Safeguarding

Dorset HealthCare is fully committed to ensuring that all patients and service users, including adults and children, are cared for in a safe, secure and caring environment, and that the risks of abuse and neglect are minimised.

The Trust has comprehensive policies in place to help protect adults and children, including our Safeguarding Adults Policy and Safeguarding Children Policy, as well as the Bournemouth, Dorset & Poole Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy.

We are also an active member of the Pan-Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Safeguarding Adults Board and the Dorset Safeguarding Adults Board. These Boards have been established to improve the practices which protect and safeguard children and adults in vulnerable circumstances. The Boards meet quarterly, and their work includes:

• Developing strategies to reduce risk and prevent harm occurring to children and adults in vulnerable situations, as well as reacting effectively when it happens
• Ensuring national policy and guidance are being adhered to locally
• Determining local policy and procedures
• Co-ordinating activity between agencies
• Facilitating joint training
• Ensuring good communication with the public and raising awareness of how to recognise and refer concerns about vulnerable children and adults being harmed
• Monitoring and reviewing progress in safeguarding practices
• Developing ways of working, which will improve ability to support residents across the community to live a life free from abuse
• Learning from lessons where people have not been adequately protected.

The Trust takes part in Serious Case Reviews with partner agencies through the Safeguarding Boards whenever they are required. You can read more about Serious Case Reviews on the Safeguarding Boards' websites (see above).

To find out more about our commitment to safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk, read our Safeguarding Declaration.