Crystal Palace Transition Town Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy
CONTEXT
Crystal Palace Transition Town is involved in interacting with 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)
The Organisation has obligations to strive to protect vulnerable adults who it may believe to be abused or at risk of abuse or neglect.
Crystal Palace Transition Town welcomes the fact that people and lifestyles are diverse and does not make judgements about the acceptability or otherwise of lifestyles. However it is important that this philosophy does
not stand in the way of the organisation's responsibility to protect vulnerable people from harm.
AIM
The policy and procedures have been developed to assist Steering Group members and volunteers in acting on reported or suspected abuse.
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 him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.’
* Disability includes sensory impairment, physical impairment, learning difficulties etc.
“No Secrets” defines abuse as:
‘... a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons.’
Categories of Abuse
“No Secrets” recognises six categories of abuse:
· physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions
· sexual abuse, including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting;
· psychological abuse, including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from
services or supportive networks
· financial or material abuse, including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits;
· neglect and acts of omission, including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as
medication, adequate nutrition and heating; and
· discriminatory abuse, including racist, sexist, that based on a person’s disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
All participant members, and particularly key contact(s) 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. Not all concerns relate to abuse - there may well be other explanations, so 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 the designated safeguarding officers.
Disclosure of Abuse
If a vulnerable person discloses that they are being abused or any service user discloses that they are involved in abuse of a vulnerable person, action should continue as in Section 8. All action must proceed urgently and without delay.
Suspicion of Abuse
There may be circumstances when a member suspects that a vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected.
It is vital that any anyone who suspects a vulnerable adult is being neglected or abused discusses the situation
immediately with the designated persons. Action should continue as in Section 9.
Action on Disclosure or Suspicion 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 and/or discussions about a vulnerable adult’s welfare, whether or not further action is taken
· 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 member informed of abuse should remind the service user that the organisation cannot guarantee
confidentiality where a vulnerable person is at risk of abuse or further abuse.
· Volunteers should consult with the designated safeguarding member before taking any action.
· 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 member may report a disclosure of abuse to social services irrespective of the opinion of other
members.
· It is important for members 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.
Making a Referral
· Social services departments have been designated as the lead agencies with responsibility for
co-ordinating a response to allegations or concerns of abuse.
· The designated safeguarding officers have the responsibility of informing the relevant social services department of concerns over the abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults. Detailed referral arrangements may differ between localities so managers should ensure that they have up-to-date referral information for their locality.
· Safeguarding Officers should work within these timescales for reporting allegations or suspicions of 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
* 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.
Support to Staff and Volunteers
The Safeguarding Officers will support members in circumstances where abuse is identified or suspected. If the social services department needs further involvement from members following a report of abuse, a member of the Steering Group will discuss with the social services department the nature of their needs and how they might be met.
Allegation of Abuse Made Against a Staff Member or Volunteer
Staff and volunteers may be subject to abuse allegations. The organisation will offer support in these circumstances, but the social services department will be assisted in their investigation and the disciplinary
procedure may be implemented.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality will be respected, and any information shared between members will be on a need to know basis.
CONTEXT
Crystal Palace Transition Town is involved in interacting with 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)
The Organisation has obligations to strive to protect vulnerable adults who it may believe to be abused or at risk of abuse or neglect.
Crystal Palace Transition Town welcomes the fact that people and lifestyles are diverse and does not make judgements about the acceptability or otherwise of lifestyles. However it is important that this philosophy does
not stand in the way of the organisation's responsibility to protect vulnerable people from harm.
AIM
The policy and procedures have been developed to assist Steering Group members and volunteers in acting on reported or suspected abuse.
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 him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.’
* Disability includes sensory impairment, physical impairment, learning difficulties etc.
“No Secrets” defines abuse as:
‘... a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons.’
Categories of Abuse
“No Secrets” recognises six categories of abuse:
· physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions
· sexual abuse, including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting;
· psychological abuse, including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from
services or supportive networks
· financial or material abuse, including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits;
· neglect and acts of omission, including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as
medication, adequate nutrition and heating; and
· discriminatory abuse, including racist, sexist, that based on a person’s disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS
All participant members, and particularly key contact(s) 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. Not all concerns relate to abuse - there may well be other explanations, so 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 the designated safeguarding officers.
Disclosure of Abuse
If a vulnerable person discloses that they are being abused or any service user discloses that they are involved in abuse of a vulnerable person, action should continue as in Section 8. All action must proceed urgently and without delay.
Suspicion of Abuse
There may be circumstances when a member suspects that a vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected.
It is vital that any anyone who suspects a vulnerable adult is being neglected or abused discusses the situation
immediately with the designated persons. Action should continue as in Section 9.
Action on Disclosure or Suspicion 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 and/or discussions about a vulnerable adult’s welfare, whether or not further action is taken
· 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 member informed of abuse should remind the service user that the organisation cannot guarantee
confidentiality where a vulnerable person is at risk of abuse or further abuse.
· Volunteers should consult with the designated safeguarding member before taking any action.
· 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 member may report a disclosure of abuse to social services irrespective of the opinion of other
members.
· It is important for members 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.
Making a Referral
· Social services departments have been designated as the lead agencies with responsibility for
co-ordinating a response to allegations or concerns of abuse.
· The designated safeguarding officers have the responsibility of informing the relevant social services department of concerns over the abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults. Detailed referral arrangements may differ between localities so managers should ensure that they have up-to-date referral information for their locality.
· Safeguarding Officers should work within these timescales for reporting allegations or suspicions of 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
* 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.
Support to Staff and Volunteers
The Safeguarding Officers will support members in circumstances where abuse is identified or suspected. If the social services department needs further involvement from members following a report of abuse, a member of the Steering Group will discuss with the social services department the nature of their needs and how they might be met.
Allegation of Abuse Made Against a Staff Member or Volunteer
Staff and volunteers may be subject to abuse allegations. The organisation will offer support in these circumstances, but the social services department will be assisted in their investigation and the disciplinary
procedure may be implemented.
Confidentiality
Confidentiality will be respected, and any information shared between members will be on a need to know basis.