Safeguarding Children

1. Safeguarding Children

2. Principles of Safeguarding All children have to right to be protected from harm, exploitation and neglect. It is therefore the policy of Medicare EMS Ltd that their safety, welfare and protection is paramount. All members of staff working for Medicare EMS Ltd should, when attending to/working with children, ensure that their welfare forms an integral part of all stages of the care they offer.

3. Children’s Act 1989 “All those working in the field of health have a commitment to protect children, and their participation in inter-agency support to Social Service departments is essential if the interests of children are to be safeguarded” (Children’s Act 1989)

4. Safeguarding Children • Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility • It is appreciated that we do not attend children in their home environment however it is expected that staff have a clear understanding of key factors that may highlight an underlying child protection issue and act appropriately to these findings • It is the policy of Medicare EMS Ltd that should a member of staff raise concerns involving a safeguarding issue, that this brought to the immediate attention of the Event Operations Manager and the Event Clinical Lead Manager • If required matters concerning safeguarding will be past to the appropriate authorities I.E police and/or ambulance service

5. Significant Harm • The Children Act (1989) introduced the concept of ‘Significant Harm’ • This concept justifies compulsory intervention in family life in the best interests of the child in question • Local authorities are under a duty to investigate or instigate investigations, where they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child has suffered, or is likely to suffer significant harm (Children Act 1989)

6. Forms of Abuse • Physical Abuse Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, punching, burning/scalding, poisoning, suffocating, or Otherwise causing injury or physical harm to a child. Signs & symptoms of physical abuse may present in Various forms. E.G a burn with a clean outline should be regarded with suspicion

7. Forms of Abuse • Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child to such an extent as to cause persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development.

8. Forms of Abuse • Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.

9. Forms of Abuse • Neglect Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs. This is likely to result in serious impairment of the child’s health and development. This is the most common form of abuse and yet remains the least reported!!

10. Responsibilities of Staff • It is the responsibility of staff working for Medicare EMS Ltd to ensure they have read and understood the Child Protection SOP • Any questions surrounding safeguarding should be highlighted to a member of senior management • Additional training into safeguarding can be arranged • Any suspicions regarding safeguarding must be highlighted to the Event Operations Manager and the Event Clinical Lead Manager

11. Responsibilities of Staff • Be extra vigilant when attending to children • Listen to any allegations made to you and act upon them immediately • Keep a detailed record of the child’s observations and/or what has been said to you • Do NOT confront the alleged abuser – this may result in unnecessary confrontation, cause the child further harm, cause the child to later deny the allegations, cause delay to the child's treatment