NMC safeguarding team supports more than 700 people’s wellbeing

All referrals (new concerns raised with the regulator about registrants) are reviewed by a professional with safeguarding expertise. This ensures that potential safeguarding concerns or serious wellbeing risks are identified promptly, enabling appropriate support to be put in place to protect individuals from harm.

The safeguarding team’s support includes working with colleagues across the FtP process to assess risks and determine whether further action is required.

Where appropriate, the team also liaises with emergency services, and external professionals and agencies including mental health services and social care, to support effective risk management and help ensure that individuals are connected with appropriate services.

Alongside this, an internal emergency advice line is available for FtP operational teams to escalate concerns. The helpline run by the safeguarding team provides staff with immediate, expert safeguarding guidance to navigate challenging situations.

The NMC’s safeguarding team have also enabled statutory services to respond promptly. This has included people receiving urgent assessment and support under relevant mental health legislation where significant risks to their safety have been identified.

Chris Dzikiti, Executive Director of Professional Practice, said:

“The safety and wellbeing of anyone involved in our regulatory processes is our priority. While we have a duty to look at concerns that are raised with us, we know that being involved in Fitness to Practise can be stressful. That’s why we have a dedicated safeguarding team that reviews all referrals made to us, from a wellbeing and safeguarding perspective.

“We proactively identify potential risks and ensure that the right action is taken to protect people who may be vulnerable to harm, and we provided this support to more than 700 people last year. That also includes equipping our operational teams with the right guidance to ensure the right safeguards and interventions support people in the most challenging situations.”

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