Millom Town Council
Millom Town Council was formed in 1974 when the parish boundaries changed from Cumberland.
Reviewed by Full Council: 25th February 2026 – Revision Date: February 2027
This document sets out the Policy and Procedures for Millom Town Council (MTC) relating to Safeguarding & Child Protection. The purpose is to provide a framework should any member of staff have concerns about safeguarding or receive a report by a member of the public regarding safeguarding.
Millom Town Council owns land and maintains playgrounds throughout the Parish. These land assets are open to the public, including children, at all times. The Town Council has public liability insurance, but people use the facilities at their own risk. Parents and Carers are expected to supervise their children at all times. The Town Council does not currently organise events for children.
Everyone has a duty to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults.
The Town Council will review it annually.
The framework in England is described at https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-protection-system/england.
“The Department for Education (Dfe) is responsible for child protection in England. It sets out policy, legislation and statutory guidance on how the child protection system should work.
Local safeguarding arrangements are led by three statutory safeguarding partners:
This policy applies to all Councillors and Officers, anyone working for or on behalf of the Town Council, whether it is paid or voluntary or commissioned capacity, for example contracted to do a piece of work. It also applies to any individual using the Town Council facilities for the purpose of delivering any service to children, young people or vulnerable adults.
Safeguarding children and vulnerable adults is everyone’s responsibility. Millom Town Council are committed to ensuring that children and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst they are engaged in any activity associated with the Town Council. Millom Town Council will promote the welfare of all children, and young or vulnerable people, to keep them safe and work in a way that protects them irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Millom Town Council will respond to all concerns that are reported to it and fully support any actions by the proper authorities. Relevant but not excessive records will be maintained. As there is no in-house expertise the primary response will be to consult one of the Authorities listed in Appendix A.
Millom Town Council will provide safe facilities and carry out regular safety assessments and ensure that any users of the town’s facilities are aware of the safeguarding expectations.
All Councillors, Officers and Users of Town Council facilities should:
Millom Town Council recognises its responsibilities under the Terms of the Children’s Act 2004, earlier Children’s Acts and other relevant legislation (see reference list) to make arrangements for ensuring that its functions are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.
The Town Council aims to do this by:
These procedures inform Councillors and Officers of what actions they should take if they have concerns or encounter a case of alleged or suspected child abuse.
In the first instance, Officers should take care to avoid situations where abuse or allegations of abuse may occur.
Roles supporting this policy, i.e., ‘who does what’:
It is the responsibility of organisations using Town Council facilities to develop their own policies in this area, covering issues such as consent, insurance and staff training.
Contractors should also have their own policies in place.
Officers should be concerned by any action or inaction which significantly harms the physical and/or emotional development of a child or vulnerable adult. Abuse falls into four main categories and can include child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation:
In case of an emergency where a child is in danger phone 999 immediately.
It is the duty of any Officer or Councillor to report any concerns about a child being subject to abuse, receiving a disclosure or being aware of Officers or Councillors behaving in an appropriate manner. All reports should be treated as confidential and with respect to the person raising the concern regardless of the outcome.
If an allegation is made against an Officer or Volunteer, the person receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Chair/Mayor of the Town Council. If that is not appropriate then see the whistleblowing procedure.
Record in writing all the details that you are aware of and what was said, using the child or your person’s own words, immediately. In your record you should include the following:
Do not ask questions, other than the child or young person’s name, address and date of birth.
Reassure the child or young person that they have done the right thing in telling you.
Contact local Social Services or the Police (see Appendix A) without delay and follow their guidance. Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Social Services or the Police must be the ones to inform parents or guardian, and the person about whom allegations are being made.
Recorded information should be handed over to Social Services or the Police and any copies stored in a secure place with limited access in line with data protection laws (e.g.: that information is accurate, regularly updated, relevant and secure).
Millom Town Council will acknowledge the report, indicating the action that has been taken. This will usually be to inform and seek advice from one of the authorities in Appendix A.
This usually involves photography. Millom Town Council uses CCTV Cameras at some of its sites in order to monitor and try to eliminate anti-social or criminal behaviour. Such films are only viewed by Officers and Councillors or by the Police. They may be used as evidence in court. These records are retained as set out in Millom Town Council’s documentation ‘Retention Timescales for Documentation’ and then deleted securely.
Other photographic records should only be made in a public space, with consent of the parent/guardian if the child is identifiable, i.e.: a facial image with sufficient resolution or a name. All photography should be made in public where young people are involved. The child or young person should be happy with having their picture taken. The names of children or young people should not be used in photographs or video footage, unless with the express permission of the child or young person’s parent.
There may be occasions when photographs of groups of children are taken at public events, e.g.; at the opening of a playground. Parents and Guardians should be made aware that photographs are likely to be taken and the purposes for which they will be used. This also applies to any member of the media are present. Thus, express permission is not needed, but due notice is.
A copy of this Policy is given to contractors at the commencement of their working on the Council’s behalf. Contractors are, therefore, aware of and should abide by the Town Council’s aims and procedures outlined in this policy.
Local Authority: Cumberland Council
For children:
For Adults:
Cumbria Safeguarding Hub
The Safeguarding Hub’s only purpose is to provide a ‘front door’ for Children and Young People’s Social Work services in Cumbria, where children’s needs cannot be met at an Early Help level.
Please be aware that Cumbria Safeguarding Hub are currently working at reduced staffing levels following Government guidance.
Cumbria Safeguarding Hub is committed to the following outcomes:
Aims of Cumbria’s Safeguarding Hub
Resolved at Full Council:
Signed: …………………………… Mayor Dated: 25th February 2026
Review Date: February 2027
© Millom Town Council. All rights reserved
APRIL 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
MAY 28TH: Methodist Church meeting room
JUNE 25TH: Methodist Church meeting room
JULY 30TH: Methodist Church meeting room
All meetings will commence at 07.00pm unless otherwise stated on
the agenda.