CLCH hosts visit from Children's Minister at Finchley WIC
Children’s Minister Nadhim Zahawi MP visited Finchley Memorial Hospital walk-in centre yesterday to see the Child Protection Information Sharing (CP-IS) in action and talk to nurses and social workers from North London who use it.
CP-IS is the first national safeguarding system which shares information between health and social care. It works by linking up the information held by local authorities on looked after children, and those on current child protection plans, with systems at NHS unscheduled care settings such as emergency departments and minor injuries units.
If a vulnerable child known to a local authority attends an unscheduled care setting, a notification is generated and sent to the child’s social worker. It also alerts clinicians that they are dealing with a vulnerable child. This enables health and social care staff to work more closely together to protect children most at risk of abuse, harm and neglect.
Head of Safeguarding at Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust Trish Stewart said: “Findings from numerous serious case reviews and public inquiries has highlighted the importance of effective communication and professionals working together to safeguard and protect children.
“Child Protection Information Sharing (CP-IS) supports health and social care staff to share information and work in partnership when a vulnerable child or young person is seen at a care setting such as a walk-in centre or accident and emergency department. The CP-IS system highlights known risks or new concerns which help ensure the best outcomes for the child, young person or family"
The Minister was shown how the system works by senior nurse practitioner Mary Mohan and spent time with Trish Stewart, and representatives from the London Boroughs of Camden and Hackney who also explained the benefits.
