Our safeguarding declaration
We ensure processes are in place to meet our legal and statutory responsibilities of adult and child safeguarding.
We recognise safeguarding as a high priority for our organisation. In order to achieve effective safeguarding processes, we ensure we have robust arrangements in place to provide strong leadership, vision and direction for safeguarding. This includes having clear accessible policies and procedures in line with relevant legislation to ensure the CCG meets their statutory responsibilities through the delivery of best practice, in line with our corporate mission and values.
Living a life that is free from harm and abuse is a fundamental right of every person. All of us need to act as good neighbours and citizens in looking out for one another and seeking to prevent harmful and abusive situations for children and adults at risk of harm.
Reporting a Concern about a child
If you are concerned about a child’s welfare or worried they are being abused, if the child lives in Dorset please contact the Children’s Advice and Duty Service (ChAD):
- Professional’s Telephone Number: 01305 228558
Daytime service is available Monday to Friday between 8am and 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 10pm and On-Call Out of Hours Service 24/7
This is a professionals-only number to discuss your concerns, you will no longer complete a referral form.
For more information on the ChAD Service
Families and Members of the Public Number: 01305 228866
Alternatively please email the Safeguarding Team.
If you have concerns about a child in the Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch area please visit the BCP Council website.
Advice for people on what to do if they think a child is at risk.
Safer sleeping guidance
If you have a baby and you know you are going to sleep out of routine over the festive season, plan ahead. Please refer to the safe sleeping guidance to minimise any risk.
Domestic abuse
If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you can get support and advice by contacting one of the agencies below:
| Name of service | Services provided | Website | Telephone number |
| Police | Emergency response | https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/abuse-exploitation-neglect/domestic-abuse/ | 999 |
| Police | Non-emergency response | https://www.dorset.police.uk/help-advice-crime-prevention/abuse-exploitation-neglect/domestic-abuse/ | 101 |
| You Trust (Paragon Team) | Specialist team working together empowering change for individuals, families, and our communities who experience domestic abuse. | https://paragonteam.org.uk/ | |
| BCHA | BCHA work to help victims of domestic abuse and human trafficking escape and recover from the traumatic situations they have experienced, and to help them stay safe. | https://www.bcha.org.uk/our-services/supported-housing/domestic-abuse/ | 01202 710777 |
| Victim Support | Victim Support is an independent charity dedicated to supporting victims of crime and traumatic incidents in England and Wales. | https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/ | 0808 1689111 |
| The Shores (Sexual Assault Centre) | Supports victims of rape and sexual assault (including men). | https://www.the-shores.org.uk/ | 0800 970 9954 |
| Sexual Trauma and Recovery Service | STARS is a pan-Dorset charity that offers one to one support, free of charge, for anyone of any age or gender who lives, works or studies in Dorset and has experienced any form of sexual violence at any time in their life. | https://www.starsdorset.org/ | 01202 308840 |
| The Survivor Pathway | The Dorset survivor pathway is a guide for anyone wanting to know more about specialist sexual violence support services in Dorset. | https://www.survivorpathway.org.uk/dorset/ | |
| 24 Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline | A service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf. It is run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge. | https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ | 0808 200 247 |
| Men’s Advice Line | A confidential helpline for all men experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner. This includes all men – in heterosexual or same-sex relationships. Offers emotional support, practical advice and information on a wide range of services for further help and support. | https://mensadviceline.org.uk/ | 0808 8010 327 |
| Childline | A confidential helpline for any child under the age of 19 years. | https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/home-families/family-relationships/domestic-abuse/ | 0800 1111 |
| GALOP (Formally Broken Rainbow) | GALOP support LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence. | https://galop.org.uk/ | 0800 999 5428 |
| Help for Domestic Violence Perpetrators | Respect Phone Line UK | Can work with perpetrators to help them understand their behaviours and make positive change. | www.respectphoneline.org.uk | 0808 802 4040 |
| The Healing Together Programme | This is a trauma informed programme based on 6 sessions and can be delivered as a group programme or on a one to one basis within different settings (i.e. schools, community services). The programme is suitable for children and young people aged 6 -16. | Healing Together | Home (healing-together.co.uk) |
Domestic abuse support services
Prevent – Counter-terrorism strategy
Prevent is part of the Government counter-terrorism strategy. It’s designed to tackle the problem of terrorism at its roots, preventing people from supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists themselves.
If you are concerned that someone you know is at risk of radicalisation, read more information on the Home Office Prevent Strategy website.
For immediate concerns that an individual may imminently commit a crime/act of terrorism phone 999. For non-immediate concerns, make a Prevent referral via MASH@dorset.pnn.police.uk.
NHS organisations have a statutory duty to report any incident of FGM against a child.
The duty does not apply in an adult over 18. An interagency response will be offered to signpost the woman to services and a safeguarding risk assessment will be undertaken to consider any children who may be at risk or have had FGM.
Modern day slavery
Accountability for safeguarding
There are clear lines of accountability for safeguarding within NHS Dorset CCG. This includes an Accountable Officer and Executive Lead for safeguarding children and adults, with overall responsibility being within the portfolio of the Director of Quality and Improvement. There is a Designated Nurse for Child Safeguarding, a Designated Adult Safeguarding Manager for Adult Safeguarding and a Designated Nurse for Looked After Children.
There are three safeguarding lead General practitioners, who support and advise across general practice also Designated Doctors for Safeguarding Children, Looked After Children and child death. The Designated Children’s Safeguarding Professionals are also members of the Child Death Overview Panel.
Our designated professionals for safeguarding play a key part in the clinical decision making of the organisation and work closely with local health providers, primary care, police and local authorities to influence thinking and clinical practice.
Safeguarding training and safe recruitment
At NHS Dorset CCG, all eligible staff have undertaken training in both Children and Adult Safeguarding awareness, and have access to a tiered level approach to gain necessary knowledge and skills to support the safeguarding process.
Our safeguarding professionals also work closely with the NHS England who are the local policy lead for safeguarding within Health.
Links to national and local policy
We have approved a number of strategic documents that are formulated from the Pan Dorset Adult and Children Safeguarding Board to support safeguarding within the NHS across Dorset.