Safeguarding and equality information for families
Our promise to families
Every baby, child, parent and carer should feel safe, welcomed, listened to and respected at DorPIP. Your baby’s welfare is always our first concern.
What safeguarding means
Safeguarding means helping babies, children and adults stay safe from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and serious harm. Everyone working for DorPIP has a responsibility to notice concerns, listen carefully and act when someone may not be safe.
Our team receives safeguarding training and follows DorPIP’s safeguarding procedures and the local safeguarding arrangements for Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
If we are worried about someone’s safety
We will usually talk with you about our concern, and explain what we think should happen next. We may offer support or work with other professionals so that you and your family can get the right help.
Sometimes we must share information without permission. This may happen if we believe a baby, child, adult at risk or another person may be at risk of serious harm, or if the law requires us to share information.
We may share information with children’s or adults’ social care, health professionals, the police or another service that can help keep someone safe. We will only share information that is relevant and necessary, use a secure method and record why it was shared.
Wherever it is safe to do so
We will tell you before we share safeguarding information. We may be unable to tell you first if this could place someone at greater risk, delay urgent protection or interfere with an investigation.
If you tell us something difficult
We will listen calmly and take you seriously. We will not ask you to investigate or prove what has happened. Please do not promise another person that you will keep a safety concern secret. Tell a DorPIP team member as soon as you can.
Equality, dignity and inclusion
DorPIP welcomes families of every background and family structure. We do not accept discrimination, harassment or abusive behaviour. We will treat you fairly and with dignity, whatever your age, disability, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, pregnancy or maternity, marriage or civil partnership, or personal circumstances.
Please tell us if you need reasonable adjustments, an interpreter, accessible information or another change to help you take part. We will listen and do what we reasonably can to make our services accessible and safe for you and your little one.
If you need help or want to raise a concern
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you are worried about a baby, child or adult, tell a DorPIP team member or contact referrals@dorpip.org.uk.
You can also report a concern directly to Dorset Council or BCP Council safeguarding services. Current contact details are available through the links below.
Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership
BCP Safeguarding Children Partnership
Pan-Dorset safeguarding procedures
Questions or another format?
Email referrals@dorpip.org.uk. We will be happy to explain this information or provide it in a more accessible format.
Website document control
Owner: Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Reviewed annually, or sooner if the law or local procedures change.