Safeguarding Children

A child is anyone under 18 years old. Children’s vulnerability varies with age and development but all children deserve to be healthy, safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic wellbeing.
Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or neglect and can happen in the child’s home, at school or in the wider community.

How to make a referral

If you have any concerns because you think that a child might be being abused and you want to talk to someone or ask someone to find out what is going on, you should contact the Children’s Services Department for the area they are in.

Surrey County Council

• In office hours call the Contact Centre 0300 200 1006.  Out of hours urgent referrals can be made to the Emergency Duty Team 01483 517898
• Information on Surrey County Council website

Hampshire County Council

• In office hours call Hantsdirect 0845 6035620 or email childrensservices@hants.gov.uk
• Out of hours Emergency Services 0845 600 4555

Croydon Council

• Contact Tel: 020 8726 6400 (24 Hours)

If it is an EMERGENCY and a child is in immediate danger dial 999

Surrey and Borders - Policies and Procedures

• Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedure
• Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Children Visiting Inpatient Wards Policy and Procedure

Local Multi Agency Arrangements for Safeguarding Children

• Surrey Safeguarding Children Board
• Hampshire Safeguarding Children Board
• Croydon Safeguarding Children Board

Compliance with Monitor requirements for Safeguarding Children Oct 2009

Monitor, the independent regulator for NHS Foundation Trusts, requires all NHS Foundation Trusts to publish a statement of assurance that it has the necessary arrangements in place around safeguarding children to register with the Care Quality Commission in April 2010.

Chid protection and the safeguarding of children is considered of the highest priority at Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Following our assessment, the Trust Board agreed at a meeting held on Wednesday 21 October 2009 that it has received assurances that the organisation meets the following criteria:

statutory requirement around criminal records bureau checks;
child protection policies and systems are up-to-date and robust;
safeguarding children training is in place with systems to monitor compliance;
the Trust has identified roles and responsibilities for named professionals;
there is a Board level executive on safeguarding children; and
that the Board itself receives regular reports on safeguarding arrangements within the Trust.

Our staff are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for children and I can confirm that the necessary arrangements are in place.

Fiona Edwards
Chief Executive
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust