Safeguarding of Children and Adults at Risk Policy

Contents

Introduction. 2

Aims. 2

Scope. 2

Practice Details. 2

Safeguarding Adults at Risk. 2

Definitions. 2

The Care Act 2014. 3

Types of abuse. 3

Responsibilities of the Dental Practice. 4

Responsibilities of all staff. 5

Reporting Abuse. 5

Allegation of abuse by a staff member. 6

Notifying CQC of safeguarding incidents. 6

Confidentiality and information sharing. 6

Safeguarding Children. 7

Types of Abuse. 7

If you are worried about a child – practical steps. 8

Your child protection policy. 10

Listening to children. 10

Was Not Brought. 10

Staff Training. 11

Appendix 1- Safeguarding Adults/Children Flowchart. 12

Modern Slavery. 13

Female Genital Mutilation. 14

Introduction
This policy set out the roles and responsibilities of the dental team at Astradent Ltd working together
with other professionals and agencies in promoting the welfare of adult and children and
safeguarding them from abuse and neglect.

This policy is intended to support staff working within the practice. Policies linked with this will
include:

• safeguarding children
• safeguarding adults at risk
• whistle blowing.
• complaints
• information sharing
• disciplinary, equality and diversity

Aims
The practice team is committed to:

• following the guidelines set out in ‘Safeguarding in general dental practice, a toolkit for dental
teams’ (2019) Public Health England, which sets out the current guidance and legislation
underpinning safeguarding for general dental practice
teams. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attac
hment_data/file/791681/Guidance_for_Safeguarding_in_GDP.pdf
• ensuring that the welfare of adults is always paramount.
• maximising people’s choice, control and inclusion and protecting their human rights.
• working in partnership with others in order to safeguarding adults at risk
• ensuring safe and effective working practices are in place.
• supporting staff within the organisation.

Scope
This policy applies to all staff (permanent or temporary) of my practice as well as all people who work
on behalf of the Practice.

Practice Details

Safeguarding Lead for adults: Practice Manager

Local safeguarding contacts for adults: MASH - 0300 555 1386 and out of hours is 0300 555 1373.

Safeguarding Lead for children: Practice Manager

Local safeguarding contacts for children: MASH - 0300 555 1386 and out of hours is 0300 555 1373
Safeguarding Adults at Risk

Definitions

An adult at risk is defined as:

• any person aged 18 or over

• who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability
age or illness
• and who is or maybe unable to take care of him or herself or unable to protect him or herself
against significant harm or serious exploitation.

The Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 set out a clear legal framework for how local authorities and other parts of the
system should protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect. It included the introduction of safeguarding
boards which aim to work across all healthcare services sharing information to help identify abuse of
adults at risk. It also included neglect and self-neglect as recognised types of abuse. These are
particularly important within a dental setting as dentists and DCP’s may notice/detect a deliberate
decline in a patient’s oral health care.

Types of abuse

Abuse can take many forms, and incidents of abuse may be one-off or multiple, and affect one person
or more. Abuse may also be very subtle and therefore we draw your attention to the following types of
abuse which you may come across. Professionals and others should look beyond single incidents or
individuals to identify patterns of harm. This list is not exhaustive, and we therefore encourage
Volunteers to be alert and take the initiative to spot these forms of abuse as well as other forms that
might occur:

Physical abuse: including hitting, slapping, scratching, pushing, rough handling, kicking.

Fabricated or induced illness: Where someone exaggerates or deliberately causes symptoms of

illness in a child or adult at risk.

Emotional or Psychological abuse: Persistent emotional mistreatment including threats of harm or

abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, ridicule, blaming, cyber bullying, isolation or
unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal from services or supportive networks.

Sexual abuse: including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or
touching, unwanted sexual text messages, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography,
subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts.

Financial/Economic or material abuse: including misuse or theft of money, fraud, extortion of

material assets or inappropriate requests for money, pressure in connection with wills, property or
inheritance of financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or
benefits. Any behaviour that has a substantial adverse effect on the victim’s ability to acquire, use or
maintain money or other property, or obtain goods or services.

Neglect and acts of omission: including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide
access to appropriate health, social care and support or educational services or equipment for
functional independence, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate
nutrition, heating and lighting. Failure to give privacy and dignity.

Self-Neglect: this covers a wide range of behaviour, neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene,
health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.

Extremism: Vocal or active opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule of
law, individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs.

Discriminatory abuse: including forms of harassment based on protected characteristics.

Modern slavery: encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude.
Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and
force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment. More information on this
topic can be found at the end of this document.

Organisational abuse: including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care
setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own
home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or
poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an
organisation.

Female Genital Mutilation: Constitutes all procedures which involve partial or total removal of the
external female genitalia, or injury to the female genital organs for cultural or non-therapeutic
reasons. More information on this topic can be found under Female Genital Mutilation at the end of
this document.

Domestic violence: including physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or
coercive behaviour, economic abuse, psychological, emotional or other abuse.

Domestic Abuse Act 2021

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 gives formal definition of domestic abuse which is based on the
existing cross-government definition. The first part deals with the relationship between the abuser
and abused, the second part defines what constitutes abuse.

The Relationship

Both the person who is carrying out the behaviour and the person to whom the behaviour is directed
towards must be aged 16 or over. Abusive behaviour directed at a person under 16 would be dealt
with as child abuse rather than domestic abuse. The second criteria states that both persons must be
“personally connected”.

Personally connected is defined in the act as people who:

• are married to each other

• are civil partners of each other
• have agreed to marry one another (whether or not the agreement has been terminated)
• have entered into a civil partnership agreement (whether or not the agreement has been
terminated)
• are or have been in an intimate personal relationship with each other
• have, or there has been a time when they each have had, a parental relationship in relation to
the same child
 • are relatives

There is no requirement for the victim and perpetrator to live in the same household.

Responsibilities of the Dental Practice

• To take action to identify and prevent abuse from happening.

• Respond appropriately when abuse has or is suspected to have occurred.
• Ensure that the agreed safeguarding adult’s procedures are followed at all times.
• Provide support, advice and resources to staff in responding to safeguarding adult issues.
• Inform staff of any local or national issues relating to safeguarding adults.
• Ensure staff are aware of their responsibilities to attend training and to support staff in
accessing these events.
• Ensuring that the organisation has a dedicated staff member with an expertise in
safeguarding adults.
• Ensuring staff have access to appropriate consultation and supervision regarding
safeguarding adults.
• Understand how diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services may influence the
identification, prevention and response to safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure that information is available for people that use services, family members setting out
what to do if they have a concern
• Ensure that all employees who come in contact with adults at risk have a DBS check in line
with the requirements of the Independent Safeguarding Authority Vetting and Barring
Scheme.

Responsibilities of all staff

• Follow the safeguarding policies and procedures at all times, particularly if concerns arise
about the safety or welfare of an adult at risk.
• Participate in safeguarding adults training and maintain current working knowledge.
• Discuss any concerns about the welfare of an adult at risk with their practice manager or
safeguarding lead.
• Contribute to actions required including information sharing and attending meetings.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies to safeguarding and protect the welfare of people
who use services.
• Always remain alert to the possibility of abuse.
• Recognise the impact that diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services can have.

Reporting Abuse

• If a staff member suspects a vulnerable person is being abused or is at risk of abuse, they are
expected to report concerns to the safeguarding lead (unless they suspect that the
safeguarding lead is implicated; In such circumstances the whistle blowing policy should be
followed).
• If at any time staff feel the person needs urgent medical assistance, they have a duty to call
for an ambulance or arrange for a doctor to see the person at the earliest opportunity.
• If at the time staff have reason to believe the vulnerable person is in immediate and serious
risk of harm or that a crime has been committed the police must be called.
• An incident reporting/significant events form is to be completed to log and report any
safeguarding concerns or issues. This is found in the ‘Complaints & Significant Events’ folder.
All service users need to be safe. Throughout the process the service users need remain paramount.
This process is about protecting the adult and prevention of abuse.

It is important that consideration be given to a co-ordinated approach and partnership working, where
it is identified that both the alleged abuser and alleged victim are service users. Where both parties
are receiving a service, staff should discuss cases and work together, however meetings with both
the alleged abuser and alleged victim in attendance, are not considered appropriate.

Please refer to Appendix 1- Flowchart for Safeguarding

Allegation of abuse by a staff member

Employees should be aware that abuse is a serious matter that can lead to a criminal conviction.
Where applicable the organisations disciplinary policy should be implemented, and the employee
would likely be suspended while an investigation is ongoing.

As a CQC registered provider we are responsible for reporting any allegations of abuse concerning a
member of the practice team to CQC. If such an allegation was to be made, the following steps
should be taken to fulfil this regulatory requirement

• The Registered Manager (or Practice Manager if the concern relates to the Registered
Manager) should complete the Allegations of abuse notification form which can be found on
the CQC website
• The form should be fully completed, sticking to the facts of the concern and the steps the
practice has taken to investigate and report to the local safeguarding team and other relevant
authorities
• Once completed the form should be sent to CQC via hsca_notifications@cqc.org.uk who will
review the information provided and potentially investigate the matter

Further information can be found on the CQC website - https://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-

providers/notifications/allegations-abuse-safeguarding-notification-form

Notifying CQC of safeguarding incidents

Not all referrals the practice makes to the local authority need to be notified to CQC. Practices are
only required to notify CQC of safeguarding incidents where the allegation of abuse is linked to their
provision of care.

Confidentiality and information sharing

It is important to identify an abusive situation as early as possible so that the individual can be
protected. Withholding information may lead to abuse not being dealt with in a timely manner.

Confidentiality must never be confused with secrecy. Staff have a duty to share information relating
to suspected abuse with Social Care. Consent is not required to breach confidentiality (capacity
issues must be considered) and make a safeguarding referral where;

• A serious crime has been committed

• Where the alleged perpetrator may go on to abuse other adults
• Other vulnerable adults are at risk in some way
• The adult is deemed to be in serious risk
• The public interest overrides the interest of the individual
 • When a member of staff of a statutory service, a private or voluntary service or a volunteer is
the person accused of abuse, malpractice or poor professional standards.

If a worker has any doubt about the legality of sharing information, they must in the first instance
consult the safeguarding lead.

Safeguarding Children
Astradent Ltd are in a position where they may observe the signs of child abuse or neglect or hear
something that causes them concern about a child. The dental team has an ethical responsibility to
find out about and follow local procedures for child protection and to follow them if a child is or might
be at risk of abuse or neglect. There is also a responsibility to ensure that children are not at risk from
members of the profession.

The dental team is not responsible for making a diagnosis of child abuse or neglect, just for sharing
concerns appropriately.

Types of Abuse

Physical abuse: may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning,
suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. It may also be caused by a parent or carer
fabricating the symptoms of, or deliberately causing, illness in a child. Orofacial trauma occurs in at
least 50% of children diagnosed with physical abuse – and a child with one injury may have further
injuries that are not visible.

Emotional abuse: is the persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe and persistent adverse
effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are
worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of the other person. It
may feature:

• age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children

• interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability
• overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning
• preventing the child participating in normal social interaction
• seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another
• causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger
• exploitation or corruption of children.

Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities,
whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact,
including penetrative (for example rape) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact
activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or
watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Neglect: is the persistent failure to meet the child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely
to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may occur in pregnancy as
a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer:

• failing to provide adequate food and clothing, shelter

• failing to protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger
• failure to ensure adequate supervision
• failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment
 • neglect of or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE): involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where
young people receive something (for example food, drugs, alcohol, gifts or in some cases simply
affection) as a result of engaging in sexual activities. Sexual exploitation can take many different
forms from the seemingly ‘consensual’ relationship to serious organized crime involving gangs and
groups.

Exploitation is marked out by an imbalance of power in the relationship and involves varying degrees
of coercion, intimidation and sexual bullying including cyberbullying and grooming.

It is important to recognize that some young people who are being sexually exploited do not show any
external signs of this abuse and may not recognize it as abuse. Young people who go missing can be
at increased risk of sexual exploitation and so procedures are in place to ensure appropriate response
to children and young people who go missing, particularly on repeat occasions.

Child Trafficking is the recruitment and movement of children for the purpose of exploitation; it is a
form of child abuse. Children may be trafficked within the Country, or from abroad. It overlaps with
Sexual Exploitation and Private Fostering. Children may be trafficked for:

• sexual exploitation
• labour exploitation
• domestic servitude
• criminal activity
• benefit fraud
• forced marriage
• moving drugs

Female genital mutilation (FGM) Constitutes all procedures which involve partial or total removal of
the external female genitalia, or injury to the female genital organs for cultural or non-therapeutic
reasons. More information on this topic can be found under Female Genital Mutilation at the end of
this document.

Under-age/Forced Marriages: In England and Wales, a young person cannot legally marry until they
are 18 years old or more (The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022). Forced
marriage is illegal under the Forced Marriage Act (2007) which enables victims of forced marriage to
apply for court orders for their protection or marriage termination. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime
and Policing Act 2014 made it a criminal offence in England, Wales and Scotland to force someone to
marry. (It is a criminal offence in Northern Ireland under separate legislation).

Ritualistic Abuse Some faiths believe that spirits and demons can possess people (including
children). What should never be condoned is the use of any physical violence to get rid of the
possessing spirit. This is physical abuse and people can be prosecuted even if it was their intention to
help the child.

Safeguarding Children and Young People Vulnerable to Violent Extremism (Prevent

Duty)

Protecting children from the risk of radicalisation should is seen as part of our wider safeguarding
duties. Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and forms
of extremism. There is no single way of identifying an individual who is likely to be susceptible to an
extremist ideology.
If you are worried about a child – practical steps

Dentists and other dental staff are likely to see injuries to the head, eyes, neck face, mouth and teeth
when there are concerns of abuse. Bruising or bite marks are types of injuries which suggest a
concern should be raised. Dental professionals are also well placed to identify neglect such as poor
oral hygiene.

Ask yourself:

• Could the injury have been caused accidentally? If so, how?

• Does the explanation for the injury fit the age and clinical findings?
• If the explanation of the cause is consistent with the injury, is this itself within the normally
acceptable limits of behaviour?
• If there has been any delay in seeking advice, are there good reasons for this?
• Does the story of the accident vary?

Observe:

• The relationship between the parent/carer and child

• The child’s reaction to other people
• The child’s reaction to dental examinations
• Any comments made by the child or parent/carer that give concern about the child’s
upbringing or lifestyle.

Discuss your concerns with the safeguarding lead. If you remain concerned, informal advice could be
sought first from your local social services or your local safeguarding Hub/MASH without disclosing
the child’s name. This will help you decide whether you should make a formal referral – by telephone
so that you can directly discuss your concerns.

Seek permission to refer:

It is good practice to explain your concerns to the child and parents, informing them of your intention
to refer and seek their consent –being open and honest from the start, results in better outcomes for
the children. Do not, however, discuss your concerns with the parents where:

• the discussion might put the child at greater risk

• the discussion would impede a police investigation or social work enquiry
• sexual abuse by a family member, or organised or multiple abuse is suspected
• fabricated or induced illness is suspected
• parents or carers are being violent or abusive and discussion would place you or others at
risk
• it is not possible to contact parents or carers without causing undue delay in making the
referral.

Recording and reporting Reports should be restricted to

• The nature of the injury

• Facts to support the possibility that the injuries are suspicious

Attendance of the referring dentist may be required by the Social Services Department at a case
conference or if there is a court hearing, so comprehensive written records of the injuries and its
history (as reported) must be kept together with clinical photographs. An incident
reporting/significant events form is to be completed to log and report any safeguarding concerns or
issues. This is found in the ‘Complaints & Significant Events’ folder.

Your child protection policy

A suitable child protection policy for a dental practice should affirm the practice’s commitment to
protecting children from harm and should explain how this will be achieved. A policy by itself is not
enough, however. Safeguarding children also involves:

• listening to children
• providing information for children
• providing a safe and child-friendly environment
• having other relevant policies and procedures in place

Listening to children

Create an environment in which children know their concerns will be listened to and taken seriously.
You can communicate this to children by:

• asking for their views when discussing dental treatment options, seeking their consent to
dental treatment in addition to parental consent
• involving them when you ask patients for feedback about your practice
• listening carefully and taking them seriously if they make a disclosure of abuse

Providing information to children to support children and families, you can provide
information about:

• local services providing advice or activities

• sources of help in times of crisis, for example, NSPCC Child Protection Helpline, NPCC Kids
Zone website, Childline, Samaritans

Providing a safe and child-friendly environment

• taking steps to ensure that areas where children are seen are welcoming and secure with
facilities for play
• considering whether young people would wish to be seen alone or accompanied by their
parents
• ensuring that staff never put themselves in vulnerable situations by seeing young people
without a chaperone
• ensuring that your practice has safe recruitment procedures in place Other relevant policies
and procedures Clinical governance policies that you already have in place will contribute to
your practice being effective in safeguarding children.

Was Not Brought

The term Was Not Brought should be used instead of DNA when children miss dental appointments.

Missed appointments and dental neglect are the main reasons for dentists to make child protection
referrals.
They cause concern because they may be a key indicator that a child or young person is being
neglected.

Describing children and young people as ‘was not brought’ (WNB) instead of ‘did not attend’ (DNA)
encourages us to:

• Consider the situation from the child’s perspective.

• Plan what support would help the child to receive the dental care they need.
• Consider whether we need to share safeguarding information with other health or social care
professionals.

The ‘Was Not Brought’ pathway

Practices should follow the Was Not Brought Implementation Guide which includes;

1. An explanatory flowchart
2. Templates for clinical notes
3. Template letters

We will endeavour to safeguard children by:

• adopting child protection guidelines through procedures and a code of conduct for the dental
team
• making staff and patients aware that we take child protection seriously and respond to
concerns about the welfare of children
• sharing information about concerns with agencies who need to know and involving parents
and children appropriately
• following carefully the procedures for staff recruitment and selection
• providing effective management for staff by ensuring access to supervision, support and
training

Staff Training
The competency framework set out in intercollegiate guidance recommends that all staff should
complete safeguarding training. Below is guidance for which level of safeguarding training is
recommended for the job roles within a dental practice:

Level 1: for all non-clinical staff (e.g. receptionists and practice managers)

Level 2: for all dentists and dental care professionals

Level 3: for community or hospital dentists working with vulnerable patients. Level 3 is also
recommended for registered managers and safeguarding Leads.

These levels should be seen as a minimum and some practices may want to have all staff trained to
at least level 2.

Safeguarding training should be refreshed every three years. Level 1 training should last a minimum
of two hours, level 2 & 3 a minimum of three hours.

Disability and autism awareness training

 With the introduction of the Health and Care Act 2022 it is now compulsory for all CQC registered
health and social care providers to complete training in learning disabilities and autism. This training
should be at a level appropriate to their role.

Dental teams are expected to complete the lower level of training, regarded as Tier one, either via
suitable CPD content or there is a free Oliver McGowan training module available via the e-learning for
Healthcare Website - https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/programmes/the-oliver-mcgowan-mandatory-training-
on-learning-disability-and-autism/

Appendix 1- Safeguarding Adults/Children Flowchart

YOU HAVE CONCERNS

ABOUT A CHILD,
VULNERABLE ADULT OR
ADULT AT RISK WELFARE

ASSESS THE PATIENT

HISTORY

Has there been delay in seeking dental advice for which there is no satisfactory explanation?

Does the history change over time or not explain the injury or illness? Make a note on the patient record.

EXAMINATION

When you examine the Patient are there any injuries that cannot be explained? Are you concerned about the
Patients behaviour and interaction with their parent/carer?

YOU DISCUSS WITH

EXPERIENCED
COLLEAGUES

WHO AND WHERE TO GO TO FOR HELP?

The SAFEGUARDING LEAD within your practice is: Practice Manager

The local safeguarding contact number for ‘Child Safeguarding concerns’ is: MASH - 0300 555 1386 and
out of hours is 0300 555 1373

The local safeguarding contact number for ‘Vulnerable Adult or Adult at Risk’ is: MASH - 0300 555 1386
and out of hours is 0300 555 1373
 YOU NO LONGER
FOLLOW UPS
HAVE CONCERNS

You refer to social services, following up in writing OTHER ACTION

within 48 hours NEEDED:

If you refer to a GP or a paediatrician, following up in Provide necessary

writing within 24 hours dental care

A referral to a school nurse or health visitor you

should contact them within a month to see if your
referral was followed up

Modern Slavery
Astradent Ltd has a zero-tolerance approach to slavery and human trafficking. It is committed to
acting ethically and with integrity in all its business dealings and relationships. We have long-
established procedures to conduct checks to ensure that staff can legally work in the UK. We also
have procedures providing appropriate protection for staff reporting concerns about non-compliance
with laws, regulations and codes of practice relevant to our business.

Modern Slavery Act

We are committed to improving our practices to combat modern slavery and human trafficking within
our business operations. We are relentless in our pursuit of delivering quality and excellent dental
care to our patients, using our professional expertise with integrity and aligning our actions to the
highest standards of business conduct and ethical practices.

Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. This statement underlines our
commitment and actions to ensuring modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in and around our
organisation.

This statement is made on behalf of the organisation pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery
Act 2015 and constitutes our slavery and human trafficking statement.

Our Supply Chain

Our supply chain is UK based and includes:

• Professional services – accountants, legal advisors, recruitment agents;

• Self-employed clinicians;
• Dental laboratory, material and product suppliers;
• Marketing and advertising services;
• Repairs and maintenance services;
• IT and communication systems;
• General office and practice suppliers;
General Due Diligence Processes to Combat Slavery & Human Trafficking

We have also put in place systems, procedures and best practices to help combat anti-ethical
practices and modern slavery within our general business operations. For example, we:

• Protect whistle blowers to ensure that they are not discouraged from raising any concerns
relating to unethical or illegal practices
• Adopt robust recruitment processes in line with UK employment laws, including: ‘right to
work’ document checks; contracts of employment and checks to ensure everyone employed
is 16 and above
• Engage with reputable businesses and individuals with a proven track record of legal
compliance and good ethical standards
• Have robust policies in place to ensure a new joiner has the Right to Work in the UK, and has
confirmed their identity prior to the commencement of their placement
• Pay and reward our employed colleagues in accordance with market rates, which is reviewed
annually and bench-marked
• Provide our employed colleagues with enhanced benefits and welfare options to support our
people’s (and their families) lifestyle choices
• Promote and encourage transparency

We have a dedicated Practice Manager who is responsible for ensuring that all staff are trained in this
matter, read and understood the policy and ensures all staff comply with the principles and
commitments set out in this statement.

Female Genital Mutilation

Female genital mutilation (FGM) constitutes all procedures which involve partial or total removal of
the external female genitalia, or injury to the female genital organs for cultural or non-therapeutic
reasons. It can be extremely painful and cause problems both at the time of the procedure and later in
life. FGM is internationally recognized as a violation of the human rights of girls and women, and is
illegal in most countries, including the UK. It is covered under Serious Crime Act 2015.

Since 31 October 2015 it is a legal requirement to report known cases of FGM (visually identified or
verbally disclosed) to the police under the FGM Mandatory Reporting Duty. Any such disclosures will
be referred to the police. If a dentist/DCP suspects that FGM may have taken place or is potentially
going to happen, they should follow the procedural information provided on the Gov website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mandatory-reporting-of-female-genital-mutilation-
procedural-information

Document Control

Title: Safeguarding of adults and children at Risk Policy

Author/s: DCME Team
Owner: DCME Team
Approver: DCME Compliance Team
Date Approved: 16/03/2023
Next Review Date: 16/03/2024
Change History
 Details of Change
Author /
Version Status Date
Editor
(Brief detailed summary of all updates/changes)
New Document Created to combine the two previous separate policies for
0.1 Draft 31.3.22 PG
Adults and Children
0.2 Draft 17.6.22 PG Additional guidance for Scotland and Wales added where required
0.3 Final 14.2.23 PG Routine review – Amendments needed to be done in 4 weeks
Amendment in legal age for marriage (The Marriage and Civil Partnership
(Minimum Age) Act 2022)Addition of information regarding training
0.4 Final 16.03.23 HD requirements for Learning Disabilities and Autism Awareness. Added the
Modern Slavery Policy Included new information regarding FGM and the
reporting responsibilities