Domestic abuse policy & procedure

11. Safeguarding

11.1 All employees and contractors of the council have a duty to act in relation to safeguarding concerns.

11.2 The council will actively participate in local multi agency arrangements for safeguarding children, young people and adults.

11.3 The council recognise that employees dealing with domestic abuse are likely to come into contact with children and adults for whom there are concerns about safeguarding issues.  Where any vulnerability issues are known or identified, the council's safeguarding procedures will apply.

11.4 Awareness of, and sensitivity to information sharing protocols and data protection is crucial, however safeguarding concerns override the need for confidentiality in respect of relevant statutory authorities as long as all activity is properly recorded.

All Council employees have a duty to act in relation to safeguarding concerns.

12. Training requirements

12.1 Dealing effectively with domestic abuse requires knowledgeable and well-trained staff. The council will ensure that employees are provided with clear and practical guidance about how to recognise when domestic abuse is taking place.  Neighbourhood Officers receive enhanced training in order to enable them to respond to disclosures of domestic abuse. This training will be regularly refreshed and updated to ensure that our staff are kept up to date with best practice and changes in policy and legislation.

12.2 All training undertaken across property services will be formally recorded.