Safeguarding Policy and Procedures
1. Aim of this Policy
The aim of this policy is to outline the practice and procedures for staff and volunteers to contribute to preventing abuse of vulnerable adults, raise awareness and provide a clear framework for action when abuse is suspected.
The policy covers all staff and volunteers whose role involves regular contact with service users who may be considered vulnerable adults. Sefton Support Group considers it the duty of staff and volunteers to protect vulnerable adults with whom they come into contact
from abuse.
2. Introduction
- We are involved in providing services for a wide range of people. Some of these people are likely to be ‘vulnerable adults.’
- This policy is based on ‘No Secrets’, the national guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse (Department
of Health, 2000) - We have obligations to strive to protect vulnerable adults who may be believed to be abused or at risk of abuse or neglect.
- The policy and procedures have been developed to assist staff and volunteers in acting on reported or suspected abuse.
This policy should also be read in conjunction with Sefton’s local procedures.
3. Definitions
No Secrets defines a vulnerable adult as:
“A person (over 18) who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability*, age, or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.”
* Disability includes sensory impairment, physical impairment, and learning difficulties.
No Secrets defines abuse as:
“A violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons.”
4. Categories of Abuse
No Secrets recognises six categories of abuse:
- Physical abuse: Hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions.
- Sexual abuse: Rape, sexual assault, or any sexual act without valid consent.
- Psychological abuse: Emotional abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, and isolation.
- Financial or material abuse: Theft, fraud, exploitation, and misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits.
- Neglect and acts of omission: Ignoring medical needs, failure to provide necessary care, and withholding necessities.
- Discriminatory abuse: Racist, sexist, or disability-based harassment or treatment.
5. Responsibilities of Staff and Volunteers
Staff and volunteers have a responsibility to be aware and alert to signs that all is not well with a vulnerable person. However, they are not responsible for diagnosing, investigating or providing a therapeutic response to abuse. In addition, not all concerns relate to abuse, there may well be other explanations. It is important to keep an open mind and consider what is known about the vulnerable person and his or her circumstances. No action should be taken without discussion with a member of the Sefton Support Group management team.
6. Disclosure of Abuse or Self-Harm
If a vulnerable person discloses that they are being abused, any service user discloses that they are involved in abuse of a vulnerable person or have thoughts of self harm, action should continue as in Section 8. All action must proceed urgently and without delay.
7. Suspicion of Abuse or Self-Harm
There may be circumstances when a volunteer or member of staff suspects that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected or considering self harm.
It is vital that anyone who suspects a vulnerable adult is being neglected, abused or is considering self harm discusses the situation immediately with a Trustee/member of the management team. Action should continue as in Section 9.
8. Action on Disclosure of Abuse
There should always be the opportunity to discuss welfare concerns with and seek advice from colleagues, managers and other agencies, but:
- Never delay emergency action to protect a vulnerable adult
- Always record in writing concerns about a vulnerable adult’s welfare, whether or not further action is taken
- Always record in writing discussions about a vulnerable adult’s welfare
- At the close of discussion, always reach clear and explicit recorded agreement about who will be taking what action, or that no further action will be taken
At all times action must proceed urgently.
A staff member or volunteer informed of abuse should remind the service user that Sefton Support Group cannot guarantee confidentiality where a vulnerable person is at risk of abuse or further abuse.
Volunteers should consult with a member of the management team before taking any action.
Additionally, all action taken following a disclosure of abuse should be discussed in advance with a member of the management team.
In circumstances where a service user declines to disclose, despite some work having been done towards disclosing, it may be necessary to report the alleged abuse without the service user’s agreement. In these circumstances, a service user must be notified in advance of the decision to report to social services.
Any staff member may report a disclosure of abuse to social services irrespective of the opinion of other staff.
It is important for staff and volunteers to make written records of any incidents or concerns that they have as soon as possible and if appropriate to include sketches of sites and sizes of injuries. It is also important to make a record of conversations with the vulnerable person
using the same language the vulnerable person used especially names used for body parts or sexual acts.
Full written records must be maintained of all disclosures and actions following disclosure.
Staff and volunteers must inform the service user that Sefton Support Group cannot guarantee confidentiality if a vulnerable person is at risk of abuse.
9. Making a Referral
Social services departments have been designated as the lead agencies with responsibility for coordinating a response to allegations or concerns of abuse.
The Sefton Support Group committee has the responsibility of informing the Sefton Council Access Duty Team for adults of incidents of considerable concern, abuse, neglect or self harm. For detailed Adult Safeguarding Multi Agency procedures see: Sefton Council – Safeguarding Adults website.
Timeframes for reporting abuse:
- Immediate: If the vulnerable person is at risk of serious physical harm, or a serious criminal act has taken place, and evidence will need to be kept safe. Remember, if it’s an emergency, dial 999.
- Within 24 Hours: If it relates to a specific incident which is, or may be still going on, or may happen again.
- Within 7 Days: If it is a more general concern, which does not indicate immediate harm.
10. Support for Staff and Volunteers
We will support staff and volunteers in these circumstances. If social services need further involvement from staff or volunteers following a report of abuse, a member of the management team will discuss with the social services department the nature of their needs and how they might be met.
11. Allegations of Abuse Against a Staff Member or Volunteer
Staff and volunteers may be subject to abuse allegations. We will offer support in these circumstances, but social services will be assisted in their investigation and the disciplinary procedure may be implemented.
12. Confidentiality
Confidentiality is central to our work, and all staff and volunteers must adhere to the Privacy Policy.
13. Preventing Abuse by Staff and Volunteers
It is important that any staff or volunteers who are likely to be working alone with vulnerable people are thoroughly vetted before being employed. This means as well as references being checked there will also be a requirement for offences to be declared and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check undertaken.
It should be noted that having a criminal record does not prevent someone from being recruited as a staff member or volunteer in all circumstances. Staff should seek the advice of their manager in cases of doubt.
It may be very hard for staff to report a concern about a colleague but, as with all the other difficulties people will come across, the safety and protection of a vulnerable person must be the priority in any decision that is made.
This is the Safeguarding Policy of Sefton Support Group.
