Role of a practice manager in safeguarding

These are in addition to Level 2 knowledge, skills and capabilities.

Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of how national safeguarding legislation and guidance applies to the role of practice manager as well as to general practice
• In-depth knowledge and awareness of safer recruitment procedures, which includes:
  • Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)/Disclosure Scotland/AccessNI checks (whichever is relevant to the UK nation working in)
  • References
  • Safeguarding included in all job descriptions
  • Obtaining evidence of a person’s right to work in the UK
• Knowledge and awareness of the legal duty to refer information to the DBS/Disclosure Scotland/AccessNI if an employee has harmed, or poses a risk of harm, to vulnerable groups and where they have dismissed them or are considering dismissal. This includes situations where an employee has resigned before a decision to dismiss them has been made. Each practice manager should be aware of the specific legal duties related to the UK region they work in
• Knowledge and awareness of how to manage allegations of harm by staff members or anyone in a position of trust, in line with legislation, practice policies, local safeguarding procedures
• Knowledge of whom to contact for advice for any safeguarding concerns

Capabilities

• Support safeguarding activity within the practice/organisation
• Show safeguarding leadership in embedding safeguarding practice and ethos
• Follow safe recruitment procedures
• Ensure practice/organisation safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and up to date
• Ensure all staff have safeguarding duties and responsibilities outlined in their terms of employment
• Ensure safeguarding is included in annual staff appraisals
• Work closely with the practice safeguarding lead to champion good practice in safeguarding throughout the practice/organisation as well challenging poor safeguarding practice
• Ensure that local safeguarding professional contacts and referral pathways are up-to-date, visible and easily accessible within the practice for all staff, including locums, temporary staff, students and volunteers
• Act as a point of reference and guidance for their colleagues
• Be able to implement and oversee, relevant to their role, system changes that are needed in light of any learning from significant safeguarding events or reviews
• Ensure the practice safeguarding lead has adequate protected time to carry out their safeguarding role
• Be able to effectively manage allegations of harm by staff members or anyone in a position of trust, in line with practice policies as well as local safeguarding procedures. This includes reporting and escalating concerns outside the organisation should this be necessary
• Be able to identify, and support, staff members who may be victims of abuse e.g. domestic abuse. This includes being able to take appropriate safeguarding action when necessary
• Recognise that being involved in any aspect of safeguarding can be difficult for any member of staff, including non-clinical staff. This can be especially true for any staff member who has experienced abuse themselves, either in the past or currently.  Be able to provide support as well as signposting to other agencies who can help and give specialised help