Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue have developed effective partnerships to support risk reduction services to those identified as vulnerable and at risk from exploitation from abuse. We have appropriate safeguarding arrangements in place to provide the public with reassurances and confidence that they have every right to expect.
As a Service, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults and young people.
We have representation on Wiltshire, Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole safeguarding adult boards and two children boards. These boards improve practice which protect and safeguard adults and children in vulnerable circumstances across both counties, developing ways of working to improve the ability to support Dorset and Wiltshire residents across the community to live a life free from abuse.
Safeguarding involves:
- Protecting vulnerable adults and young people from maltreatment;
- Preventing impairment to their health or development;
- Ensuring that they are able to live in circumstances that are consistent with safe and effective care; and
- Protecting them from the risk of emotional, physical or sexual abuse or neglect.
The Service has identified the following as its responsibilities:
- Having a clear line of accountability for commissioning and providing services designed to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults;
- Promoting a culture of listening to children and adults, taking account of their wishes and feelings, both in individual decisions and the development of services;
- Putting in place arrangements which set out clearly the processes for sharing information with other professionals and the Local Safeguarding Children and Adult Board;
- Having a designated professional lead for safeguarding, whose role is to support other professionals within the Service and help them recognise the needs of vulnerable people, including rescue from possible abuse or neglect;
- Adopting a safeguarding policy and guidance;
- Having safe recruitment practices for individuals whom the organisation will permit to work regularly with with adults at risk and children, including policies on when to obtain a criminal record check;
- Providing appropriate supervision and support for staff, including holding safeguarding training;
- Having clear policies in line with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and Local Safeguarding Adult Board.
Link to our partners’ websites
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Local Safeguarding Adult Board
Dorset Local Safeguarding Adult Board
Swindon Local Safeguarding Adult Board
Wiltshire Local Safeguarding Adult Board
Pan Dorset Safeguarding Childrens Partnership
Swindon Safeguarding Partnership
Wiltshire Safeguarding Vulnerable People Partnership
Dorset and BCP Safeguarding Adult Board Animation