SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE ADULTS

  1. Policy Statement

Headway Devon (Headway) values and encourages the involvement of people who may be vulnerable, both in its own work and in the work of other organisations. Through its Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy, Headway is committed to their well-being and safeguarding their health, safety and general welfare while in the company or care of its staff and volunteers.

A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over 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 maybe unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation. Whether or not a person is vulnerable in these cases will depend upon surrounding circumstances, environment and each case must be judged on its own merits. (Devon Protecting Vulnerable Adults Multi Agency Procedures).

It should be recognised that people with special needs are able to cope in many situations, so sensitivity and common sense should be exercised.

  1. Purpose

Through the implementation of this policy Headway aims to ensure that:

  • All vulnerable people have a safe environment with people they can trust
  • All risks that vulnerable people encounter are carefully assessed and all necessary steps are taken to minimise and manage them

This policy sets out agreed guidelines relating to the following areas:

  • Responding to allegations of abuse, including those made against staff and volunteers
  • Recruitment and vetting of staff and volunteers
  • Supervision of organisational activities
  • Code of Conduct
  • Support and Training

This Policy applies to all employees, trustees and volunteers and other people representing

Headway,who have contact with vulnerable people.

  1. Principles

This policy is based on the following principles:

  • All vulnerable adults have a right to be protected and their decisions respected even if that decision involves risk.
  • The prime concern at all stages will be the interests and safety of the vulnerable adult.The aim will be to give a professional service to support and minimise distress to any vulnerable adult.
  • Everyone will be treated sensitively at all stages of the investigation.
  • The importance of professionals working in partnership with the vulnerable adult and others involved, will be recognised throughout the process.
  • All services will be provided in a manner that respects the rights, dignity, privacy and beliefs of all the individuals concerned and does not discriminate on the basis of race, culture, religion, language, gender, disability, age or sexual orientation.
  • Vulnerable adults who have been abused need the same care and sensitivity, whoever the alleged abuser.
  • The responsibility to refer the vulnerable adult thought to be at risk rests with the person who has the concern.
  • All agencies receiving confidential information in the context of a vulnerable adult investigation will make decisions about sharing this information in appropriate circumstances.
  • Procedures provide a framework to ensure that agencies work together for the protection of vulnerable adults. They are not a substitute for professional judgement and sensitivity.
  • Vulnerable adults have the right to have an independent advocate if they wish, at any stage in the process.
  • The welfare of vulnerable people is paramount.
  • All suspicions and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.
  • All staff (paid/unpaid) have a responsibility to report concerns to the Safeguarding Officer, or or a Senior Manager with responsibility for safeguarding vulnerable adults.
  • Staff/volunteers are not trained to deal with situations of abuse or to decide if abuse has occurred.
  1. Definitions of Abuse

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons. Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur when a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has not consented, or cannot consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it.

Abuse may occur in domestic, institutional and public settings:

  • Domestic settings: including their own home, or another person's home.
  • Institutional settings: including day care, residential care, nursing homes and hospitals.
  • Public settings: including in the street, any public area or social or work environment. Abuse of vulnerable adults occurs in all cultures, all religions and all levels of society.

The abuser may be anyone, including a member of the family, friend, neighbour, partner, carer, stranger, care worker, manager, volunteer, another service user or any other person who comes into contact with the vulnerable adult.

  1. Recognising Abuse

Abuse can be broadly defined under the following categories:

  • Physical abuse
  • Neglect and Acts of Omission
  • Psychological and Emotional abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Financial and material
  • Organisational/Institutional abuse
  • Radicalisation and/or extremist behaviour
  • Self-neglect
  • Modern Slavery
  • Domestic Abuse
  • Discriminatory Abuse
  • Sexual Exploitation

Possible Indicators of Physical Abuse

  • Multiple bruising
  • Fractures
  • Burns
  • Bed sores
  • Fear
  • Depression
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Assault (can be intentional or reckless)

Possible Indicators of Neglectand Acts of Omission

  • Malnutrition
  • Untreated medical problems
  • Bed sores
  • Confusion
  • Over-sedation
  • Deprivation of meals may constitute “wilful neglect”

Possible Indicators of Psychological and Emotional Abuse

  • Fear
  • Depression
  • Confusion
  • Loss of sleep
  • Unexpected or unexplained change in behaviour
  • Deprivation of liberty could be false imprisonment. Aggressive shouting causing fear of violence in a public place may be an offence against Public Order Act 1986, or harassment under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997

Possible Indicators of Sexual Abuse

  • Loss of sleep
  • Unexpected or unexplained change in behaviour
  • Bruising
  • Soreness around the genitals
  • Torn, stained or bloody underwear
  • A preoccupation with anything sexual
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Pregnancy
  • Rape – e.g. a male member of staff having sex with a Mental Health client (see Mental Health Act 1983)
  • Indecent Assault

Possible Indicators of Financial and MaterialAbuse

  • Unexplained withdrawals from the bank
  • Unusual activity in the bank accounts
  • Unpaid bills
  • Unexplained shortage of money
  • Reluctance on the part of the person with responsibility for the funds to provide basic food and clothes etc.
  • Fraud
  • Theft

Possible Indicators ofInstitutional/Organisational Abuse

  • Inflexible and non-negotiable systems and routines
  • Lack of consideration of dietary requirements
  • Name calling; inappropriate ways of addressing people
  • Lack of adequate physical care – an unkempt appearance

Prevent Duty

Prevent is part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy. Headway has a statutory responsibility to have due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism.

An individual exposed to extremist viewpoints may, over time, be encouraged to carry out an act of violent extremism or terrorism. Strong evidence shows that an intervention can stop someone supporting violent extremism. Extremism is not illegal. Anyone who is identified through Prevent is not automatically criminalised. We all have a role in ensuring that our communities remain safe.

You can make a difference by sharing any concerns you may have about individuals or groups you meet at work, socially or in any other context

Possible Indicators of Radicalisation

  • A change in behaviour
  • Their circle of friends
  • The way that they interact with others and spend their time
  • Accessing extremist material online
  • Use of extremist or hate terms to exclude others or incite violence
  • Writing or artwork promoting violent extremist messages

Possible Indicators of Self-Neglect

This includes various behaviours; disregarding one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings resulting in a risk that impact on the adult’s wellbeing, this could consist of behaviours such as hoarding.

Possible indicators of Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery is an international crime, it can include victims that have been brought from overseas, and vulnerable people in the UK.Slave Masters and Traffickers will deceive, coerce and force adults into a life of abuse, callous treatment and slavery.

Possible indicators of Domestic Abuse

Definition of Domestic Abuse;

  • Incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse by someone who is or has been an intimate partner or family member regardless of gender or sexuality.Includes: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse; so called ‘honour based violence; Female Genital Mutilation; forced marriage
  • Age range extended down to 16(for the purpose of the safeguarding adult arrangements, safeguarding children arrangements would be applied to a person under 18)

Possible indicators of Discriminatory Abuse

Abuse can be experienced as harassment, insults or similar actions due to race, religion, gender, gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation.

Possible indicators of Sexual Exploitation

Sexual exploitation is a subset of sexual abuse. It involves exploitative situations and relationships where people receive 'something' (e.g. accommodation, alcohol, affection, money) as a result of them performing, or others performing on them, sexual activities

  1. Reporting Suspected Abuse

If you think a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger or a crime has been committed then always contact the police on 999. Report your action to the Safeguarding Officer and your line manager afterwards.

Any suspicion of abusewhere a vulnerable adult is not in immediate danger or a crime has not been committed must be reported immediately to the Safeguarding Officer.The Safeguarding Officer is Paul Bird. The role of the Safeguarding Officer is to:

  • Establish the facts - Obtain information from staff, volunteers, vulnerable person and carers who have vulnerable adult safeguarding concerns and to record this information.
  • Concurrently:
  • Consult with the HR Advisor
  • Inform the CEO (and keep the CEO up-dated as the situation progresses)
  • Assess the information - quickly and carefully and ask for further information as appropriate.
  • Consult with the statutory vulnerable adult protection agency(Care Direct or the Emergency Duty Team out of hours) social services department in order to clarify any doubts or worries.
  • The Safeguarding Officer should make a referral to Care Direct or the Emergency Duty Team out of hours or the police without delay.
  • Where appropriate a referral should also be made to the ISA.

The Safeguarding Officer has been nominated by Headway to refer allegations or suspicions of neglect or abuse to the statutory authorities. In the absence of the Safeguarding Officer suspicions should be reported to the CEO.

Suspicions will not be discussed with anyone other than those nominated above.

It is the right of any individual to make direct referrals to the adult protection agencies. If for any reason it is believed that the nominated persons have not responded appropriately to the concerns, the adult protection agencies may be contacted directly.

Under no circumstances should the Safeguarding Officer attempt to carry out any investigation into the allegation or suspicions of abuse. The role of the Safeguarding Officer is to collect and clarify the precise details of the allegation or suspicion and to provide this information to Social Services whose task it is to investigate the matter.

Whilst allegations or suspicions of abuse should normally be reported to theSafeguarding Officer, their absence should not delay referral to Social Services.

Contact details:

  • Care Direct on 0345 1551007 Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm
  • An Emergency Duty Team which offers an emergency out of hours crisis service for matters which cannot wait until the local office opens can be contacted on 0845 6000388.

Responding to a vulnerable adult making an allegation of abuse

Where a vulnerable adult makes a disclosure, the person to whom it is being disclosed should:

  • Stay calm and listen carefully to what is being said.
  • Find an appropriate early opportunity to explain that it is likely that the information will need to be shared with others.
  • Do not promise to keep secrets.
  • Allow the vulnerable adult to continue at his/her own pace.
  • Ask questions for clarification only, and at all times avoid asking questions that suggest a particular answer.
  • Reassure the vulnerable adult that they have done the right thing in telling them
  • Tell them what you will do next and with whom the information will be shared.
  • Record in writing what was said using the vulnerable adults own words, as soon as possible, note the date, time, any names mentioned, to whom the information was given and ensure that the record is signed and dated.

Report the discussion to the Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible. If this person is implicated, report to (second person). If both are implicated, report to Social Services.

Under no circumstances discuss your suspicions or allegations with anyone other than those nominated above.

After a vulnerable adult has disclosed abuse the Safeguarding Officer should carefully consider whether or not it is safe for a vulnerable adult to return home to potentially abusive situation. It may be necessary to take immediate action to contact Social Services to discuss putting safety measures into effect.

Recording disclosures

In all situations, including those in which the cause for concern arises from a disclosure made in confidence, it is vitally important to record the details of an allegation or reported incident, regardless of whether or not the concerns are shared with a statutory agency.

As far as possible an accurate note should be made of:

  • The date and time of the incident and disclosure
  • The parties who were involved
  • What was said and done by whom
  • Description of any visible injuries or bruising
  • Any further action taken by Headway
  • Any further action e.g. the suspension of a worker
  • Where relevant, reasons why there was no referral to a statutory agency.
  • The full name of the person/s reporting and to who reported.

The report should be stored securely and shared only with those who need to know. All referrals made to Social Services or the Police, should be confirmed in writing and followed up with a copy of the incident report within 24hrs. Social Services should acknowledge your written referral within one working day of receiving it so if you have not heard back within 3 working days, contact Social Services again.

You should also record the Social Services member of staff to whom concerns were passed and the date and time of the call and subsequent letters sent.

How to report a concern of radicalisation and extremism (Prevent Duty)

If you have serious concerns then you should contact the Police direct. If you see or suspect something, you can report it by phoning the confidential antiterrorist hotline on 0800 789 321or email .

More information can be found on the Government website reporting suspected terrorism and there is information on the Source: Preventing people from being drawn into terrorism

These procedures not only serve to protect vulnerable adults, but also protect employees, volunteers and the Headway itself.

  1. Recruitment and Appointment of Workers and Volunteers

In recruiting and appointing workersHeadway will be responsible for the following:

  • Identifying the tasks and responsibilities involved and the type of person most suitable for the job.
  • Drawing up the Selection criteria and putting together a list of essential and desirable qualifications, skills and experience.
  • All applicants should apply in writing and their application will cover their personal details, previous and current work/volunteering experience.
  • Always send a copy of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy with the application pack.
  • Make sure that the application is measured against the selection criteria.
  • All applicants need to sign a declaration stating that there is no reason why they should be considered unsuitable to work with vulnerable adults. The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) requires that people applying for positions which give them “substantial, unsupervised access on a sustained or regular basis” to vulnerable adults must declare all previous convictions which are then subject to DBS checks. They can then only be offered a job subject to a successful DBS disclosure/ ISA registration. This includes potential employees, volunteers and self-employed people such as sports coaches. They are also required to declare any pending case against them. It is important that applicants in this particular category understand that all information will be dealt with confidentially and will not be used against them unfairly.
  • Photographic evidence to confirm the identity of the applicant e.g. their passport/driving licence.
  • In addition to this evidence of their address which is dated within the last 3 months is required.
  • Request to see documentation of any qualifications detailed by the applicant.
  • Interview candidates, ask for two written references and an enhanced DBS check.
  • The two written references should be from people who are not family members or friends and who have knowledge of the applicant’s experience of working with vulnerable adults if applicable. Referees will be asked to comment on their suitability for working with vulnerable adults. The same principles apply to people who have been involved with the organisation and have become volunteers.
  1. Allegations Against a Member of Staff

Headway assures all staff/volunteers that it will fully support and protect anyone, who in good faith reports his or her concern that a colleague is, or may be, abusing a vulnerable adult. Where there is a complaint against a member of staff, there may be three types of investigation:

  • A criminal investigation,
  • A vulnerable adult protection investigation,
  • A disciplinary or misconduct investigation.

The results of the police and vulnerable adult protection investigation may well influence the disciplinary investigation, but not necessarily.

Concerns about poor practice

If, following consideration, the allegation is clearly about poor practice, this will be dealt with as a misconduct issue.

If the allegation is about poor practice by the Safeguarding Officer or if the matter has been handled inadequately and concerns remain, it should be reported to the Chair who will decide how to deal with the allegation and whether or not the organisation should initiate disciplinary proceedings.