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Our Policies Simply Click to download    
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| Child Protection Policy |
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Child Protection Policy Background Please read this policy in conjunction with the background information in the Clinical Governance Folder including the Safeguarding Children Guidance Background. CHILD PROTECTION PROCEDURES Under the Children Act (1989 and 2004) all staff in the NHS or providing NHS care, have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. These guidelines are taken from the MK Safeguarding Children Board Inter-Agency Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures (2008) and the health Safeguarding Children Policy and are not intended as a substitute for the full procedures copies of which can be found on the PCT Internet. Involvement in child protection may be direct if the child is a customer or indirect where another member of the family is the customer. Where there is a conflict of interest or problems of confidentiality it is the child's welfare, which should be considered paramount. Action 1. If physical abuse is suspected or disclosed:- Where possible note the site, nature, extent of any injuries and any explanation given for them. Sketch any injuries Comment on appearance and demeanour. Make contemporaneous notes, which should be signed and dated. If current injuries arrange for child to be seen by GP. Refer to Duty Social Worker of the Referral and Assessment Team. 2. If sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect, is suspected or disclosed: Make contemporaneous notes, which should be signed and dated. Refer to the Duty Social Worker of the Referral and Assessment Team. In cases of sexual abuse a specialist examination will be arranged, if relevant, as part of the investigation. 3. If you are uncertain, or wish to clarify your concerns, discuss with: The Primary Health Care Team (especially GP and Health Visitor) PCT Named Nurse for Child Protection PCT Named Doctor for Child Protection Duty Consultant Paediatrician (where appropriate) Duty Social Worker. 4. Inform family of your concerns and actions, unless doing so will place child at further risk. Where possible involve the child throughout the process. 5. Referrals to Childrenâ's Social Care Referral and Assessment Team should be made using a multi disciplinary referral form or telephoned and followed up with a form within 48 hours. Copy referral form to GP (if known), your line manager /employer (if relevant) and PCT Named Nurse for Child Protection at Stantonbury Health Centre, Purbeck, Stantobury. MK14 6BL 6. If you have not heard from Social Worker within 3 working days contact again to clarify the outcome. Telephone numbers Social Care Children's Social Care - Referral and Assessment Team (9 to 5:30) Tel: 253169/70 Children's Social Care - Emergency Duty Team (after 5:30) Tel: 265545 Health Named Nurse for Child Protection Tel: 222223 Named Doctor for Child Protection Tel: 243079 Duty Consultant Paediatrician Tel: 660033 Police Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre Tel: 0845 8505505 Ref: The Children Act 1989 and 2004. Health Safeguarding Children Policy. Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006 What to do if you're worried a child is being abused DOH 2006. MKSCB Interagency Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures 2008 Useful resources available in Milton Keynes Safeguarding Children Team at MK PCT There are Named Nurses having responsibility within the PCT / Acute Trust to ensure staff have access to training, supervision and support. They work with designated staff to develop effective safeguarding children systems. The team's personal assistant also acts as the training coordinator for both the in-house and the inter-agency training sessions.
Milton Keynes Safeguarding Children Board Milton Keynes Safeguarding
Children Board (MKSCB) is a statutory multi-agency group of senior managers
which has been set up as part of the Every Child Matters reforms, and requires
all organisations that work with children to co-operate to keep children safe
from harm. Website: http://www.mkscb.org/mkscb/ Useful reading: Child Protection Companion / 1st Edition / April 2006 http://www.miltonkeynes.nhs.uk/assets/_managed/cms/files/ChildProtCompL1_1.pdf MK PCT Safeguarding Children Policy http://www.miltonkeynes.nhs.uk/assets/_managed/editor/file/Safeguarding%20Children/Safeguarding%20Children%20Policy%20-%20Ratified%20APR09%20reformatted.pdf Access to training IN Milton Keynes: Safeguarding Children E-Learning For those of you who find it difficult to attend a facilitated face to face training session we have an e-learning package which is suitable for those of you who require level 1 or 2 training. The criteria below should help you decide which level you need. The e-learning can be done at your own pace, dipping in and out as time allows. All you need is a pc with an internet connection and an email address. If you wish to use the e-learning programme, please contact amanda.mccallum@mkpct.nhs.uk who will give you further details on accessing the course.Level 1 - All staff working in health care settings (clinical and non-clinical) should attend level 1 in-house basic awareness training in the first 6 months of employment. Then an update every three years, which may be the same basic awareness session, or a refresher course. Level 2 Clinical and non-clinical staff who have regular contact with parents, children and young people should attend level 2 in-house basic awareness training within the first 6 months of employment. Then an update at least every three years, which may be the same session or a refresher course. Level 3 All staff working predominately with children, young people and parents should attend level 3 in-house basic awareness training within the first 6 months of employment. Then an annual update which may be the same session or another session from the level 3 in-house or inter-agency programme. Can we remind you that these training levels and requirements are identified in the safeguarding children policy which has been ratified for use by staff across the healthcare economy not just by staff employed by the PCT. I have read, understood and work under this policy Signed Date Name Last update 13/08/2009 Date of next Review 01/01/2011 |