Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedures

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 1 of 27

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

Recommended by

Clinical Governance Management Group

Approved by

Quality Committee

Approval date

February 2015

Version number

2

Review date

February 2017

Responsible Director

Director of Quality

Responsible Manager (Sponsor)

Head of Clinical Safety

For use by

All Staff

This Policy is available in alternative formats on request. Please contact the Corporate Governance Assistant On 01204 498379

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

Change record form

Version

Date of change

Date of release

Changed by

X1

January 2011

January 2011

Linval Hermitt

X1

April 2010

April 2010

Linval Hermitt

x.1

July 2012

October 2012

Vivienne Forster

x1.1

January 2015

February 2015

Vivienne Forster

Updated Safeguarding Children’s Procedures Updated Adults Safeguarding Procedures Safeguarding Children and Adults procedures merged and updated. Changes include full procedural 2 yearly reviews and update.

X1.1

February 2015

05 February 2015

Vivienne Forster

Approval by CGMG on 4/2/2105 and EMT on 18/2/2015.

Reason for change

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 3 of 27

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

Contents 1

INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................5

2

PURPOSE AND SCOPE ....................................................................................................................................5

3

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURE FOR PES AND PTS OPERATIONAL STAFF. ......................................6

4

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURES FOR CALL HANDLERSS (EOC, URGENT CARE DESK, PTS CALL CENTRE, 111, SUPPORT CENTRE STAFF)........................................................................................................8

5

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURE FOR VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING DRIVERS AND COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS (CFR’s). ................................................................................................................................. 10

6

PROCEDURE FOR REFERRING CHILDREN AND ADULTS AT RISK (OR VICTIMS OF) FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM ……………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………….….12

7

PREVENT AND SAFEGUARDING……………………………………………………………………………………..………………….…..13

8

INTERNAL PROCESSES FOR ATTENDANCE AT AND COMMUNICATION WITH STRATEGY MEETINGS…….…15

9

CHILD REFERRAL COMMUNICATION PATHWAY FOR NWAS SAFEGUARDING TEAM

............................ 16

10. SAFEGUARDING AND INCIDENT REPORTING ........................................................................................... 188 11. PROCESS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SERIOUS CASE REVIEWS/ DOMESTIC HOMICIDE REVIEWS AND LEARNING LESSONS .................................................................................................................................... 20 12. CHILD VULNERABLE FREQUENT CALLERS ................................................................................................ 211 13. FLAGGING VULNERABLE ADDRESSES. ...................................................................................................... 233 14. SAFEGUARDING TEAM PROCEDURE FOR REPEAT REFERRALS ................................................................. 233 15. CHILD PROTECTION PROCESS. ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.4 16 ADULT PROTECTION PROCESS..…………………………………………………………………………………………………….………..25 17 INTERNAL PROCESSES FOR ATTENDANCE AT STRATEGY MEETINGS……,,,………………………..……….…….…..….26 18. PROCEDURE REVIEW ................................................................................................................................ 277 19. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING……………………….…………………………………………………………………………27

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedures are designed to assist staff to understand the processes required to protect children and vulnerable adults (adults at risk). 1.2 These procedures have been developed in accordance with nationally determined multi-agency standards. 1.3 Staff should familiarise themselves with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Policy to ensure they are familiar with the safeguarding requirements of their role. 1.4 The procedures encompass internal processes as well as those that link with external agencies. The requirement to strengthen the link between safeguarding incidents and learning lessons has been considered and the formal procedures for capturing this are explicitly outlined. 1.5 The Safeguarding Vulnerable Children and Adults Policy and Procedure aim to assist staff:-

2



By providing a single policy and single procedure for reference so that the required information is more readily available.



To encourage staff to ‘think family’ and be prompted to consider additional risk factors.



To simplify procedures and promote awareness of safeguarding processes following referral.



To demonstrate a joined up approach to learning lessons from internal and external enquiries and how this learning is communicated within NWAS.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

2.1 These Safeguarding Procedures are to be followed when abuse of children or adults at risk is known or suspected. 2.2 The Procedures apply to NWAS staff including front-line staff, call handlers including 111, managers and volunteers. 2.3 The aim of these procedures is to highlight the joined up approach required for effective safeguarding throughout the Trust. Engagement with these procedures will help to safeguard the vulnerable people we work with and protect the Trust’s reputation by demonstrating we deal with things that go wrong and are transparent in trying to learn lessons from those incidents.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

3

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURE FOR PES AND PTS OPERATIONAL STAFF.

3.1 When staff identify a safeguarding concern (for a child or adult at risk) i.e. they suspect abuse or there are indicators of abuse then they MUST make a referral. It is a professional duty to make the referral and if in doubt staff must seek advice e.g. from an Advanced Paramedic or Operations Manager. Allow time and privacy for children and adults at risk to tell you what happened if this is possible. 3.2 When making a referral, staff access the Safeguarding CRIB sheet on their vehicle and contact the NWAS Support Centre by phone (on 0845 155 0334) and pass on the relevant details. The referral should be made before attending the next patient (where possible) while the details are readily recalled. If there are operational pressures and the referral cannot be made immediately then the staff MUST be given time to make the referral during that shift within eight hours of the incident occurring. This time-line is audited as it relates directly to patient safety. Failure to achieve this must be reported by the staff using the Incident Report Form and the reasons for non-compliance investigated. Failure to refer is a breach of Policy. 3.3 PTS staff will contact the Trust Support Centre at their next available ‘break’ when they get back to station as there are no phones on their vehicles. 3.3 The NWAS Support Centre takes the details and completes a safeguarding referral form within the electronic referral database (ERISS). The details should be read back to ensure the context of the referral is correct. Support Centre staff will confirm that the referral has been sent to social services. 3.4 The Electronic Referral Information sharing System (ERISS) alerts the relevant social care team by email that a referral has been made. Social Care staff log into ERISS to see and progress the referral. 3.5 Child referrals are also sent by the Safeguarding Team to the Named Acute and Community Nurses. 3.6 Children’s and Adults Social Care should feedback any actions in relation to child referrals received to the NWAS Safeguarding Team or directly onto the ERISS system. 3.7 The NWAS Safeguarding Team passes all feedback to staff when it is received and records the information. 3.8 NB. All staff should be curious and be aware of other vulnerable people who may require help. For example:  Does the person being admitted to hospital care for another vulnerable person?  Are there any more children living in the household or children who have contact with an alleged abuser? Be curious, ask and check if safe and appropriate to do so.  Always consider that there may be another vulnerable person (adult or child) who may be present in the property who need to be referred to Social Care. NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

3 SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURE FOR PES, PTS AND CALL HANDLERS    



Staff have safeguarding concern (PES staff include any concerns raised by Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), Urgent Call Desk, 111 or other call handlers –also see section 4) Staff telephone Support Centre on: 0845 155 0334 and make safeguarding referral before moving to the next job (or within eight hours of the incident if there are operational pressures). Remember if there are immediate concerns for safety then the Police MUST be called. If staff take time to reflect and decide to make a referral the next day – they can do so and include the reasons why the referral is being made late e.g. following supervision or advice. It is better to refer late than not at all leaving patients at risk of harm. It is your professional duty to refer- do not rely on any other agency to make the referral. Do not leave children or adults at risk with an alleged/ suspected abuser while you transport another patient.

Support Centre.

Children or Adults Social Care.

If there are immediate concerns for safety staff must also call the police.

Send referral notification to the relevant Children’s or Adults Social Care Department.

Take action if applicable and feedback to NWAS Safeguarding Team.

Feedback information from Children’s or Adults Social Care to the referring staff.

NWAS Safeguarding Team.

For child referrals: - Follow the Northwest Communication pathway and send referral to Named Nurses. See Section 7.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

4

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURES FOR CALL HANDLERS (EOC, URGENT CARE DESK, PTS CALL CENTRE, 111, SUPPORT CENTRE STAFF).

4.1 When a call handler identifies a safeguarding concern (for a child or adult at risk) they must consider why they are concerned; what have they heard and what do they think has happened or is happening? 4.2 Proceed with the call and write down any details you consider relevant including any disclosures. For EOC this includes for example writing in the note-pad of the incident details of any drugs or medicines that have been taken in overdose and pass these details to the crew. 4.3 Concerns identified by EOC call handler or 111 call handler: - Alert the crew attending the Emergency to your concerns and be clear and factual. If the crew has similar concerns then the crew will follow flowchart 3 and include additional information given by the ECC call taker. 4.4 For all call handlers: - when you have noted your concerns, discuss them with your manager (or the Urgent Care Desk or an Advanced Paramedic if appropriate). If after seeking advice you have the required information and need to make a referral then follow the process in flowchart 3. 4.5 Remember to document your concerns on relevant paperwork or into the notepad of the incident including; that you made a safeguarding referral; who you discussed the case with; and include any reasons why you did not make a referral if that is the decision. 111 staff logs within the Adastra record that a safeguarding concern was raised.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

4.

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURES FOR CALL HANDLERS (EOC, PTS CALL CENTRE, 111, SUPPORT CENTRE STAFF). Staff has safeguarding concern. Document clearly what has been heard.

Is an ambulance required? Yes No

EOC pass details to the responding crew. Call handler informs their supervisor and enters details into the notepad of the incident. 111 enter details within the Adastra system. All call handlers makes a safeguarding referral following flowchart 3.

Crew has concerns when they attend the patient?

Call handler seeks advice from a Manger if appropriate. If a referral needs to be made, follow flow chart 3. If decision is to go ahead and refer

No

No further action.

Yes

Crew follows procedure in flowchart 3.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

5

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURE FOR VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING DRIVERS AND COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS (CFR’s).

5.1 All volunteers and CFR’s must be aware of how to raise safeguarding concerns and have access to support and advice. 5.2 Community First Responder When a Community First Responder (CFR) has Safeguarding concerns, they must take note of the environment and who is present; including what has been witnessed or heard. This includes any disclosures, inconsistent stories and behaviour of people on scene. It is important that the information is passed on to the crew who attend the incident if possible and safe to do so. 5.3 The CFR phones the Trust Support Centre and passes on the relevant details which will be added to concerns raised by the attending crew. If the crew has no concerns the safeguarding referral will still be progressed. The CFR can request advice from an Advanced Paramedic via EOC. 5.4 Volunteers including car drivers. When a volunteer has safeguarding concerns they must discuss them with Patient Transport Service Control who will put them in touch with the Trust Support Centre if appropriate. 5.5 If a Safeguarding referral needs to be made then the volunteer will pass on the details to the Trust Support Centre Advisor who will progress the referral. 5.6 If the referral criterion does not appear to be met the volunteer is passed back to the PTS Control room and the information is logged to be notified to the PTS Team Leader for further consideration or discussion with the Trust Safeguarding Team. 5.7 Information for Managers  Concerns regarding allegations of abuse must not be raised directly with the alleged abuser as this may increase risks for the patient.  Remember that all concerns must be clearly documented including any action taken or reasons for not taking action. If a Safeguarding referral is being raised this must be done the same day within eight hours – see flowchart 3.  Managers can distinguish between Safeguarding concerns and poor practice. Incidents of poor practice are raised using the Incident Reporting Procedure- this is not making a safeguarding referral.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

5

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURE FOR VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING DRIVERS AND COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS. Volunteers

Volunteer has safeguarding concerns.

Volunteer discusses the concerns with Patient Transport Service (PTS) Control. PTS Control will transfer the volunteer to the Support Centre Duty Manager who will take details and make the safeguarding referral if appropriate.

If it is determined that safeguarding referral criteria is not met then the volunteer is passed back to PTS Control where the details are logged for the attention of the PTS Team Leader. Remember that all concerns must be clearly documented/ logged including any action taken or reasons for not taking action. If a Safeguarding alert (referral) is being raised this must be done the same day within eight hours.

Community First Responders

CFR has safeguarding concerns and passes them on to the attending crew.

If the CFR is an NWAS clinical staff member then follow the Trust Safeguarding Procedures.

CFR phones the Trust Support Centre. The details will be logged and added to any concerns raised by the attending crew. If no details are received from the attending crew the referral will be processed.

If it is determined that a safeguarding referral criteria is not met then the Support Centre Advisor will take details and pass them on to the Trust Safeguarding Team who will review the incident and provide feedback to the CFR or support progression of the referral. Remember that all concerns must be clearly documented/ logged including any action taken or reasons for not taking action. If a Safeguarding alert (referral) is being raised this must be done the same day within eight hours. NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

6

PROCEDURE FOR REFERRING CHILDREN AND ADULTS AT RISK (OR VICTIMS OF) FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION (FGM).

6.1 Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is child abuse and a crime (Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003) and it is now mandatory to record FGM in a patient’s healthcare record (patient report form). 6.2 There is no requirement to ask every girl and woman whether they have had FGM. The requirement is to record FGM in a patient’s healthcare record (on the patient report form) only if and when it is identified during the delivery of any NHS healthcare. Professionals are reminded to be aware of the risk factors, including; country of origin and family members who have undergone FGM and to use their professional judgement to decide when to ask the patient if they have had FGM. Children and vulnerable adults: 6.3 If any child (under-18s) or vulnerable adult in your care has symptoms or signs of FGM or if you have good reason to suspect they are at risk of FGM having considered their family history or other relevant factors, they must be referred via the Trust Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedures. Additionally, when a patient is identified as being at risk of FGM, this information must also be shared with the GP and health visitor if possible. The Support Centre Advisors will notify the Safeguarding Team via the issues log of any referrals relating to FGM. Adults: 6.4 There is no requirement for automatic referral of adult women with FGM to adult social services or the police. Healthcare professionals should be aware that a disclosure may be the first time that a woman has discussed her FGM with anyone. Referral to the police must not be introduced as an automatic response when identifying adult women with FGM, and each case must continue to be individually assessed. The healthcare professional should seek to support women by offering referral to community groups for support, clinical intervention or other services as appropriate, for example through an NHS FGM clinic. The wishes of the woman must be respected at all times. If she is pregnant, the welfare of her unborn child or others in her extended family must also be considered at this point as they are potentially at risk and action must be taken accordingly. 6.5 Staff can access free FGM training via e-learning on the Home Office website. The link is: http://www.fgmelearning.co.uk/

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

7.

PREVENT AND SAFEGUARDING

7.1 The National Prevent strategy promotes a multi-agency approach which emphasises the need to recognise the vulnerability of children and young people to radicalisation, work to safeguard those at risk, and work together to provide the skills, understanding and support to children and young people to make critical choices and develop strategies to resist the narratives of extremists and exploitative relationships.

7.2 To this effect the flowchart below outlines action to be taken if staff suspect or know that a vulnerable person or persons is at risk of radicalisation. 7.3 Any immediate concerns including imminent risk of harm must be reported immediately to the Police. 7.4 In all cases the child or vulnerable adult should be referred to social care using the safeguarding referral process- see section 3. 7.5 In addition staff will notify the Support Centre Advisor (SCA) that they are also raising a PREVENT concern. An online form will be populated by the SCA and this will be sent on to the Trust PREVENT Lead at [email protected]. 7.6 The Trust PREVENT Lead will then forward the information to the relevant CHANNEL Lead within the Police (the specialist team supporting individuals vulnerable to violent extremism). 7.7 If the PREVENT concern is notified out of hours and is of an urgent nature the SCA will pass on the details to the police via 101 for the attention of the relevant CHANNEL Lead.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

7. Prevent Safeguarding Flowchart NWAS Practitioner has concerns about a child’s or vulnerable adult’s welfare (Radicalisation)

Is the individual and/ or any other persons in immediate danger?

NWAS staff reports PREVENT concern to the Trust Support Centre on 0845 155 0334.

Yes

Phone the police without delay



In all cases this concern will be recorded on the PREVENT form and passed on to the Trust PREVENT Lead at [email protected]



The PREVENT form and any other relevant information will be forwarded by the PREVENT LEAD/ to the relevant CHANNEL Specialist Police Team,



If urgent and out of hours the Support Centre will report to the CHANNEL contact via 101.

Follow Trust Procedure to make a safeguarding adult/child referral. See section 3.

Referral made to Channel (Police)

CHANNEL (Police) ‘risk assess’ the situation and prepare initial report

Multi-agency safeguarding meeting convened

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

8.

PROCEDURE FOR REFERRING CHILDREN AT RISK OR VICTIMS OF CHILD SEXUAL EXLPOITATION (CSE)

8.1 CSE is becoming more widely recognised and reported following a number of high profile cases. Child victims of CSE are often not aware that they are at risk or being abused. 8.2 Children need individual agency contributions to be competent and confident at every point along the child sexual exploitation care pathway – from prevention, through protection to recovery and from information sharing, through joint working to review. As such NWAS refers any child who may be at risk or suspected of being a victim of CSE to Children’s Social Care (following the safeguarding referral pathway in Section 3 to report the concerns through the Trust Support Centre on 0845 155 0334). 8.3 When the Support Centre Advisors (SCA) are recording the safeguarding concerns they will clarify with the staff making the referral that CSE is known or suspected and record this on the referral (by logging verbatim what staff say and ticking the sexual abuse box). 8.4 In addition the SCA will complete the issues log which is accessed by the Trust safeguarding Team. The information will contain the incident number or child’s details and that suspicion or knowledge of CSE has been reported. 8.5 The information is thereafter passed on by the Clinical Safety Administrators to the Safeguarding Practitioner or Manager for onward referral to specialist CSE Teams across the North West. 8.6 The Clinical Safety Administrators log the report of CSE for future reporting.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

9

CHILD REFERRAL COMMUNICATION PATHWAY FOR NWAS SAFEGUARDING TEAM

9.1

When a safeguarding child referral is made by NWAS staff the NWAS Safeguarding Team identifies these on ERISS and pass the referral to the Named Nurses in Acute and Community Settings in the area the child lives.

9.2

The Named Nurses check their records and if there is a history of any concerns they send the additional information to Children’s Social Care to enable a joined up approach to information sharing.

9.3

Depending on information known to the Named Nurses they may use their professional judgment and visit the child. They will record relevant information as a chronology and feedback any new information to social services and to the NWAS Safeguarding Team.

9.4

In keeping with current multi-agency arrangements Children’s Social Care feedback the outcome of all referral made to the NWAS Safeguarding Team.

9.5

The Safeguarding Team provides feedback to the crews or the staff making the referral and logs that feedback has been given.

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

9.

CHILD REFERRAL COMMUNICATION PATHWAY FOR NWAS SAFEGUARDING TEAM Safeguarding Child Referral made by NWAS staff.

NWAS Support Centre

Feedback

Social Services

 

NWAS Safeguarding team Access referrals daily. Include incident reference number and send referral to named nurses from a secure email address



Information Sharing Safeguarding Team provides feedback to crew or staff making the referral and logs the details.

Email named nurses 1. For Community – Contact Health Visitor or School Nurse for further information 2. For Acute – action if the child is admitted to hospital. Named Nurses check existing records. If there is any history of concern Named Nurses contact Social Services with relevant information. If the child (ren) is unknown -record referral details on a chronology and consider making a visit based on clinical judgment. Feedback new information to social services and record all actions that have been taken. Provide feedback to the NWAS Safeguarding Team [email protected]

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

10.

SAFEGUARDING AND INCIDENT REPORTING

10.1

An issue is identified by NWAS staff who completes an online Incident Report Form (IRF).

10.2

The issue is investigated by the Staff Manager who completes the IRF on Datix (Risk Management System) which will be picked up by the Clinical Safety Team. If there are safeguarding issues the manager should check these out with the crew involved and make sure they follow safeguarding policy and procedures if applicable. The Manager should discuss these issues with the safeguarding team see 9.3.

10.3

The completed form is scrutinised by the Clinical Safety Administrators and any safeguarding issues are passed to the Safeguarding Team.

10.4

If urgent safeguarding issues are identified the Safeguarding Team will contact Children’s or Adults Social Care to check if the patient is known and to pass on details of the incident. The crew may be asked to make a retrospective referral and the Safeguarding Team will update the Datix record accordingly.

10.5

If the safeguarding issues are not urgent the Safeguarding Team will ask the manager to address any breaches of safeguarding policy with the staff involved to ensure they learn from the incident and they may be asked to submit a retrospective referral- refer to the Incident Learning Procedures.

10.6

Each month the Safeguarding Team will compile reports detailing how many reported incidents have a safeguarding element to them.

10.7

Lessons which need to be learned from these incidents will be captured and communicated through the agreed reporting structures and in accordance with the Incident Learning Policy.

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

10.

SAFEGUARDING AND INCIDENT REPORTING An issue is identified by any member of NWAS staff and an Incident Report Form (IRF) is completed online (on the DATIX system).

The issue is investigated by the staff Manager

If applicable the Safeguarding Team will be asked to review the incident.

Safeguarding issues identified?

Each month the Safeguarding Team will report on all incidents that have a safeguarding element to them

No

Yes

Pass to NWAS Safeguarding team [email protected]

Urgent concerns?

Yes

No

Safeguarding team will pass on necessary information to social services or other relevant agency.

No further action

Identify and communicate lessons to be learned through agreed structured reporting systems.

The Safeguarding Team will ask the Manager to discuss with the staff whether they need to submit a retrospective safeguarding referral.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

11. PROCESS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SERIOUS CASE REVIEWS/ DOMESTIC HOMICIDE REVIEWS AND LEARNING LESSONS. Decision to proceed to Serious Case Review or Domestic Homicide Review is communicated to the NWAS Safeguarding Team via the Safeguarding Board or Community Safety Partnership.

NWAS Safeguarding Team works with a number of individuals or departments within the Trust to:  Organise address searches to establish any contacts.  Determine if there have been any previously reported incidents or child/ adult safeguarding referrals.  Speaks to crew or gathers statements.  Gather written records and Sequence of Events logs and other paperwork.  Transcribe calls made to Emergency Control Centre.  Check with Trust Legal Team re any contentious issues. This list is not exhaustive.

Safeguarding Practice Manager follows the Serious Case Review Guidelines and Terms of Reference to compete the Individual Management Review Report for the Serious Case Review. This includes a chronology and analysis of events including any organisational lessons which need to be learned and identifies good practice. Liaison with Advanced Paramedics and Operational Managers ensures good communication. The Safeguarding Practice Manager will advise the Sector Manager the review is taking place and is responsible for communicating the outcomes.

The Head of Clinical Safety provides a quality analysis of the review report and signs off the Quality Control Sheet and attends external Panel meetings as requested.

Lessons which need to be learned from all safeguarding related incidents and investigations will 11 be captured SAFEGUARDING AND LEARNING LESSONS and reported through the Clinical Governance Management Group. Trust wide issues are recorded on the Incident Learning Action Tracker Log. Issues relating to individual 11 SAFEGUARDING AND LEARNING LESSONS. staff will be addressed through the Incident Learning Panel where applicable. NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

12.

VULNERABLE FREQUENT CALLERS

12.1

The Trust receives many calls from the public some of whom meet the criteria of a ‘frequent caller’.

12.2

The Safeguarding Team is working with other Trust Departments to identify frequent callers who may be vulnerable. This includes as a priority identifying callers who are children and calls made from residential/ care homes or nursing homes.

12.3

When child frequent callers are identified their details will be passed to the Trust Safeguarding Team.

12.4

The Safeguarding Practitioner checks for additional information and whether there are previous safeguarding concerns linked to the child or the address.

12.5

The Safeguarding Practitioner will take appropriate action (which may include raising a safeguarding alert with Children’s or Adults Social care) and feeds back to the Frequent Caller Project Team.

12.6

The Safeguarding Team and the Frequent Caller Team will work together to manage information and to minimise risks. This will include passing on information to other professionals involved with the patients care where appropriate e.g. GP or Health Visitor.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 21 of 27

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

12.

VULNERABLE FREQUENT CALLERS Child identified as a potential frequent caller by the Frequent Caller Team, 111 Service or the Safeguarding Team (in accordance with agreed criteria for children).

Information is shared between all teams including the child’s name, date of birth, incident dates and if available PRF/incident numbers)

Safeguarding Practitioner to search for vulnerable child referrals, and warning flags on C3.

All information shared by 111, Safeguarding Team and Frequent Caller Team is collated into a chronology and shared with Children’s Social Care and the Community Named Nurse contact by the Safeguarding Practitioner. This will be done by telephone initially with written information (chronology) to follow within 5 working days.

All feedback is recorded by the safeguarding administrator on the Child Frequent Caller spreadsheet and relevant information is shared with the 111 and frequent caller teams.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 22 of 27

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

13.

FLAGGING VULNERABLE ADDRESSES. Occasionally external agencies may request that any contact with a child or adult at risk is notified to them due to safeguarding issues or concerns for their welfare.

Risks that involve violence or aggression will be notified by an Incident Report Form completed by the Safeguarding Practitioner (please refer to the Flagging procedure).

These notifications/ alerts are made either to the NWAS Safeguarding Team (or made directly onto ERISS) who collect relevant details including detail of risk, who should be notified (agency and name of professional) and agree a time frame and process for the address flag to be removed. The flag is then placed against the address by the relevant team. The NWAS Safeguarding Team keeps a log of all requests which include ‘maternity alerts’.

14.

SAFEGUARDING TEAM PROCEDURE FOR REPEAT REFERRALS NWAS Safeguarding Team

At the end of each month scrutinise the safeguarding database for repeat referrals (child and adult). Add details to the Repeat Referrals spread sheet Clinical Safety Admin shares information with the Frequent Caller Team. Safeguarding Practitioner informs Children or Adults Social Care if appropriate. Feedback from Children’s or Adults Social Care is logged onto ERISS. Safeguarding Practice Manager reports Repeat Referral activity each quarter.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 23 of 27

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

15.

CHILD PROTECTION PROCESSES- CHILDREN’S SOCIAL CARE- For information only

15.1

Where possible staff should try to discuss concerns with the family and seek the family’s agreement to making a referral unless this may place the child at increased risk of Significant Harm. If, having taken full account of the parent’s wishes, it is still considered that there is a need for a referral:  The reason for proceeding without parental agreement must be included within the referral.

15.2

Staff should pass on any information about difficulties being experienced by the family/household due to domestic violence and abuse, mental illness, substance misuse, and/or learning difficulties.

15.3

The social Worker will check whether the child is subject to a Child Protection Plan and/or whether there has been any previous involvement with Children’s Social Care in relation to the child or children concerned and any other members of the household. They will also identify other agencies or persons who may hold relevant information and may approach NWAS for additional information following referral.

15.4

The social Worker will consult other agencies as appropriate (including the Police if any offence has been or is suspected to have been committed). Parents should be informed of the referral and their permission sought to share information with other agencies unless to do so would:  Prejudice any investigations or enquiries;  Be prejudicial to the child’s welfare and/or safety;  Cause concern that the child would be at risk of further Significant Harm.

15.5

If the referral relates to a situation in which a crime has or may have been committed, including sexual or physical assault or neglect, the Social Worker receiving the referral must discuss the referral with the local Police PPIU (Public Protection Investigation Unit) at the earliest opportunity.

15.6

The outcome of the referral will be:   

  

That the child appears to be a Child in Need and there are concerns about the child’s health and development or concerns of Significant Harm which justify an Assessment and / or That emergency protective action should be taken to safeguard the child or children (this will usually be determined by an immediate Strategy Discussion); or Where the child is already known and new information suggests that the child is or may be suffering harm, that a Section 47 Enquiry (child protection) and/or a new or updated Assessment is required; or That a referral to another agency should be made in accordance with the local Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and/or the provision of advice and information is acted on; or Advice and Information given (including advising on doing a CAF as an alternative); or That no further action is required.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 24 of 27

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

16.

ADULT PROTECTION PROCESSES- ADULT SOCIAL CARE (ASC)- For information only.

16.1

When the safeguarding concern (alert) is received by Adult Social Care, the referral will be passed to the appropriate locality team immediately and recorded.

16.2

A decision will be made whether the Safeguarding Adults Procedures are appropriate to address the concern. This decision will be made by the Safeguarding Practice Lead in ASC and the reasons for the decision must be recorded. This process will include information gathering to clarify facts and social work staff may seek that clarification from NWAS staff via the Trust Safeguarding team. This process happens within 24 hours of receiving the alert.

16.3

A multi-agency Strategy meeting may be convened which will take place within 5 days of the decision being made to progress the alert. The aim of the strategy meeting is to formulate a plan to assess the risk, address any immediate protection needs and agree a plan for further investigation or assessment. This may involve a request for a NWAS manager to carry out an investigation if the safeguarding concern is raised about the Trust or a request for a statement from staff to clarify their concerns if they raised the alert.

16.4

The next stage is the Investigation. This is a coordinated approach to collect information about abuse or neglect which has or might occur and can include disciplinary and criminal investigations. Following the investigation a report will be produced by the ASC safeguarding Lead. The investigation takes place within 20 days of the original decision to progress to safeguarding.

16.5

A Planning meeting will be help to coordinate a multi-agency response to the risk of abuse that has been identified. All information gathered during the investigation will be presented at a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Planning Meeting where, if appropriate, a Safeguarding Plan will be agreed. The meeting and the Plan will be recorded. This also happens within 20 days of the original decision to progress the referral.

16.6

A Review of the plan will take place within 6 weeks of the agreement of the initial safeguarding plan. This allows all relevant parties to re-evaluate the risk and determine whether any further action is required.

16.7

If there are no further safeguarding concerns this will be documented and the case will be closed. It is good practice that ASC feedback any lessons which need to be learned and feedback findings to the referring agency.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 25 of 27

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

17.

INTERNAL PROCESS FOR ATTENDANCE AT AND COMMUNICATION WITH STRATEGY MEETINGS. A notification is made to the NWAS Safeguarding Team that there is going to be a Strategy Meeting. If the notification comes in directly to a Trust Manager they must notify the NWAS Safeguarding Team on 01204 498 400 or 01228 403000

The NWAS Safeguarding Team takes the relevant information to understand the nature of the concerns, and any contentious issues. The team also takes contact details of the Social Services Manager making the request for attendance or information.

Request for attendance

If appropriate the NWAS Safeguarding Team notifies the Trust Legal Team and passes information back to the Manager and AP.

The Safeguarding Team make a request for attendance from either or both the relevant Manager and Advanced Paramedic in that area. If contentious, the issue will be logged as an external concern by the clinical safety administrators.

The Safeguarding Team support information gathering.

The Manager and/ or the AP feedback the outcome of the meeting to the Safeguarding Team who log details onto DATIX and capture lessons to be learned. Managers may be required to undertake an internal investigation as part of the safeguarding process.

Request for information

The Safeguarding Team notifies the Manager and the Advanced Paramedic in the area that a Strategy meeting is being held and that information is being provided to that meeting. The Safeguarding Practitioner or Practice Manager scrutinise the incident details and provide information to the Strategy Meeting. If the issue is not contentious then no further action is required. The Safeguarding Team will request that the outcome of the meeting is fed back so that the relevant staff can be informed.

If any lessons are identified reference must be made to the Trust Incident Learning Procedures. The Manager or AP will feed back findings to the crew involved and initiate the relevant section of the Policy. The Safeguarding Team will report lessons to the Clinical Governance Management Group.

17. CHILD REFERRAL COMMUNICATION PATHWAY FOR NWAS SAFEGUARDING TEAM

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 26 of 27

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017

18.

PROCEDURE REVIEW

18.1

The Safeguarding Vulnerable persons Procedures will be reviewed every two years or earlier if changes are required.

19.

IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

19.1

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure will be implemented and monitored in line with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Policy.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 27 of 27

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

2

Date of Approval

February 2015

Status:

FINAL

Date of Issue:

March 2015

Date of Review

Feb 2017