Makindo Medical Notes

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. NHS staff play a vital role in protecting children and adults at risk from harm, neglect, abuse, and exploitation. Recognising signs early and taking appropriate action can save lives and preserve dignity.

👶 What is Safeguarding?

• Protecting people’s health, wellbeing, and human rights.
• Ensuring individuals live free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Recognising vulnerability due to age, illness, disability, or social factors.

🔑 Principles of Safeguarding (Adults)

• 👤 Empowerment – People are supported to make their own decisions.
• 🛡️ Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.
• 📢 Prevention – Take action before harm occurs.
• 🤝 Partnership – Work with local services and communities.
• 📖 Proportionality – Least intrusive response appropriate to the risk.
• ✔️ Accountability – Clear roles and responsibilities.

👦 Safeguarding Children

• Children have a right to be safe and to be protected from harm.
• Abuse may be physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect.
• Staff must be alert to child protection concerns, including domestic abuse, FGM, exploitation, and online risks.
• Follow the Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) guidance.

⚠️ Types of Abuse

• 👊 Physical abuse
• 🗣️ Emotional/psychological abuse
• 💰 Financial exploitation
• ❌ Neglect & self-neglect
• 📵 Domestic abuse
• 🧑‍🦼 Discriminatory abuse
• 👶 Child sexual exploitation (CSE)
• 🌍 Modern slavery / human trafficking

👀 Recognising Signs

• Unexplained injuries or frequent attendances 🚑
• Fearful, withdrawn, or anxious behaviour 😟
• Poor hygiene, malnutrition, inappropriate clothing 🍽️
• Delay in seeking help or inconsistent explanations ⏳
• Financial irregularities (missing possessions, sudden debt) 💳
• Children missing school or presenting with unusual injuries 🎒

📢 What To Do If You’re Concerned

• 👂 Listen carefully and do not promise secrecy.
• 📝 Record facts accurately (who, what, when, where).
• 📞 Report immediately to your line manager or Safeguarding Lead.
• 🚨 If a person is in immediate danger, call 999.
• 📤 Share concerns via your Trust’s safeguarding procedures — do not investigate yourself.

⚖️ Key Legal Frameworks

• Children Act 1989 & 2004 👶
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) 📘
• Care Act 2014 👵
• Human Rights Act 1998 ⚖️
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021 🏠

🧾 Your Responsibility

• Safeguarding is part of mandatory training for all NHS staff.
• Be familiar with your Trust’s safeguarding policy.
• Know your local Safeguarding Lead and how to escalate concerns.
• Maintain professional curiosity – if something feels wrong, act.

📚 References & Further Learning

• NHS Safeguarding Guidance
• Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
• LGA Safeguarding Adults Resources