1 ©Leamington Spa Orthodontic Centre Website Publication – November 2013

Leamington Spa Orthodontics – Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable

Adults

Policy statement

We are committed to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from harm.

Our team accepts and recognises our responsibilities to develop awareness of the issues which

cause them harm.

For the purpose of safeguarding a child is defined as under the age of 18

At Leamington Spa Orthodontics we take a team approach to safeguarding children and

vulnerable adults, with shared responsibility.

We:

Following the local child protection interagency procedures, produced by the Warwickshire

Safeguarding Children Board (www.warwickshire.gov.uk/wscb) known as the “Blue” book. To

safeguard children

Have a code of conduct for the whole team

Take safeguarding seriously and respond to concerns about the welfare of children and

vulnerable adults

Share information or make referrals about concerns with agencies who need to know and

involve parents, children and guardians appropriately and in a timely fashion

Have robust procedures for staff recruitment and selection including CRB checks

Provide effective management for staff by ensuring access to supervision, support and

training.

o All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and

appropriately.

o All members of staff have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate lead

member of staff.

o All staff are required to complete a Criminal Record Bureau Check (CRB check). The practice

will not employ anyone who has been barred by the Independent Safeguarding Authority

(ISA).

A chaperone is always present when treating a child or vulnerable adult.

Gratuitous physical contact is never made with a patient. If a patient needs comforting, staff will

use discretion to ensure that any physical contact is appropriate

Physical force is never used against a patient, unless it constitutes reasonable restraint to protect

him/her or another person or to protect property. If it is necessary to restrain a patient because

they are an immediate danger to themselves or others or to property the minimum amount of

force is used for the shortest amount of time.

2 ©Leamington Spa Orthodontic Centre Website Publication – November 2013

Any problems are referred to the child and vulnerable adult protection lead.

Further Information:

The practice is committed to create and maintain a safe environment for children and young

people.

This practice recognises the complexity of laws regulating child-minding and has created this

policy to ensure that the staff members are not given the responsibility to look after the children

of patients.

Whilst on the practice premises, children and young people must be accompanied by an adult

carer at all times. As the staff members are not registered child minders they are unable to accept

the responsibility for looking after young children whilst their carer is having treatment.

The reception staff will advise adult patients with carers’ responsibilities for young children to

make alternative childcare arrangements whilst attending appointments whenever possible. If the

arrangements cannot be made the reception staff will ask the carer to take the child into the

treatment room with them. If a patient is unwilling to co-operate the reception staff must consult

promptly with the Practice Coordinator.