NHS Sussex – as commissioner of health services in West Sussex – has worked with the main providers to ensure that processes, procedures and policies with regard to safeguarding children are robust.
NHS Sussex has developed a comprehensive action plan to further develop safeguarding arrangements across the West Sussex health economy in conjunction with its partners.
In particular, NHS Sussex is assured that:
- Its main providers meet the statutory requirement with regard to criminal records bureau checks.
- Child protection policies and systems are up to date and robust, including processes for the follow-up of children who do not attend appointments.
- Children's safeguarding training is identified as a mandatory requirement for staff working with children and awareness training is embedded in the induction programme all new staff are required to attend.
- In West Sussex there is an appointed Head of Safeguarding and designated and named professionals for safeguarding who have clearly defined roles.
- All providers of health services in NHS Sussex have an executive lead for safeguarding and safeguarding is reviewed at Board level at least annually.
Assurance statements
The assurance statements for each NHS provider in West Sussex are available on their websites and can be accessed through the links below:
Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust
NHS Sussex confirms that it has the necessary assurance that providers of health services in West Sussex are meeting statutory requirements and following good practice.
