Safeguarding Method Statement

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Introduction

At Coast Medic, safeguarding is central to everything we do. We are committed to protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or radicalisation. This method statement explains how safeguarding is embedded across our organisation in line with statutory requirements, Care Quality Commission (CQC) standards, and best practice guidance. It provides evidence of our safeguarding arrangements in the following areas:
a) staff training,
b) recruitment checks,
c) safeguarding procedures,
d) monitoring and recording of safeguarding standards,
e) additional safeguarding measures.

a) Staff Training in Safeguarding

All Coast Medic staff, volunteers, and contractors who may come into contact with children or vulnerable adults are required to complete safeguarding training as part of their induction and to refresh this training at least every two years.

  • Training programme:
    • We use the NHS‐endorsed E-Learning for Health (eLfH) safeguarding training platform to ensure all staff meet nationally recognised standards.
    • Non-clinical staff complete Level 2 safeguarding for children and adults.
    • Clinical staff complete Level 2 Adults and Level 3 Children and Young People safeguarding modules, as appropriate to their roles.
    • All staff also complete mandatory Prevent training to recognise and act upon signs of radicalisation or extremism.
  • Content covered:
    Training covers the following topics:
    • Recognising types of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, domestic, financial, discriminatory, organisational, radicalisation).
    • Understanding professional boundaries and maintaining safe practice.
    • Responding to disclosures sensitively and appropriately.
    • Reporting concerns through Coast Medic’s safeguarding pathways.
    • Whistleblowing and escalation procedures.
    • Digital safety, lone working risks, and recording standards.
    • The role of the DSL/Deputy DSL and multi-agency partnership working.
  • Training records:
    • The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) maintains a central safeguarding training register.
    • Managers monitor completion rates and renewal dates.
    • Staff cannot be rostered into patient-facing roles until training is complete.

This structured programme ensures all personnel are competent and confident in safeguarding practice, with knowledge refreshed at least every two years.

b) Recruitment Checks and References

We apply strict safer recruitment practices in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) and the Care Act 2014.

  • Recruitment process includes:
    • Completion of application and self-declaration forms.
    • Verification of identity and right-to-work documentation.
    • Face-to-face interviews assessing values and safeguarding awareness.
    • Minimum of two written references, verified directly with referees.
    • Enhanced DBS checks for all regulated activity roles.
    • Overseas criminal records checks where applicable.
    • Probationary period with supervision and feedback.
  • Ongoing checks:
    • Staff are subject to regular personal development reviews.
    • Risk assessments and professional feedback inform ongoing suitability.
    • Any change in staff role or responsibilities triggers a review of safeguarding clearance.

This ensures only safe, suitable individuals work within our organisation.

c) Safeguarding Procedures

Clear procedures guide staff in recognising, reporting, and responding to safeguarding concerns.

  1. Raising concerns:
    • Concerns are reported immediately to the DSL or Deputy DSL.
    • If urgent risk of harm is identified, staff call 999 and ensure immediate safety.
  2. Recording:
    • Concerns are documented promptly and factually using standardised forms or entered into the safeguarding register.
    • If the concern involves a patient, records are made in the clinical record and safeguarding fields completed.
  3. Escalation:
    • The DSL assesses and escalates concerns to the MARU (children), Adult Social Care (adults at risk), LADO (allegations against staff), or Police within required timescales.
  4. Allegations against staff:
    • Immediately reported to DSL, Operations Manager, and LADO where relevant.
    • A central allegations register is maintained.
  5. Whistleblowing:
    • Staff can raise safeguarding concerns outside normal management structures through Coast Medic’s Whistleblowing Policy or directly with the CQC or statutory partners.

These procedures are displayed in flowchart form for staff and reinforced in training.

d) Monitoring and Recording of Safeguarding Standards

We maintain robust systems to monitor, audit, and improve safeguarding standards.

  • Registers maintained by DSL:
    • Safeguarding training register.
    • Incident and concerns register.
    • Allegations register.
  • Incident logging:
    • All safeguarding concerns are logged in a secure database separate from personnel files.
    • Each incident is tracked until resolution, with actions recorded.
  • Audit and review:
    • Safeguarding activity is reviewed quarterly by the Operations Manager and Board of Trustees.
    • Annual safeguarding audits are conducted, with findings reported to commissioners where required.
    • Lessons learned from incidents and complaints are actioned promptly to improve practice.
  • Reporting:
    • Statutory safeguarding reports are submitted to the Local Authority or commissioners within 48 hours where applicable.

This ensures safeguarding is continually monitored and improved at all organisational levels.

e) Additional Safeguarding Measures

Beyond training, recruitment, and procedures, Coast Medic implements further safeguards to strengthen protection for service users and staff.

  • Code of Conduct:
    • All staff, volunteers, and contractors must follow Coast Medic’s Code of Conduct, covering behaviour, dress standards, professional boundaries, and digital safety.
  • Lone working protocols:
    • Staff working alone must log in/out, carry communication devices, and follow risk assessment procedures.
    • Concerns arising during lone working are reported directly to the DSL.
  • Equality and diversity:
    • Safeguarding practices uphold the Equality Act 2010 and ensure no discrimination against protected characteristics.
  • Restraint procedures:
    • Restraint is only used when absolutely necessary, proportionate, and in line with CQC standards.
    • All incidents involving restraint are logged and reviewed.
  • Partnership working:
    • Coast Medic works closely with statutory agencies including MARU, LADO, Adult Social Care, Police, NHS, and safeguarding boards.
    • Subcontractors and partners must adopt Coast Medic’s safeguarding policy or demonstrate an equivalent standard.
  • Continuous improvement:
    • Learning from safeguarding incidents, complaints, and audits feeds into service development.
    • Trustees oversee improvements and allocate resources accordingly.

These additional measures create a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and embedded into daily practice.

Conclusion

Coast Medic and Coast Medic Ambulance Ltd are fully committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults at risk. Through a comprehensive training programme, safer recruitment practices, clear safeguarding procedures, robust monitoring, and continuous improvement, we ensure high standards of protection across all services.

We believe safeguarding is not just a compliance requirement but a moral responsibility. By embedding safeguarding into our culture, we provide assurance to service users, commissioners, and partners that safety and welfare remain at the heart of our work.

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