RQIA safeguarding policy template

1Purpose

1. 1.1This policy sets out how [Clinic name] protects children and adults at risk from abuse and neglect, and how every member of staff raises a concern.
2. 1.2It supports the safeguarding standards RQIA applies, set out in the mapping at the end of this document.

2Scope

1. 2.1This policy applies to every member of staff, clinician, contractor and volunteer at [Clinic name], whether or not they see patients.

3The safeguarding lead

1. 3.1[Name, role] is the safeguarding lead, with [Name, role] as deputy, and both are trained to [level].
2. 3.2Their names and contact details are displayed in [location] and known to every member of staff.

4Recognising a concern

1. 4.1Staff are trained to recognise the signs of physical, emotional, sexual and financial abuse, neglect, exploitation and domestic abuse.
2. 4.2A concern may come from what a patient says, what a member of staff sees, or a pattern in the record.

5Raising a concern

1. 5.1A member of staff with a concern tells the safeguarding lead the same day, or the deputy if the lead is not available.
2. 5.2Where a person is in immediate danger, staff call [emergency number] first.
3. 5.3The lead decides whether to refer to [local authority or agency], and records the decision and the reason.
4. 5.4Staff may raise a concern directly with [local authority or agency] if they believe the clinic has not acted.

6Recording

1. 6.1Every concern is recorded on the day, with what was seen or said in the person's own words, who was told and what was done.
2. 6.2Safeguarding records are kept securely, with access limited to the people who need it.

7Training

1. 7.1Every member of staff completes safeguarding training at induction, refreshed every [period], at the level their role requires.
2. 7.2Training records are kept on each staff file.

8Review

1. 8.1The safeguarding lead reviews this document every [12] months, and sooner after an incident, a complaint or a change in the regulator's requirements.
2. 8.2Each review is recorded with the date, the reviewer and what changed, and the previous version is kept.
3. 8.3Staff are told of each change, and their acknowledgement is recorded.

9Where this sits in the RQIA framework

• Is care safe?S2 Proper provision for the welfare, care and protection of service users
• Is care compassionate?C1 Dignity and respect, independence, rights, equality and diversity, choice and consent