• Home > 
• Patient Info > 

Safeguarding

Working together to help protect vulnerable people in our community

NEAS has a responsibility to report any incident where there are grounds to suggest that a vulnerable adult or child is at risk of suffering abuse or where there are concerns about individual's circumstances.

NEAS introduced Safeguarding Policies and Procedures in July 2006.  These policies have been developed in collaboration with specialists in the Safeguarding arena.  Our policies offer a process and practice guidance to allow staff to raise such concerns, which are then reported to the appropriate agency, usually social care to consider the level of assessment and support that may be needed.

NEAS Safeguarding Children Policy

NEAS Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy

Safeguarding training has been and continues to take place for all staff, the level of training depends on the contact and roles staff have with children and vulnerable adults in line with national clinical guideline programme.

• Safeguarding training is part of the corporate induction programme
• All operational Emergency Care Service (ECS) and Patient Transport Service (PTS) staff receive classroom delivery of safeguarding adults and children

NEAS has a role not to investigate concerns but to ensure that these concerns are passed to the relevant agency to take the appropriate action.

NEAS Safeguarding Structure

• Named Professional for Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups - Adults
• Named Professional for Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups - Children
• Safeguarding Officer
• Safeguarding Administrator

The Director of Nursing & Quality has the lead responsibility for Safeguarding.

Working with Partner Agencies

NEAS works with all adult and children's safeguarding boards in response to notifications of serious case reviews. All recommendations and action plans are monitored within the Trust. NEAS also continues to engage with children's boards in respect of unexpected death process. NEAS submits reports to the respective Child Death Overview Panels (CDOP) following involvement in an unexpected child death.

NEAS also has well established links with the Safeguarding Leads in the other English ambulance services. The meetings are held quarterly and this allows the sharing of ideas, good practice and benchmarking opportunities.

What should I do if I suspect abuse?

1. Assess the situation and try to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the individual.

2. If you think the emergency services are needed then call 999 immediately.

3. If the situation is not an emergency call your Local Authority Social Care Services.

What should I do if abuse is brought to my attention?

Do 

- Remain calm and try not to show any shock or disbelief.

- Listen very carefully to what you are being told.

- Be sympathetic and acknowledge regret and concern that this is happening to them.

- Assure them you are treating the information seriously.

- Explain that you need to report the situation.

Don't

- Don't stop someone who is freely recalling significant events.

- Don't ask detailed questions or press the person into giving more information.

- Don't promise to keep the situation a secret or make promises you are unable to keep.

- Don't be judgmental.

- Disturb any evidence - such as changing the persons clothes.

What if I'm wrong? 

It is always best to act when you genuinely suspect abuse - it could make all the difference to someone else's life.

If you happen to be wrong you can be assured that you did the right thing for the right reasons. 

Useful links 

Children

barnardos.org.uk

www.childline.org.uk

www.NSPCC.org.uk 

Adults

www.elderabuse.org.uk

www.ageuk.org.uk

www.scie.org.uk 

Learning Disabilities

www.respond.org.uk

www.voiceuk.org.uk 

Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence and Abuse Services in Newcastle

Walking on Eggshells campaign.

www.mensadviceline.org.uk

www.womensaid.org,uk

www.enough.me.uk

Alcohol treatment

Rehab 4 Alcoholism is a helpline for people experiencing addiction. This helpline aims to stop addiction before it becomes too late. www.rehab4alcoholism.com 0800 111 4108