Safeguarding children and young people

Safeguarding children and young people is everyone’s business. The Public Health Agency (PHA) is a member of the Safeguarding Board, Northern Ireland (SBNI) and is committed to working with other agencies to safeguard children and young people in line with The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child text | UNICEF, The Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, the Children's Services Co-operation Act (Northern Ireland) 2015 and Co-operating to Safeguard Children and Young People in Northern Ireland | Department of Health

Safeguarding children is the process of preventing impairment of children’s health and development, and of ensuring they are growing up safely and securely and provided with effective care, all of which collectively enables them to attain greater success in adulthood. Safeguarding also extends to protecting children from abuse or neglect, when it occurs, including the promotion and protection of children’s rights (SBNI 2012).

The PHA participates in Children and Young People Services Partnership arrangements to achieve the following outcomes for all children and young people as outlined in the Northern Ireland Executive’s Children and Young People’s Strategy 2020-2030 | Department of Education.

Children and young people:

  • Are physically and mentally healthy

  • Enjoy play and leisure 

  • Learn and Achieve

  • Live in safety and stability 

  • Experience economic and environmental well-being 

  • Make a positive contribution to society 

  • Live in a society which respects their rights 

  • Live in a society in which equality of opportunity and good relations are promoted

Public Health Agency membership of the SBNI representatives:

  • Ms Emily Roberts: Interim Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals

  • Ms Joanne McClean: Director of Public Health

  • Ms Amber McCloughlin: Interim Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children and Young People

  • SBNI Committee 

    Name / Role


    Case management review 

    Amber McCloughlin amber.mccloughlin2@hscni.net / Interim Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children

    Emily Roberts Emily.roberts@hscni.net / Interim Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals

    Policy and procedures 

    Amber McCloughlin amber.mccloughlin2@hscni.net / Interim Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children

    Jennifer Donnelly jennifere.donnelly@belfasttrust.hscni.net / Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children, Belfast Trust

    Child protection

    Amber McCloughlin amber.mccloughlin2@hscni.net / Interim Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children

    Domestic abuse

    Amber McCloughlin amber.mccloughlin2@hscni.net / Interim Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children

    On-line Safety Steering Group

    Amber McCloughlin amber.mccloughlin2@hscni.net / Interim Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children

     

 

Access key resources and guidance below:

PHA staff responsibilities towards children, young people and their families

Responsibilities of PHA staff towards children, young people and their families include:

  • Promoting the rights of children and young people in keeping with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child;
  • Seeking the views of children and young people and giving these serious consideration when developing and reviewing services;
  • Promoting public awareness of the need to safeguard children;
  • Supporting prevention and early intervention approaches and strategies that support children, young people and their families;
  • Recognising and responding to child care concerns in keeping with Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland Procedures Manual and procedures using the appropriate Gateway Service Teams contact details | nidirect;
  • Cooperating with the Strategic Planning and Performance Team (SPPG), HSC Trusts and other agencies to promote safe and effective services for children and families, and monitor progress against agreed strategies and action plans.
    • Providing professional advice in relation to the implementation of safeguarding recommendations and strategies in liaison with Strategic Planning and Performance Team (SPPG) and HSC Trust staff.
    • Promoting regionally consistent high standards of safeguarding practice;
    • Maintaining appropriate levels of professional knowledge and expertise;
    • Adhering to relevant professional codes of conduct.
  • Further information can be found at: https://phaconnect.hscni.net/download/105/safeguarding-children-and-young-people/6309/final-pha-safeguarding-children-and-young-people-policy-2023-pdf.pdf and see below for Safeguarding Children and Young People. Guidance for PHA staff 

Regional Safeguarding Children Nursing, Midwifery and AHPs Forum

Regional Safeguarding Children Nursing, Midwifery and AHPs Forum

The PHA has established a Regional Safeguarding Children Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Forum for Northern Ireland to support and develop the effective contribution of nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to safeguarding children and young people.  

  • This forum is chaired by Ms Amber McCloughlin, Interim Designated Nurse for Safeguarding Children. 

Regional nursing, midwifery and AHPs - associated policy, procedures and guidance

Regional nursing, midwifery and AHPs - associated policy, procedures and guidance

The PHA supports the implementation of regionally consistent safeguarding children practice that is underpinned by agreed policies, procedures and standards:

Breastfeeding looked after children

Safer sleeping

Safer sleeping resources

It is recognised that consistent messages about safer sleeping should be provided regularly both in the antenatal period and postnatally. The Public Health Agency, in consultation with practitioners from the key disciplines across all five HSCTs, have developed two new resources to assist practitioners in “having the conversation as opposed to just delivering the message.” The resources include a Parent Information Card and a Risk Assessment Tool for professionals.  A brief guidance document to support practitioners in the use of the resources is also included. 

Key resources

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