Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Safeguarding is Everyone’s Responsibility. We are committed to ensuring that every resident feels safe, supported and respected. We do this by being proactive in preventing children, young people and adults being at risk of harm, abuse and neglect by recognising signs that would indicate a safeguarding concern and acting on this.
What is Corporate Safeguarding?
Corporate safeguarding is our organisation-wide commitment to protecting vulnerable people from harm, abuse or neglect. This duty extends beyond social services and includes every single member of Council staff, regardless of their department or role, every Elected Member, every volunteer, and supplier or service provider.
The Corporate Safeguarding Policy 2024 sets out our safeguarding responsibilities and the methods by which we are assured that we are fulfilling our duties.
Responsibilities of Council Staff
Every employee, Elected Member, volunteer, and supplier or service provider has a duty to:
• Remain vigilant for signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
• Take concerns seriously, no matter how minor they may appear.
• Act promptly by following the council’s safeguarding procedures.
This means all council staff - from those in schools, housing, libraries, to waste collection - must be able to recognise and report safeguarding concerns appropriately.
What Constitutes Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation?
Abuse, neglect and exploitation can take many forms, it may not always be obvious and can sometimes be complex. You may not see it taking place, but you may notice signs or have a feeling that something isn’t right.
View our Guidance on what constitutes abuse, neglect and exploitation.
How Concerns are Reported
All staff are trained to follow a clear and effective reporting process:
Recognise signs of potential harm or neglect.
Respond appropriately if needed: listen without judgement, be sensitive, and avoid making promises of confidentiality. They have a duty to pass the information to the relevant safeguarding team.
Report the concern without delay to the designated safeguarding team.
If a child, young person or adult is at immediate risk of harm, then staff must contact Emergency Services by ringing 999 then follow the Council’s usual reporting method. The individual’s immediate safety must always be the priority.
No safeguarding concern is ever ignored. Reports are treated with sensitivity and passed on to the relevant safeguarding team to ensure timely and effective intervention.
Any person with concerns regarding the safety of a child/adult at risk, OR the behaviour of an employee towards a child/adult at risk, has a responsibility to report this immediately.
Report concerns about Children
01443 425006
IAATeam@rctcbc.gov.uk
Report at risk Adults
01443 425003
adultsatrisk@rctcbc.gov.uk
After 5.00pm, Monday to Friday and on weekends and Public Holidays contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01443 743665 or email: SocialWorkEmergencyDutyTeam@rctcbc.gov.uk
Working Together for a Safer Community
By embedding safeguarding practices across all our services—from planning and education to community services—we help build a safer, more resilient Rhondda Cynon Taf. Our staff are here to help protect the community, and residents play a vital role too—if you see something concerning, please speak up.