Safeguarding Children

A 'child' in law is anyone under 18 years of age and safeguarding children is everyone's business.

North Bristol NHS Trust recognises that all staff who come into contact with children, young people and their families in their work has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The North Bristol NHS Trust work in partnership with other agencies which include the police, social care, education and the voluntary sector and are members of the two Local Safeguarding Children's Boards.

The North Bristol NHS Trust is committed to ensuring the safety and the wellbeing of all Children and Young People by;

• Ensuring our staff are safe to work with children and young people by carrying out Criminal Records Bureau checks in line with statutory requirement.
• Having single and multi-agency policies and procedures that are up to date and accessible; these include a Safeguarding policy, a policy for children who do not attend their appointments, a flagging system for children about whom there are concerns and supervision for staff who hold a child protection caseload.
• Delivering a comprehensive programme of safeguarding training at all levels, across the organisation to all Staff.

We have key staff in place to lead the safeguarding agenda:

• Board Lead for Safeguarding: Dr Christopher Burton, Medical Director.
• Operational Lead: Ann Remmers, Clinical Director, Women & Children's Health
• Named Doctors: Dr Maria Bredow and Dr Lindsey Mackintosh
• Named Nurse (Bristol): Anne Fry
• Named Nurse (South Gloucestershire): Ann Fenton-Jones
• Named Midwife: Rachel Fielding

What should you do if you have a concern about a child?

The Trust Safeguarding team do not provide a service to the public however if you have concerns about a child you should: contact the local authority Children and Young Peoples Services, contact details are available from the local council offices.

OFSTED, Care Quality Commission Inspection

The North Bristol NHS Trust's Safeguarding and Looked After Children's Services were recently reviewed as part of the OFSTED, Care Quality Commission inspection of  Bristol (April 2010). The services were rated as good. This was the first major city under the present inspection to receive this rating.