DCHS Policies

Section 11 of The Children Act 2004 places a duty on people in the organisation to make arrangements to ensure that organisational functions are discharged with regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The Children Act 1989 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 state that ‘The actions we take to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm are everyone’s responsibility’.

Children are defined as those having not yet reached their 18th birthday (Children Act 1989). Young people who are vulnerable e.g. Looked After Children (LAC) or children with disabilities are however entitled to services beyond their 18th birthday.

The overall aim of the Policy is to make clear the duties, responsibilities and arrangements in place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people in the defined geographical area covered by Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust.

Policy Categories

• Clinical