Safeguarding

At Cheltenham Borough Council, we are committed to making sure everyone in our community, whatever their age, background, or circumstances can live safely and free from harm.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding means protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, while promoting wellbeing and human rights.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. It is the responsibility of protection agencies to determine whether or not a child or adult has been abused. It is our responsibility to report any concerns we have.

If you have a concern, please do report it and do not assume someone else has already done it. Your intervention could make a difference to someone’s life.

We assess all situations where concerns have been raised about the safety of a child or vulnerable adult.

More information is available from the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership  or for adults from the Gloucestershire Safeguarding Adults Board

How to report safeguarding concerns?

If you are concerned about the immediate safety of a child or adult, please contact the Police on 101 at any time. In an emergency call 999.

How to report concerns about a child

If you are worried that a child may be suffering or at risk or significant harm you can contact the Gloucestershire Front Door Services & Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)  on 01452 426565
or email childrenshelpdesk@gloucestershire.gov.uk

How to report concerns about an adult

If you suspect an adult is being neglected, harmed or suffering domestic abuse you can:

Phone Gloucestershire Adults Help Desk on (01452) 426868

Or email Socialcare.enq@gloucestershire.gov.uk

 

Staying safe on the internet

Online spaces and digital technology are a typical part of growing up for a lot of children, providing benefits and opportunities for them. It is natural for parents and carers to be concerned about the potential risks or harms that their children being online might bring.

The speed at which the online world moves often means parents and carers feel like they don’t know where to start, or which steps they should take, in terms of ensuring their children are safe online.

You can access Gloucestershire County Council parent portal which brings together a wide range of trusted resources to help parents and carers navigate the world of online safety, and to better understand possible risks associated with common online activities, such as gaming, streaming, chatting, and posting on social media.

Safeguarding vulnerable people from extremism

Preventing radicalisation and extremism

Our approach focuses on:

• Early intervention to safeguard individuals who may be vulnerable to radicalisation
• Partnership working with schools, health services, law enforcement, and community groups
• Promoting awareness and providing guidance to help identify and respond to concerns

If you are worried about someone being drawn into extremism or radicalisation, you can find advice and report concerns through the Prevent programme.

Follow the links below to find out more information:

Concern for young people: PREVENT | Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children's Partnership.

For further advice and support: Prevent | Gloucestershire Constabulary

We are committed to reducing inequalities within the borough by ensuring that safeguarding is central to community and housing services

Useful safeguarding information links:

Gloucestershire County Council - Gloucestershire One Plan for children and young people 

Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership website 

Gloucestershire Safeguarding Partnership Procedures 

Working Together to Safeguard Children  - Statutory Guidance 

Children Act 2004  

Gloucestershire County Council Vulnerable Adults Safeguarding Advice  

Adults with care and support needs - definition | Safeguarding Adults in Gloucestershire 

Make Every Adult Matter (MEAM) 

Care Act 2014