Safeguarding is a fundamental responsibility for everyone who works with or represents Gwynedd Council. The Council is committed to ensuring that children, young people, and adults at risk are protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation, radicalisation, domestic abuse, and all forms of harm. Every individual has the right to be safe, and the Council’s priority is to create a safe environment across all services—where harm is less likely to occur and where concerns are identified and acted upon quickly.
The Safeguarding Policy sets out the arrangements, expectations, and procedures that guide all staff, elected members, and volunteers. Although Social Services bears primary responsibility for responding to allegations or concerns regarding significant harm, safeguarding is a corporate duty shared across every department and service area.
All staff members must act in accordance with the principles and procedures outlined in this policy, whether during working hours or otherwise.