Youth Service Policies

Safeguarding

Young people represent our most vulnerable resource, the dedication the Youth Service has to safeguarding our young people reflects this concept. Creating a culture of active safeguarding is a key priority for the Service, along with actively supporting young people and advocating on their behalf to ensure their voices are heard.

Our Safeguarding Policy is informed by a children’s rights approach and is a principled and practical framework for working with children and young people, grounded in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

The policy has three main points to reference:

• Prevention, this is through developing and building a culture of support for young people and staff. 
• Formal procedures for identifying and reporting concerns. 
• Support for young people who may have suffered abuse or neglect.

Through a robust policy and process the Vale Youth Service offers bespoke support to those who need it most. 

Anti-Bullying

Challenging bullying in the Vale Youth Service is a key priority for the Local Authority. We are committed to ensuring that all our young people feel safe, secure and are supported to achieve their full potential.  All young people have a right to a ‘safe place’ and to be treated equally.  Our Anti-Bulling Policy is based on the model Anti-bullying Guidance made available by the Vale of Glamorgan Directorate of Learning and Skills clearly sets out our strategies for preventing and responding to bullying behaviours, including those that are based on protected characteristics.

Any bullying incident must be reported, including prejudice-based incidents.  Bullying can only be tackled effectively if we know there is a problem.  Young people who are being bullied or others who know of or suspect someone is being bullied can report concerns by following the Vale Youth Service Complaints Procedure which outlines the various steps the complainant can take.

VYS Complaints

If you are unhappy with the service you have received from the Vale Youth Service you have the right to complain.  We make every effort to make sure all young people, parents/carers are satisfied. We are committed to dealing effectively with any concerns or complaints you may have.  Our complaints procedure is underpinned by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Corporate Concerns and Complaints Policy 2013.

Please click here to read our Vale Youth Service Complaints Procedure.
If you want to make a formal complaint, please fill out our complaints form or email valeyouthservice@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk with your complaint. Someone can do this on your behalf if you agree to this.