The South Yorkshire ICB is responsible for the commissioning of healthcare services for the people of South Yorkshire.

We recognise our responsibilities to take all reasonable steps to promote safe practice and protect people from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

We strongly believe that everyone has a right to live their lives free from violence or abuse. We will ensure that the partners we work, the staff who work for or the services commissioned by the ICB are aware of their safeguarding responsibilities in relation to vulnerable people and that they know how to act upon any concerns they may have for the welfare of a child, young person or an adult at risk of abuse or neglect.

All NHS services and commissioned services have a key role to play in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of unborn babies, children, young people and adults.

Children - There is a statutory duty under Section 11 of the Childrens Act 2004 and in accordance with the Working Together Guidance “Working together to Safeguard Children”  (2018) to safeguard the needs of children under the age of 18 years.

Adults – the Care Act 2014 came into force on the 1st April 2015. The Care Act 2014 sets out the legal framework for how providers should protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect.

The ICB CEO will hold statutory accountability for safeguarding and will be legally responsible for delivering the multiagency working requirements set out in Working Together, including requirements related to delegation.

Statutory accountability for safeguarding is delegated to Cathy Winfield, Executive Chief Nurse ICB who is supported by the Designated Professionals working at PLACE to ensure and promote multiagency partnership working. The organisation will promote a “Think Family” approach to supporting partnership and preventing harm.