Safeguarding Adults and Children

Appendix 5 - Pembrokeshire Safeguarding Audit Framework for Evaluation

In according with Pembrokeshire’s Corporate Safeguarding Policy, all internal directorates that provide services for or work with adults at risk, children, young people and families are expected to carry out an audit of their safeguarding practices, based on a process of self-evaluation.

The following audit framework is set out in sections related to different standards and requires you to think about your own practices and procedures within your directorate. It is designed to give you an understanding of safeguarding in your own service area and how these might be developed. In addition, the audits provide Pembrokeshire County Council with an overview of safeguarding practices across the local authority.

The audit tool is based on Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014.

Please undertake the following audit and return it to the named officer below for your Directorate:

Please think carefully about your own practices and procedures in your setting; complete the audit to the best of your knowledge and think about how you will evidence your responses. Please complete the RAG System (Red, Amber or Green – see below) and produce an action plan with any actions that are required to improve safeguarding in your service area.

We review the information you give us and will provide follow up advice and support where appropriate. Our review of the information helps to inform the Council in developing safeguarding practices at a wider level.

The audit will need to be updated annually. Please try to be as realistic and honest as you can be and use this document to help you to identify your current position regarding safeguarding and set targets/actions to improve.

Organisation/Service area/Establishment name:

Person completing this audit:

Role/position:

Date completed:

Date returned to LA:

 

Please list all the individual services / organisations / establishments that you are responsible for and reporting on in this audit. Where relevant be specific in your audit regarding which service is being commented upon. (for e.g. Leisure Centre, Day Service, Care Home, Social Work Team,  Nursery, Breakfast Club, After School Club, Sports Activities, etc. )

 

Standard 1:  Designated Safeguarding Leads

Designated Safeguarding Leads fulfil an essential role in developing and implementing policies that help to protect children and adults at risk from all forms of abuse and create a safe environment. Designated Safeguarding Leads take responsibility in their setting for managing issues and concerns about adults and children at risk.

1.1: There is a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Safeguarding and all staff know that person

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

1.2: There is a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (to act when the DSL is off site) and all staff know that person

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

1.3: The role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead is clearly defined in a job description that sets out their responsibilities in safeguarding

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

1.4: The DSL and deputy DSL are adequately trained and supported to fulfil their roles.

• Evidence: Provide details of safeguarding courses attended with dates
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

 

Standard 2:  Policies and Procedures

2.1: Your setting has formally adopted the Pembrokeshire Safeguarding Policy (via relevant governing body / trustee / management body if appropriate).

• Evidence: Give date when adopted
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

2.2: The safeguarding  policy has been communicated to all staff members and is implemented in your setting/organisation

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

2.3: Your setting has its own written safeguarding policies and procedures which are reviewed regularly (at least every 3 years)

• Evidence: List any relevant policies with dates including date of reviews and of next review
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

2.4: All staff and volunteers are made aware of all safeguarding policies and procedures and how these are applied within the setting

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

2.5: Everyone using your service are made aware of all safeguarding policies and procedures and how these are applied within the setting

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

2.6: We are confident that every service we commission delivers a safeguarding standard consistent with our service.

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

  

Standard 3: Accountability

3.1: All staff understand to whom they are directly accountable concerning the well- being of adults at risk and children, and the level of accountability they have.

• Evidence: Is this discussed at team meetings and staff appraisals? How is this recorded?
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

3.2: All Job descriptions are explicit and recognise responsibilities regarding safeguarding and promoting the well- being of children and adults at risk.

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

 

Standard 4:  Listening and Responding

4.1: Children and adults at risk are encouraged to express their wishes and feelings including any concerns they might have over harm and abuse

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

4.2: Appropriate decisions are made in order to protect children, young people and adults at risk from harm

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

4.3: Children, young people and adults at risk feel safe in your setting and that their well-being is promoted.

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

4.4: We reflect on what has gone well and areas for improvement, and ensure that new learning is embedded.

• Evidence: How is this achieved?
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

 

Standard 5:  Effective inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk

5.1: Staff participate in multi-agency meetings and for a to consider the needs of and provide support for individual children and their families and adults at risk.

• Evidence: List the relevant meetings your setting is involved
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

5.2: Staff are able to recognise when children and adults at risk need additional support and are able to make the appropriate referral e.g. referrals to other single agencies, referral to FST (Family Support Team Previously TAF (Teams Around the Family), referral to Adult Services or Children’s Services

•  Evidence: Provide numbers of referrals made to e.g. adult / children’s services
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

5.3: Any decisions made or actions taken in relation to the protection or safeguarding of individuals are recorded appropriately and maintained confidentially.

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

5.4: Arrangements are in place to ensure that personal and confidential information is appropriately shared across settings /services.

• Evidence: Is information securely available across varying levels of need? How do you know this is being complied with
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

 

Standard 6:  Volunteer and staff training

6.1: All staff and volunteers receive appropriate training (at the relevant levels) to enable them to discharge their safeguarding duties.

• Evidence:  Describe your record keeping arrangements and how your setting monitors this. What arrangements are in place for updates and renewals
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

6.2: All staff and Volunteers are assessed in relation to safeguarding training needs.

• Evidence: How is this achieved?
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

6.3: There is a record kept of all adult/child protection and safeguarding training and this is updated as appropriate.

• Evidence: Provide a copy of your training record
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

6.4: Arrangements are in place to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of training and the identification of adult/child protection and safeguarding training.

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

Standard 7: Safe recruitment

7.1: All staff and volunteers have DBS checks prior to employment if they are engaged in regulated activity

• Evidence: Describe how you monitor DBS arrangements
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

7.2: All staff who have contact with children, young people and adults at risk are selected in accordance with the Safe Recruitment Policy and have appropriate checks in line with current legislation and guidance:

• References are always taken up prior to appointment.

• Identity and qualifications are verified.

• Professional registration is in place

• Face to face interviews are carried out.

• Previous employment history is checked.

• Any anomalies or discrepancies are followed up.

• Necessary checks are carried out before the employee takes up the post (e.g. DBS if they are engaged in regulated activity).

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

7.3: There is a Safe Recruitment policy in place.

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

7.4: Those people involved in recruitment within your setting have undertaken Safe Recruitment Training

• Evidence: Provide details of any training undertaken:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

  

Standard 8: Handling allegations against workers and volunteers

8.1: There is a named senior officer with responsibility in respect of allegations against staff and volunteers.  All staff know this person.

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

8.2: There is a written procedure for handling allegations against staff and volunteers in place

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

8.3: Incidents and allegations of professional abuse are recorded appropriately and maintained confidentially.

• Evidence: Provide numbers of professional concerns and any issues referred
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

  

Standard 9: Safeguarding in the building

9.1: Do you know and monitor public access points in the building(s) so that you know if people are entering or leaving the building?

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

9.2: Are Parents / Carers / Visitors monitored whilst they are in the building including signing in and out procedures if appropriate? Are badges issued to visitors?

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

9.3: Do you have policies and procedures in place to maintain safeguarding when other people/vehicles not involved with your organisation use/visit the premises at the same time as your organisation?

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

9.4: Are safeguarding issues reported to the relevant lead officer and the building’s management, as appropriate?

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

9.5: Do you risk assess for safeguarding and general safety when using premises other than your own and have a reporting system in place for issues identified?

• Evidence:
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

 

Standard 10: e-safety

10.1: Children, young people, or adult at risk who have access to the internet via any means in your setting can do so safely

• Evidence: Provide details of any e-safety awareness that is undertaken within your setting
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

10.2: Do you have and implement a policy for the safe use of internet access by service users, staff and volunteer?

• Evidence: Tell us where this policy is available
• RAG Rating:
• Further actions required:

 

Designated Safeguarding Lead Summary Report

 Describe any key challenges and successes that you have experienced over the last year. Relate this both to your individual role and to the wider setting.

 Please complete as necessary:

 

 

Please identify what support might be helpful to you in your role as Designated Safeguarding Lead or to assist with the development of safeguarding within your setting.

Please complete as necessary:

  

RAG rating

•  Green: Indicates everything is in place, up to date and meets the required minimum
• Amber: Indicates something requires review of improvement
• Red: Indicates something needs to be developed as a matter of urgency

 

Part 2: Action Plan

Insert your completed/updated action plan from your previous audit

Ensure that any actions from your previous action plan that have not been completed are incorporated into your current plan as below.

 

No	Standard Identified	RAG Rating	Action Needed / Evidence of Completion	Timescale / Date of completion	Lead Officer and Contact Details
Insert No of standard	Insert standard	Red Amber Green	Evidence	Date	Name
Insert No of standard	Insert standard	Red Amber Green	Evidence	Date	Name