We have up to date and robust policies and procedures, including processes for following up children who are not brought to outpatient appointments to ensure they are safeguarded. Other policies that provide support for staff include:  Safeguarding Children Supervision Policy, Challenging/ Escalation and Resolution of Professional Differences Policy and Managing Safeguarding Allegations Against Staff Policy. Information and resources are made available to staff to assist in their safeguarding responsibilities on the Trust’s safeguarding children intranet page.

Staff training and job descriptions

Safeguarding Children training is mandatory and is available internally and through Herefordshire’s Safeguarding Children Partnership. Staff receive level 1, 2 or 3 training with a minimum refresher of every three years dependent on their role. The trust reports training level compliance within the safeguarding children performance dashboard.

The Trust can confirm it is compliant with the statutory requirement to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service ( DBS) check on all staff (including volunteers) prior to employment. Dependent on role staff will have a standard or enhanced level of assessment.

The Trust has named individuals with clear roles and responsibilities for safeguarding children. They are clear about their role and receive relevant support, and training, to undertake their roles, which includes partnership working with other social and health care organisations.

Who is Responsible?

Our child safeguarding governance arrangements include named directors responsible for overseeing child safety these are:

• Executive Director, Safeguarding lead - Chief nursing officer - Lucy Flanagan
• Non-Executive Director, Safeguarding Lead – Richard Humphries
• Named Doctor - Lesley Peers
• Named Nurse - Hazel French/Caron Shelley
• Named Midwife - Emily Strange
• Named Nurse - Children Looked After – Kirstie Gardner
• Named Doctor - Children Looked After – Fiona Goodwin

If you see something, are told something or something doesn’t feel right you need to report it.

NSPCC Helpline

Anyone with concerns should email help@nspcc.org.uk or call 0808 800 5000. Visit the helpline page on the NSPCC website.

If you are worried about a child or young person’s safety or welfare, you can speak to someone in children’s social care by calling:

Herefordshire MASH (Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub): 01432 260800

Urgent calls outside of office hours:  01905 768020

In an emergency you must dial 999 for the police and/or ambulance service.

For more information visit Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Partnerships website page.