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Safeguarding Policy
1. Purpose
This policy sets out the safeguarding responsibilities and procedures for protecting children, young people, and adults at risk within this practice. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and this policy ensures that concerns are identified, acted upon, and escalated appropriately in line with UK legislation and statutory guidance.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
All clinical work carried out by the Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.
Remote assessments, consultations, and communications with children, young people, parents/carers, and other professionals.
Safeguarding concerns related to both children (under 18) and adults at risk (18+ who are vulnerable due to health, disability, or circumstance).
3. Legal & Regulatory Framework
Safeguarding practice is guided by:
Children Act 1989 & 2004.
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018, statutory guidance).
Keeping Children Safe in Education (where relevant to school liaison).
Care Act 2014 (safeguarding duties for adults).
General Medical Council (GMC) guidance on protecting children and adults at risk.
Data Protection Act 2018 & UK GDPR (information sharing and confidentiality).
4. Policy Statement
This practice is committed to:
Prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all patients.
Recognising signs of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or harm.
Acting without delay if safeguarding concerns arise.
Sharing information appropriately with safeguarding agencies.
Cooperating fully with local safeguarding partners, children’s social care, adult safeguarding teams, and the police when necessary.
5. Types of Safeguarding Concerns
Children & Young People: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, fabricated/induced illness, online abuse.
Adults at Risk: physical/sexual/psychological abuse, financial abuse, neglect, self-neglect, domestic abuse, organisational abuse.
6. Safeguarding Responsibilities
Lead Safeguarding Clinician: The Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for the practice.
Duties:
Recognise, document, and act on safeguarding concerns.
Escalate concerns to statutory services (children’s social care, adult safeguarding teams, police) as appropriate.
Maintain up-to-date safeguarding training (minimum Level 3 for children; Level 2/3 for adults at risk).
Keep accurate safeguarding records, separate from clinical notes, and securely stored.
Participate in safeguarding supervision/peer review.
7. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
Recognise: Be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or risk (including online indicators in remote consultations).
Respond: Listen carefully, remain calm, do not promise confidentiality.
Record: Document facts clearly, including date, time, and verbatim comments where possible.
Report: Escalate concerns promptly to the appropriate local safeguarding service.
For children → Local Authority Children’s Social Care.
For adults → Local Authority Adult Safeguarding Team.
If immediate danger → Contact 999.
Share: Inform the GP where appropriate.
Follow-up: Keep a record of referrals made and outcomes.
8. Information Sharing
Information will be shared in line with statutory safeguarding duties and the Caldicott Principles.
Consent will be sought wherever possible, but may be overridden if a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of significant harm.
Records of all safeguarding decisions and actions will be securely stored.
9. Training
The Consultant will complete:
Safeguarding Children Level 3 training (renewed every 3 years).
Safeguarding Adults Level 2/3 training (renewed every 3 years).
Training logs and certificates will be retained for appraisal and inspection.
10. Safer Remote Practice
Consultations take place only on secure, encrypted platforms.
Identity of patient and parent/carer is verified before assessment.
Where safeguarding concerns cannot be fully assessed remotely, an in-person referral is made.
If technical failure prevents safe continuation of a consultation where risk is suspected, urgent contact with parent/carer/GP or emergency services will be made.
11. Whistleblowing & Professional Duty of Candour
Concerns about unsafe practice must be raised promptly.
The psychiatrist will follow GMC and NHS England guidance on duty of candour and whistleblowing.
12. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if legislation or statutory guidance changes.cription text goes here
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Prescribing & Medicines Management Policy
1. Purpose
This policy sets out the principles and procedures for the safe, effective, and responsible prescribing and management of medicines within this practice. It ensures compliance with legal, ethical, and professional standards while prioritising patient safety, safeguarding, and quality of care.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
All prescribing and medicines management conducted by the Consultant Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist.
Remote consultations and assessments with children, adolescents, and their parents/carers.
Collaboration with general practitioners (GPs), pharmacists, schools, and other healthcare professionals.
3. Legal & Professional Framework
Prescribing will be undertaken in accordance with:
General Medical Council (GMC) Good Medical Practice.
GMC Guidance on Remote Prescribing.
British National Formulary for Children (BNFC).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidelines.
Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 (where controlled medications are prescribed).
Data Protection Act 2018 & UK GDPR (confidentiality and records).
4. Principles of Prescribing
Patient Safety First
Prescribing decisions are based on full psychiatric assessment, collateral history, and diagnostic formulation.
Risks, benefits, and alternatives are always discussed with the young person (where appropriate) and their parent/carer.
Evidence-Based Practice
Prescribing follows NICE and RCPsych recommendations.
Medicines are prescribed only within the clinician’s competence and specialist training.
Shared Care
Prescribing is ideally coordinated with the patient’s GP.
Where ongoing prescriptions are required, shared-care arrangements with the GP are sought whenever possible.
Informed Consent
Consent is obtained from parents/carers, and assent from the young person where appropriate.
Information about risks, benefits, and monitoring requirements is provided in clear, age-appropriate language.
Remote Prescribing Safeguards
Prescribing is only undertaken after a video assessment (not solely by phone, text, or email).
Where risk indicators are unclear, an in-person assessment is recommended/referral is made.
Repeat prescriptions are only issued following adequate clinical review.
5. Controlled Drugs & High-Risk Medicines
Prescribing of controlled drugs (e.g., stimulants for ADHD) follows all legal requirements regarding electronic prescribing and documentation.
Safe storage and handling are explained to parents/carers.
Prescriptions are sent electronically to the patient’s nominated pharmacy using secure systems.
Diversion, misuse, or safeguarding risks are actively considered and documented.
6. Medicines Management
Initiation
Prescribing only after full assessment.
Baseline physical health checks requested via GP (e.g., blood pressure, pulse, weight, height, blood tests if indicated).
Monitoring
Ongoing monitoring arranged in line with NICE guidance (e.g., ADHD medication monitoring every 6 months).
Shared care with GP to complete physical monitoring where possible.
Clear documentation of responsibility for monitoring is recorded in each case.
Repeat Prescriptions
Issued only after review of efficacy, side effects, and adherence.
Safe intervals maintained; no automatic repeats without consultation.
Emergency & Out-of-Hours Prescribing
This practice does not provide emergency prescribing services.
Patients and carers are directed to their GP, NHS 111, or emergency services as appropriate.
7. Communication & Documentation
All prescribing decisions are clearly documented in the clinical record.
Letters to GPs are issued promptly after assessments and medication changes.
Parents/carers and young people are given written and verbal information about their medicines.
Adverse events, incidents, or safeguarding concerns related to medicines are documented and acted upon.
8. Training & Continuing Professional Development
The consultant psychiatrist maintains up-to-date knowledge of psychopharmacology in children and adolescents.
Regular CPD and appraisal include review of prescribing practice.
Updates from NICE, RCPsych, GMC, and MHRA alerts are incorporated into practice.
9. Review & Audit
Prescribing practice is audited annually (e.g., against NICE standards for ADHD, depression, or antipsychotic use).
Patient/carer feedback on medication management is reviewed.
Policy reviewed every 12 months or earlier if national guidance changes.
10. References
GMC: Good practice in prescribing and managing medicines and devices (2021).
NICE Clinical Guidelines relevant to child and adolescent mental health.
RCPsych: Guidance on remote prescribing.
BNFC (current edition).
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Medicines Information for Families
Why might medicines be used?
Medicines can be an important part of treatment for some children and young people. They are usually considered when:
A mental health condition is having a significant impact on daily life.
Other approaches (such as support at school, therapy, or lifestyle changes) are not enough on their own.
Evidence shows that medicines may help (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood or sleep difficulties).
Medicines are never the only approach. They are used alongside psychological and social support.
How decisions are made
A comprehensive assessment is always carried out before any prescription.
The benefits, risks, and alternatives are explained clearly.
Parents/carers give consent for treatment, and young people are included in decisions as much as possible.
You will always have the chance to ask questions before a medicine is started.
Prescribing process
Medicines are prescribed only after a video consultation (never by text or email alone).
Prescriptions are sent electronically to your nominated pharmacy.
Sometimes your GP may be asked to share care and provide ongoing prescriptions, especially for longer-term treatment.
Safety and monitoring
Before starting medication, physical checks (such as weight, blood pressure, or blood tests if needed) are usually requested from your GP.
During treatment, regular monitoring helps ensure medicines remain safe and effective.
You will be asked about any side effects, and physical health checks may be repeated.
For medicines such as those used for ADHD, monitoring is usually needed every 6 months.
Repeat prescriptions
Repeat prescriptions are not automatic.
Each prescription follows a clinical review to check how your child is doing.
If you need a new prescription, please allow at least 5 working days for processing.
Emergencies and urgent situations
This practice does not provide emergency prescribing.
If your child is unwell, contact your GP, NHS 111, or emergency services (999).
If there are urgent concerns about safety or risk of harm, go to your local Emergency Department or call 999.
Your role as parents/carers
Store medicines safely out of reach of children and young people.
Give medicines exactly as prescribed.
Tell the psychiatrist and/or GP about any side effects, allergies, or other medications your child is taking.
Do not share medication with anyone else.
Communication
After each consultation, a summary letter is sent to your GP (and to you, if requested).
You will always be kept informed about treatment decisions.
Questions or concerns
If you have concerns about your child’s medicines, please:
Contact the practice directly during working hours.
Speak to your GP or pharmacist for additional advice.
In an emergency, use NHS 111 or call 999.