The Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023

Safeguarding policy

20.—(1) The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

(a) is intended to safeguard children from abuse or neglect, and

(b) sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

(2) The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

(a) provide for liaison and cooperation with any local authority which is, or may be, making a child protection enquiry in relation to a child accommodated by the supported accommodation undertaking;

(b) provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the accommodating authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the premises in which the child is accommodated are located;

(c) provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about past abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the accommodating authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the alleged abuse or neglect occurred;

(d) provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response;

(e) describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect;

(f) describe how and to whom staff are to report, without delay, any concern about abuse or neglect of a child.