Safeguarding is everyone’s business.
The NHS Kent and Medway Safeguarding Team work with NHS commissioned services to monitor and quality assure safe and effective services for safeguarding adults and children across the system.
The Kent and Medway Safeguarding Team has the expertise of designated doctors, named GPs, nurses and specialist practitioners, who work in our local health economies and system partners, to influence local thinking and practice.
The team can also provide expertise for complex cases, where support beyond your safeguarding lead is needed. This may include where there is professional challenge and case escalations.
This resource page contains a variety of information that will support your learning needs and decision-making.
Reporting a safeguarding concern
Adults
If you have a concern for an adult in Kent, please refer to the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board (KMSAB) professionals page.
To Raise a safeguarding concern for an adult at risk of abuse in Kent, please use this referral form.
To raise safeguarding concerns for an adult at risk of abuse in Medway, please use this referral form.
Children
If you a safeguarding concern for a child in Kent, please refer to the Kent safeguarding children multi-agency partnership website.
If you have a safeguarding concern for a child in Medway, please refer to the Medway safeguarding children partnership website.
Prevent
Prevent is part of CONTEST, one of the four elements of the Governments Counter Terrorism Strategy. The aim of the prevent strategy is to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting terrorism. Prevent tackles all forms of extremism – including both Islamist extremism and far right threats. This is achieved by challenging terrorist ideology, supporting vulnerable people to make them less susceptible to radicalisation.
The national terrorist threat level is substantial which means an attack is likely. Kent and Medway is a high priority area.
Extremism and radicalisation in our community are very real threats, and being aware is the first step. You can help to reduce the threat from terrorism, radicalisation and extremism by:
- Being vigilant – radicalisation is usually a process, not an event, and factors or events may contribute towards the radicalisation for an individual. If you need advice or support, please contact the prevent lead or the Safeguarding Team.
- Completing your 3 yearly prevent e-learning.
Prevent is a shared responsibility. Don’t rely on others – report any concerns you have immediately and make a referral. We all have a role in protecting vulnerable children, young people and adults from being drawn into terrorism, keeping Kent, Medway and the people here safe. If you are concerned that someone may be susceptible to radicalisation further information can be found on the Kent County Council website.
Kent and Medway safeguarding children partnerships online procedure manual
Access the Kent and Medway safeguarding children partnerships online procedure manual.
You can also access the page via the Kent and Medway safeguarding children procedures and strategies – Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership page.
Kent and Medway Adults Board Policy procedures and practitioner guidance
NHS safeguarding app
The NHS safeguarding app has been developed to act as a comprehensive resource for healthcare professionals, carers and citizens. It provides 24-hour, mobile access on up-to-date legislation and guidance.
The app also provides information on how to report a safeguarding concern and has a directory of safeguarding contacts for every local authority in England, searchable by region.
It can be downloaded on all app stores by searching: NHS safeguarding, or by scanning the QR code.