Safeguarding Children Statement

Child protection and the safeguarding of children is considered of the highest priority at Mid Essex Hospital services NHS Trust.  As part of the Trust’s preparation for registration with the Care Quality Commission in April 2010, the Trust Board reviewed its arrangements for safeguarding children and young people. 

The Trust Board is satisfied that it meets the statutory requirement around criminal records bureau checks; that child protection policies and systems are up-to-date and robust; that safeguarding children training is in place with systems to monitor compliance; that the Trust has identified roles and responsibilities for named professionals; that there is a Board level executive on safeguarding children and that the Board itself receives regular reports on safeguarding arrangements within the Trust.

The Board reviews Safeguarding across the organisation at least once a year and has robust audit programmes to assure that safeguarding systems and processes are working.

The Board is assured that:

1. The organisation meets statutory requirements in relation to Criminal Record Bureau check

2. Child Protection policies and systems are up-to-date and robust, including a process to follow up children who miss outpatient appointments and a system for flagging children for when there are safeguarding concerns

3. All eligible staff have undertaken and are up-to-date with safeguarding training at level one

4. Named professionals are clear about their role and have sufficient time and support to undertake the role

5. There is a Board level Executive Director lead for Safeguarding.  This role is part of the Director of Nursing’s portfolio of responsibilities.