Our commitment
Child Psychiatry Consultancy Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who use our services. We recognise that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and that the welfare of children is always paramount.
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is Dr Athina Zakynthinaki, who holds Level 3 safeguarding training and is responsible for ensuring safeguarding procedures are followed at all times.
Legal framework
Our safeguarding practice is guided by: the Children Act 1989 and 2004; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023; the Children and Social Work Act 2017; Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023; the Care Act 2014; GMC guidance on protecting children and adults at risk; and the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR.
Our principles
• The welfare and safety of the child is always our primary concern
• We listen to children and take what they tell us seriously
• We work in partnership with families wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so
• We work collaboratively with schools, GPs, and statutory services
• We maintain clear records of all safeguarding concerns and actions taken
• All clinical staff hold appropriate safeguarding training
Recognising and responding to concerns
If during the course of our work we have reason to believe a child may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or significant harm, we have a legal duty to act. This may include making a referral to Children's Social Care or, where there is immediate risk, contacting the police.
We will always try to discuss our concerns with the family unless doing so would place the child at greater risk of harm.
Types of concern we are trained to recognise include: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, child sexual exploitation, child criminal exploitation, online abuse, and domestic abuse.
Information sharing
Safeguarding concerns may require us to share information with other agencies without consent. The safety of the child overrides the right to confidentiality in these circumstances. We follow ICO guidance on information sharing in safeguarding situations and document all disclosures with the rationale.
Training and review
All clinical staff receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role. The DSL updates training at least every two years. This policy is reviewed annually or whenever statutory guidance changes. This version reflects Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.
Raising a concern
If you have a concern about the welfare of a child — whether connected to our service or not — please contact us or the appropriate authorities directly:
• Child Psychiatry Consultancy DSL: Dr Athina Zakynthinaki — info@childpsychiatry.uk
• NSPCC Helpline: 0808 800 5000 (free, 24 hours)
• Childline (for young people): 0800 1111 (free, 24 hours)
• Police emergency: 999
• Police non-emergency: 101
• Local Authority Children's Social Care: contact your local council