Safeguarding at Victim Support Scotland

Keeping everyone safe

We believe that every child, young person or adult should feel safe.

Victim Support Scotland promotes the welfare of children and adults and commits to protecting them from harm - including physical, emotional, sexual and financial harm or neglect.

We are dedicated to delivering our services in a way that protects everyone. This page explains our safeguarding process for children and adults who may be at risk of harm.

We have a responsibility to:

Ensure that victims and witnesses who may be at risk are protected. VSS believes that everyone, without exception, has the right to live without fear, harm, or intimidation, regardless of any protected characteristics.

Ensure that people who may be vulnerable are treated sensitively, appropriately, and with dignity and respect

Recognise and actively consider potential risks to any child or vulnerable adult, irrespective of whether they are the focus of our support. This may include siblings of a child we are supporting, or any other vulnerable adult we become aware of in the course of our support.

We commit to ensuring:

The safeguarding, welfare and wellbeing of all people who use out services so that they receive support that is correct for them, and are treated with dignity and respect.

That victims and witnesses who may be at risk, and who are using the services of VSS, are protected effectively from abuse or harm.

That all our team of staff and volunteers will be mindful of, and adhere to, the policy and procedures for safeguarding an adult or child at risk of harm.

What action will we take when someone is at risk of harm?

We will always try to act with the full consent and agreement of those we support. When consent is not possible or freely given, we reserve our duty to protect children and vulnerable adults at risk of harm. We will request appropriate intervention by referring to Social Services, Health Providers or Police Scotland in accordance with Child Protection and Adult Support and Protection Legislation.