Safeguarding

Protecting Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults

At Coventry GP, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults.

Everybody has the right to feel safe and protected from abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and our team works closely with local health, social care and safeguarding organisations to help protect individuals who may be at risk.

---

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

• Providing a safe and supportive environment
• Identifying safeguarding concerns early
• Working with local safeguarding services and agencies
• Supporting vulnerable patients and families
• Ensuring all staff receive appropriate safeguarding training
• Promoting dignity, wellbeing and patient safety

All members of our team receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role and follow local and national safeguarding guidance.

---

Named Safeguarding Leads

• Dr Hergeven Dosanjh (Adult)
• Dr Nabeel Malik (Children)
• Dr Dosanjh & Dr Malik oversee safeguarding policies, protocols and safeguarding leadership within the practice.

---

Child Safeguarding

Protecting Children and Young People

All children have the right to grow up in a safe, caring and supportive environment.

Safeguarding concerns may include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Domestic abuse within the household
• Exploitation
• Online harm

Children may not always tell somebody directly if they are being harmed, but signs may include:

• Sudden changes in behaviour
• Withdrawal or fearfulness
• Unexplained injuries
• Poor hygiene or hunger
• Frequent absences
• Age-inappropriate behaviour

If you are worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing, it is important to seek help and advice.

---

Adult Safeguarding

Protecting Vulnerable Adults

Some adults may be at increased risk of harm due to:

• Frailty
• Disability
• Mental health difficulties
• Learning disabilities
• Illness
• Cognitive impairment
• Domestic abuse
• Dependency on others

Abuse may be:

• Physical
• Emotional
• Financial
• Sexual
• Neglectful
• Discriminatory
• Organisational

If you are concerned that a vulnerable adult may be at risk, please contact the practice or local safeguarding services.

---

Domestic Abuse Support

Help is Available

Domestic abuse can affect anybody regardless of age, gender or background.

Support is available for people experiencing:

• Controlling behaviour
• Emotional abuse
• Physical violence
• Coercion
• Financial control
• Threats or intimidation

If you are in immediate danger, call 999.

Local Support

---

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

Protecting Girls and Young Women

FGM is illegal and harmful.

Healthcare professionals have a legal responsibility to help protect girls and young women who may be at risk of FGM or who have been affected by it.

If you are worried about somebody at risk, please contact the practice or safeguarding services.

---

Modern Slavery & Exploitation

Recognising Exploitation and Abuse

Some people may be vulnerable to:

• Human trafficking
• Forced labour
• Criminal exploitation
• Sexual exploitation
• Coercion or abuse

If you are worried that somebody may be unsafe or being exploited, support is available.

---

How to Raise a Concern

Worried About Somebody?

If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of:

• A child
• A vulnerable adult
• A family member
• A patient
• A neighbour
• Somebody in your community

please speak to the practice or contact safeguarding services.

You do not need proof to raise a concern if you feel somebody may be at risk.

---

Useful Contacts

---

Important Message

It Is Always Better to Speak Up

If something does not feel right, it is important to seek advice or raise concerns.

Safeguarding is about protecting people, supporting wellbeing and preventing harm.

You will always be taken seriously.

Everybody has the right to be safe, no matter who they are or what their circumstance.

Safeguarding is about protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from abuse or neglect. We are all responsible for the safety of children, young people and vulnerable adults and must ensure that we are doing all we can to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.

The surgery has safeguarding policies to ensure the safety of all our patients and our staff are trained to identify when people may be at risk. Our Practice safeguarding lead is Dr hergeven Dosanjh, who oversees the Practice policies and protocols on safeguarding.

We work closely with Coventry County Council and the various statutory bodies that co-ordinate safeguarding matters.