Sheffield Children's Hospital

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• Overview
• Kindness, compassion and dignity
• Treating people as individuals
• Independence, choice and control
• Responding to people’s immediate needs
• Workforce wellbeing and enablement

We assessed 1 quality statement under the caring key question. Children and young people were treated with kindness, compassion and respect. Staff delivered care in a person-centred way, taking effective steps to protect privacy, maintain dignity and support the emotional wellbeing of patients throughout their journey with the service.

Find out what we look at when we assess this area in our information about our new Single assessment framework.

Staff promoted a culture of respect, dignity, compassion and confidentiality. These values were reflected throughout the service and were clearly communicated through the provider’s website, patient information materials and day-to-day interactions with children, young people and their families.

Children and young people were welcomed to the SARC in a sensitive and supportive manner. On arrival, they were greeted by a crisis worker who explained how the service operated and outlined the support available throughout their visit. Children and young people were also offered the opportunity to watch a video explaining what to expect from a forensic examination, helping to reduce anxiety and prepare them for the assessment. Staff also placed age-appropriate toys and games in the waiting area to help occupy children and young people.

Staff demonstrated a compassionate and trauma-informed approach to care. One crisis worker described using distraction and grounding techniques, taught by the service’s psychologist, to help children feel calm and safe, such as blowing bubbles or completing simple cognitive tasks.

Children and young people were encouraged to have a parent, carer or trusted adult present during the forensic examination if they wished. Staff also took practical steps to protect patients' privacy and dignity. For example, we heard how staff offered a privacy screen to a teenage girl whose father accompanied her into the examination room, enabling her to maintain privacy during intimate parts of the examination while continuing to receive support.

The environment had been designed to promote privacy, dignity and confidentiality. The SARC was discreetly located within the hospital. Patients also had access to private bathroom and shower facilities following their examination. Patient records were stored securely, and arrangements were in place for the secure management and storage of intimate images taken during examinations.

The service demonstrated a commitment to providing information in ways that were accessible and sensitive to the needs of young people. Information about sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and contraception was displayed on the back of toilet doors alongside QR codes linking to further advice and support. This enabled children and young people to access potentially sensitive information privately and discreetly.

Staff paid attention to patients' comfort and wellbeing throughout their visit. Refreshments, including hot and cold drinks and snacks, were available and were appreciated by patients and their families. Age-appropriate care items were also provided following examinations to support emotional wellbeing and recovery.

At the conclusion of each visit, patients received a written care summary outlining the assessment and treatment provided, and any onward referrals. The summary also included details of additional support services available to both patients and their families.

The service maintained contact with patients following their attendance. All children and young people received a follow-up telephone call after their visit to check on their welfare, answer any questions and offer additional support where required. This helped ensure patients continued to feel supported beyond their initial contact with the service.

The judgement for Treating people as individuals is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Caring key question.

The judgement for Independence, choice and control is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Caring key question.

The judgement for Responding to people’s immediate needs is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Caring key question.

The judgement for Workforce wellbeing and enablement is based on the latest evidence we assessed for the Caring key question.