Chaperone
We are committed to providing a safe, supportive environment for patients. All patients will have a chaperone present for every consultation, examination or procedure. Usually this will be a member of staff but it may also be a family member or friend. The role of a chaperone includes:
- Providing emotional comfort and reassurance to patients
- To act as an interpreter
To provide protection to healthcare professionals against unfounded allegations of improper behaviour.
Child Safety
We are committed to create and maintain a safe environment for children and young people.
We recognise the complexity of laws regulating child minding and has created this policy to ensure that the staff members are not given the responsibility to look after the children of patients.
Whilst on the practice premises, children and young people must be accompanied by an adult carer at all times. As the staff members are not registered child minders they are unable to accept the responsibility for looking after young children whilst their carer is having dental treatment.
The reception staff will advise adult patients with carers’ responsibilities for young children to make alternative childcare arrangements whilst attending dental appointments whenever possible. If the arrangements cannot be made the reception staff will ask the carer to take the child into the treatment room with them. If a patient is unwilling to co-operate the reception staff must consult promptly with the Practice Manager. The full Child Protection Policy (M 295) can be requested by writing to Practice Manager.
Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection
There is an effective process for identifying and responding appropriately to signs and allegations of abuse. There is an effective process for preventing abuse before it occurs, and minimising the risks of further abuse once it has occurred.
A child is defined as a person under the age of 18. A vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 or over who is or may be in need of health or social care services by reason of a mental, physical or learning disability, age or illness and who is or may be vulnerable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or serious exploitation.
Where staff are likely to engage with a child or vulnerable adult on a one-to-one basis, the staff member is appropriately trained in issues related to child and vulnerable adult protection.
The lead person for child and vulnerable adult protection is Dr Steve Wagner. Every team member knows the name of the lead person for child and vulnerable adult protection.
All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. All staff have a responsibility to report concerns to the appropriate lead member of staff. All dentists are required to undergo an enhanced Criminal Record Bureau Check (CRB check) and all other staff members may be requested to undergo a standard CRB Check . We will not employ anyone who has been barred by the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).
Good practice guidelines
A chaperone is always present when treating a child or vulnerable adult.
Gratuitous physical contact is never made with a patient. If a patient needs comforting, staff use discretion to ensure that any physical contact is appropriate
Physical force is never used against a patient, unless it constitutes reasonable restraint to protect him/her or another person or to protect property. If it is necessary to restrain a patient because they are an immediate danger to themselves or others or to property the minimum amount of force is used for the shortest amount of time.
Any problems are referred to the child and vulnerable adult protection lead.
Restraint
Staff understand the circumstances in which restraint can and cannot be used. When restraint is used, there is a process to follow that is safe, lawful and not excessive.
The systems for both safeguarding and restraint take into account any guidance issued including No secrets and Working together to safeguard children and the requirements of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act Code of Practice (Government and Expert)
