Safeguarding Children and Young People
From 30 June 2022, this website will not be updated
For the latest local health and care information, visit the new websites for Integrated Care Board hertsandwestessex.icb.nhs.uk or the Integrated Care System hertsandwestessexics.org.uk
From 1 July 2022, Clinical Commissioning Groups will be cease to exist. Commissioning functions and information that has been previously held by East and North Hertfordshire CCG is transferring to the new NHS Hertfordshire and West Essex Integrated Care Board (HWEICB) on 1 July 2022.
HWEICB will become the new data controller. Any questions about the use of data (including patient data) by the new ICB should be directed to hertsvalleysccg.hwecorporategovernance@nhs.net
There are no changes to how local residents access NHS frontline services in Hertfordshire and West Essex as part of these changes.
Safeguarding Children and Young People
East and North Hertfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children. Robust arrangements are in place to provide strong leadership in line with relevant legislation, statutory guidance and best practice guidelines.There is a clear line of accountability for safeguarding within the CCG with the Accountable Officer and Executive Lead for safeguarding in place.
The CCG has clinicians who lead on issues of safeguarding, looked after children and care leavers, consisting of the following staff:
- Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children, Looked After Children & Care Leavers Nurse
- Deputy Designated Nurse Safeguarding Children
- Deputy Designated Nurse Looked After Children & Care Leavers
- Named Nurse Safeguarding Children (Primary Care)
- Nurse Specialist Safeguarding Children (Primary Care)
- Named GPs for Safeguarding Children
- Designated Doctor Safeguarding Children
- Designated Doctor for Looked After Children
- Designated Doctor for Child Death
The team are embedded in the clinical decision making process of the organisation and have the authority to work with all local health providers to influence thinking and practice.
The CCG requires all relevant staff to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) check, which has replaced the CRB check. The CCG safeguarding policies are in place and are regularly reviewed and updated taking into consideration the responses to recommendations from Serious Case Reviews, Management Reviews and Domestic Homicide Reviews both nationally and locally. The CCG works in partnership with Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (HSCP), which oversees policy development. The CCG meets its statutory responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children by ensuring that all staff are trained to the required level according to their role and responsibility
The CCG’s principal philosophy is that safeguarding is everybody’s business and all staff will respond and act to raise safeguarding awareness and address any emerging issues. This includes all commissioning intentions, services commissioned and contractual arrangements. The organisation will ensure that all provider organisations contracting with the CCG provide assurance in relation to their safeguarding responsibilities and processes. The CCG ensures that commissioned organisations have robust systems that safeguard children in line with section 11 of the Children Act (2014), including; clear accessible policy and procedure, safer recruitment, training and governance systems.
The CCG is committed to partnership working and has taken all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and protect young people from harm, abuse and exploitation and are fully engaged with the Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children Board. The Designated professionals are involved with the Board sub-groups and work closely with key providers including acute trusts, community services and mental health trust. East and North Hertfordshire CCG is also working closely with partner agencies to implement joint developments such as the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
East and North Hertfordshire CCG has approved a number of strategic documents to support safeguarding within the NHS, including:
- Safeguarding Children Training Strategy
- Safeguarding Children at Risk and Looked After Children Policy 2018
If you have any reason to suspect that a child is not being treated appropriately, or their welfare is at risk, please contact one of the following numbers:
- Please call 999 for Police in an emergency situation
- Children’s Services (Children’s Social Care) – Customer Services 0300 123 4043
- Hertfordshire Constabulary - 0845 3300 222
- NSPCC Child Protection Helpline 0808 800 5000
- Child-line on 0800 1111
