Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults

All professionals delivering health services have key roles to play both in the identification of children (0-18 yrs of age) who may have been abused or neglected and those who are likely to be.  When carrying out their duties all professionals have a legal responsibility to ensure that they consider the safety and welfare of any children. This applies if the client is an adult or a child.

All staff delivering Ophthalmic care must know when it is appropriate to refer a child or young person to children’s social care for help as a ‘child in need’, and know how to act on concerns that a child may be suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm through abuse or neglect. They must have knowledge of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and how to contact named professionals for advice and support (Local Safeguarding Children procedures are available at www.wlscb.org.uk )

 

All staff must receive training to fulfil these responsibilities as follows:

 

Level 1      All staff working in a health care setting. This must be provided during Induction and thereafter every three years.

 

DOCET provides optometrists with access to accredited online training in Safeguarding Children (Level 1), to help meet the requirements of  and Health Boards. Click here to access this training.

 

Level 2      Clinical and Non- Clinical staff who have regular contact with parents, children and young people. This must be provided annually.

 

Level 3      All staff working predominately with children and young people. This must be provided annually.

 

Additional Guidance on Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults released by the Optical Confederation can be found here

 

Local contact numbers

 

VIDYA RAO                  Designated Doctor for Safeguarding Children

                                                 01922 443903     07890 601851

 

AZRA IQBAL                Named G.P. for Safeguarding Children

                                                01922 443917    07868660958

 

ELAINE HURRY          Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children

                                                 01922 443920      07973 824611

 

LINDA ALBRIGHTON  Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children

                                                 01922 443921      07919 486914

 

 

 Child Protection Referrals can be made to:

 

 

Initial Response Service                                        01922 658170

(during office hours)

 

Out of Hours Emergency Response Team        0845 111 2836

 

Bloxwich Police Station                                         0845 113 5000

 

NSPCC                                                                    0808 800 5000

 

 

 

Local Safeguarding Children procedures are available at www.wlscb.org.uk

October 2010