Children visiting inpatient and residential units within the trust policy

1 Policy summary

Being admitted to our inpatient and other residential areas to receive care, assessment and treatment will be disruptive to an individual’s routine, let alone the disruption to family life where our patients have children, or siblings who are children. The impact on a child can be significant where a parent is receiving care within our inpatient and residential settings. The aim of this policy is to give teams guidance in maintaining a balance in, enabling family contact, being acutely aware of risk, relevant guidance, codes of practice and the law. The policy also gives guidance to the environment where contact needs to take place, when and how contact is maintained between families.

2 Introduction

2.1 Maintaining contact with children

It is important that any child or young person who has a significant relationship with someone who is an inpatient or resident within trust services is able to maintain contact during their stay. However, in maintaining this contact consideration must be given to the therapeutic benefits of any visit to both the child, and patient, and the suitability of the environment in which the visit is to take place. Many of the references within this policy are to those within our acute mental health settings, but the principals remain the same within all of the trust’s hospital and residential settings.

The Mental Health Act 1983 Code of Practice, chapter 11.4 and Human Rights Act (1989), article 8. In turn, not maintaining these relationships can exacerbate existing problems or escalate problems. The benefits of patient and family-centred care include improved child outcomes and quality of life, promotion of patient safety, increased patient and family satisfaction, enhancement of humanistic values, reduction of hospitalisation cost and length of stay, and decreased stress, anxiety, and depression in family members (B Robinson and S Scott (2007), Barnardo’s (2008)).

2.2 Impact on parents

A parent or siblings’ mental illness can impact on the whole family, parents experiencing a mental illness can feel isolated and preoccupied with their own emotions, anxieties and distress. Seeking out support around their parenting can be difficult, there may be fears their parenting may be under scrutiny and fear their family may be separated (Barnardo’s (2008).

2.3 Impact on children

There are no reliable estimates about how many children are caring for someone with a mental illness. Many young people show great maturity in the care they provide to their parents, dealing with medication and providing emotional support.

Children can feel afraid, anxious or guilty about their parent or siblings’ illness, and find it hard to make and at times keep friends. Mental illness can be difficult to understand, and some children and young people fear that the same thing could happen to them. Young people can blame themselves, thinking that their parent’s illness is somehow their fault. A mentally ill parent can behave in ways that can be confusing or distressing for children. Some children are more resilient than others and seem to cope better with their parent’s mental illness, understanding more of what is happening and supporting their parent with confidence. A child’s age, gender, temperament and intelligence are among a range of factors that affect a child’s resilience (Barnardo’s (2008). There are times when a child will want to ask professionals questions about their parent’s mental distress. These questions can be answered, but to take into account the child’s age and maturity and someone more appropriate may need to talk to the child rather than yourself. Please see point 10 in this policy.

2.4 Duties

The trust has specific duties under section 11 of the Children Act (2004) to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and is committed to these responsibilities.

2.5 Written policy

The Mental Health Act 1983 and its revised Code of Practice (DoH, 2015, chapter 11.3) states that Hospitals should have written policies on the arrangements for visits by children, and that these should be drawn up in consultation with local authorities and local children social services. A visit by a child should only take place following an assessment that concluded that such a visit would be in the child’s best interests. Decisions to allow such visits should be regularly reviewed.

2.6 Planning the visit of a child

In planning their visits, the safety of the children concerned will be the paramount consideration. Child-friendly environments should be provided to facilitate visits by younger children. It is noted within the Mental Health Act (1983) Code of Practice (11.21) information about visiting should be explained to children and young people in a way that they are able to understand. The maintenance of contact with family and friends, and respect for privacy in these contacts is especially important, subject only to consideration of the safety and well-being of the patients and their families (Department of Health, 2007).

2.7 To allow or deny a visit

The decision to allow or deny planned visits will be based on risk assessment. In general, decisions will be easy to make and will support the planned visits of children. However, in a minority of cases where risk assessment identifies concerns, detailed planning will be required, which may involve other agencies. In accordance with the Children Act (1989) and the Children Act (2004), the welfare of a child is paramount and takes primacy over the interest of any and all adults. The Mental Health Act Code of Practice (2015, chapter 11.12) also notes two principal grounds which may justify restrictions or exclusions of a visitor visiting a patient: clinical grounds and security grounds.

2.8 Local safeguarding policies

This policy should be read in conjunction with the trust’s safeguarding children policy and local safeguarding children services (The Children’s Multi Agency Resilience and Safeguarding (CMARS) Board in North Lincolnshire, the Rotherham Safeguarding Children Partnership and the Doncaster Safeguarding Children Partnership) policies and procedures which apply in the geographical locations in which the trust provides services.

2.9 Definition of a child

In this policy as defined in the Children Act of (1989) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), “a child is anyone who has not yet reached their eighteenth birthday”. Therefore, the term “children” as used throughout this policy means “children and young people”.

2.10 Safeguarding

To “safeguard” is a term used to denote measures to protect the health, well-being and human rights of individuals, which allow people especially children, young people and vulnerable adults to live free from abuse, harm and neglect.

2.11 Is the child related to the patient?

There are times when a residential unit or an inpatient unit is approached by a child requesting to see a patient. It is highly recommended that the parent or carer or the authority with parental responsibility is contacted to seek permission. It would be recommended that the trust safeguarding children’s team is consulted with and to seek advice in any such case.

2.12 What is parental responsibility?

All mothers and most fathers have legal rights and responsibilities as a parent which is known as “parental responsibility” (section 2 Children Act (1989) (opens in new window) and section 3 Children Act (1989) (opens in new window)) In some cases, parental responsibility can be with another person as stated by a court. For example, a special guardianship order (opens in new window) (section 14A Children Act (1989) (opens in new window)), a local authority may share parental responsibility with a parent or a Local Authority may have sole parental responsibility (applying corporate parenting principles to looked-after children and care leavers statutory guidance for local authorities (opens in new window)).

The trust safeguarding children’s team can offer further support clarity and guidance.

3 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

set out the trust’s standards and expectations in respect of children visiting inpatient and residential units within the trust
ensure that the interests and safety of any children visiting are protected at all times when visiting patients within inpatient and residential units within the trust
provide guidance to colleagues on how to reach a decision regarding the appropriateness of such visits so that they have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The emphasis of which is on the importance of facilitating contact between children and their family and friends
reinforce the good practice required so that the needs and interests of children as well as patients are taken into account by:
- formulating and implementing care plans or protection plans in professional practice
- the provision of appropriate facilities for when children visit

The contents of this policy also support the policies and procedures set out by the local Children’s Multi Agency Resilience and Safeguarding (CMARS) Board and Safeguarding Children Partnership’s in the geographical locations in which the trust provides inpatient or residential services and supports the trusts safeguarding children policy.

4 Scope

This policy sets out the trusts approach to ensuring legal requirements are met, and best practice is adopted regarding arrangements for patients within inpatient and residential settings across the trust.

Every colleague has an individual responsibility for the protection and safeguarding of children. All levels of management within the trust must understand and ensure the implementation of the children visiting inpatient and residential units’ policy. Safeguarding children is “everyone’s business”.

For further information about responsibilities, accountabilities and duties of all employees, please see appendix C.

5 Procedure

5.1 Quick guide

5.1.1 Enabling

Our patients and residents have the right to respect private and family life.
To enable and facilitate contact between patients and residents with their children, their siblings and families.

5.1.2 Risk

In enabling contact between patients and residents with their children or siblings, consideration must be given to the therapeutic benefits of any visit to both the child, and patient.
An assessment of risk needs to be discussed with the patient, their family, the child where this is appropriate and other safeguarding partners.

5.1.3 Safeguarding

Safeguarding children is everyone’s business and responsibility and especially when children are accessing inpatient and residential areas.
Seek advice and support from the trust safeguarding team as required.

5.1.4 Environment

Review what facilities to you have within your ward or residential areas to ensure children visiting are safe, it is quiet and age-appropriate equipment is available.

5.1.5 Awareness

To ensure staff teams are aware of the children visiting inpatient and residential units within the trust policy.

5.2 Guiding principles

The following principles need to be considered with regard to children visiting inpatient and residential units.

Maintaining contact with children, it is important that any child or young person who has a significant relationship with someone who is an inpatient within trust services is able to maintain contact during the inpatient stay. However, in maintaining this contact consideration must be given to the therapeutic benefits of any visit to both the child, and patient, and the suitability of the environment in which the visit is to take place.
Any decisions involving children visiting must take account of the needs and wishes of the child as well as the patient.
The views of those with parental responsibility (in some cases the local authority) are to be taken into consideration.
To take into consideration the patient’s history and family situation.
To take into consideration the patient’s current mental state (which may differ from an assessment made immediately prior to or after admission).
To take into consideration the response of the child to the patient’s mental distress and or mental state. Would there be any long-term impact on the child? And would delaying a visit be in the best interest of the child?
The risk assessment (protection plan appendix B) process should swiftly ascertain the desirability of contact between children and patients, identifying any concerns and assessing any risks to the child.
The process for facilitating children visiting should not be bureaucratic, nor cause delay. It should be supportive of both child and adult and maximise the therapeutic value of such contacts, whilst ensuring that the child’s welfare is safeguarded.
All inpatient and residential unit services should ensure that there is an environment that is conducive to children visiting. Please see section 5.5.

5.3 Pre-admission

5.3.1 Patients subject to detention under the Mental Health Act (1983)

When a compulsory admission of a patient is being considered, the needs and arrangements for any children involved with the patient will need to be taken into account and is usually part of the approved mental health professional’s assessment. This should also include details of any child safeguarding concerns, any services and or safeguarding partners already involved. For example, a social worker, a health visitor, a school nurse, early help support or lead (this can be an education setting). This information must be communicated to the inpatient clinical team responsible for the patient by the approved mental health professional.

5.3.2 Voluntary patients within services inpatient services

If it is a planned admission, the needs and arrangements for any children or young people involved will need to be considered as part of the pre-admission assessment. This should also include details of any child safeguarding concerns, any services or safeguarding partners already involved. For example, a social worker, a health visitor, a school nurse, early help support or lead (this can be an education setting). This should also include details of any child safeguarding concerns, and services may already involve. For example, a health visitor, a school nurse, early help support and leads and any children’s social services. For help in identifying support that may be around the child or the family, seek support from the trust safeguarding children’s team, as necessary. This information will then be communicated to the inpatient clinical team responsible for the patient.

5.3.3 Unplanned or emergency admissions within inpatient services

In the case of unplanned or emergency admissions, the needs and arrangements for any children involved will need to be considered as part of the admission assessment. This will need to include the details of any child, any safeguarding concerns, and services already involved such and again, a social worker, a health visitor, a school nurse, early help support or lead (this can be an education setting).

5.3.4 Adult general inpatient services

It is recognised that within inpatient wards supporting children visiting is an intricate part of the delivery of care which is provided to both the patient and their family, with the emphasis upon facilitating the contact between patients and their children. In the first instance, the decision to support children visiting will be achieved through considering any risk that would impact on a child visiting a patient during the admission. Where this assessment indicates concerns, the modern matron responsible for the service is to be informed, and then complete a formal risk assessment for which further guidance may be sought within the main body of this document.

5.4 On-admission

On admission to the ward the admitting nurse will make sure that any information gained preadmission in respect of any children involved with the patient is available in the clinical records. The admitting clinician will also give the patient details of the trust arrangements for children visiting, and such visits should be planned in advance. It must also be made clear to the patient and their carer that visiting by children will only be allowed if supervised by an adult, (not the patient) who is preferably a family member or the adult with parental responsibility, and that the accompanying adult is responsible for the child’s safety whilst visiting any of the trust’s inpatient or residential facilities.

To note 5.2 guiding principles within the policy.

5.5 Visiting arrangements

When a visit by a child or young person is anticipated, the multi-disciplinary team (MDT) should identify any concerns, taking into account information received and the completed risk assessments. Some issues which may need to be considered are:

the wishes and feelings of the child
the age, competence and overall emotions of the child
consideration for the child’s best interest
the views of those with parental responsibility (this may not always be the biological parent or parents)
the patient’s history and family situation
to take into consideration the patient’s current mental state
to take into consideration the response of the child to the patient’s mental distress or mental state. Would there be any long-term impact on the child? And would delaying a visit be in the best interest of the child?
the risk assessment process should swiftly ascertain the desirability of contact between children and patients, identifying any concerns and assessing any risks to the child
the nature of the care environment and the patient population at the time

In the vast majority of cases where no concerns are identified, arrangements should be made to facilitate contact.

All decisions following risk assessment must be documented in the healthcare or clinical care records regarding children and young people visiting the individual.

5.5.1 Unexpected visit by a child

If a child visits unexpectedly, the ward manager or nurse in charge is responsible for deciding whether it is feasible, to ensure that the child is safeguarded whilst they wait and, to consider the available information about the child alongside the assessment of the patient’s needs for treatment and care and an assessment of the current state of the patient’s mental health. The ward manager or nurse in charge should then make the decision in consultation with other members of the multi-disciplinary hospital team. If this is not feasible, the visit must be refused and a further planned visit considered.

5.5.2 Appropriate environment for the visit

Parents worry about the impact that their mental illness may have on their children. Even when they are in hospital they can continue to worry about their children and their welfare. For example, parents admitted as in-patients have voiced concerns about unsuitable hospital visiting conditions for children. It is important for the family to maintain contact in these circumstances and hospital staff need to be aware of these issues and make visiting facilities as welcoming as possible (B, Robinson and S, Scott (2007), Barnardo’s (2008)).

Some services within the trust have designated family visiting rooms and these are to be used for any visit by a child or young person. It is expected that these services will have in place a locally agreed booking system for the family visiting room to allow visits to take place in privacy.

Facilities provided for children visiting should be family focused, welcoming and child friendly. It should be quiet, comfortable, clean, and be of an appropriate temperature. There needs to be safe access to toilet facilities, have access and for example toys, books and the internet (B, Robinson and S, Scott (2007), Barnardo’s (2008)). Access to baby changing facilities may be problematic, therefore staff teams will need to be creative in such circumstances.

Within other services the location of the visit should be considered carefully, and where the ward environment or the care needs of patients would be likely to affect the visit, or create risks, arrangements should be made for the visit to take place away from the ward area.

Colleagues should be sensitive to the need for privacy, whilst taking into consideration the need to manage risk where appropriate.

Within the mental health wards and other wards and residential units areas, children, as with all visitors, will not be permitted within the bedroom areas and in some cases not onto the ward dependent on assessed risk.

5.5.3 Supervision arrangements for visits

The multi-disciplinary team (MDT), based on all the available information, should determine the degree of supervision required for the visit.

Where supervision of a child is deemed necessary because of protection or welfare concerns in relation to a patient, this is to be provided either by a responsible relative or carer or by social services children and families support services. At no time are trust colleagues to accept responsibility for supervising a visiting child

Within the mental health and learning disability services an assessment and review regarding children visiting an individual should be carried out at each MDT review meeting or when required, and visits will be subject to any restrictions under the trusts’ supportive therapeutic observation policy.

At times, and where risk is such, staff teams may need to have a clear line of sight when a relative is visiting a patient with a child. This would need to be undertaken as sensitively as possible by the staff team.

5.6 Decision to refuse a visit

Decisions to refuse visits will only be taken exceptionally and should where-ever possible be made by the multi-disciplinary team. In exceptional circumstances, the nurse or clinician in charge of the ward may make this decision and should discuss this at the first available opportunity with the MDT.

Any decision to refuse a visit is to be given in writing as well as verbally and will need to be supported by clear evidence identified through risk assessment and recorded on the decision to refuse visit shown in appendix A. It is necessary for appendix A (children visiting inpatient or residential unit record of decision to refuse visit) to be completed and to be attached to the patients SystmOne record.

It is important that all involved with the child are consulted and advised of the decisions. It is anticipated that these decisions will be subject to review and any changes will be swiftly communicated to all concerned. This process must be visible and transparent, ensuring that the patient and others have the right to challenge any decision that is made. Further advice should be sought from the trust named nurses and professionals for safeguarding children and colleagues should refer to the Trust Intranet Site for contact details.

Circumstances where a decision to restrict a visit may include:

where there is a clearly identified risk to the child of distress or emotional harm due to the patient’s mental state
risk of harm to the child (physical, psychological or emotional, sexual and neglect)
risk of exploitation of the child by a patient. For example, where the action of a child may put, or a child is coerced into placing an adult patient at risk, such as the bringing in of unauthorised items which may place others at risk of harm
in the case where there is failure to agree between the ward colleagues and the adult family member that they will supervise the child during visiting
where there is an infection outbreak on the ward or residential area

There may be occasions particularly when the patient is in the psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU), forensic unit or rehabilitation and recovery unit where it is not safe for a child to visit; alternative arrangements may need to be arranged. For example:

telephone call
FaceTime or Skype and other video calling methods
messaging

It may be required such contact is closely supervised and should be identified on a protection plan which should be shared with the patient, the child where appropriate and their carers.

5.7 Safeguarding children

Where colleagues have concerns regarding the safety or welfare of a child, the named nurse or professional for safeguarding children can be contacted for specialist advice.

If an immediate risk has been identified, and depending upon the urgency, the police are to be called, and colleagues are to refer the matter to children’s social services.

Children’s social services contact details, documentation can be accessed through the safeguarding children’s page (staff access only) (opens in new window) on the trust intranet or type into any search engine “Worried about a child in” your locality area such as North Lincolnshire or Doncaster or Rotherham.

6 Training implications

Familiarisation of this policy is critical and is to be part of inpatient or residential colleagues ward or residential based induction and the dissemination of policy through team or ward meetings.

Attending safeguarding children and adults training is mandated on the individual colleague mandatory and statutory training (MAST) or NHS electronic staff record (ESR). The trust complies with the Royal College of Nursing’s Safeguarding Children and Young People, Roles and Competencies for Healthcare colleagues, Fourth edition, January 2019, intercollegiate document.

Safeguarding training starts from induction of new colleagues and continues on an ongoing basis. Compliance can be achieved using the “blended learning” approach via the safeguarding team intranet under “training”.

7 Equality, diversity and inclusion

Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) believes in fairness, equality and above all values diversity in all aspects of its work. Equality is not about treating everyone the same; it is about ensuring that access to opportunities are available to all by taking account of people’s differing needs and capabilities. Please refer to the trust’s statement in regard to equality, diversity and inclusion for more detail and how to ensure diversity is about recognising and valuing differences through inclusion.

8 Equality impact assessment screening

To access the equality impact assessment for this policy, please email rdash.equalityanddiversity@nhs.net to request the document.

8.1 Privacy, dignity and respect

The NHS Constitution states that all patients should feel that their privacy and dignity are respected while they are in hospital. High Quality Care for All (2008), Lord Darzi’s review of the NHS, identifies the need to organise care around the individual, ‘not just clinically but in terms of dignity and respect’.

As a consequence the trust is required to articulate its intent to deliver care with privacy and dignity that treats all service users with respect. Therefore, all procedural documents will be considered, if relevant, to reflect the requirement to treat everyone with privacy, dignity and respect, (when appropriate this should also include how same sex accommodation is provided).

8.1.1 How this will be met

The Human Rights Act (1998) article 8, Right to Respect Private and Family Life, The importance of parents’ relationships with their children when hospitalised, and that loss of contact during an admission can exacerbate existing problems. Where appropriate and it is safe to do so, patients who are hospitalised should maintain contact with their children for their welfare and that of their children and to be achieved in a suitable environment.

8.2 Mental Capacity Act

Central to any aspect of care delivered to adults and young people aged 16 years or over will be the consideration of the individuals’ capacity to participate in the decision-making process. Consequently, no intervention should be carried out without either the individual’s informed consent, or the powers included in a legal framework, or by order of the court.

Therefore, the trust is required to make sure that all staff working with individuals who use our service are familiar with the provisions within the Mental Capacity Act (2005). For this reason all procedural documents will be considered, if relevant to reflect the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) to ensure that the rights of individual are protected and they are supported to make their own decisions where possible and that any decisions made on their behalf when they lack capacity are made in their best interests and least restrictive of their rights and freedoms.

8.2.1 How this will be met

All individuals involved in the implementation of this policy should do so in accordance with the guiding principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) (section 1).

9 Complaints by patients and families

A formal system for considering representations about any decision not to allow a child to visit would be initially done by letting the member of staff delivering the service or their manager know that you are unhappy, so they can put things right at the time whenever possible.

However, it is understood that you may not always feel comfortable doing this therefore, you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), who can support you by contacting the service on your behalf. PALS can be contacted on:

Phone: 0800 015 4334
Email: rdash.pals.email@nhs.net

More information can be found on our your feedback, concerns, suggestions and formal complaints section.

You can contact an advocate (details of how to contact advocacy services are detailed below) who offer a free, professional support service to those wishing to pursue a formal complaint about the National Health Service (NHS).

If you are still unhappy the listening and responding to concerns and complaints policy outlines the process to deal with formal complaints where early resolution has not been possible.

10 Talking with children about parental mental health difficulties and resources

Emerging Minds, Talking with children about parental mental health difficulties (opens in new window):
- what do young children notice about mental illness
- understanding children’s experiences of their parent’s mental health
- preparing to talk with children
- communicating with infants about parental mental health
- talking with toddlers and young children about parental mental health
- talking with primary school-aged children about parental mental health
- resources
NSPCC, Parental mental health problems (opens in new window).

11 Links to any other associated documents

12 References

13 Appendices

13.1 Appendix A Record of decision to refuse visit

Appendix A Record of decision to refuse visit (staff access only) (opens in new window)

13.2 Appendix B Safeguarding protection plan

Appendix B Safeguarding protection plan (staff access only) (opens in new window)

13.3 Appendix C Responsibilities, accountabilities, and duties

13.3.1 Chief executive

Chief executive has overall accountability for the policy for children visiting inpatient and residential units within the trust.

13.3.2 Care group directors who provide inpatient services

Care group directors who provide inpatient services are responsible for:

disseminating this policy to modern matrons or service managers
the implementation of the policy
monitoring and reporting on compliance with the contents of this policy through the care groups.
instigating the investigation of any reported instances of non-compliance with the contents of this policy
identifying the appropriate level of training required for colleagues using the Safeguarding Children and Young People: Roles and Competencies for Health Care colleagues, Intercollegiate Document 2019 (Royal College of Nursing)

13.3.3 Modern matrons and service managers

Modern matrons and service managers have the responsibility to:

disseminate this policy to ward managers and team leaders
oversee the implementation of the policy
monitor and report on compliance with the contents of this policy within their service
assist in the investigation of any instances of reported non-compliance with the contents of this policy
apply the guiding principles (5.1 within this policy) into their practice for children visiting inpatient and residential units
monitor colleagues compliance with the identified training requirements for safeguarding children

13.3.4 Ward managers

Ward managers and team leaders are responsible for:

the dissemination of this policy to clinical colleagues and its implementation and monitoring within their team
applying the guiding principles (5.1 within this policy) into their practice for children visiting inpatient and residential units
the release of colleagues to attend safeguarding children training as mandated on the individual colleague mandatory and statutory training (MAST)

13.3.5 Clinical colleagues working within the trust inpatient and residential units

Clinical colleagues working within the trust inpatient and residential units have the responsibility to:

be aware of and implement the contents of this policy
apply the guiding principles (5.2 within this policy) into their practice for children visiting inpatient and residential units
consider the needs and arrangements for any children involved with the patient as part of the admission assessment, ongoing care and discharge planning of the patient. this should also include details of any child as well as any safeguarding concerns, and services already involved with the children
attend safeguarding children training as mandated on the individual colleague mandatory and statutory training (MAST)

13.3.6 Approved mental health professionals (AMHP)

As part of the AMHP’s role, the AMHP should consider in the case of patients who are subject to voluntary (section 131 Mental Health Act (1983)) or compulsory admission under the Mental Health Act (1983) (also noted in point 5.3.1 of this policy) the following:

as part of the AMHP’s assessment, the needs and arrangements for any children associated with the patient are considered
the details of any children associated with the assessed patient should be identified along with any safeguarding concerns and services which are involved with the children and shared with the inpatient unit and other safeguarding partners involved with the child, children or family
as part of the AMHP’s role and responsibilities, should there be concerns about the safety or care arrangements of the child or children, the AMHP must consult with and request that children social care services undertake an assessment
to communicate the details of any children associated with the patient who is being admitted into an inpatient or residential unit to the clinical team responsible for that patient

13.3.7 Named nurses

Named nurses and professionals for safeguarding children are responsible for providing specialist advice and support to clinical colleagues in respect of any concerns about the safety and wellbeing of a child or young person.

13.4 Appendix D Monitoring arrangements

13.4.1 Any incidents which occur in respect of children visiting the trust inpatient wards or residential units

How: Investigation of any reported incidents and completion of incident report (IR1).
Who by: Modern matron or service manager for the area.
Reported to: Children safeguarding nurse and professional for the relevant locality.
Frequency: As and when there is a reported incident.

Document control

Version: 10.
Unique reference number: 366.
Approved by: Clinical policy review and approval group.
Date approved: 3 September 2024.
Name of originator or author: Named nurse safeguarding children.
Name of responsible individual: Chief nurse.
Date issued: 13 November 2024.
Review date: 13 November 2027.
Target audience: Clinical staff within the trust inpatient and residential units.

Page last reviewed: November 18, 2024
Next review due: November 18, 2025

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