Safeguarding unborn children and adults

We are committed to safeguarding unborn babies, children and adults and take our responsibility very seriously.

Everyone has the right to live a life free from harm and abuse. Promoting the welfare of unborn babies, children and adults and protecting them from harm is referred to as “Safeguarding”.

We are committed to ensuring the principles and duties of safeguarding adults unborn babies and children are holistically, consistently and diligently applied. Working in partnership with colleagues in education, social services, police, and other health services, we ensure patients, visitors and staff are appropriately safeguarded.

The Trust has a dedicated Safeguarding Children and Adults Team and our Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals, Melanie Johnson has Board level responsibility for safeguarding ensuring the Board is satisfied that all measures are taken to safeguard children and adults in our care.

Our Team's Responsibilities
  • To provide advice and support to all staff.
  • To provide safeguarding supervision to nursing midwifery and allied health professionals.
  • To provide peer support to medical staff.
  • To provide and monitor safeguarding training appropriate to roles.
  • Quality assurance by completion and monitoring of audits.

Our Trust's Responsibilities
  • Statutory requirements in relation to Disclosure and Barring service checks.
  • Ensuring there are robust policies and procedures in place.
  • Ensuring safeguarding governance arrangements are in place.
  • There is board level leadership and specialist safeguarding professionals.
  • We are a member of Local Safeguarding Boards.

Your Responsibilities

Whoever you are, if you see, hear or know something that concerns you, and you suspect an adult or child is at risk of harm, you should report what you know. You can do this in the following ways:

  • Inform a member of staff or contact our Advice and Complaints Service in South Tyneside or Sunderland.
  • Contact the local council’s Children Services or Adult Social Care to inform them of any concerns about the possible abuse of a child or adult.
  • Contact police on 101 if you are concerned that an offence may have occurred.
  • Contact the police on 999 if someone is in immediate danger of significant harm, injury or death.
  • Report concerns to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 03000 616161 if your concern relates to a care organisation i.e. a care home, or hospital.

Contact Us

If you would like more information about Safeguarding within South Tyneside and  Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, please contact:

Tracy Dean, Assistant Director Safeguarding Children and Adults

Tel: 0191 5656256

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