Safeguarding Children

Keeping children safe is a top priority for the Trust. All children have a right to protection from violence, exploitation, maltreatment and neglect.

As a Trust we take safeguarding duties extremely seriously and we have a zero tolerance approach to any form of child maltreatment and abuse.

All Trust staff must demonstrate the highest standards of behaviour towards children in both their professional and personal lives, and must never abuse the position of trust that comes with being part of our organisation.

We must do all we can to prevent, report and respond appropriately to child maltreatment, and seek advice whenever needed.

“To listen to a child and share information must be our aim if child abuse is to be discovered and prevented”.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people aged 0-18 yrs of age on the Isle of Wight. All organisations that work with children and their families share a commitment to safeguard & promote children’s welfare and this is underpinned by a statutory duty under the Children Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2010.

The Isle of Wight NHS Trust Safeguarding Children Team lead on all aspects of safeguarding children working across the Isle of Wight health economy. Their role includes:-

• Providing a vital source of professional advice on safeguarding and child protection matters for frontline staff.
• The promotion of good professional practice which safeguards and promotes the welfare of children backed up with sound policies and procedures.
• Influencing, developing, delivering and monitoring of safeguarding children training.
• Linking with partnership agencies including Children’s Services – Social Care and the Isle of Wight Local Safeguarding Children’s Board (LSCB). http://www.iowscb.org.uk/
• The Paediatric Liaison Service which includes the following up of children who are not brought for health appointments or for whom there are safeguarding concerns. Mon – Fri, one of the named nurses visits areas of the hospital that provide daily care for children including A & E / Children’s Unit / Maternity & Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Relevant information is passed to Health Visitors and School Nurses to inform care planning after hospital contact. This overview by the safeguarding team also ensures a “safety net” to ensure child protection processes are followed and appropriate liaison with other safeguarding partners occurs.
• Working to ensure safer recruitment procedures are in place.