St. Helens Safeguarding Standards for GP Practices Protected Learning Event September 28 th 2011
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St Helens Safeguarding Standard: General Practice This document provides an outline of the content of the St Helens Safeguarding Standards for GP practices. The contents and the lists within appendices are not definitive and will be the subject of further consideration as experience develops. There is an acknowledgement that although aspects of these standards focus on safeguarding children, this is a work in progress and it can be adapted to reflect the broader safeguarding agenda. Although the role of the named doctor will be closely tied to the standard, the development and implementation of the standard is not dependent on the named doctor being in place. Some elements of the programme are specified at a national level e.g. compliance with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). Standard 1 All GP practices to adopt the Safeguarding (Children) Policy Statement (appendix 1) and conduct a self-audit against key criteria which would provide a minimum Safeguarding Standard for GP practices. This would include: Identified GP and practice administrator to act as safeguarding lead for the practice. (The lead GP should be able to support and advise all members of the practice, including practice staff, on matters connected with safeguarding and child protection. They should liaise with the named doctor for the PCT and Local Authorities over local policies, updates and audits) Processes in place to identify safeguarding activity and practice compliance with regard to GP standards Have in place, and comply with, safeguarding children policy/procedures ratified by the Local Safeguarding Children s Board (LSCB) (appendix 2 refers) Compliance with safer recruitment processes Compliance with Local Authority Designated Officer processes Recognise and record safeguarding training for all staff (appendix 3), including supervision arrangements Review of significant safeguarding events (section 7 CQC guidance) Attendance at and/or completion of GP proforma regarding child protection conference Flagging of records of children and families subject to child protection plans (as a minimum), child in need plans and looked after children plans, where possible It is anticipated that all practices will achieve to Level 1 by end of April 2012 3
Support will include: LSCB training Specific training at protected learning time events Advice and support accessed via practice managers forum Individual practice sessions via designated and named doctor as requested Standard 2 Each practice to conduct regular (suggested quarterly) meetings to review ongoing issues of safeguarding led by safeguarding lead within practices (with respect to significant incident refer to Appendix 4 of the GP toolkit). Standard 3 Annual return of safeguarding audit tool developed by SHA for contract monitoring purposes. PCT Commissioners to report/provide assurance on this to LSCB. Standard 4 Complete LSCB audit as per section 11 Children Act 2004. 4
Appendix 1 - Safeguarding Children Policy Statement This practice is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Our practice accepts and recognises our responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues which cause children harm and lead to welfare concerns. We will endeavour to safeguard children by: Adopting safeguarding guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for all staff* working from this practice Making staff and patients aware that we take child protection seriously and respond to concerns about the welfare of children Sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know, and involving parents and children appropriately Complying with the procedures for staff recruitment and selection Providing effective management for staff by ensuring access to supervision, support and training Following the practice s and the LSCB s safeguarding procedures, and Referring all known/suspected child abuse that first comes to the attention of a member of the practice staff to Children s Social Care and following this up in writing within 48 hours GP Practice name: Date policy adopted: Date due for review: *Staff includes any students on placement, any volunteers and any staff commissioned to provide services at this practice 5
Appendix 2 - Policies & Procedures Available to Staff: Available on LSCB website www.sthelenlscb.org.uk Working Together to Safeguard Children, 2010 What to do if you re worried a child is being abused, 2006 St.HSCB Multi-Agency Safeguarding Children Procedures, 2011 Multi-agency practice guidelines: Handling Cases of Forced Marriage, HM GOVT 2009 Pan Merseyside Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy/Children (SUDI / C) Protocol Available on the PCT intranet http://nww.haltonandsthelenspct.nhs.uk/ GMC guidance Available on the RCGP website http://www.rcgp.org.uk/clinical_and_research/safeguarding_children_tookit.aspx Safeguarding Children and Young People, A Toolkit for General Practice, 2009 Available on the NHS Employers website: Safer recruitment guidance available on the NHS Employers website http://www.nhsemployers.org/recruitmentandretention/pages/recru itment-and-retention.aspx Available on HM Govt website: Section 11 Children s Act 2004 http://www.leics.gov.uk/section11_of_the_childrens_act_2004.pdf 6
Appendix 3 - Training: Induction & Level 1 All staff employed in a healthcare setting (all groups of staff). Level 2 (Group 2 and 3 staff) All staff who have contact with children or adults who are parents/carers (as identified in the Intercollegiate Document 2010). Level 3 (Group 3 staff) All staff involved in assessment and intervention to safeguard children i.e. GPs, health professionals and safeguarding leads to have undertaken Level 3 Safeguarding Children training * Practice Nurses may need L3 training dependent upon clinical responsibilities and will be at the discretion of the safeguarding lead within the Practice Please Note Levels 1 and 2 training to be completed before commencing Level 3. The PCT, LMC and the LSCB have agreed that the Safeguarding Lead should be trained to Level 3 within 12 months and all other (group 3) staff within two years. All staff will need refresher training over a three year period (number of hours dependent on staff grouping) 7
Guidance Staff Group Level 1 training (single or multi agency) Intercollegiate (2010) Level 1 All non clinical staff working in health care settings Working Together 2010 Group 1 Staff with infrequent contact with children, young people &/or parents/carers who may become aware of possible abuse or neglect receptionists, administrative, transport, maintenance staff, catering (including management facilities and corporate services) Induction Booklet / e learning X http://sthelenslsc b.org.uk/ Level 2 training (single or multi agency) Half day basic awareness training/ e-learning (link below) Level 3 Multi-Agency Training 2-day Working Together training Level 2 ALL clinical staff who have any contact with children, young people &/or parents/carers Group 2 Those in regular contact or have a period of intense but irregular contact with children, young people &/or parents/carers including all health clinical staff who may be in a position to identify concerns about maltreatment including those that may arise from use eg health care students, pharmacists, dentists, dental care practitioners, audiologists, opticians, nurses working in adult acute/community services (District Nurses), practice nurses, allied health care professionals (chiropody, therapists, AHP s), adult orientated x X http://www.elfh.org.uk/projects/safeguardi ng/index.html 8
Level 3 Guidance Staff Group Level 1 training (single or multi agency) ALL clinical staff working with children, young people &/or their parents/carers and who could potentially contribute to assessing, planning, intervening and evaluating the needs of children or young person and parenting capacity where there are safeguarding/child protection concerns of a CAF Group 3 Members of the workforce who work predominantly with children, young people &/or parents/carers and who could potentially contribute to assessing, planning, intervening & reviewing the needs of a child and parenting capacity where there are safeguarding concerns secondary health care professionals GPs, urgent and unscheduled care staff, mental health staff (adult & CAMHS), child psychologists, child psychotherapists, adult learning disability, health professionals working in substance misuse services, YOT, paediatric allied health professionals, sexual health staff, SNs, HVs, Specialist children s nurses, ADHD/complex needs specialists, children s nurses, nursery nurses, paediatricians, paediatric dentists, paediatric liaison Induction Booklet / e learning Level 2 training (single or multi agency) Half day basic awareness training/ e-learning (link below) Level 3 Multi-Agency Training 2-day Working Together training x x X http://sthelenslscb.org.uk/ 9
Guidance Staff Group Level 1 training (single or multi agency) Group 4 Members of the workforce who have particular responsibilities in relation to undertaking S47 enquiries, (including professionals from health, education, police & social care); those who work with complex cases & social work staff responsible for coordinating assessments of children in need Induction Booklet / e learning Level 2 training (single or multi agency) Half day basic awareness training/ e-learning (link below) Level 3 Multi-Agency Training 2-day Working Together training 10
Pathway for Health Settings Level 1: All Staff Induction Booklet Group 2 staff / Level 2 training: ALL clinical staff who have contact with children, young people and/or parents or carers (applicable to some non-clinical staff, as identified in the Intercollegiate Document 2010) Online Child Abuse and Neglect or http://www.e-lfh.org.uk/projects/safeguarding/index.html OR LSCB Multi Agency Course: (½ Day) Safeguarding Children Awareness (Bespoke training can be arranged) Group 3 staff / Level 3 training: GP s and Safeguarding Leads LSCB Multi Agency Course: (2 day) Working Together to Safeguard Children (staff identified in the Intercollegiate Document 2010) After completing the above course the following courses are available: Domestic Abuse Awareness Domestic Abuse and Child Protection Neglect awareness Recognising and Managing Neglect Safeguarding Disabled Children Alcohol Awareness, Identification and Brief Advice Sex, Drugs and Risk Control The Impact of Mental Health on Parenting Capacity and the effects on Children MARAC/MERIT Online Safer Recruitment training can be accessed http://www.cwdcouncil.org.uk/safeguarding/saferrecruitment 11