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  • Safeguarding children

Safeguarding children - statement of compliance

The Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust is committed to safeguarding children.

In July 2009 the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published a report which concluded that many NHS foundation trusts had the right people and systems in place for safeguarding children. However, the report also identified areas where further improvements were required.

Following the CQC report and Monitor requirements we have reviewed our services to ensure that we meet those standards and we can confirm that:

- we meet the statutory requirement with regard to carrying out Criminal Records Bureau checks and the introduction of the Independent Safeguarding Authority

- our child protection policies and systems are up to date and robust, including:

• a process for following up children who miss outpatient appointments
• a clear procedure for our Accident and Emergency Department
• a system for flagging up children who are inpatients about whom there are child protection concerns
• working with our partners in local authorities to have a system within A&E to flag up children with child protection plans.

- we are committed to working with and alerting external partners to safeguarding concerns

- we have undertaken a review of all child protection training arrangements and that there is a system in place for further review to take account of the emerging messages from a national review

- all eligible front line staff have undertaken and are up to date with safeguarding training at level 1 & 2

- our named child protection professionals are clear about their roles and have sufficient time and support to undertake them.

We have a board level executive director lead for safeguarding and a non-executive director. Both sit on the Trust Child Protection Steering Committee that meets quarterly. The Board receives reviews on safeguarding across the organisation on a monthly basis.

The Board is assured that safeguarding systems and processes are working. This includes the monthly audit of all child protection concerns and a robust audit programme that is reported to the Trust’s Clinical Governance Committee.

Dr Jonathan Fielden
Chief Medical Officer