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Safefguarding

 

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Safeguarding adults, promoting the welfare of children and protect them from harm, abuse or neglect by getting the right support in place as early as possible, and to create an environment in which they feel safe and healthy. 

 

Any safeguarding children concerns? 

 

Any safeguarding adult concerns? 

 

Children looked after

Under the Children Act 1989, a child is legally defined as ‘looked after’ by a local authority if he or she is provided with accommodation for a continuous period for more than 24 hours, is subject to a care order or is subject to a placement order. This could be under a voluntary arrangement (section 20) or compulsory measures decided by a children’s hearing or a court.

INCLUDES unaccompanied asylum seeking children, children in friends and family placements, and those children where the agency has authority to place the child for adoption.

In line with guidance we will:  

  • prioritise registration of Children looked after in our practice
  • Register Children looked after fully and not as temporary patients
  • Work with Local authorities and other partner agencies to meet the health needs of Children looked after

Care Leaver, is a young adult under the age of 25, who has spent time in foster or residential care, or in other arrangements outside their immediate or extended family before the age of 18. Their time in care could have lasted for a few months or from birth until their 18th birthday.

We recognise that Care leavers need ongoing support in meeting their health needs.

Additional information for support available for looked after children and Care leavers is available via the Croydon council website

 

Private fostering

Private fostering is when someone who is not a parent or a 'close relative' (e.g. great aunt, cousin, parent's friend or a neighbour) is looking after a child or young person under the age of 16 (under 18 if they are disabled) for 28 days or more in their own home. It also covers children who stay at a boarding school for more than two weeks of the school holidays.

A relative is defined in the Children Act 1989 as a grandparent, uncle or aunt (whether by full-blood, half-blood or by marriage or civil partnership), sibling or step-parent.

Common situations in which children are privately fostered include:

  • Children with parents or families overseas
  • Children with parents working or studying in the UK
  • Asylum seekers and refugees
  • Trafficked children
  • Local children living apart from their families
  • Adolescents and teenagers
  • Children attending language schools
  • Children at independent boarding schools who do not return home for holidays
  • Children brought in from abroad with a view to adoption

In these situations, we will inform the local authority’s Children’s Services department in order for them to speak to the carer and the child to ensure the child is safe, carry out background checks and make sure support is being provided.

Children who are privately fostered are not looked after children

If you are in a private fostering arrangement or know someone who is please contact Croydon Children’s services  on 0208 726 6400

 

Domestic abuse

Domestic Abuse is a category of abuse and should be reported as a safeguarding concern. Croydon’s specialist domestic abuse service is offered by the FJS which is a centrally located resource offering a multi-disciplinary approach to services for victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence and their children.  This service is open to all those experiencing abuse and can offer support at any stage of need. The service seeks to offer victims wrap around support and to prevent individuals having to go from agency to agency, telling their story repeatedly, in order to get the help they need. 

  • Phone: 020 8688 0100 
  • Email
  • Or call the 24hr National Domestic Abuse Hotline 0808 2000 247

Whilst IRIS is funded clinicians should refer all patients, who are low and medium risk of domestic abuse, to the Advocate Educator

If you are in immediate danger please dial 999

Learning from domestic abuse related deaths