Patient surveys
What is ‘safeguarding’ and why is it important to us?
Safeguarding means protecting a citizen’s health, wellbeing and human rights; enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. It is an integral part of providing high-quality health care. Safeguarding children, young people and adults is a collective responsibility.
Those most in need of protection include:
- Children and young people
- Adults at risk, such as those receiving care in their own home, people with physical, sensory and mental impairments, and those with learning disabilities.
All staff have a responsibility to safeguard children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect in the NHS.
"Nothing is more important than children’s welfare. Children who need help and protection deserve high
quality and effective support as soon as a need is identified. We want a system that responds to the needs and interests of children and families and not the other way around. In such a system, practitioners will be clear about what is required of them individually and how they need to work together in partnership with others.”
Working Together to Safeguard Children
A guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children 2023
Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is subject to Section 11 of the Children’s Act duties as set out in
Working Together (2023). We ensure that our functions, and any services that we contract out to others are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children (including the unborn baby). Everyone who works with children has a responsibility for keeping them safe. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
We have in place the following arrangements that reflect the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.
- Clear lines of accountability for the commissioning and/or provision of services designed to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
- A senior board level lead who is sufficiently qualified and experienced to take leadership responsibility for the organisations safeguarding arrangements.
- A culture of listening to children and taking account of their wishes and feelings both in individual decisions and the development of services.
- A clear whistle blowing procedure with Freedom to speak up champions.
- Clear policies that are referenced to safeguarding children legislation, national policy, guidance and local multi-agency procedures.
- Clear processes for sharing information with safeguarding partners.
- Designated professionals (Doctor, Nurse and Midwife) in place to take forward safeguarding children.
- Safe recruitment processes in line with NHS Employers Recruitment Standards and ongoing safe working practices.
- Appropriate training, supervision and support for staff.
Extra help and support information
NSPCC helpline - 0808 800 5000
help
Childline - offering free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help.
0800 1111
We have processes in place to enable partnership working across the region’s health and social care economy in order to address the risks and experience of abuse and neglect.
This is balanced with ensuring that the adult’s wellbeing is central to proceedings, and that due regard is given to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding any action that concerns them.
We have in place the following arrangements that reflect the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults. To ensure that this is the case, we have taken the following measures:
- The named nurse for safeguarding adults is accountable for co-ordinating safeguarding duties, for liaising effectively with partners and for providing evidence of enquiries both internally and externally where required.
- We are a member of the local Safeguarding Adults Board and have representation on all relevant subgroups of the board and are fully committed to transparent and collaborative partnership working.
- Safe recruitment processes in line with NHS Employers Recruitment Standards and ongoing safe working practices.
- There is a clear and well publicised referral pathway in place across the Trust for staff to use in order to raise concerns on behalf of patients who are experiencing or are at risk of abuse or neglect.
- Appropriate training, supervision and support for staff.
- The Trust has a robust approach to the implementation of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the associated Deprivation of Liberties Safeguards.
- Adult safeguarding activities are presented quarterly and annually to the Board of Directors.
- The named nurse for safeguarding adults is accountable for co-ordinating safeguarding duties, for liaising effectively with partners and for providing evidence of enquiries both internally and externally where required.