Safeguarding Care Coordinator

Job summary

The Safeguarding Care Coordinator will provide central coordination of safeguarding activity across Newport & Central PCN. The postholder will be a GP-facing role, working closely with safeguarding leads and clinicians to support the effective management of safeguarding activity through the maintenance of safeguarding registers, coordination of multidisciplinary meetings, preparation of safeguarding documentation, staff induction training and liaison with partner agencies. The role is primarily focused on safeguarding coordination, administration and information management and does not carry responsibility for clinical safeguarding decision-making.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will oversee safeguarding administration, document handling, record management and communication with partner organisations. They will also work within a multi-disciplinary team to aid in liaison between the PCN team, the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub and the ICS. The post-holder will manage and prioritise workload in accordance with agreed PCN safeguarding priorities and direction from the Practice Safeguarding Leads and the PCN Manager.

The postholder will work across all four Newport & Central PCN member practices and the PCN Hub. The role is expected to include regular on-site presence within each practice to support local safeguarding processes, build effective working relationships with clinicians and practice teams, and ensure a consistent approach to safeguarding across the PCN. The indicative working pattern is one day per week within each member practice and one day at the PCN Hub, although this may be varied to meet service needs.

About us

Newport and Central Primary Care Network (PCN) is made up of 4 practices Wellington Road Surgery, Linden Hall Surgery (both in Newport), Donnington Medical Practice and Shawbirch Medical Centre in Telford, and cover approximately 65,000 patients. Whilst each practice is independent we also work collaboratively across the network to deliver appointments and services to our collective patients.

Job responsibilities

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

To work closely with GPs and other primary care professionals, and maintain a deep understanding of local safeguarding processes, organisations and regulations.

Primary Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the workflow of safeguarding reports and documents and ensure they are circulated to appropriate clinicians in line with organisational safeguarding policies.
• Deliver induction safeguarding training to new PCN and practice staff.
• Support the maintenance of safeguarding and cause for concern registers, including ensuring the correct coding is added to patient records to aid clinicians in identifying those children and adults who are cause for concern.
• Prepare, draft and coordinate safeguarding reports and submissions on behalf of clinicians and safeguarding leads, ensuring information is submitted accurately and within required timescales.
• Support the Safeguarding Lead in coordinating communication, information sharing and safeguarding meetings with partner organisations, including health visitors, MASH, ICS safeguarding leads and social workers. This includes obtaining and collating relevant information, organising and attending meetings, recording actions, updating patient records and monitoring agreed follow-up actions in line with PCN safeguarding procedures.
• Add alerts to parent records and those who have a child on a safeguarding plan.
• Provide guidance on local safeguarding processes, policies and referral pathways within the scope of the role, escalating complex safeguarding concerns to the appropriate clinical Safeguarding Lead.
• Coordinate the gathering, collation and sharing of safeguarding information from partner organisations, including social care, health visitors, education providers, community services, mental health services and acute trusts, ensuring information is appropriately recorded, communicated to relevant clinicians and managed in accordance with safeguarding, information governance and PCN procedures.
• Respond to child protection meetings as advised by the organisations Safeguarding Lead, prepare appropriate documentation, and send apologies as necessary.
• Monitor DNAs for children regarding missed clinical appointments and refer to appropriate clinicians for follow-up (e.g., practice nurse, usual GP, Safeguarding Lead) in line with organisational safeguarding policies.
• Update alerts and warnings in the EMIS record according to organisational safeguarding protocols when safeguarding concerns are recorded.
• Be able to signpost staff to relevant agencies and assistance for all types of safeguarding and be aware of local resources and disseminate updates to colleagues.
• To participate in audits, service reviews and quality improvement activities as required.
• Maintain and develop knowledge of safeguarding processes, policies and guidance relevant to the role and support staff awareness of safeguarding responsibilities.
• To have regular safeguarding supervision and case reviews.
• Help practices ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are up to date and consistent with agreed best practices as defined by local and national guidelines.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in an appropriate discipline or equivalent qualification

Desirable

• Care planning and co-ordination qualification
• Safeguarding Training Children and Adults Level 3

Experience

Essential

• Experience working within a health or care sector
• Experience in organising meetings, preparing agendas and writing minutes
• Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of coordinating meetings involving multiple agencies
• Experience of safeguarding in any capacity

Desirable

• Experience of direct contact with patients/service users and their carers or families