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

Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust work with a mixture of partner agencies, parents and carers; to support children in having safe, healthy and happy childhoods that help to prepare them for adult life.

All staff working within the Trust including those services we contract out to other organisations are aware of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. We all have a responsibility to recognise children who may be at risk of suffering harm and those in need of protection and how to respond to those concerns in a timely fashion.

Note: This includes services that predominately care for adults, need also to always consider the safety and wellbeing of children associated with the adults receiving their care.

By safeguarding children we act to promote their welfare and protect them from harm.

  • Protecting them from abuse and maltreatment
  • Preventing harm to their health and development
  • Ensuring they grow up with the provision of safe effective care

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process. It focuses on protecting individual children (up to the age of 18 years) identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

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.

Who do I talk to if I’m concerned about the welfare of a child?