The national report published by the Care Quality Commission
entitled "A Review of arrangements in the NHS for safeguarding
children." was published in 2009.
On the 8th July 2009 and in response to the CQC report, David
Nicholson, the chief executive of the NHS, sent a letter to all
chairs and chief executives of trusts, the Strategic Health
Authority and the independent regulator outlining what is expected
in terms of minimum requirements.
The NHS chief executive expects:
A review of services against the findings of the CQC report to
ensure the necessary improvements to safeguarding arrangements are
made, so that trusts are thoroughly prepared for registration with
the CQC in April 2010.
In response to the report the Trust have established an action
plan to ensure that the welfare and safeguarding of children is
paramount.
The Trust Board have considered current practice in relation to
safeguarding and confirm they are
satisfied with the following.
1. Statutory requirements in relation to Criminal Record Bureau
(CRB) checks are met
2. Policies and systems are up-to-date and robust
3. Safeguarding Children Training is mandatory for all staff and
they are required to undertake refresher training every three
years. A review of the Safeguarding Children training plan has
taken place.
4. Named professionals are clear about their role and have
sufficient time and support to undertake it.
5. The Director of Nursing is the executive director lead at board
level. Through the Children's Governance Group there is ongoing
review of safeguarding arrangements and an agreed audit programme
to assure the board that systems and processes are working.