The offices of Lichfield District Council. Pic: Lichfield District Council

Lichfield District Council’s staff have a key role to play in preventing abuse of children and vulnerable adults, according to a Burntwood councillor.

High profile abuse cases across the country have led the council to draw up an annual report on the issue of abuse for the first time.

A meeting of the local authority’s Cabinet will also discuss the issue at a meeting next month.

Cllr Doug Pullen, Cabinet member for Community, insisted the new report was needed due to the nature of the council’s work.

Cllr Doug Pullen
Cllr Doug Pullen

“As elected members, council employees and volunteers we may go into people’s homes, deliver services to children and adults at risk of abuse and neglect or notice something which causes us concern when we are out about in the district,” he said.

“Whatever our role, we may at some point come across possible abuse to children and young people and adults at risk.

“It is not our role as a district council to investigate any signs of abuse but we do have a responsibility to act if we have concerns and alert those who can look into those concerns.”

Cllr Pullen’s report to the Cabinet meeting revealed that during 2014/15 concerns were raised 13 times to the council’s designated safeguarding officer – 10 relating to children and three to adults.

“These included children at risk owing to parental drug abuse, a child threatening self-harm, children being left alone and physical abuse,” the report continued.

The Cabinet will also discuss the local authority’s proposed safeguarding policy.

Cllr Pullen added: “If any one of us working for Lichfield District Council can play a part in stopping abuse then the impact of our action is invaluable.”

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.

1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rob
8 years ago

Maybe LDC staff could extend their remit to include certain Labour MPs? Being on the receiving end of death-threats and pictures of severed heads, aligned to physical intimidation, must be quite disturbing.