HSE National Policy
National Policy for Child Safeguarding and Wellbeing within Adult Mental Health Services
Topic:
Child safeguarding and wellbeing within adult mental health services
Document Owner:
Hse children first national office, as part of the office of the chief social worker
National Group:
Adult mental health services child safeguarding and wellbeing enhancement working group
Effective From: 01 May 2025
The policy will equip Adult Mental Health Service clinicians to consider, assess, and be responsive to concerns for potential risks of harm to children who are in close relationship to, and/or in the care of, an Adult Mental Health Service user. Based on a ‘Think Family - Think Children’ approach.
A policy to support clinicians working in Adult Mental Health Services to identify and respond to current and potential child safeguarding concerns (either definite or suspected). The policy will provide for a standard ongoing requirement to consider child safeguarding concerns as part of service user assessment. It will also equip Adult Mental Health Service clinicians to assess and be responsive to potential risks of harm to children who are either:
- in close relationship to, and/or
- in the care of an Adult Mental Health Service user.