Safeguarding Statement

Safeguarding Statement

Westwood Road Health Centre takes the safeguarding of children and adults at risk extremely seriously. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and all staff, clinicians, and volunteers at the Practice receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role.

Our commitment

We are committed to:

  • Protecting children and adults at risk from abuse, neglect, or harm
  • Working in partnership with patients, families, carers, and other agencies to promote welfare and safety
  • Ensuring all staff know how to recognise signs of abuse or neglect and how to raise a concern
  • Following the NHS England and local Integrated Care Board safeguarding policies and procedures, and relevant statutory guidance including the Children Act 1989/2004, the Care Act 2014, and Working Together to Safeguard Children

Safeguarding Leads

The Practice has a named Safeguarding Lead for children and for adults, responsible for providing advice and support to staff, and acting as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns.

Safeguarding Lead:

Dr C Tiwari

Contact: westwoodroad.practice@nhs.net

What we ask of you

If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of yourself, a child, or another adult, please speak to a member of our team, or contact us using the details above. In an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, please call 999.

Raising a concern outside the Practice

You can also raise a safeguarding concern directly with:

  • Children: Reading Borough Council Children's Services - 0118 937 3641 (Option 1) , Emergency Duty Service out of hours emergency telephone: 01344 351 999
  • Adults: [Local Authority] Adult Social Care - 0118 937 3747 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
  • Police (non-emergency): 101
  • NSPCC (for concerns about a child): 0808 800 5000

Domestic abuse

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, our staff are trained to ask sensitively and can help you access support. You can also contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline free and in confidence, 24 hours a day, on 0808 2000 247.