The safety and welfare of our patients is of the utmost importance. Because of the day-to-day contact with children that our team has, all those who work in this clinic [clinic name] are well placed to provide a safe environment for all of the children in our care whilst also remaining vigilant for the outward signs of abuse; all adults working in the practice contribute to providing a safe environment (physical and emotional) to protect children from harm and abuse, being aware that any child may be at risk of harm or abuse. The clinic [clinic name] will fulfil our duty to safeguard and protect the welfare of our patients under the Children Act 1989 through identifying any child with welfare concerns and taking action to address them in partnership with families and other agencies were appropriate.
The aims of this policy that the clinic will follow are to safeguard all children and protect vulnerable children by:
The aims of this policy that the clinic will follow are to safeguard all children and protect vulnerable children by:
Everyone in the practice is alerted to the possibility that any child in our care, regardless of race, religion, culture, class or family background, could be the victim of abuse or neglect and must be familiar with these procedures.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead [Simeon London] is responsible for:
We recognise all matters relating to child protection are confidential. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will only disclose information about a safeguarding issued to other members of staff on a âneed-to-knowâ basis. Staff are made aware through child protection training that they have a professional responsibility to share information with other appropriate agencies to safeguard children. They are also made aware that they cannot promise a child to keep secrets and that they have a duty to share any concerns about children with the Designated Safeguarding Lead before leaving the practice premises. This clinic recognises that the welfare of the child or young adult as paramount.
We recognise that staff working in the practice environment who have become involved with a child who has suffered harm, or who appears to be likely to suffer harm may find the situation stressful and upsetting. We will support such staff by providing an opportunity to talk through their anxieties with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and to seek further support as appropriate.
We understand that a child might make an allegation against a member of staff. If such an allegation is made, the member of staff receiving the allegation will immediately inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead.Â
If the allegation made to a member of staff concerns the Designated Safeguarding Lead, the member of staff should inform the Deputy Safeguarding Lead.
All staff are aware of their duty to raise concerns, where they exist, about the attitude or actions of colleagues.Â
In our recruitment we will ensure that our interview panellists are appropriately trained, that we always follow-up gaps in previous employment, that we always require specific references from employers for the last five years and that for all posts, paid or voluntary, the appropriate Disclosure Barring Service (DBS) and Disqualifications by Association checks are conducted. We also ensure staff are inducted in safeguarding procedures thoroughly and staff training is conducted regularly.
We keep a central record of all staff training including the date and outcome of their Disclosure Barring Service checks so that all children, patients and parents can be assured that this has been completed.
We expect all contractors providing services within the practice, whose staff have access to the practice premises, to comply with these policies and procedures. They must agree to this in writing. We require any contractors or organisations delivering a service on behalf of the practice or using our premises, to provide evidence that they adhere to the above requirements in terms of recruitment, selection, training and supervision of their staff, especially with reference to conducting Disclosure Barring Service checks.
This policy and procedure will also apply to any organisation or any individuals using practice facilities. They must also agree to this in writing.
| NSPCC helpline | 0808 800 5000 |
| Childline | 0800 1111 |
| Glasgow and Partners Emergency Social Work Services | 0300 343 1505 |
| Scottish Police | 101 |
| In an emergency | 999 |
| Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO) Renfrewshire Council | https://www1.renfrewshire.gov.uk/article/3290/Child-protection |
We will always make any changes immediately to our procedures in line with the following legislation
Next review date November 2027
