Safeguarding Children
Hertsmere Borough Council believes that all children are unique and have natural capabilities and competencies to adapt to the world.
The council supports children’s rights as defined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 
. These rights must be realised for children to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse.
Adults and other children can harm a child’s wellbeing, by abusing them. It's not always obvious when a child is being abused, there may be specific signs or your instinct may tell you something is wrong.
Child abuse is never acceptable in any circumstance, 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, Hertsmere Borough Council aims to make sure that children using its services are listened to and protected from abuse. The council’s staff must report all incidents or concerns they have relating to the wellbeing of a child.
Members of the public may have concerns that children or vulnerable adults they know may be at risk of suffering abuse or neglect. As a concerned member of the public you can report your concerns in the strictest of confidence:
- If your concern is about a child or young person please contact Hertfordshire County Council's Children's Social Care Team on 0300 123 4043 (including out of hours).
- If the child needs immediate protection you should inform the Police on 999.
- A child or young person is anyone under the age of 18 years old.
- If your concern is about a vulnerable adult please contact Hertfordshire County Council's Adult Care Services Team on 0300 123 4042
- If the vulnerable adult needs immediate protection you should inform the Police on 999.
- A vulnerable adult if a person of 18 years or more who may be in need of community care services because of mental, physical or learning disability, age or illness, and who is, or may be unable to take care of himself or herself against significant harm or exploitation.
More information can be found on the Herts Safeguarding website .
Contacts
Safeguarding Senior Manager
Name: Donald Graham
Title: Chief Executive
Email: donald.graham@hertsmere.gov.uk
Safeguarding Lead Officer
Name: Shona Gray
Telephone:02082077475
Title: HR Operations Manager Address
E-mail: shona.gray@hertsmere.gov.uk
Safeguarding Champion Member
Name: Cllr Brenda Batten
E-mail brenda.batten@hertsmere.gov.uk