Published on: April 27, 2023
Anne Tomkinson, a senior nurse at Compass’s Warwickshire school nursing service, Connect for Health has been awarded an NHS Safeguarding Star for her work with an asylum seeking family.
Anne was nominated by Sharon White, Chief Executive of the School and Public Health Nurses Association (SAPHNA). Her safeguarding star was presented to her by Compass Chief Executive Rachel Bundock at a brief ceremony in our Rugby office.
Karen Cornick, Service Manager at C4H, said: “I am delighted that Anne has received a safeguarding star for her safeguarding work. Anne went above and beyond to ensure a family at risk of honour based violence were protected.
“She acted with professionalism and clearly articulated the voice of the child, all attributes which I know are also demonstrated by her colleagues too.”
The citation for the rare honour explained that Anne had brought to bear “continuous rigour and professional challenge to a safeguarding plan of asylum-seeking mum and children at risk from the father”.
She repeatedly escalated, questioned and reflected on the work being done to protect the family. She “diligently applied excellence” and her “detective skills” where other agencies had been less successful.
Her concerns were borne out when family relocated locally, and the father tracked them down. Due to her involvement, the family has now relocated to a safer location and has a more acceptable safeguarding plan.
Karen Cornick, C4H service manager, said: “I am delighted that Anne has received a Safeguarding Star for her safeguarding work. She went above and beyond to ensure a family at risk of honour-based violence were protected.
“Anne acted with professionalism and clearly articulated the voice of the child, and is a shining example of the everyday excellence I see day in, day out among my colleagues here at Connect for Health.”