Family Friends believes that it is always unacceptable for children or young people to experience abuse of any kind and recognises its responsibilities to safeguard the welfare of all children and young people, by a commitment to practice which protects them.

Adults and other children can harm a child’s wellbeing by abusing them. It is not always obvious when a child is being abused; there may be specific signs or your instincts may tell you something is wrong.

Child abuse is never acceptable in any circumstances and every child has the right to be safe. Safeguarding, the protection of children and their rights, is everyone’s business. 

Working in partnership with the community and safeguarding authorities, Family Friends aims to make sure that children using its services are listened to and protected from abuse. Family Friends staff and volunteers must report all incidents or concerns they have relating to the well-being of a child. It may be necessary in certain circumstances for concerns to be reported without the knowledge and/or consent of the child and/or parent. 

Members of the public who have safeguarding / child protection concerns should follow guidance offered by the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB). From 29th September 2018, LSCBs will be replaced, and new arrangements put in place by safeguarding partners (RBWM, TVP and CCG) who have equal and shared responsibility for defining local arrangements.