Children's Social Care and the First Contact Team. Your concerns will always be taken seriously.
Derby Homes and Derby City Council work in partnership with agencies such as health providers, schools and education settings, probation providers and others to help keep children safe.