Pursuant to the Children’s Protection Act 1993, it is a legislative requirement that this practice has a ‘Code of Conduct’ in relation to children and a ‘Child Safe Policy’ under which it operates, as well as "mandatory reporting of actual or suspected child abuse procedure".
These requirements reflect the broader community expectations that every child has a right to be safe from harm at all times and that they are cared for in a manner such that their well-being and future potential is protected at all times. St Agnes Surgery, as a provider of health care, is subject to mandatory reporting requirements. As such any person who works or is a volunteer in this practice is required by law to notify the Department for Families and Communities should they suspect on reasonable grounds that a child is or has been the subject of abuse or neglect, provided that the suspicion is formed in the course of that person's work. The suspicion must be reported as soon as practicable after it was formed. It is a legislative requirement that all current and future team members of the practice have had a valid working with children assessment conducted every 3 years. Contractors or volunteers (and students) who either work with children regularly within the practice or access their medical records are subject to the same requirement. |