Safeguarding assurance statement
Safeguarding Adults & Children at Promeds Clinic
Promeds Clinic is committed to protecting the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of everyone who uses our laser and aesthetic services, including children, young people, and adults who may be at risk. Safeguarding is a core part of how we deliver safe, high-quality care in Derby and the surrounding communities.
This statement explains how we meet our responsibilities to safeguard people from abuse, neglect, discrimination, and avoidable harm in line with UK legislation and local guidance.
Our safeguarding principles
- People are listened to, respected, and treated with dignity.
- Concerns are taken seriously and acted on promptly.
- People are supported to make informed choices.
Who this applies to
- Adults, young people, and children attending the clinic.
- Family members, carers, and visitors.
- All staff, associates, and volunteers.
Safeguarding at Promeds Clinic
We believe that everyone has the right to feel safe when accessing healthcare and aesthetic treatments. We recognise that some people may be more vulnerable to harm or abuse due to age, disability, illness, circumstances, or personal situation. We take our legal and ethical responsibilities seriously to safeguard:
- Children and young people under the age of 18.
- Adults who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or unable to protect themselves.
- All patients, visitors, carers, and staff who come into contact with our services.
Our approach aligns with relevant UK safeguarding legislation and guidance, including the Children Act, the Care Act, and the responsibilities set out by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Our commitment to safeguarding
Safeguarding is woven into everything we do at Promeds Clinic. We are committed to:
- Providing safe, effective, and person-centred care.
- Respecting each person’s rights, privacy, and cultural background.
- Supporting people to make their own informed decisions wherever possible.
- Identifying and responding quickly to any signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
- Sharing information appropriately with other agencies when this is necessary to keep people safe.
We regularly review our safeguarding policies to reflect changes in law, national guidance, and local safeguarding arrangements. Our policies cover both adults and children and apply to all aspects of care, whether delivered in person or remotely.
Everyone using our services has the right to:
- Be free from abuse, neglect, and degrading treatment.
- Be treated fairly, with respect and understanding.
- Have concerns listened to and taken seriously.
- Say “no” or ask for more information if they do not understand any part of their care.
Where a person is unable to make certain decisions for themselves, we follow the principles of the Mental Capacity Act to act in their best interests and involve those who know them best.
Strong governance and clear responsibilities
Safeguarding is overseen at a senior level within Promeds Clinic. Our governance arrangements ensure that safeguarding is not a one-off activity, but a continuous process of monitoring, learning, and improvement.
- The Registered Manager holds overall responsibility for safeguarding within the clinic and ensures compliance with CQC requirements.
- A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) coordinates safeguarding activity, supports staff, and liaises with external agencies when needed.
- All clinicians and support staff are responsible for recognising and reporting safeguarding concerns arising from their work.
- Safeguarding is a standing item in our governance and quality meetings to review incidents, learning, and policy updates.
Where appropriate, we work with local safeguarding partners, such as Derby and Derbyshire safeguarding arrangements for adults and children, to ensure a coordinated response to any concerns.
How we ensure safe and responsible care
- Safe recruitment and vetting
- All staff undergo appropriate background checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where required, and verification of identity, qualifications, and employment history.
- Professional standards and registration
- Clinicians are registered with the relevant professional bodies and must maintain their skills, knowledge, and competence in both clinical practice and safeguarding.
- Reporting and learning from incidents
- We encourage staff to raise any concerns or incidents through our reporting systems. We follow the Duty of Candour by being open and honest with patients if something has gone wrong and we learn from each incident to improve our practice.
How we safeguard adults, young people, and children
We use a combination of policies, training, and day-to-day safeguards to protect people who use our services. This includes:
A safe and respectful environment
- Using clear consent processes so that people understand their treatment options, benefits, and risks.
- Offering chaperones for intimate or sensitive procedures in line with best practice and professional guidance.
- Maintaining privacy and confidentiality at all times, unless we must share information to keep someone safe.
- Ensuring the clinic is clean, well-maintained, and accessible where reasonably possible.
Recognising and responding to concerns
- Training staff to recognise signs of physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and self-neglect.
- Ensuring staff know how to respond sensitively and appropriately to disclosures or concerns.
- Acting promptly on safeguarding concerns in line with our policies and local safeguarding procedures.
- Working in partnership with GPs, local authorities, and other agencies where necessary to protect people from harm.
Information sharing and record keeping
- Keeping clear, accurate, and timely records of consultations, treatments, and any safeguarding concerns raised.
- Sharing information with other agencies only when it is lawful, necessary, and proportionate to protect an individual’s safety.
- Respecting data protection legislation and the confidentiality of personal information.
Speaking up and whistleblowing
- Encouraging staff to raise concerns about safety, conduct, or poor practice without fear of negative consequences.
- Providing clear internal routes for staff and patients to report concerns.
- Responding to all concerns fairly, thoroughly, and in line with policy, while maintaining confidentiality as far as possible.
Staff training, guidance, and policies
All staff receive safety and safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This ensures that everyone at Promeds Clinic understands their responsibilities and knows how to act if they are worried about a child, young person, or adult at risk.
Safeguarding training includes:
- Recognising different types and signs of abuse and neglect.
- How to respond to a concern or disclosure in a calm and supportive way.
- How to record information accurately and report concerns promptly to the Safeguarding Lead.
- Understanding consent, capacity, and best-interest decision making.
Policies and procedures we follow:
- Adult safeguarding policy and procedures, aligned with the Care Act principles.
- Child safeguarding policy, aligned with national and local safeguarding partnerships.
- Policies relating to consent, mental capacity, chaperones, and confidentiality.
- Procedures for raising and responding to safeguarding concerns, incidents, and complaints.
Copies of our safeguarding policies can be made available to patients and visitors on request. Please contact us if you would like to see them or need information in an accessible format.
Continuous improvement in safeguarding
We are committed to continually strengthening our safeguarding culture and practice. This includes:
- Reviewing safeguarding incidents, near misses, and feedback to identify themes and learning.
- Updating policies, procedures, and training content to reflect current best practice.
- Listening to patients and families about their experience of safety and acting on suggestions for improvement.
Working together to keep people safe
Safeguarding is most effective when we work together. If you ever feel unsafe, see something that worries you, or are unsure whether something is a safeguarding issue, please speak to us. We would rather hear from you and find that no action is needed than miss an opportunity to help.
Your feedback helps us to maintain high standards of safety and ensure that Promeds Clinic remains a trusted, supportive environment for everyone.
