Safeguarding

Medway NHS Foundation Trust provides high quality community and specialist services to people living in Medway and Swale, Kent. Safeguarding children, young people and adults is a statutory duty and staff are expected to be able to recognise and respond appropriately when a child, young person or adult may need support. In order to support staff to do this, the Trust has named professionals for safeguarding children, adults and maternity services to promote a culture of safeguarding across the trust, incorporating a ‘Think Family’ approach. There are robust policies in place for staff to follow if they have any safeguarding concerns.

The Trust works in partnership with a range of statutory, health and voluntary agencies, including the local authority, police, education and the wider health economy to help prevent abuse or neglect and promote the heath and well being of all children, young people and adults.

The Trust also works in partnership with Medway Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (MSCP), Kent Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (KSCP) and Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adult Board (KMSAB) to ensure effective arrangements are in place to safeguard children, young people and adults.

6 principles of safeguarding

Empowerment - Supporting people to make their own decisions. To listen to their wishes and feelings and promote independence.

Prevention - To support children, young people and adults at the earliest opportunity, to ensure the right support at the right time.

Proportionate - To ensure the response from Medway NHS Foundation Trust is appropriate to the risk presented

Protect - To protect children, young people and adults from harm and support Medway NHS Foundation Trust staff will work together with partners to reduce the presenting risks.

Partnership - Working in partnership with local services and contributing to local policy development

Accountability - Transparency in safeguarding practice and promoting a learning environment.

Worried about a child or young person in Medway?

Contact Medway’s first response service Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 01634 334466.

Or to report a concern for a child under the age of 18 years online: https://www.medwayscp.org.uk/mscb/info/5/mscb-1/34/worried-child

Worried about a young person under the age of 18 in Swale, Kent?

Contact via telephone on 03000 411111.

Report concerns online form: https://www.kscmp.org.uk/guidance/child-in-need-chin 

Worried about an adult in Medway?

Report any adult concerns Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm on 01634 334466.

Report concerns online from: https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200169/adult_social_care/429/adult_abuse_and_safeguarding/2

Worried about an adult in Swale, Kent?

Contact adult social services Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm on 03000 416161.

Or email: social.services@kent.gov.uk

Out of hours for both children and adults in Kent and Medway

Contact: 03000 419191.

If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 999 for the emergency services.