General Practitioners need to be trained to level 3 and require annual updates which are provided at local TARGET sessions.
The Safeguarding Named GP for Doncaster is Dr Eric Kelly
The Safeguarding Named Nurse for Doncaster is Andrea Ibbottson
How to make a safeguarding referral
Online portal – https://www.doncasterchildrenstrust.co.uk/worried-about-a-child
Telephone 01302 737777 between 8:30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday
Or email childrenassessmentservice@doncaster.gcsx.gov.uk (secure email)
Outside of office hours:
In an emergency contact the Out of Hours Service or Police on 01302 796000 or 999.
Core competencies
The following outlines the core competencies required in the various levels of child safeguarding training.
Level 1
Essentially competence at this level is about individuals knowing what to look for which may indicate possible harm and knowing who to contact and seek advice from if they have concerns.
• Recognising potential indicators of child maltreatment – physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, and neglect
• Recognising the potential impact of a parent/carer’s physical and mental health on the well-being of a child or young person
• Taking appropriate action if they have concerns, including appropriately reporting concerns and seeking advice
Level 2
• As outlined for Level 1
• Uses professional and clinical knowledge, and understanding of what constitutes child maltreatment, to identify any signs of child abuse or neglect
• Acts as an effective advocate for the child or young person
• Recognises the potential impact of a parent’s / carer’s physical and mental health on the well being of a child or young person
• Clear about own and colleagues’ roles, responsibilities, and professional boundaries
• Able to refer as appropriate to role to social care if a safeguarding/child protection concern is Identified
• Documents safeguarding/child protection concerns in order to be able to inform the relevant staff and agencies as necessary, maintains appropriate record keeping, and differentiates between fact and opinion
• Shares appropriate and relevant information with other teams
• Acts in accordance with key statutory and non-statutory guidance and legislation including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Human Rights Act
Level 3
• As outlined for Level 1 and 2
• Draws on child and family-focused clinical and professional knowledge and expertise of what constitutes child maltreatment, to identify signs of sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or neglect
• Will have professionally relevant core and case specific clinical competencies
• Contributes to inter-agency assessments, the gathering and sharing of information and where appropriate analysis of risk
• Documents concerns in a manner that is appropriate for safeguarding/child protection and legal processes
• Undertakes regular documented reviews of own (and/or team) safeguarding/child protection practice as appropriate to role (in various ways, such as through audit, case discussion, peer review, and supervision and as a component of refresher training)
• Contributes to serious case reviews/case management reviews/significant case reviews, and child death review processes
• Works with other professionals and agencies, with children, young people and their families when there are safeguarding concerns
• Advises other agencies about the health management of individual children in child protection cases
• Applies the lessons learnt from audit and serious case reviews/case management reviews / significant case reviews to improve practice
• Advises others on appropriate information sharing
Competencies should be reviewed annually as part of staff appraisal in conjunction with individual learning and development plan.
Useful links
RCGP Children and Young People Toolkit
Doncaster Safeguarding Children Board
Doncaster Safeguarding Children Board Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures Manual
Useful downloads