Safeguarding is about protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect.

The government believes that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility with key roles identified for local authority, police and health in preventing, detecting, reporting and responding to abuse, neglect or exploitation. As part of this, we have a network of officers trained to support those in need who act as Safeguarding Leads.

Each year the Council completes a self-assessment against the standards as set out in Section 11 of the Children Act 2004 and publishes a declaration of compliance.

S11 Declaration of Compliance 2021 (PDF) [33KB]

Boards

We support the work of the Devon Children and Adult Safeguarding Boards and are committed to keeping children and adults safe in our community.

The Boards have the responsibility for coordinating and scrutinising the effectiveness of services being delivered to children and young people and adults in need of care across Devon.

Devon Safeguarding Children Board - www.devonsafeguardingchildren.org

Devon Safeguarding Adults Board - www.devonsafeguardingadultspartnership.org.uk

Making referrals

Anyone can make a referral for children, young people or adults who might be at risk of abuse and in need of safeguarding.

If you believe someone might be in immediate danger, call 999.

For concern about adults, call Care Direct: 0345 155 1007

Outside of the hours above or on bank holidays call the Emergency Duty Service on 0345 6000 388.

Alternatively, you can email - safeguardingadultsnorth-mailbox@devon.gov.uk (North Devon)

For concern about children and young people, call the Devon Multiagency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 0345 155 1071

For child safeguarding concerns please email - mashsecure@devon.gov.uk