At North West Ambulance Service, we are dedicated to protecting the safety, dignity, and well-being of everyone we serve. Safeguarding is central to our mission, ensuring adults, children, and young people are shielded from harm, abuse, neglect, and radicalisation. As a key part of the healthcare system, we adhere to the latest legislation and best practices to deliver compassionate, high-quality care while fostering a culture of safety, prevention, and equality.

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding means taking action to protect individuals from harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation, ensuring their well-being and safety. It involves spotting risks, preventing harm, and responding effectively to concerns. We see safeguarding as a shared duty, working together with communities and partners to create a safe environment for all, regardless of background or circumstance.

What is early help?

Early help is our proactive way of supporting individuals or families at risk before problems worsen. It offers timely intervention, advice, or resources to prevent harm and improve outcomes, empowering people with professional or community support on a voluntary basis.

Our commitment to safeguarding

Whether responding to emergencies, transporting patients, or partnering with agencies, our staff are trained to spot and address safeguarding concerns—including those tied to mental health, substance misuse, or radicalisation—swiftly and effectively. We work within Integrated Care Systems (ICS) and alongside police, NHS trusts, social services and voluntary organisations to ensure a joined-up response.

Safeguarding adults

Guided by the Care Act 2014 and its Care and Support Statutory Guidance (updated 2024), we promote well-being and protect adults with care needs, including those in mental health crises or affected by substance misuse.

Our responsibilities include:

  • Identifying and reporting abuse or neglect (for example: physical, emotional, financial).
  • Collaborating with Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs).
  • Supporting decision-making under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
  • Training staff to handle complex cases sensitively.

Safeguarding children

We follow the Children Act 1989, Children Act 2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 to prioritise child welfare and multi-agency action.

Our responsibilities include:

  • Acting on signs of abuse or neglect (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional).
  • Partnering with Local Safeguarding Children Partnerships (LSCPs).
  • Reporting concerns to social services or police promptly.
  • Training staff to protect children in emergencies or transfers.

PREVENT: Countering radicalisation

Under the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, we contribute to PREVENT, part of the UK’s CONTEST strategy to stop terrorism by tackling radicalisation early. Born from threats like the 2005 London bombings, PREVENT protects vulnerable people from extremist ideologies.

Why PREVENT matters to us:

  • Our crews may spot radicalisation signs (e.g., extremist materials) in homes.
  • It safeguards patients from harm, aligning with our broader duties.
  • Early referrals to channel prevent escalation, enhancing community safety.
  • We bolster multi-agency efforts to reduce community risks.

Training our staff

Our training aligns with NHS standards having been matched via a training needs analysis, ensuring all staff—from call handlers to paramedics—meet their safeguarding and PREVENT duties.

Managing allegations against staff

We take any allegations against our staff extremely seriously, ensuring they are handled with fairness, transparency, and a focus on protecting those we serve. Depending on whether the concern involves children or adults, we follow established processes: the LADO mechanism for children and the PiPOT framework for adults.

  • Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO): If an allegation is made that a staff member has harmed a child, may have harmed a child, or poses a risk to children, we report it to the LADO within one working day, as required by Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. The LADO oversees the investigation, working with us, the police, and other agencies to assess the situation and ensure a thorough and fair process. This may involve a strategy meeting to determine next steps, with the safety of children as the top priority.
  • People in Positions of Trust (PiPOT): For allegations involving adults with care and support needs, we follow the PiPOT framework outlined in the Care and Support Statutory Guidance. This applies when a staff member is alleged to have harmed an adult, potentially committed an offense against an adult, or behaved in a way that suggests they may pose a risk. We assess the risk, take immediate action to safeguard the individual, and, if necessary, refer the matter to the local authority or regulatory bodies like the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

In both cases, we:

  • Conduct internal reviews alongside external investigations to ensure accountability.
  • Provide support to staff during the process while prioritising patient safety.
  • Make referrals to professional bodies (for example, the Health and Care Professions Council) or the DBS if an allegation is substantiated and the staff member is dismissed or leaves their role.