Information for Workers

Swindon PCT

Swindon Primary Care Trust provides a variety of health services including those for children and families these are Health Visitors, School Nurses, Community Paediatricians, Paediatric Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Learning Disability Service and Contraceptive and Sexual Health Services.

The PCT also commissions health services for children and their families from independent practitioners – General Practitioners, Pharmacists, Opticians and Dentists. Where necessary it may purchase services form the private sector.

The PCT has a duty to ensure that all its providers are aware of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people.

The Named Nurse role within the PCT

• The named nurse role is operational, and deals with the day to day safeguarding and child protection work within the PCT
• The named nurse liaises with partnership agencies on a regular basis, in particular with Children and Family Services to facilitate joint working practices.
• The named nurse offers guidance and support to all staff within the PCT on safeguarding and child protection matters, and ensures correct policies and procedures are adhered to.
• The named nurse is responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures are updated and disseminated to all staff, and that training is prioritised for staff.
• The named nurse undertakes caseload and child protection supervision with staff who are working with families and children whose names are on the child protection register, and offers support if staff are required to attend court or give witness statements. The named nurse also attends child protection conferences and relevant meetings to ensure the child protection process is effective.
• The named nurse regularly liaises with the named nurse in the acute trust to ensure a smooth transition of care to the PCT on discharge of a child when there are child protection concerns identified, and ensures information is passed on to the correct member of staff working with the child.
• The named nurse attends sub groups of the LSCB and supports the designated nurse at meetings in her absence.