Safeguarding
Over the last year, the safeguarding team has facilitated and delivered safeguarding training at Levels 1, 2, 3 and Prevent, aligned to the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, this was achieved through a blended learning approach to meet the needs of our colleagues, made up of a mix of e-learning and face-to-face sessions. During the last year, we were unable to reach the 90% compliance target due to the increased operational demand placed upon colleagues. The increased pressures led to a number of essential training sessions being cancelled, so that our clinicians could respond to patients in the community. The table below shows our delivery of training across the year.
- Level 1 - 64.5%
- Level 2 - 65%
- Level 3 - 72%
- Basic Prevent Awareness Training - 76%
- Workshop to Raise Awareness of PREVENT - 93%
Alongside the core training programmes the safeguarding team has delivered specialist training sessions at level 3 – these are all externally run and count towards registrants’ level 3 hours. The sessions are based around learning from Operation Elkins and are delivered by a specialist trauma psychologist and Norfolk & Suffolk Police, with additional sessions delivered by Hertfordshire Police. Sessions included: psychology of offenders, trauma informed care, abuse of positions of trust and professional standards.
Towards the end of 2021, the safeguarding team launched the first safeguarding patient voice survey, which we believed was the first of its kind for service users of ambulance services. It aimed to obtain feedback from patients over the age of 18 who had consented to a safeguarding referral (for example: a referral to the Fire and Rescue Service for safe and well checks, GP for additional support, mental health services, falls teams, early intervention teams or other healthcare professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, or district nurses). Listening to patient feedback enables us to identify what is working well but also to highlight areas for service improvement.
The introduction of safeguarding champions started with a trial in Norfolk. This pivotal role helps the safeguarding team expand its reach, visibility and promotion of safeguarding across EEAST.
Partnership with Fire and Rescue Services for 'Safe and Well Checks'. This exciting new partnership has now been established across all 6 counties Fire and Rescue Services. Using our existing systems, we have been able to launch referrals for 'safe and well checks'. These are then passed on to the Fire and Rescue Service which can provide support for things such as home safety, fire prevention as well as support with making properties safe where hoarding.
The safeguarding team has introduced a ‘knowledge retention’ survey and training evaluation. Sent to learners following attendance at a safeguarding training course, we can review and evaluate how the training will change their own practice, what they may do differently and also how this training will support service users.