Safeguarding Children

All staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust have a duty to safeguard the welfare of children.

The well-being of any child who comes in contact with the hospital is a responsibility we take seriously. We will always take action if we are concerned about a child's welfare.

‘The Welfare of the Child is Paramount’ The Children Act 1989.

We have a Safeguarding Children’s and Adults team based together in the hospital. The Children’s team consists of Named Midwife Safeguarding Children, Named Nurse Safeguarding Children and Named Doctor Safeguarding Children. There is also Head of Safeguarding covering both Adults and Children. The team advise and support staff on any Safeguarding concerns, along with training, audit, responding to concerns and offering assurance to the organisation and external organisations.
We deal with approximately 40 referrals to social care each month and there are between 700-800 children (0-18 years) in Derbyshire who are subject to a child protection plan. A child on a plan is placed under one of the following 4 categories, whichever is the most appropriate:

• Physical 
• Sexual 
• Emotional
• Neglect.

We work openly and honestly with parents and carers regarding any Safeguarding concerns unless doing so would put the child at further risk. Our decisions and actions are based on the policies and procedures and these can be found on Derbyshire Safeguarding Children’s Board website along with other information and resources. We work closely with partner agencies, social care, community health staff, police, CCG’s and voluntary agencies.

We also need to learn and implement recommendations made from both local and national Serious Case Reviews and Learning Reviews; these can also be found on DSCB website.  Safeguarding is Everybody’s Business and we all have a part to play in ensuring children are safe and not at risk of harm or abuse.

Any concerns can be referred to Starting Point on 01629533190, out of hours number 01629 532600.

Last Updated 14/02/2017