Safeguarding children and adults

City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults and takes its responsibility seriously.


Everyone has the right to live a life free from harm and abuse. Promoting the welfare of Adults and Children and protecting them from harm is referred to as “Safeguarding”.

We are committed to ensuring the principles and duties of safeguarding adults and children are holistically, consistently and diligently applied. Working in partnership with colleagues in education, social services, police, and other health services, we ensure patients, visitors and staff are appropriately safeguarded.

The Trust has a dedicated Safeguarding Children and Adults Team and our Executive Director of Nursing and Patient Experience, Melanie Johnson has Board level responsibility for safeguarding children ensuring the Board is satisfied that all measures are taken to safeguard children and adults in our care.

The team’s responsibilities are to:

  • to provide advice and support to all staff;
  • to provide and monitor safeguarding training appropriate to roles; and
  • quality assurance by completion and monitoring of audits.

The Trust's responsibilities are:

  • statutory requirements in relation to Disclosure and Barring service checks;
  • ensuring there are robust policies and procedures in place;
  • ensuring safeguarding governance arrangements are in place;
  • there is Board level leadership and the specialist safeguarding professionals; and
  • is a member of Local Safeguarding Boards

What are your responsibilities?

Whoever you are, if you see, hear or know something that concerns you, and you suspect an adult or child is at risk of harm, you should report what you know. You can do this by:

  • informing a member of staff or contacting the Help and Advice Service;
  • contacting the local council’s Children Services or Adult Social Care to inform them of any concerns about the possible abuse of a child or adult;
  • contacting your local police on 101 if you are concerned that an offence may have occurred;
  • contacting the police on 999 if someone is in immediate danger of significant harm, injury or death; or
  • you can also report concerns to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on 03000 61 61 61 if your concern relates to a care organisation, ie a care home, or hospital.

If you would like more information about Safeguarding within City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, please contact:

Tracy Dean
Assistant Director Safeguarding Children and Adults

Tel: 0191 5656256