GS Medical Group (“GS Medical Group”, “we”, “our” or “us”) is committed to ensuring that all Members, Supervisors or others who engage through GS Medical Group adhere to the principles set out in our various policies, to ensure the safe and clear ways of working together. The object of GS Medical Group is to promote the supervision, education and mentoring of Members for the purposes of developing their medico-legal knowledge and awareness and so all Members, Mentor and Supervisors will work together towards the promotion of this objective.
This policy applies to anyone who is working for or on behalf of GS Medical Group, including Supervisors and Members, who must follow the principles outlined in this policy, together with other policies, at all times.
GS Medical Group is committed to promoting the safety and wellbeing of our Supervisors, Mentors, Members, and individuals we work with. We believe that no person should experience abuse, neglect or harm.
As Members, Mentors and Supervisors may work closely with vulnerable individuals, this policy seeks to ensure that effective and reasonable steps are taken to protect individuals, by increasing awareness, and cultivating a safe space to report any concerns.
Some of the relevant legislative and policy guidance in this area includes: Children Act 1989 and 2004; Data Protection Act 2018; Sexual Offences Act 2003; Equality Act 2010; Protecting Vulnerable Adults 2017; Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018; and Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
GS Medical Group will:
• seek to create a safe, respectful, inclusive environment, free from prejudice, discrimination and bullying;
• provide information on how to recognise potential harm, how to respond and report concerns;
• ensure that the Mentors and Supervisors providing Services to Members are suitably qualified and trained to provide those Services, and all relevant checks are carried out during the recruitment/engagement process;
• update this policy as and when required; and
• provide support to Supervisors, Mentors and Members where requested.
It is not always easy to recognise harm or abuse. The risks of abuse include, but are not limited to, the following:
• physical abuse;
• domestic abuse;
• sexual abuse;
• psychological or emotional abuse;
• financial/material abuse;
• modern slavery;
• neglect and acts of omission;
• self-neglect;
• discriminatory abuse;
• institutional or organisational abuse;
• extremism and radicalization;
• forced marriage;
• child trafficking;
• female genital mutilation;
• commercial exploitation; and
• bullying or harassment.
It is not a Supervisors’, Mentors’ or Members’ job to decide if harm or abuse has been committed, rather they must ensure that concerns are reported in line with this procedure.
GS Medical Group maintains an online website and Supervisors and Mentors may provide some of the Services in person or online/remotely, including providing resources or support online (together referred to as the “Online Services”).
GS Medical Group and Mentors/Supervisors will identify and manage any risks associated with the Online Services by ensuring that:
• all content is suitable for Members;
• personal data of those undertaking the Online Services is protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy; and
• reasonable steps are taken to ensure that images displayed on the Online Services adhere to copyright permissions.
Where a Supervisor, Mentor or Member becomes aware of a possible safeguarding concern, they should make a written report of all relevant details, including the name of the individual and reasons for the concern. Reports should be sent to info@gsmedicalgroup.co.uk as soon as possible.
Information may be shared to organisations involved in addressing a safeguarding concern (for example, the police). We will seek to obtain consent where possible, but information may be shared without consent if we have reason to do so.
Any concerns will be treated with confidence, and records will be maintained in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
This Policy should be read alongside our other policies and procedures, including:
• equality, diversity and inclusion policy;
• complaints policy;
• privacy policy; and
• GS Medical Membership Terms, where applicable for a Member.
We may update this Policy from time to time and we will provide you with notice of any such updates, when these become available.
GS Medical Group, March 2024