Authors: Tessa Mitchell, Renny Wodynska

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy Procedure

Authors: Tessa Mitchell, Renny Wodynska

Policy Reference: P/SUP/CS/004 Review: 10/6/10

Approved By: Executive Team Date Approved: 10/12/09

1.  Policy Statement

1.1  As a Housing Association, Bournville Village Trust has a moral and legal responsibility to safeguard vulnerable adults through all our activities. The publication of ‘No Secrets’ in 2000 raised the profile of such abuse in the public consciousness and the fact that it was a crime. ‘Safeguarding Adults’ in 2005 established a national framework of good service standards with a focus on prevention. As with Safeguarding Children procedures, there is a clear expectation that agencies will work together to safeguard vulnerable adults. While Local Authorities are charged with establishing Safeguarding Boards, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

1.2  Housing Associations are expected to have an internal Safeguarding Policy that clearly sets out the responsibilities of all staff, and the actions they should take, when suspicions of abuse and neglect are raised. Frontline staff and volunteers, in particular, can contribute significantly to preventing abuse. Within our Supported Housing schemes, we have significant responsibilities to prevent abuse taking place and a training programme and range of procedures are in place to ensure this. However, preventing abuse extends beyond our specialised housing into the wider community. The observant eye of someone carrying out a repair, reading a meter or conducting a home visit to discuss a tenancy can often pick up the earliest signs of potential abuse or neglect. Early reporting can significantly reduce the risk of escalating abuse and ensure that appropriate preventative measures can be put in place. Abuse can be multi-faceted and requires a comprehensive and collaborative interagency approach.

2.  Scope

2.1  Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. This policy covers the responsibilities of Bournville Village Trust Trustees, staff and volunteers. Separate detailed safeguarding policies for Supported Housing staff working within the care and nursing homes are contained within policy SD-14 in the Bettal Quality procedures. These also cross reference to the Care Quality Commission.

3.  Policy Objectives

3.1  Bournville Village Trust acknowledges its responsibilities to ensure that staff take appropriate action to safeguard the vulnerable adults with whom we work, and to provide a safe environment for all. The key principles of this safeguarding policy are that:

·  All vulnerable adults have a right to be protected from abuse regardless of age, gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, faith or belief.

·  All suspicions of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately, by being reported to the local Safeguarding Team.

·  Bournville Village Trust will work actively within an interagency framework based on ‘No Secrets’ guidance and relevant best practice guidance.

·  Bournville Village Trust acknowledges that every vulnerable adult who lives in one of our properties, or who participates in activities organised by the Trust, should be able to take part in an enjoyable and safe environment and be protected from poor practice and abuse. We recognise that this is the responsibility of every member of staff/volunteer involved, and that they need to be trained and supported to identify abuse should it be perpetrated by another member of staff, by a friend/relative or any other individual in a community setting.

4.  Key Procedural Details

4.1 Definitions

Who is a vulnerable adult?

A person aged 18 and over –

·  Who may be in need of community care services because of frailty, learning or physical or sensory disability or mental health issues, OR

·  Who is or may be unable to take care of him/herself or take steps to protect him/herself from significant harm.

What is abuse?

Abuse is the violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person/persons. Abuse may consist of single or repeated acts. It can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person being abused.

4.2 Types of Abuse

·  PHYSICAL abuse includes hitting, pushing, pinching, shaking, burning, scalding, restraint, hair-pulling, misusing medication, poisoning, suffocating and anything else that causes physical harm.

·  EMOTIONAL abuse includes threats of harm or abandonment, being deprived of social contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse or being prevented from receiving services or support.

·  SEXUAL abuse includes rape, sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult would not or could not have consented to, or to which they were pressurised into consenting, being shown sexual material or being sexually humiliated.

·  NEGLECT includes having medical or physical needs ignored, preventing access to health, social care or educational services or withholding necessities such as food, drink, and heating.

·  SELF NEGLECT concerns may arise owing to an individual’s own lack of self-care or risky behaviour. Individuals have the right to choose their lifestyle or take risks. However, staff have a duty of care to ensure that individuals have the capacity to understand the risk implications of the decisions they make. In some circumstances, a Mental Capacity assessment may need to be undertaken where there are concerns that an individual does not have the capacity to understand the consequences of his/her actions. Self neglect, where the person has capacity and where there is no allegation that someone else is abusing the person, should be addressed through the usual care management and interagencies processes, and not through the ‘Safeguarding Adults’ process. This does not preclude setting up a meeting with other agencies to plan how risks can be minimised and help offered.

·  FINANCIAL abuse includes theft, fraud or exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance and misuse of property, possessions and benefits.

·  INSTITUTIONAL abuse can pervade a particular establishment and includes repeated incidents of poor professional practice, widespread and persistent ill-treatment or gross misconduct.

·  DISCRIMINATORY abuse includes discrimination on the grounds of race, faith, religion, age, disability, gender, sexual preference or political views.

4.3 Who May Abuse?

Abuse can take place in any relationship and therefore anyone can potentially be an abuser.

4.4 Where May Abuse Occur?

Abuse can happen anywhere including an individual’s own home, whether he/she lives alone or with others, within a residential setting, at a Day Centre, or within a hospital or community centre.

4.5 How to Identify Potential Abuse

Indicators of potential abuse are many and varied; however, the following are some of the most common:

·  Physical indicators may include unexplained bruising, slap marks, pinch marks or grip marks around the wrists, burns or bite marks.

·  Emotional indicators may include tearfulness, agitation, excessive tiredness, low self-esteem or unusual weight loss/gain.

·  Sexual indicators include changes to normal behaviour, including overt sexual behaviour or withdrawal and sudden onset difficulties in walking.

·  Neglect can result in sudden weight loss or constant hunger, untreated injuries and deterioration of the skin.

·  Financial indicators can include unexplained cash withdrawals, inability to pay bills or extraordinary interest by family/carers/neighbours in an individual’s personal assets.

·  Institutional and discriminatory abuse indicators can include persistent poor practice and no improvement to treatable conditions or service delivery over prolonged periods of time.

4.6 What To Do If You Are Concerned

Concerns may arise from an actual disclosure from a vulnerable adult, from observations whilst on a visit to the home or from observations in a care setting. Concerns may also follow from a pattern of incidents or issues.

4.7 If Abuse is Disclosed

·  Make the immediate situation safe. If necessary, contact medical services and/or the police.

·  Listen and be sympathetic.

·  Keep calm. Do not be shocked.

·  Do not be judgemental or make promises that you might not be able to keep. You cannot keep this type of information confidential.

·  Give reassurance.

·  Do not investigate.

·  Reassure the vulnerable adult that he/she was right to talk to you.

·  Write down notes of your conversation – dates, times, facts, who was involved, observations, and use actual words used if possible.

·  Avoid asking questions. Seek clarification if necessary, but do not ask any leading questions as this may compromise any future investigations.

·  Complete the separate Multi-Agency Alert Form, ensuring that you have the following information:

Name(s), address, date(s) of birth, carer’s/relative’s name and contact details, name of the person against whom the complaint has been made, names of any witness to the incident (if appropriate).

·  Report to the Designated Person for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults as soon as possible (contact immediately if you believe the matter is urgent) and keep your line manager informed.

·  Keep notes of your conversation with the Designated Person and any advice given. Sign and date notes and keep them in a confidential file.

·  Act on the advice given. This may be for you or the Designated Person to make a referral to the appropriate Local Safeguarding Board and Care Quality Commission if the abuse has occurred within one of our care homes.

4.8 Reporting an Observed Concern

There are various things which could raise such concerns, such as a bruise or mark or unusual behaviour.

·  As above, complete the separate MULTI-AGENCY ALERT FORM (BIRMINGHAM), TELFORD AND WREKIN ADULTS ALERT REFERRAL FORM, or ADULTS ALERT REFERRAL FORM (WORCESTER) – available in due course. Outline the concern and ensure that this is factual and dated. It is good practice to keep a chronological record of concerns and actions.

·  Discuss with your line manager and contact Bournville Village Trust’s Designated Vulnerable Adults lead. Do not delay if your manager is not available. It is important to act as quickly as possible.

·  Act on the advice given. This may be for you or the Designated Person to make a referral to the appropriate Local Safeguarding Board.

4.9 Responding to an Allegation of Abuse Against, or a Cause for Concern About, a Trustee, a Member of Staff or a Volunteer

4.9.1 If an allegation or concern is raised about one of the above:

·  Do not discuss the allegation/concern with the individual concerned.

·  Raise the allegation/concern with your line manager and the Designated Person for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults (or the Designated Person for Safeguarding Adults and another senior manager if the concern involves your direct line manager).

·  The allegation/concern will be discussed by the line manager and the Designated Person. All such allegations will be investigated. Any allegation within one of our care homes will be investigated by the Local Authority Safeguarding Team.

4.9.2 There are three possible outcomes:

1.  It is agreed there is no case to answer.

2.  It is agreed that there is concern but that it does not constitute a safeguarding issue. It will be dealt with by the line manager and may include using disciplinary procedures.

3.  It is agreed that the concern does constitute a safeguarding concern and needs to be referred to the appropriate Safeguarding Board.

4.10 Bournville Village Trust’s Commitment to Safeguarding

4.10.1 Bournville Village Trust will abide by existing regulatory requirements, legislation and best practice guidance.

4.10.2 Bournville Village Trust will also act in accordance with the procedures of the relevant Local Safeguarding Board.

4.10.3 Bournville Village Trust will ensure all staff, Trustees and volunteers are appropriately trained in safeguarding procedures, making use of multi-agency training opportunities where possible, and ensuring that appropriate links are made with other policies including Safeguarding Children, Domestic Violence, Hate Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour. We will also ensure all staff are familiar with our Whistle Blowing Policy.

4.10.4 Bournville Village Trust will assign an appropriate, designated senior manager for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults and ensure appropriate links are made and maintained with local safeguarding boards. We will also provide ‘champions’ who will raise awareness of abuse and what to do about it throughout the Trust.

4.10.5 Bournville Village Trust will ensure that all new staff are appropriately recruited; that those who are working with vulnerable adults obtain an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau check; and, from November 2010, are registered with the Independent Safeguarding Authority. We will also register for updates relating to the new safeguarding database.

4.11 Contact Information

The designated Bournville Village Trust Senior Manager for Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults at The Bournville Village Trust is:

Renny Wodynska Director of Supported Housing Tel: 0121-415 6501

(Deputised by John McHugh Senior Manager Supported Housing)

Birmingham Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Board Tel: 0121-675 2632/675 5385

Telford and Wrekin Safeguarding Children Board Tel: 01952-381280

Worcestershire Safeguarding Children Board Tel: 01926-885082

If you are unable to contact the Designated Person and you need to protect a vulnerable adult immediately, you should contact the appropriate Board or your local Police Force, making sure you have all relevant information.

5.  Resident Involvement

5.1  We will ensure any amendments to the policy will be made in consultation with all relevant residents’ groups.

6.  Equality & Diversity

6.1  This policy applies to all vulnerable adults, reflecting our commitment to ensure that all those who use our services receive fair and equitable treatment and are protected from harm.

6.2  In accordance with our commitment to this, we will ensure that this policy and associated documentation is available in a range of formats and languages.

6.3  We will also ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for communicating with our customers who have special needs, such as people with sight, hearing and learning difficulties.

6.4  We will not treat anyone less favourably than anyone else because of:

·  Gender or marital status.

·  Sexual orientation.

·  Colour or race: this includes ethnic or national origin or nationality.

·  Disability.

·  Religious or philosophical or political beliefs, or trade union affiliation, or

·  Other unjustifiable factors, for example language difficulties or age.

6.5  This policy has been made subject to an Equality Impact Assessment, the results of which have been made available on the Bournville Village Trust Intranet and are also available on request from the Business Improvement Unit at Bournville Village Trust.