Introduction
Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd makes a positive contribution to a strong and safe community and recognises the right of every individual to stay safe.
Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd comes into contact with children and/or vulnerable adults through the following activities:
- Physiotherapy
This policy seeks to ensure that Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd undertakes its responsibilities with regard to protection of children and/or vulnerable adults and will respond to concerns appropriately. The policy establishes a framework to support staff in their work and clarifies the Practice’s expectations.
Legislation
The principal pieces of legislation governing this policy are:
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
- The Children Act 1989
- The Childcare Act 2006
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- The Education Act 2002
- Every Child Matters 2004
- Keeping Children Safe in Education 2021
Inclusion criteria of children being treated in GNP:
Due to the scope of practice with the clinicians working in Great Northern Physiotherapy, there are certain criteria that must be met prior to a booking of a child being treated in the clinic.
- The child’s injury must be of MSK origin as defined following initial assessment with a member of the clinical team
- The child must be over 11 years in age
- The child must be able to communicate independently and autonomously
- A parent or guardian (over 18 years old) must be present at all times during the treatment and at every session.
- At the clinician’s or patient’s discretion a chaperone may also be present throughout the session.
If during the child’s assessment it is found to be non-msk in nature then a referral to the GP will be made.
Definitions
Safeguarding is about embedding practices throughout the practice to ensure the protection of children and/or vulnerable adults wherever possible. In contrast, child and adult protection is about responding to circumstances that arise.
Abuse is a selfish act of oppression and injustice, exploitation and manipulation of power by those in a position of authority. This can be caused by those inflicting harm or those who fail to act to prevent harm. Abuse is not restricted to any socio-economic group, gender or culture.
It can take a number of forms, including the following:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Bullying
- Neglect
- Financial (or material) abuse
Definition of a child
A child is under the age of 18 (as defined in the United Nations convention on the Rights of a Child).
Definition of Vulnerable Adults
A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited.
This may include a person who:
- Is elderly and frail
- Has a mental illness including dementia
- Has a physical or sensory disability
- Has a learning disability
- Has a severe physical illness
- Is a substance misuser
- Is homeless
Responsibilities
All staff have responsibility to follow the guidance provided in this policy and related policies, and to pass on any welfare concerns using the required procedures.
We expect all staff to promote good practice by being an excellent role model, contribute to discussions about safeguarding and to positively involve people in developing safe practices.
The Owner and Safeguarding Lead Physiotherapist of Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd has responsibility to ensure:
- The policy is in place and appropriate
- Receive staff concerns about safeguarding and respond to all seriously, swiftly and
appropriately - Take forward concerns about responses
- Sufficient resources (time and money) are allocated to ensure that the policy can be effectively implemented
- Liaison with and monitoring the Practice Manager’s work.
The Practice Manager has responsibility to ensure:
- The policy is accessible
- The policy is implemented
- Ensure staff have access to appropriate training/information
- Keep up to date with local arrangements for safeguarding and DBS
The Safeguarding lead has responsibility to ensure:
- The policy is monitored and reviewed
- Promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults
- Record staff concerns about safeguarding and ensure that they are reported appropriately with the duty of care passing to the relevant bodies
- Develop and maintain effective links with relevant agencies
Implementation Stages
The scope of this Safeguarding Policy is broad ranging and in practice, it will be implemented via a range of policies and procedures within the practice. These include:
- Whistleblowing: ability to inform on other staff/practices within the Practice Grievance and disciplinary procedures: to address breaches of procedures/policies
- Health and Safety policy, including lone working procedures, mitigating risk to staff and service users
- Equal Opportunities policy: ensuring safeguarding procedures are in line with this policy, in particular around discriminatory abuse and ensuring that the safeguarding policy and procedures are not discriminatory
- Data protection policy
- Confidentiality: ensuring that service users are aware of the duty to disclose
- Staff induction
- Staff training
Disclosure and Barring Service Gap Management
Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd commits resources to providing Disclosure and Barring Service checks on staff whose roles involve contact with children and/or vulnerable adults.
In order to avoid DBS gaps, Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd will maintain and review a list of roles across the Practice which involves contact with children/vulnerable adults
In addition to checks on recruitment for roles involving contact with children/vulnerable adults, for established staff the following processes are in place:
- A 3 year rolling programme of re-checking DBS’s is in place for holders of all identified posts.
- Existing staff who transfer from a role which does not require a DBS check to one which
involves contact with children/vulnerable adults will be subject to a DBS check.
Communications training and support for staff
Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd commits resources for induction, training of staff, effective communications and support mechanisms in relation to Safeguarding
Induction
Induction will include:
- Discussion of relevant policies
- Ensure familiarity with the Safeguarding Policy and reporting processes (and confirmation of understanding).
- Ensure familiarity with the roles of the Safeguarding Lead and the Practice Manager
- Initial training on child and adult safeguarding as part of mandatory training for all staff.
Training
All staff who, through their role, are in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults will have access to safeguarding training at an appropriate level.
Communications and discussion of safeguarding issues
Commitment to the following communication methods will ensure effective communication of safeguarding issues and practice with the safeguarding lead:
- Online meetings
- One to one meetings (formal or informal)
- Clinical supervision
Support
We recognise that involvement in situations where there is risk or actual harm can be stressful for staff concerned. The mechanisms in place to support staff include:
- Debriefing support for staff so that they can reflect on the issues they have dealt with
- Seeking further support as appropriate e.g. access to counselling
- Staff who have initiated protection concerns will be contacted by the Safeguarding Lead within one week (if the Safeguarding Lead is on annual leave, a Director will contact the staff member).
Professional Boundaries
Professional boundaries are what define the limits of a relationship between a Physiotherapist or Associate, and a service user. They are a set of standards we agree to uphold that allows this necessary and often close relationship to exist while ensuring the correct detachment is kept in place.
Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd expects staff to protect the professional integrity of themselves and the Practice.
If professional boundaries and/or policies are breached this could result in disciplinary procedures or enactment of the allegation management procedures.
You must declare any actual or potential interests (i.e. conflict of interest) to the Practice Manager.
Reporting
The process outlined below details the stages involved in raising and reporting safeguarding concerns at Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd for all staff. There is a PDF Flowchart of this reporting process in each clinic room and at reception.
- Communicate your concerns with Safeguarding Lead
- Seek further medical attention for the vulnerable person if needed
- Discuss with parents of child or with vulnerable person
- Obtain permission to make referral if safe and appropriate
- Speak with the Practice Manager to ensure the event is recorded and any follow-up is actioned
- Contact the relevant council using the contact details below.
Council Information
Lincolnshire County Council:
Phone Numbers:
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
- Children’s safeguarding: 01522 782111 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
- Adults safeguarding: 01522 782155 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)
- Outside Office Hours: 01522 782333 (either child or adult safeguarding)
- Domestic Abuse concerns: (EDAN Lincs) 01522 510041.
- Child sexual exploitation: Call or text free on 116 000
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/safeguarding/report-concern
Lincolnshire Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB) (Word document reporting concerns)
https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/safeguarding/lsab
If you are unsure about the type of concern you have, please visit: Lincolnshire Safeguarding Children Partnership at https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/safeguarding/lscp
Allegations Management
Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd recognises its duty to report concerns or allegations against its staff within the practice or by a professional from another organisation.
Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd acknowledges its legal duty to report any concerns about unsafe practice by any of its staff to the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC).
Any member of staff from Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd is required to report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead or a Director. A written record of the concern should be completed in order to create an evidence trail. The HCPC will be contacted and their advice will be followed.
Monitoring
The Practice will monitor the following Safeguarding aspects:
- Safe recruitment practices
- DBS checks undertaken
- References applied for new staff
- Records made and kept of supervision sessions
- Training – register/record of staff training on child/vulnerable adult protection
- Monitoring whether concerns are being reported and actioned
- Checking that policies are up to date and relevant
- Reviewing the current reporting procedure in place.
Managing Information
Information will be gathered, recorded and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Policy.
All staff must be aware that they have a professional duty to share information with other agencies in order to safeguard children and vulnerable adults. The public interest in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults may override confidentiality interests. However, information will be shared on a need to know basis only, as judged by the Safeguarding Lead or a Director.
All staff must be aware that they cannot promise service users or their families/carers that they will keep secrets.
Conflict Resolution and Complaints
Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd is aware of the HCPC’s policy on resolution of professional disagreements in work relating to the safety of children/Escalation Policy and if necessary this will be taken forward by the Safeguarding Lead, or a Director.
Conflicts in respect of safety of vulnerable adults will be taken forward by the Safeguarding Lead.
Communicating and Reviewing the Policy.
Great Northern Physiotherapy Ltd will make the safeguarding policy available to clients upon request.
This policy will be reviewed by the Safeguarding Lead, every 2 years and when there are changes in legislation.