Safeguarding means protecting people’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 and safeguarding children and adults is everyone’s 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 working in the NHS, whether they work in a hospital, or are providing care in the community have a responsibility to safeguard children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect. Sometimes this means that we will need to work with other agencies/professionals like other health teams, social care providers, education providers, domestic abuse services and the police.
This may mean that sometimes we may have to share information in order to keep the person or others who maybe at risk of harm safe. We will always aim to talk to you first before any information is shared and always listen to your wishes but sometimes we may have to act to protect you and others.
You can contact the East Cheshire NHS Trust Safeguarding team by calling 01625 661774.
NHS England has in place the Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk in the NHS: safeguarding accountability and assurance framework, which sets out clearly the safeguarding roles and responsibilities of all individuals and organisations related to their statutory requirements and appropriate accountabilities for the safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk of harm or abuse.
East Cheshire NHS Trust is committed to protecting the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk. Led by the Head of Safeguarding, the team comprises of Named Nurses, a Named Midwife and Specialist Nurses who are highly knowledgeable, skilled and experienced in relation to safeguarding matters.
The team works closely with colleagues across the Trust to offer knowledge, advice and support to enable staff to raise their concerns through the correct safeguarding channels.
Our Safeguarding Team also includes an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) who can provide support to patients and staff experiencing domestic abuse, and an Admiral Nurse, who supports the families of our patients living with dementia.
Here at the Trust, we have a number of policies in relation to safeguarding:
Safeguarding Children
Safeguarding Adults at Risk
Safeguarding Supervision
Domestic Abuse
Female Genital Mutilation
Chaperone Policy
Freedom to Speak up
All staff are required to undertake safeguarding training in line with National Guidance.
For children: https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/publications/pub-007366
Safeguarding Champions
We have a number of safeguarding champions throughout the Trust who undergo specialist training in order to support improvements, developments and staff in practice.
Safeguarding Strategy
The Trust has a Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse Strategy that sets out our commitment, vision and values in relation to safeguarding. Read the strategy by clicking the link below.
How to raise a safeguarding concern
If you think you or someone you know is being abused or neglected you should tell someone you trust.
This could be a friend, a teacher, a family member, a social worker, a doctor or, a police officer healthcare professional, like a nurse, a doctor, midwife, allied health professional or someone else that you trust. Ask them to help you report it.
Supporting people when concerns are raised about abuse or neglect can be very difficult and distressing for everyone involved. Deciding what’s the right thing to do can be stressful, particularly if the person you are concerned about is reluctant to accept support. If you are not sure what to do you can always seek advice.
If you are concerned about a child: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell/care-and-support-for-children/are-you-concerned-about-a-child/are-you-concerned-about-a-child.aspx
If you are concerned about an adult: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell/staying-safe/keeping-adults-safe/concerned-about-an-adult.aspx
If you are concerned about domestic abuse: Cheshire East Domestic Abuse Hub (CEDAH) | CheshireEast MarketPlace
You can also call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247.
Cheshire East Safeguarding Children Partnership: https://www.cescp.org.uk/homepage.aspx
Cheshire East Safeguarding Adult Board: http://www.stopadultabuse.org.uk/home.aspx
Early Help support for children and families: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell/care-and-support-for-children/services-from-childrens-social-care/early-help/early-help-forms-and-support-for-professionals.aspx
St Mary’s Sexual Assault Centre: https://www.stmaryscentre.org/
Domestic Abuse Support: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell/staying-safe/domestic-abuse-and-sexual-violence/open-the-door.aspx
Modern Day Slavery: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/
Female Genital Mutilation: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/you-co/types-crime/child-abuse/female-genital-mutilation-fgm/
Found a problem? Report it and help us to improve our website