‘Nothing is more important than children’s welfare. Children who need help and protection deserve high quality and effective support as soon as a need is identified.
We want a system that responds to the needs and interests of children and families and not the other way around. In such a system, practitioners will be clear about what is required of them individually, and how they need to work together in partnership with others.’ Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is committed to the safeguarding children and supporting families who access our services.
Everything we do is underpinned by two key principles:
- Safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility – for services to be effective each professional and organisation should play their full part
- A child centred approach – for services to be effective they should be based on a clear understanding of the needs and views of the individual children whilst recognising the support parents and carers may require.
All staff are aware of their responsibility in safeguarding children and are able to access safeguarding advice and support 24 hours a day.
Safeguarding children training is mandatory for all staff, the competency level required for each member of staff matches the needs of their role.
There is a Trust Board Executive lead for safeguarding and Hampshire Hospitals is represented as a board member of the Hampshire Safeguarding Children Board.
The safeguarding children team for the trust includes a Named Nurse, Named Midwife and Named Doctor Safeguarding Children. Named professionals assist Hampshire Hospitals to ensure their functions, and any services that they contract out to others, are discharged having regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.
The Safeguarding Children Team provide support, advice and training for staff, and work collaboratively with agency partners so that children and families receive the right support and where needed, children are protected.
Further information
For further information on safeguarding children visit Hampshire Safeguarding Children Board website at www.hampshiresafeguardingchildrenboard.org.uk
