Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedures

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 1 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

Recommended by

Clinical Governance Management Group

Approved by

Trust board

Approval date

26 September 2014

Version number

1

Review date

September 2014

Responsible Director

Medical Director

Responsible Manager (Sponsor)

Head of Clinical Safety

For use by

All Staff

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

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 2 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

Change record form

Version

Date of change

Date of release

X1

January 2011

January 2011

X1

April 2010

April 2010

x.1

July 2012

October2012

Changed by L. Hermitt Safeguarding Practice Manager L. Hermitt Safeguarding Practice Manager Safeguarding Practice Manager

Reason for change Updated Safeguarding Children’s Procedures Updated Adults Safeguarding Procedures Safeguarding Children and Adults procedures merged and updated.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 3 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

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 TAKERS (ECC, PTS CALL CENTRE, 111, SUPPORT CENTRE STAFF). .............................................................................................................................................8

5

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURE FOR VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING DRIVERS AND COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS. ............................................................................................................................................. 10

6

INTERNAL PROCESS FOR ATTENDANCE AT AND COMMUNICATION WITH STRATEGY MEETINGS............ 12

7

CHILD REFERRAL COMMUNICATION PATHWAY FOR NWAS SAFEGUARDING TEAM ................................ 14

8

SAFEGUARDING AND INCIDENT REPORTING ............................................................................................. 16

9

PROCESS FOR ENGAGEMENT WITH SERIOUS CASE REVIEWS/ DOMESTIC HOMICIDE REVIEWS AND LEARNING LESSONS .................................................................................................................................... 18

10. SAFEGUARDING AND LEARNING LESSONS. ................................................................................................ 19 11. FREQUENT CALLERS WHO MAY BE VULNERABLE ..................................................................................... 20 12. FLAGGING VULNERABLE ADDRESSES. ........................................................................................................ 21 13. SAFEGUARDING TEAM PROCEDURE FOR REPEAT REFERRALS................................................................... 21 14. PROCEDURE REVIEW .................................................................................................................................. 22 15. IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING ...................................................................................................... 22

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 4 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

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 Policies and Procedures have been merged 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 by NWAS staff 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 takers, 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

Page

Page 5 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

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 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 while the details are readily recalled. There is a crib sheet on each vehicle to remind staff of the referral details they will need to pass on. If there are Operational pressures and the referral cannot be made immediately then the crew 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 crew using the Incident Report Form and the reasons for non-compliance investigated. Failure to refer is a breach of Policy. 3.3 The NWAS Support Centre takes the details and completes an electronic safeguarding referral form. The details should be read back to ensure the context of the referral is correct. Support Centre staff will confirm that the referral is being passed immediately to social services. 3.4 Support Centre staff send the referral securely by email (or fax if secure email not available) to Children’s or Adults Social Care. 3.5 If the referral is for a child it is also sent by email from support Centre to the NWAS Safeguarding Team where it is forwarded to 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 (a requirement from Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010). 3.7 The NWAS Safeguarding Team passes this feedback to staff when it is received and records the information.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 6 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

3

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

•

Staff have safeguarding concern (PES staff include any concerns raised by ECC, Urgent Call Desk or other call takers -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 leave children or adults at risk with an alleged/ suspected abuser while you transport another patient.

Support Centre

Children or Adults Social Care

Send referral securely to the relevant Children’s or Adults Social Care department.

If a child referral the Support Centre also sends it to NWAS safeguarding team inbox at: [email protected]

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

Page

Page 7 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

4

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

4.1 When a call taker 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 ECC this includes 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 ECC Call Taker or 111 call taker: - alert the crew attending the Emergency to your concerns 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 takers: - 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 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.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 8 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

4.

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

Is an ambulance required? Yes No

Pass details to the responding crew. Call taker informs their supervisor and enters details into the notepad of the incident.

Crew has concerns when they attend the patient?

Call taker- Seek advice from a Manger. If a referral needs to be made follow flow chart 3. Document all decision making and reference that a crew attended but did not identify any concerns.

No

Yes

Crew follows procedure in flowchart 3 and includes concerns raised by the call taker. Crew inform the call taker a referral has been made.

Call taker seeks advice from a Manger. If a referral needs to be made follow flow chart 3.

Crew passes any information back to the call taker

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 9 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

5

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

5.1 All volunteers must be aware of how to raise safeguarding concerns and have access to support and advice. 5.2 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. 5.3 The crew will evaluate the situation. The CFR should be clear about their concerns and depending on the situation make arrangements to pass on more information if the emergency situation dictates that the crew needs to make haste to hospital. 5.4 If a Safeguarding referral needs to be made then the crew will follow the procedure in flowchart 3 and document all relevant information. This information will be passed over to the receiving hospital both verbally and in writing (on the PRF). 5.5 Volunteers including car drivers. When a volunteer has safeguarding concerns they must discuss them with their nominated manager who will decide whether a safeguarding referral needs to be made. The manager is also responsible for ensuring that the concerns are passed on verbally to other agencies involved in the patients care as long as it is safe to do so. 5.6 The manager will make the referral if deemed appropriate following flowchart 3. 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 can be raised using the Incident Reporting Policy-this is not making a safeguarding referral.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 10 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

5

SAFEGUARDING REFERRAL PROCEDURE FOR VOLUNTEERS INCLUDING DRIVERS AND COMMUNITY FIRST RESPONDERS. Community First Responder (CFR) arrives on Scene and has Safeguarding concerns. Take note of the environment and who is present, what has been witnessed or heard.

CFR passes on concerns to the attending crew including any disclosures, inconsistent story behaviour of people on scene.

Crew evaluates the situation. If a Safeguarding alert needs to be raised then crew follow the procedure in flowchart 3. Document all relevant information.

Volunteer has safeguarding concerns.

Volunteer passes on the concerns to their nominated manager. If applicable the manager will share these concerns with other agencies involved in the patients care.

The Manager makes a decision about whether a referral is required and if so, follows flowchart 3. A safeguarding referral must be made irrespective of whether other agencies are involved. All information must be accurately documented.

Remember that all concerns must be clearly documented 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 – see flowchart 3.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 11 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

6

INTERNAL PROCESS FOR ATTENDANCE AT AND COMMUNICATION WITH STRATEGY MEETINGS.

6.1 Following a safeguarding referral decisions will be taken within Children’s or Adults Social Care regarding how to progress. Decisions are based on level of risk and whether or not the child or adult is at immediate risk of harm. Decisions are taken within the same working day of a referral being received. Sometimes no action is required. 6.2 The first stage for Children’s Social Care is to progress to initial assessment to determine whether the child is in need or if there is a risk of significant harm. If there is cause to suspect the child is at risk of significant harm then a strategy meeting may be called. 6.3 A Safeguarding Strategy meeting is held to formulate a multi-agency plan to assess risk, address any immediate protection needs and to agree a plan for further assessment or investigation. 6.4 NWAS may be asked to attend the strategy meeting to share relevant information. Children’s and Adults Social Care will involve the NWAS Safeguarding Team to notify that a meeting is taking place and to ensure attendance if necessary. 6.5 Depending on the nature of the referral an Advanced Paramedic (AP), Manager (may be from Human Resources) or both may be requested to attend the meeting. A member of the NWAS Safeguarding Team may also attend. Information is required from a clinical and operational perspective and preparation is needed to ensure this is available for the meeting. The Safeguarding team will assist to gather this and to offer support. Relevant information includes data from safeguarding referrals, attendances at the address, Patient Report Forms, Incident Report Forms and Sequence of Events logs. If the Strategy meeting is in relation to allegations against NWAS staff the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure must be followed. 6.6 The NWAS Safeguarding Team will ascertain if there are any contentious issues for NWAS and will liaise and share information with the Trust legal Team. Contentious issues will be communicated to the AP or Managers attending the Strategy meeting. If contentious issues are communicated an Incident Report Form will be completed by the relevant Manager or NWAS Safeguarding Team to capture all relevant communications, any actions taken and learning.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

6 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 an IRF is completed by the Manager or the Safeguarding Team and logged onto the Trust Risk Management Database (Datix).

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. They 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 Policy. The manager 7 AP CHILD REFERRAL COMMUNICATION PATHWAY FORthe NWAS SAFEGUARDING TEAMThe or will feed back findings to the crew involved and initiate relevant section of the Policy. Safeguarding Team will report lessons to the Trust incident Learning Forum. NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 13 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

7

CHILD REFERRAL COMMUNICATION PATHWAY FOR NWAS SAFEGUARDING TEAM

7.1 When a safeguarding child referral is made by NWAS staff the NWAS Support Centre will pass the child referral securely to the NWAS Safeguarding team at the same time they pass the referral to Children’s Social Care. 7.2 Each working day (Monday to Friday) the Safeguarding Team check the secure email account and pass the child referrals to the Named nurses in the Acute Hospital (if the child is transported to hospital) and to the Community Named Nurses in the area the child lives. 7.3 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. 7.4 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. 7.5 In keeping with current multi-agency arrangements Children’s Social Care feedback the outcome of all referral made to the NWAS Safeguarding Team. 7.6 The Safeguarding Team provides feedback to the crews or the staff making the referral and logs that feedback has been given.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 14 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

7

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]

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

Page 15 of 22

Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

8

SAFEGUARDING AND INCIDENT REPORTING

8.1 A concern is identified by NWAS staff who completes an Incident Report Form (IRF). 8.2 The concern is investigated by the Staff Manager who completes the IRF and submits the form to the Healthcare Governance Department. 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. 8.3 The completed form is scrutinised by the Corporate Manager and any safeguarding issues are passed to the Safeguarding Team. 8.4 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 notify the Healthcare Governance Department of this action. 8.5 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 Policy. 8.6 Each month the Safeguarding Team will compile reports detailing how many reported incidents have a safeguarding element to them. 8.7 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.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

8

SAFEGUARDING AND INCIDENT REPORTING Concern is identified by any member of NWAS staff and an Incident Report Form (IRF) is completed.

The concern is investigated by the staff Manager

Completed IRF is sent to the Healthcare Governance Department and is scrutinised by the relevant Corporate Manager

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 Safeguarding.nwas.nhs.net

Urgent concerns? Yes

No

Safeguarding team will pass on necessary information to social services or other relevant agency and notify Healthcare Governance Team of this action.

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

Page

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

9

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.

Any practice issues identified will be captured using the Incident reporting risk matrix on the 11 AND LEARNING IncidentSAFEGUARDING Report Form. If the issue meets theLESSONS criteria the incident will be referred to the Incident Learning Panel as per the Incident Learning Policy. The Safeguarding Practice Manager will make 11 SAFEGUARDING AND LEARNING LESSONS. recommendations where appropriate. NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

10. SAFEGUARDING AND LEARNING LESSONS. Lessons which need to be learned from safeguarding related incidents are identified through a number of processes including; from STEIS reports, Serious Case Reviews, Domestic Homicide Reviews, Strategy meetings and safeguarding investigations.

Where practice or operational issues are identified- an Incident Report Form must be completed and the risk matrix score will determine whether the incident needs to be referred to the Trust Incident Learning Panel. This is undertaken by the Manager involved in the review or investigation. Refer to the Incident Learning Policy and Procedures).

Referral to the Trust Incident Learning Panel?

No

Yes

Incident learning Panel agrees next course of action which may include reflective practice and disciplinary action (refer to the Incident Learning Policy and Procedures).

Manager to determine whether learning needs to occur or puts in place measures to ensure risks are minimised in the future (refer to Incident learning Policy and Procedures)

The learning identified is highlighted through reporting to the Trust Incident Learning Forum .This is also communicated to staff through Bulletins, updates in training, through the Care Quality Improvement Forums and on the intranet.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

11.

FREQUENT CALLERS WHO MAY BE VULNERABLE

11.1

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

11.2

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

11.3

When potentially vulnerable callers are identified their details will be passed to the Safeguarding Team by operational Leads e.g. Advanced Paramedic or Operations Managers.

11.4

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

11.5

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.

11.6

This procedure will be refined and updated during the course of the project. Details of frequent callers are passed to the safeguarding Team each month by Advanced Paramedic or Operations Manager.

Safeguarding Practitioner checks safeguarding database to determine if there have been referrals made for an adult at risk or child. If necessary Practitioner may make enquiries with Children or Adults Social care

Relevant information is fed back to the Frequent Caller Project Team by the Safeguarding Practitioner who may also place a flag against the address if necessary to assist crews and the patient regarding on-going care requirements.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

12.

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.

These notifications are made to the NWAS Safeguarding Team 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 Support Centre staff. The NWAS Safeguarding Team keeps a log of all requests which include ‘maternity alerts’.

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).

13.

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 Safeguarding Admin requests a flag to be placed on the address with relevant information. Safeguarding Practitioner inform Children or Adults Social Care. Feedback from Children’s or Adults Social Care is logged.

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014

14.

PROCEDURE REVIEW

14.1 The Safeguarding Vulnerable persons Procedures will be reviewed initially within six months and every two years or earlier if changes are required. 15.

IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING

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

NWAS Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons Procedure

Page

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Author:

Safeguarding Practice Manager

Version

1

Date of Approval

26 September 2012

Status:

Final

Date of Issue:

15 September 2012

Date of Review

September 2014