Safeguarding Policy

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Introduction  

This policy is applicable to all staff employed by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) and will include those staff who are employed on a permanent, temporary, voluntary, contract, self-employed, bank or agency basis and are referred to as ‘all staff’ in this policy. 

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of babies, children, young people and adults at risk must be an integral part of the care offered to all the ICB population.  

This policy gives equal priority to keeping babies, children, young people and adults safe regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race religion, beliefs, sex or sexual orientation.  

Safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of our population is vital. This is achieved through the commissioning process by proactive service provision, staff training and an awareness to prevent harm.  

The aim of the policy is to ensure that there is a robust system in place to safeguard.  

The policy is intended to support all staff around safeguarding who reside either permanently or temporarily in the area of the ICB.  

This policy describes how the ICB discharges its safeguarding responsibilities and provides the framework that ensures a robust and safe system is in place to safeguard within commissioned health services. This policy should be read in conjunction with the following;  

• Essex Safeguarding Children Board Safeguarding (ESCB)  
• Essex Safeguarding Adult Board (ESAB)  http://www.essexsab.org.uk/ 
• Essex Domestic Abuse Board -Southend and Thurrock Domestic Abuse Partnership https://setdab.org/ 
• Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSCP) https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/childrens-social-care/child-protection/hertfordshire-safeguarding-children-partnership/hscp.aspx 
• Hertfordshire Safeguarding Adults Board (HSAB) https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/Adult-social-services/Report-a-concern-about-an-adult/Hertfordshire-Safeguarding-Adults-Board/Hertfordshire-Safeguarding-Adults-Board.aspx 
• Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse (Subgroup of Adult Board) 

This policy is underpinned by legislation and best practice guidance reference in the policies appendix.   

1.1      Cross Reference to Other Policies and Procedures 

• Equality and Diversity Policy 
• Whistleblowing Policy 
• Complaints Policy 
• Serious Incident (SI) Management Policy 
• Information Sharing Policy 
• Managing Investigations Policy 
• Recruitment Policy 

2 Purpose  

The purpose of the policy is to ensure that statutory functions together with partner agencies coordinate effectively to safeguard and protect everyone within the Integrated Care Board (ICB) health economy. 

The purpose of this policy is to promote the safety and welfare of all irrespective of age within the geographical area of the ICB. For Looked After children the responsibility remains with the ICB for those looked after children cared for outside of Hertfordshire and West Essex ICB boundaries. 

To promote a “Think Family – all age approach” to promote connectivity between the commissioning of adult and children’s services. 

To underpin single and multi-Agency strategies and procedures regarding the safeguarding of all in order to ensure that accountability and assurance is maintained. 

To ensure that the ICB workforce is aware of their safeguarding responsibilities at all levels by identifying how relationships between health and other systems work at both strategic and operational levels to safeguard babies, children, young people and adults from risk of abuse or neglect. 

3. Our values  

The values of the HWEICB will be upheld when delivering safeguarding services. 

The ICB alongside its partners will work collaboratively with services and strive for excellence to ensure that the welfare of babies, children, young people, families and adults are placed at the heart of everything we do.  

The principles, attitudes, expectations, and ways of working will recognise that the safety and wellbeing of those in vulnerable circumstances safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility are at the forefront of our business. 

4 Definitions 

A Baby – This includes babies who are unborn up to the age of 1 year – particularly relevant when caring for an adult during pregnancy to consider the unborn baby.

A child –This policy applies to children and young people as defined in the Children Act 1989 and 2004 as anyone who have not yet reached their 18^th birthday. 

An Adult-The Care Act 2014 states that adult safeguarding duties apply to any person aged 18 years or older who: Has care and support needs. Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect. Is unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs. 

Abuse (Child)- Any form of maltreatment of a child. A person may abuse a child or neglect them by acts of omission, inflicting harm or failing to act or prevent harm. There are 4 categories of child abuse, physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect. 

Abuse (Adult)- The care and support statutory guidance identified 10 types of abuse these are physical, domestic, sexual, psychological, financial, Modern Slavery, discriminatory, organisation and neglect or acts of omission. 

Community Safety Partnership- are made up of representatives from the police, Local Authorities, fire and rescue authorities, health and probation services (the ‘responsible authorities’). 

Duty of Candour- The duty of candour is about people’s right to openness and transparency from their health or care provider. It means that when something goes wrong during the provision of health and care services, patients and their families have a right to receive explanations for what happened as soon as possible and a meaningful apology. 

Exploitation- occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child, young person or adult (including those with care and support needs) into any activity that results in financial or other advantage for the perpetrator (s) or facilitator (s) 

Looked After Children – a child looked after by a local authority either under a court order or through a voluntary arrangement as described in the Children Act 1989. Looked After Children are identified as a population who may have additional and significant health as well as social difficulties, which may make them more vulnerable to criminal and sexual exploitation. They are shown to be a population who have poorer outcomes than that of their peers who have not been in care of the Local Authority. In West Essex Looked After Children are referred to as Children in Care (CIC) and in Hertfordshire Looked After Children are referred to as Children Looked After (CLA) – this reflects the local agreements with Safeguarding Boards / Partnerships. 

Care Leaver – is a young person aged 16 – 25 years who has been in care at some point since they were 14 years old and were in care on or following their 16^th birthday. These young people have statutory entitlement to on-going support from the local authority from the age of 18 years.

Primary Care refers to General Practice, Community Pharmacy, Dental and Optometry (NHS England definition).  

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined in Working to Together to Safeguard Children (2023) as: 

• Protecting children from maltreatment 
• Preventing impairment of children’s health or development 
• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the 
• provision of safe and effective care; and 
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances. 

VAWG- Violence against women and girls covers a range of unacceptable crimes, including rape and other sexual offences, stalking, domestic abuse, ‘honour’-based abuse (including female genital mutilation, forced marriage and ‘honour’ killings), ‘revenge porn’ and ‘upskirting’, as well as many others. 

Principles of Adult Safeguarding 

5.  ICB roles & responsibilities  

•      ensuring that there is a strategic Executive lead for safeguarding who will promote the need    to         safeguard across service planning and delivery. 
•      complying with S10 and S11 of the Children Act 2004 and any subsequent statutory guidance relating to vulnerable groups.  
•      The Care Act 2014 statutory obligations of the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) for safeguarding adults have transferred directly to the ICBs. 
•      co-operating and working in partnership with the Local Authorities in the operation of the Safeguarding Children and Adult Boards/Partnerships.  
•      Promoting the commissioning of services which prioritise the safety and welfare of all through local partnership arrangements and discharge their functions having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable individuals.  
•      promoting the planning and provision of a range of safeguarding training to enable staff to recognise and report safeguarding issues.  
•      Ensuring that safe recruitment policies are in place as set out in 6 NHS standards of recruitment, (2013) which include recommendations relating to relevant checks with the Disclosure and Barring Service.  

The ICB will have identified named leads for the following functions in line with the Accountability and Assurance Framework 2019: –  

•      Executive lead for safeguarding children – (this role is undertaken by the Director of Nursing and Quality, supported by Deputy Director of Nursing & Quality) 
•      The Nominated Safeguarding Senior Officer (NSSO) for Allegations Against Staff who will inform the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Persons in Positions of Trust (PIPOT) of all allegations and concerns of abuse made against an employee, agency worker, volunteer or contracted staff as per local authority procedures (this role is undertaken by the Associate Director for Safeguarding Children) 
•      Lead for PREVENT the Government counter terrorist strategy (this role is undertaken by the Associate Director for Adult safeguarding)  
•      Designated Mental Capacity Act lead (this role is undertaken by the Associate Director for safeguarding Adults) 
•      Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children 
•      Designated lead professional for adult safeguarding   
•      Designated Doctor for Safeguarding Children  
•      Named GP for Adult Safeguarding 
•      Designated Nurse for Looked after Children 
•      Designated Doctor for Looked After Children  
•      Designated Paediatrician for Unexpected Child Deaths 
•      Named GPs for Safeguarding Children 
•      As per statutory guidance the ICB is required to appoint a Designated Paediatrician for Unexpected Child Deaths as outlined in Chapter 5 Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 and Child Death Review. Statutory and Operational Guidance 2018. 

The ICB will enable the children and adult nursing professionals to work collaboratively and collectively under the leadership of the Executive Lead for Safeguarding. 

5.1       Duties and Accountabilities 

All Professionals have a safeguarding responsibility and will work together to promote “Think      Family- all age approach.” This approach recognises that it is important to understand that an             individual child or patient is part of a wider ‘family’ network, and the care or wellbeing of that      individual may impact on other members of their family. 

The term “family” is broad and does not just refer to birth relations but also includes those with caring responsibilities for children. 

When staff are providing services to adults, they should ask whether there are children in the family and take actions to respond if the children need help or protection from harm.  

Early help forms the basis of initial support for families where there are babies, children, young people to stop escalation of need or risk and improve outcomes. Additional parenting support could be particularly needed where the adults have mental health problems, misuse drugs or alcohol, are in a violent relationship, have complex needs or have learning difficulties. 

Outside the home environment some adults will be in regular contact with children, and this should be considered when making assessments and decisions regarding safeguarding. 

Safeguarding should also be considered where risks are identified beyond an individual family or home. 

5.2 Responsibilities of the ICB  

It is the responsibility of the ICB to ensure it meets all requirements within the Safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk NHS Safeguarding accountability and assurance framework 2019 and ensure the statutory roles and functions are maintained.  

As a Statutory Safeguarding Partner, the ICB must have a named representation within the local children’s partnerships. 

The ICB must have a clear line of accountability for safeguarding that is reflected in all integrated governance arrangements.  

5.2.1 The Chief Executive Officer responsibilities 

The Chief Executive of the ICB will be the Lead Safeguarding Partner for the Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships (Working Together 2023) and Safeguarding Adult Partnerships.  

5.2.2 Director of Nursing and Quality responsibilities 

Is the delegated lead for Safeguarding in the ICB. 

Reports to the CEO and the ICB Board on issues in relation to changes in strategic direction, significant developments, learning from serious incidents or identified risks in relation to safeguarding. 

Is responsible for the execution of all safeguarding responsibilities on behalf of the CEO and the ICB Board. 

Promotes safeguarding within commissioning arrangements to meet identified quality standards through quality scrutiny processes. 

Monitor the progress of recommendations and outcomes from Serious Untoward Incidents, Individual Management Reviews, Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, Care Leaver Reviews, Safeguarding Adult Reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews. 

Oversee the performance management of the Safeguarding Team. 

Commission safeguarding annual reports on behalf of the ICB Board. 

5.2.3 ICB Executive and Non-Executive Members responsibilities 

Maintain a continued awareness of current safeguarding issues in accordance with NHS England Safeguarding responsibilities and accountability framework. 

Ensures that the Integrated Care Board has management and accountability structures that deliver safe and effective services in accordance with statutory, national and local guidance for safeguarding children including Looked After Children and Adults at Risk  

Ensures that service plans/specifications/contracts/invitations to tender etc. include reference to the standards expected for safeguarding children and adults at risk. 

Ensures that safe recruitment practices are adhered to in line with national and local guidance and that safeguarding responsibilities are reflected in all job descriptions. 

Ensures that staff in contact with children and or adults in the course of their normal duties are trained and competent to be alert to the potential indicators of abuse or neglect and know how to act on those concerns in line with local guidance. ICB’s must fulfil the NHS England Safeguarding Accountability and Assurance Framework issued July 2022. 

5.2.4 Designated Nurse and Doctor for Safeguarding Children responsibilities 

Are identified within the health economy as clinical leads with statutory roles and responsibilities for safeguarding children. Are appropriately trained and given sufficient time to carry out their duties effectively. 

Take a strategic, professional advisory lead on all aspects of the health service contribution to safeguarding across the ICB, which includes all providers. 

Advise on the planning and delivery of an organisational programme of safeguarding training which includes the Mental Capacity Act and Prevent. 

Provide clinical advice on the development and monitoring of the safeguarding aspects of ICB contracts. 

Provide supervision, advice and support to the Named professionals and safeguarding leads in provider organisations. 

Provide expert professional advice on matters relating to safeguarding to other professionals, the ICB, Local Authorities, the Local Safeguarding Boards and associated sub-committees and partner agencies. 

Advise on serious incidents or individual management reviews which arise as part of the Rapid Reviews, Child Safeguarding Practice Reviews, and monitor specific health implementation and outcomes of agreed actions. 

Advise on the development of organisational and multi-agency strategy, policy procedures audits and projects relating to safeguarding children and adults. 

Attend the local safeguarding Partnerships Board and relevant Sub-committees in a professional advisory capacity for the ICB and communicate positively ICB values and strategic vision to stakeholders and partners as appropriate. 

Alert the ICB to situations which compromise organisational ability to discharge safeguarding responsibilities. 

To challenge decisions in multi-agency arena, where children or adults with care and support needs are believed to remain at risk via escalation processes outlined in local procedures. 

Are responsible for planning and undertaking quality assurance processes to include visits to care settings and review of investigations and outcomes following serious incidents. 

Produce an Annual Report on Safeguarding. 

5.2.5 Designated Nurse and Doctor for Looked After Children responsibilities

Provide specialist knowledge in all aspects relating to looked after children across Hertfordshire and West Essex health economy.  

Provide strategic and clinical leadership to the service and to the Specialist Children in Care (CIC) and Children Looked after (CLA) Health Teams, ensuring that the ICB fulfils its statutory duties for Looked   after Children and care leavers. 

Work closely with health providers and the commissioners of the services to ensure processes are in place for the effective delivery of statutory health assessment reviews to an acceptable quality             standard. Provide scrutiny and oversight of the performance of commissioned CIC/ CLA health providers. 

Work closely with local Children’s Services to promote an integrated care approach in the best interests of Looked after Children and care leavers. 

Contribute to the strategic Corporate Parenting Board and ensure that awareness of the health needs of the local looked after population and the effectiveness of the services commissioned to provide them support is shared via the Corporate Parenting Board meetings. 

Promote integrated working with Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) Looked after Children teams to advance emotional health and well-being outcomes for children in care. 

Engage with public health colleagues to ensure that service development is evidence based and that Looked after Children and care leavers are considered across the health economy. 

Report to and provide specialist knowledge to commissioners. 

Work in partnership with Designated and Named safeguarding colleagues to ensure Looked after Children and care leavers are safeguarded. 

5.2.6 Designated Professional for Safeguarding Adults responsibilities 

•       Have direct access to the ICB executive (Board Level) Lead to ensure that there is the right level of influence of safeguarding on the commissioning process. 
•       Attend Safeguarding Adults National Network (SANN)  
• Attend the local safeguarding Adult Board and relevant Sub-committees in a professional advisory capacity for the ICB and communicate positively ICB values and strategic vision to stakeholders and partners as appropriate. 
• The designated professional will offer support and advice to the board member responsible for adult safeguarding. 
• Ensure the regular provision of training to staff and board of the ICB.  
• Provide a health advisory role to the SAB and must attend, fully brief and support the ICB SAB member.  
• Provide expert advice to the NHS England and Local Education and training boards 
• Take a lead for health in working with the SAB on safeguarding adult reviews, and to take forward any learning for the health economy.  

 5.2.7 Named GP’s responsibilities 

Named GPs for children have a key role in promoting good professional practice, providing advice and expertise to professionals, and ensuring appropriate safeguarding training is in place.  

Training, experience, and qualification requirements for named GPs are set out in the children’s and adults intercollegiate documents. 

To provide expert professional advice on matters relating to safeguarding.  

To advise on Serious Incidents or Individual Management Reviews/ CSP Rapid Review and monitor implementation and outcomes of agreed actions.  

To promote the understanding and use of the ‘early intervention’ model.  

To alert General Practice to situations and national learning which may influence their ability to discharge their responsibility in relation to safeguarding.  

To support those working in General Practice to challenge decisions in multi-agency arena, where individuals are believed to remain at risk via escalation processes outlined in health guidance and in Safeguarding Partnership/Board Procedures.  

Work collaboratively to support and strengthen leadership of the national and regional NHS safeguarding teams at National Network of Designated Professionals and regional steering groups. 

5.2.8 Responsibility of All Staff  

• Understand processes and comply with all policies procedures and guidance on safeguarding.  
• Where a member of staff is unsure what action to take, they will be expected to access advice from the relevant Designated team / Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub / social care hub. 
• Staff should maintain compliance with both the Intercollegiate Document (2018 and 2019) through the appraisal system. 
• Attend safeguarding training at the appropriate level to their role and maintain the level of knowledge and skills appropriate to their role. 
• Protect the population by recognising and responding to abuse and neglect and know what action to take to make appropriate referrals, and where appropriate contribute to multi-agency activity.  
• Access safeguarding supervision as appropriate for staff role. 
• Take part in audits and evaluations regarding safeguarding as appropriate.  
• Take immediate and appropriate action regarding allegations against people who work with children or adults at risk as outlined in the Managing Allegations in the workforce for children.  

5.2.9 Responsibility of ICB in relation to Providers  

The ICB holds the responsibility of ensuring that safeguarding duties are discharged within all Provider services that are contracted. This places a duty on the ICB to ensure the functions are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of babies children, young people and adults at risk. 

6.   Responsibility of all ICB staff in relation to safeguarding children   

The following fundamental principles contained within The Children Act 1989 and 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 governs the actions of the ICB in relation to protecting children: 

• The child’s welfare is paramount.  
• A shared responsibility 
• Child centred approach within a whole family focus 
• Professionals should work in partnership with parents, carers, and other family members wherever possible. 
• Close co-operation and multi-Agency working, namely working with Children’s Social Care, Police and Education, as well as other health professionals is essential to safeguarding. 
• In all decisions and services, full regard will be taken of the child’s ethnicity, culture, language, religion, gender and any disability and all services will be offered based on     equal opportunity. 

Information sharing is essential for effective safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) supports the sharing of relevant information for the purposes of keeping children safe. Fears about sharing information must not be allowed to stand in the way of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  

Consent appropriate consent should be sought to share information but in the case of child safeguarding concerns this is not required where there are safety / risk concerns. Any information shared must meet the required standards (Information Sharing 2018) and should be necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure in all cases. A record should be made about the decision-making process associated with the information shared. 

Professional Curiosity should be used to explore potential safeguarding matters – keeping a level of respectful uncertainty in all cases leaves opportunity to consider the appropriateness of care received. 

Challenge should be used to effectively hold organisations, agencies or professionals to account. The relevant local escalation policy should be adhered to. 

Voice of the child – Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the rights of the Child states that every child has the right to have their voice heard in decisions that affect them. In Safeguarding this means – asking the child their view – listening to what they say and considering this when decisions are being made taking account of their views and wishes. Where age or ability inhibit verbal communication other strategies need to be considered to gain the child’s views and wishes which include advocacy. 

6.1 Safeguarding Referral Processes 

• All staff must protect children and adults at risk by recognising and responding to abuse and neglect and know what action to take to make appropriate referrals, (see procedural requirements below for referral process). 
• All staff must be aware of what action to take if a child or adult is at risk of immediate harm, where the police (999) should be called and a referral to Children’s or adults Services. 
• All staff must be aware how to make a referral to Children’s Services and adult social care as necessary. 
•   All staff must uphold the rights of the child to be able to communicate, be heard and safeguarded from harm and exploitation, irrespective of their race, culture, religion, gender, age, health/disability, residence, behaviour or immigration status. 

6.2 Procedural Requirements if you are worried about the safety of a child or young person 

• If at any time, a member of staff feels that a child needs urgent medical assistance, they have a duty to call for an ambulance or arrange for a doctor to see the person at the earliest opportunity. 
• If at the time, staff have reason to believe the child is in immediate and serious risk of harm or that a crime has been committed the police must be called. 
• If anyone believes that a child or young person may be suffering, or may be at risk of suffering significant harm, they should always refer their concerns to their local children’s Social Care and/or the Police. 
• If a staff member needs to discuss concerns this should be with line manager and/or the safeguarding team. 

7.  If you have concerns that a child is being abused:  

At home – if you are a registered professional, you must call social care, if you are not you can call NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or Text 88858  

In public – call 999 if the person is at serious risk of harm. 

 Responsibility of all ICB staff in relation to safeguarding adults.

 The responsibility for safeguarding adults are aligned as above to those for children.  

IF YOU HAVE CONCERNS AROUND ABUSE OF AN ADULT AT RISK  

OUT OF COUNTY REFERRALS 

Where a referral relates to an individual of any age normally resident elsewhere then a referral must be made to the relevant area where the individual normally resides. This can usually be found by searching on internet for the relevant Local Authority safeguarding pages and following the local procedures.  

TRAINING  

All staff working across the ICB irrespective of working predominantly with either adults or children should receive training to ensure they attain the competences appropriate to their role and follow the relevant professional guidance.  

Training is set by the Safeguarding team at the ICB to reflect the needs of the three Safeguarding  roles and competencies documents that set out the training needs for working with Adults, Children and Looked after children This training will be reviewed yearly or in accordance with legislation changes.  

Training Compliance will be monitored through ODL and where appropriate compliance with the appropriate professional body – NMC for Nurses and GMC for Doctors – HCPC for registered non-medical professionals may be requested as evidence. 

SUPERVISION  

All staff working within the ICB who have contact with children and families must undertake safeguarding supervision in line with their role. 

All staff must be aware of and know how to access relevant Safeguarding Procedures Southend, Essex and Thurrock Child Protection Procedures. http://www.escb.co.uk/ or Hertfordshire Safeguarding Procedures http://www.hscp.co.uk/    

LADO/PIPOT 

• The ICB will have clear policies for dealing with allegations against people who work with            children and refer to the local authority designated officers (LADO) where appropriate.( working        together 2023)  
• All staff should be aware of the managing allegations policy and their responsibilities within it. 
• The Care Act (2014) defines states that all Safeguarding Adult Boards must have processes in   place to respond to concerns about people in Positions of Trust (PIPOT) 
• HWEICB will follow processes laid out by their relevant safeguarding boards / partnerships to      reflect both these requirements.  

8. Safeguarding teams contact details 

HWE ICB Safeguarding team can be accessed to provide Safeguarding related advice 

 Monday – Friday 0900 – 1700 

9. Monitoring compliance   governance arrangements  

• Safeguarding governance arrangements are monitored through the ICB Quality Committee. 
• The Safeguarding leads for adults and children or other delegated individual will report on the safeguarding agenda at national, regional and place based to the quality committee. Reports will include areas of risk and concerns related to adult and children safeguarding.  
•  Section 11 compliance will be monitored as requested through contracts, dashboards, KPIs and safeguarding forums as agreed with the provider through partnership working.
• Safeguarding forms part of the NHS standard contract (Service Condition 32), the ICB will need to agree contract monitoring processes to demonstrate compliance with safeguarding duties. 

10. Consultation and communication with stakeholders   

This Policy is developed by HWE Safeguarding Leads following the merge of existing safeguarding Children and Safeguarding adults’ policies. There is no change to the content or requirement. 

HWE ICB comply with the Equality Act (2010) and Public Sector Equality Duty (2011) and as such recognises that some individuals with protected characteristics may need additional support to understand, interpret and implement this Policy. The ICB Safeguarding Team will respond to any direct or indirect request for support in relation to this policy to meet the needs of individuals where their Equality Act protected characteristic requires adjustments to be made to ensure equity of outcome, which will include clarification and translation. 

11. References  

Children Act 1989. http://www.legislation.gov.uk 

Children Act 2004. http://www.legislation.gov.uk 

Common Core of Skills and Knowledge for the Children’s Workforce. London. 

HM Government (2005) 

ESAB (2010) Southend Essex Thurrock safeguarding Adult Guidelines Version 2 Dec 2010 http://www.essexsab.org.uk/ 

ESCB  Southend Essex Thurrock Child Protection Procedures http://www.escb.co.uk/ 

Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership  

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/services/childrens-social-care/child-protection/hertfordshire-safeguarding-children-partnership/hscp.aspx

Department of Education (2023) Working Together to Safeguard Children: A Guide to multi agency Working to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children. London:  

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children–2

HM Government (2015) Promoting the health and well-being of looked-after children Statutory guidance for local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and NHS England:  https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/413368/Promoting_the_health_and_well-being_of_looked-after_children.pdf 

HM Government: Think Family: Improving the life chances of families at risk (2008) HMSO London: 

http://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/17766/1/think_family_life_chances_report.pdf 

RCN 2019 ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff’ (Intercollegiate Document).  

RCN (2020) Looked After Children: knowledge, skills and competence of health care staff Intercollegiate Role Framework,  

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9/contents 

HM Government Department of Education 2018 Information https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1062969/Information_sharing_advice_practitioners_safeguarding_services.pdf 

NICE Looked After Children and Young People Guidance NICE NG205 (2021)https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng205  

Domestic Abuse Act 2021 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/domestic-abuse-bill-2020-factsheets/domestic-abuse-bill-2020-overarching-factsheet  

Think Family: Improving the life chances of families at risk  – https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2008-0058/DEP2008-0058.pdf  

NHS Recruitment and Selection Standards: Policy and Procedure (2013) – https://www.enhertsccg.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/ENH%20CCG%20Recruitment%20and%20Selection%20Policy.pdf.  

•       Children Act 1989 & 2004  
•  Working Together to Safeguard Children: (2023) 
•  Promoting the health and well-being of looked-after children. Statutory guidance for local authorities,   clinical commissioning groups and NHS England (2015). 
•  Care Act (2014)  
•  The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 
•  Serious Crime Act 2015 
•  Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Competences for Health Care Staff Intercollegiate Document, RCN, 2019 
•  Looked After Children: knowledge, skills and competence of health care staff Intercollegiate Role Framework, RCN, 2020 
•  Adult Safeguarding Roles and competencies for Health Care Staff. (2018)  
•  The Mental Capacity Act (2005)  
•  Prevent duty Guidance for England and Wales( 2023)  
•  Community Safety Partnerships (2023)  
•  The Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls (Home Office 2011)  
•  Think Family: improving the life chances of families at risk (2008)  
•  Safeguarding Children, Young People and Adults at Risk in the NHS: Safeguarding Accountability and Assurance Framework (SAAF 2022)  
•  Children and Social Work Act (2017)  
•  Mandatory Reporting of FGM (updated 2020)  
•  NICE Guideline – Looked after children and young people. (2021) 
•  Domestic Abuse Act (2021) 
•       The Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR)

12. Associated documentation    

Child abuse and Neglect NICE guideline (NG76) 2017         https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng76  

Looked After Children and young people (NG205) 2021 https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng205  

Child Exploitation Disruption Toolkit 2019 

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/794554/6.5120_Child_exploitation_disruption_toolkit.pdf

Life chances / safeguarding  

NSPCC https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/  

NSPCC – Case Review repository https://library.nspcc.org.uk/HeritageScripts/Hapi.dll/search2?&LabelText=Case%20review&searchterm=*&Fields=@&Media=SCR&Bool=AND&SearchPrecision=20&DataSetName=HERITAGE  

Appendix 1 

Equality Impact Assessment and Health Inequality Impact Assessment

Very occasionally it will be clear that some proposals will not impact on the protected equality groups and health inequalities groups.

Where you can show that there is no impact, positive or negative, on any of the groups please complete this form and include it with any reports/papers used to make a decision on the proposal.

Health Inequalities Analysis