Sample policy · GP

Safeguarding policy (primary care) (gp)

1. Purpose

This policy sets out how the Practice identifies, records and responds to safeguarding concerns in primary-care consultations and patient contact.

It covers child safeguarding, adults at risk, domestic abuse, FGM mandatory reporting, Prevent concerns, staff allegations and learning.

2. Sources to verify before adoption

3. Scope

This policy applies to:

The Practice does not use this policy in place of local safeguarding children, adult safeguarding, domestic abuse, FGM or Prevent pathways.

4. Safeguarding pathways

Staff follow the correct pathway for the concern identified.

4.1 Child safeguarding disclosure

Where a child safeguarding concern is identified, staff:

The Practice verifies referral thresholds and forms against the current local safeguarding children partnership procedure.

4.2 Adult-at-risk disclosure

Where an adult-at-risk concern is identified, staff:

The Practice verifies the current local authority adult safeguarding procedure before adoption.

4.3 Domestic abuse and IRIS or MARAC pathway

Where a patient discloses domestic abuse or staff suspect domestic abuse, staff:

The Practice keeps local IRIS, domestic abuse and MARAC contacts with this policy where they apply.

4.4 FGM mandatory reporting

The Practice treats FGM concerns as safeguarding concerns and follows the current FGM Act 2003, statutory guidance and local safeguarding route.

For section 5B, the exact statutory phrases "in England and Wales", "girl who is aged under 18", "chief officer of police" and "before the end of one month" are load-bearing. Staff check the current legislation.gov.uk text before making or recording a mandatory report.

Where staff identify a known case that appears to meet the mandatory-reporting duty, staff:

The Practice does not paraphrase the statutory duty in local training. Training material cites the current FGM Act 2003 section 5B source.

4.5 Prevent concern

Where staff identify a Prevent or radicalisation concern, staff:

The Practice verifies local Prevent contacts and thresholds before adoption.

5. Consultation privacy and disclosure handling

Primary care often identifies safeguarding concerns during private consultation.

Staff:

Staff do not investigate safeguarding concerns themselves. They record, report and follow the correct pathway.

6. Staff allegations and escalation

Where a safeguarding allegation involves staff, locums, contractors or visiting professionals, the Registered Manager:

No staff member investigates an allegation about themselves.

7. Responsibilities

8. Recording requirements

The Practice keeps the following records:

Records are factual, contemporaneous and access-controlled.

9. Audit cadence

The Practice uses the following Verivius default audit rhythm unless current source material requires more frequent review:

Audit findings are recorded as improvement actions with an owner and review date.

10. Version control and review date

The Practice keeps a controlled copy of this policy. The footer or document-control table records:

11. Related records

Review cadence: annual or on regulatory change, whichever sooner. Owner: Registered Manager.

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Last reviewed 21 May 2026