What we do

The North Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSSCP) is a collaboration of three organisations:

• North Somerset Council
• NHS Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board
• Avon and Somerset Police

Their duty is to agree how we can work together to protect and promote the welfare of children in North Somerset through this multiagency approach.

The NSSCP is a gateway to partners, resources, information, and advice.

Safeguarding means protecting someone's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It involves people and organisations working together to prevent and stop that abuse or neglect. All safeguarding will honour the feelings, beliefs and decisions of the person in question. 

All safeguarding work is supported by six key principles:

1. empowerment - we will support and encourage people to make their own decisions and give informed consent
2. prevention - we will strive to take action before harm occurs
3. proportionality - we will give the least intrusive response to the risk presented
4. protection - we will give support and representation for those in the greatest need
5. partnership - we will provide local solutions through local community services – communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse
6. accountability - we insist upon accountability and transparency in all safeguarding practices

Children who need safeguarding may: 

• have care needs and support 
• are at risk of, or who have a history with, abuse or neglect
• be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect due to their care needs

They may also:

• be frail due to ill health, physical disability or cognitive impairment, or a both
• have a learning disability
• have a physical disability or a sensory impairment
• have mental health needs
• have a long-term illness or condition

Disabled children may be especially vulnerable to abuse, because they may have an impaired capacity to resist or avoid dangerous situations. They may have speech, language and communication needs which may make it difficult to tell others what is happening.