Policy News - 3 September 2021

The following policies have recently been ratified by the Trust’s Policy Committee.   Please take the time to review those which may be relevant to your role.  

Safeguarding Policies

As part of the review process the suite of safeguarding policies have been updated to reflect national policy context and recommendations from Domestic Homicide Reviews (DHRs), Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) and Child Safeguarding Practice Review (CSPR). 

• Safeguarding and Looked after Children Policy

This policy sets out local arrangements and action to be taken by all Trust staff where there is knowledge or suspicion that a child (definition outlined in Section 4) is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm of physical, emotional, sexual abuse/ exploitation or neglect.  Apart from the immediate investigation of possible abuse, this may include medical follow up, investigation for sexually transmitted infections, advice on nutrition, immunisation, or assessment of special needs and care provided to children by community practitioners. 

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• Safeguarding Adults and Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) Policy

This policy provides direction for all employed staff, including locums, voluntary and staff on honorary contracts in the actions they should take if they have concerns, have witnessed a case of alleged or suspected abuse or if it has been disclosed to them that abuse has taken place involving an adult. The policy also provides direction for identifying and responding to Domestic Abuse, Mental Capacity Act (2005) assessment and the application process of a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS). 

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• Safeguarding Supervision for Healthcare Professionals Policy 

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all staff are aware of the statutory requirements, have access to and receive structured safeguarding supervision at a level that reflects their role and responsibilities.

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Management of Individuals Who are Violent of Abusive Policy (Commonly referred to as Red and Yellow Card Policy)

It is unfortunate that we do experience violence and aggression from our patients towards our staff and, on occasions, other patients. The Trust has adopted a zero tolerance stance in relation to violent and abusive behaviour in order to protect staff and patients. 

This policy outlines the measures that are available when patients exhibit violent or aggressive behaviours towards staff.  When such measures are taken against patients, they are reviewed on a regular basis to ascertain whether any markers placed in a patient’s records can be removed or have to remain.

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