Safeguarding Children
Safeguarding Children
Torbay and South Devon Foundation NHS Trust
Tor Hill House
L2 South
C/O Town Hall
Castle Circus
Torquay
TQ1 3DR
Tel: 01803 208659 / 07810 834583
Email: Safeguarding Children
Office hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Safeguarding Children and the Trust
We work with partner agencies, parents, and carers to help children have safe, healthy, and happy childhoods. Helping to prepare them for adult life.
All staff are trained to help and be aware of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This includes the services that we contract out to other organisations. We all have a responsibility to recognise children at risk of harm and those who need protection, and how to respond to those concerns quickly.
Note: all services must consider the safety and wellbeing of children as part of their day-to-day activities.
By safeguarding children we act to promote their welfare and protect them from:
- Abuse and maltreatment
- Prevent harm to their health and development
- Make sure they grow up with safe effective care
Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting children (up to 18) at risk of significant harm.
Our practitioners will often meet those in crisis or vulnerable to harm. This can be a child, young person, adult or their family. These moments present important opportunities for safeguarding children.
Being professionally curious is necessary to fully understand a situation and the risks our patients and their families may face. These may not be immediately obvious. This may mean that our assessments include questions that seem unexpected. We ask our practitioners to be more curious and ‘dig deeper’ into areas where we need more information. This helps us to understand better and allows you to influence key moments of decision making. This can lower risks and support personalised care that can be delivered safely and effectively for you and your family.
Categories of child abuse
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Neglect
Links to further support and advice
The chances of your child being harmed by an adult are very small, but there are still steps you can take to protect them.
- How to Spot Child Sexual Exploitation
- Child Exploitation and Online Protection command
- Bullying
- Talking to children about feelings
- Talking to your child about drugs
- NSPCC – Keeping children safe online
Who do I talk to if I’m concerned about the welfare of a child?