Voluntary and community groups play an important role in providing services and activities for children, young people and adults.   In UK law, someone is a child until they are 18 years old. It is essential that the services and activities your group offers are as safe as they can be, and to ensure this, there is a need to have safeguards in place. 

Having safeguards in place will help your group protect children, young people and adults from harm and abuse as well as help staff and volunteers know what to do if they are worried or concerned about a child or adult. 

Also be watchful and look out for friends, families and neighbours, and if you see any signs at all that make you think that they may be experiencing any type of abuse or neglect, please report your concerns.

To report a child at risk

• · Call 01492 575111 during office hours
• · Call 0300 123 3079 at any other time
• · Complete a referral form and return to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

To report an adult at risk:

• · Call 0300 456 1111 during office hours
• · Call 0300 123 3079 at any other time

· Complete a referral form and return to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Wales Safeguarding Procedures provide guidance to practitioners involved in safeguarding on how things should be done. You can download the procedures onto your mobile phone. Links for downloading the App are at the bottom of the landing page on the website at the link below. Once you have downloaded the App you do not need to have a Wi-Fi connection to view them.

The Welsh Government has produced this non-statutory guide to remind practitioners working across agencies of their responsibilities to safeguard children and to support them in responding to concerns about children at risk. This guide links to and should be used with the national Wales Safeguarding Procedures.