Sandwell review

Sandwell Safeguarding Children Board provides assurance that the Lead Professional role (as outlined in Working Together 2015) is understood by all local partner organisations and embedded in practice.

To review a referral form against good practice exemplars from other similar providers and propose amendments

Safeguarding Training to be provided for clinicians in primary care settings on how to approach difficult topics with patients to include the toxic trio, the impact of alcohol misuse on parenting capacity and the signs, symptoms and behaviours children may display when living in a household where there is domestic abuse, and Record Keeping.

By September 2017, Safer Sandwell Partnership Board will ensure that work to address domestic abuse, alcohol issues and work with Polish and other Eastern European communities and families is better integrated across the Board’s sub groups and in the delivery plans of key partners, so that we better engage them in preventing and reducing domestic abuse, and in alcohol misuse prevention, treatment and support programmes. We will set specific outcomes and actions to achieve effective support for Polish and Eastern European domestic abuse victims and their families.

Propose that the Tier 2 provider routinely checks ECAF upon receipt of particular referrals to ensure Early Help contacts and risks are collated

A safeguarding advice and support pathway for primary care to be developed and disseminated to GP practices in Sandwell and West Birmingham.

The Safer Sandwell Partnership to contact key organisations involved with this DHR and the Domestic Abuse Strategic Partnership partners and remind them of the learning from both DHRs regarding the use of interpreters; the importance of the appropriate use of interpreters and asking for assurance (with evidence) that interpreters are being appropriately used.

Review of a specific policy DNA /standard operating procedure against good practice exemplars from other similar providers and update as necessary

GP practices in Sandwell and West Birmingham will be advised that best practice indicates the use of interpreting services (face to face or language line) during health consultations with clients whose first language is not English, and that domestic abuse resources in alternative languages will be displayed in all GP practices.

A ‘new to practice’ patient protocol is developed by the GP safeguarding forum for use by practices in Sandwell and West Birmingham.

Every practice should have a DNA to include ‘Was Not Brought’ (for children) policy that contains guidance on record keeping.