Safeguarding
Everyone has the right to live their life free from violence, fear and abuse
- All people have the right to be protected from harm and exploitation
- All people have the right to independence, which involves a degree of risk.
Safeguarding is an important issue for the Trust. Working on a multi-agency basis is an important aspect of protecting adults and children at risk (vulnerable).
For adults over 18, the Care Act (2014) provides a clear legal framework for how health and partner agencies should protect people at risk of abuse or neglect.
The Care Act (2014) Statutory Guidance states that these duties apply in relation to:
- “any person who is aged 18 or over and at risk of abuse or neglect because of their needs for care and support”
And - “is, or is at risk of, being abused or neglected”
And - “unable to protect themselves against abuse or neglect or risk of it because of those needs”
The level of needs is not relevant, and the person does not need to have eligible needs for care and support, or be receiving any particular support, or be receiving any particular service from the local authority for the duties to apply.
An Person at Risk (vulnerable person) may be the subject of actual or potential abuse from a third party.
Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts; an act of commission or omission - i.e. due to a specific action or behaviours causing harm or by neglect or omission leading to harm. It may also be by exploitation leading to harm.
Categories of Adult Abuse can be found in the Care Act (2014) Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts; an act of commission or omission - i.e. due to a specific action or behaviours causing harm or by neglect or omission leading to harm. It may also be by exploitation leading to harm.
For children and young people (under 18 years of age):
The Children’s Act (1989 & 2004) provides a clear legal framework for how health and partner agencies should protect children at risk of abuse or neglect. Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) sets out the statutory framework sets out the legislation relevant to safeguarding and it should be read alongside the statutory guidance.
Statutory guidance is issued by law; you must follow it unless there’s a good reason not to.
Trust staff must ensure children are safe in all environments. If staff are worried about the welfare of a child they can share their concerns with the safeguarding team or their manager and refer to the relevant social care team as required
You can access theSouthwest Child Protection procedures website for more information
Head of Safeguarding - Tim Newstead
Safeguarding Children’s Named Nurse – Charley Curtis
Safeguarding Adults Named Nurse – Angela Hill
Safeguarding Midwife – Sally Lovell
Contact us via email on plh-tr.safeguarding@nhs.net or call us on 01752 439053, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
SAFEGUARDING IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS
Contact the safeguarding team, or view the Safeguarding website, for more information about safeguarding adults or children.
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