Safeguarding Adults from Abuse Policy and Procedure Policy Statement Aspens Charities seeks to ensure positive and safe environments for the people it supports and for allwho access its services. Individuals must be safeguarded from all forms of abuse and at all times beprotected from the risk of abuse. Every possible action will be taken to prevent abuse and incidents of suspected abuse will be dealtwith as effectively and promptly as possible. 1. Purpose of the Policy1.1 This policy and the procedures within the policy are designed to fully inform and empower staff(including volunteers) in the consistent reporting of potential abuse. After reading this policy,individuals should be able to:● Recognise forms of abuse.● Understand the principles and values underlying the organisation’s approach to safeguardingthe people it supports and the ways in which the organisation does this.● Understand the steps taken to avoid abuse taking place.● Understand their absolute duty to report concerns.● Understand the action they must take and follow reporting procedures for allegations of abuse. 2. Policy2.1 LegislationThe organisation seeks to work in line with the various Local Authorities within which it operates andtheir policies, procedures and guidance relating to safeguarding adults from abuse. Links to therelevant Local Authorities can be found within the procedural section of this document. Theprocedures must be adhered to when reporting safeguarding concerns.2.2 The organisation recognises the importance of national guidance such as contained in theDepartment of Health guidance on protecting vulnerable adults: ‘No Secrets’ which can be foundusing the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/no-secrets-guidance-on-protecting-vulnerable-adults-incare2.3 The organisation seeks to comply in all respects with current safeguarding legislation andregulations including the Care Quality Commission (CQC) regulation 20 relating to “Duty of Candour”:http://www.cqc.org.uk/guidance-providers/regulations-enforcement/regulation-20-duty-candour2.3 The organisation recognises that supported individuals who might lack mental capacity areparticularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. It is accordingly mindful of the need to follow theprinciples and practice guidance that has accompanied the Mental Capacity Act 2005 andDeprivation of Liberty Safeguards. 3. Defining Abuse3.1 The organisation recognises that abuse of individuals may take the following forms. This list is notexhaustive:● Physical abuse● Financial or material abuse● Psychological abuse● Sexual abuse● Bullying● Neglect● Discriminatory abuse● Self-harm● Inhuman or degrading treatment● Inappropriate or excessive restraint and other forms of institutional abuse● Exploitation to extremism and radicalisationPlease Note: This policy must be read in conjunction with the “Prevention of Extremism andRadicalisation Policy”. 4. Identifying Abusers4.1 The organisation accepts that abuse may be committed by a range of possible people. It thereforeaccepts its responsibility to protect supported adults accessing the organisation’s services frompossible abuse from all sources, including:● Staff and management of the organisation● Volunteers working within the organisation● Visiting health and social care practitioners and other official visitors● Individuals friends and relatives● People who have contact with individuals while they are accessing community facilities● Other individuals that access the service 5. The Role and Accountability of Staff in Relation to Abuse5.1 The organisation insists that all employees (including volunteers) have responsibility to:● Provide individuals with a safe environment and with the best possible care and support● Desist from any abusive action in relation to individuals● Report anything they witness which is or might be abusive● Cooperate in every possible way with any investigation into alleged abuse● Participate in training activities, ensuring regular updates as required, relating to safeguarding● adults from abuse 6. The Role and Accountability of Managers6.1 The Organisation requires its managers to take responsibility for:● Developing systems and structures within which it is possible to deliver the best possible careand support● Encouraging a culture and ethos for the organisation which is hostile to any type of abuse● Producing and regularly revising the policies and procedures to combat abuse● Operating personnel policies which identify, appropriately deal with and if necessary excludepotential or actual abusers● Ensuring all employees complete and pass training in ‘Safeguarding Adults’ during their Aspens CharitiesA Company limited by guarantee, ref no. 10342980, England. A registered charity no. 1171448induction period with refresher training thereafter as requiredensuring thereafter that training is regular and up-to-date in all aspects of abuse and protection● Investigating and reporting any evidence of abuse speedily and sympathetically and whereappropriate referring to the relevant Local Authority policies, procedures and guidance● Implementing improvements to procedures if an investigation into abuse reveals deficiencies inthe way in which the organisation operates● Collaborating with all the other relevant agencies in combating abuse and improving theprotection of individual 7. Recruitment Practices7.1 The organisation takes great care in the recruitment of staff, carries out all possible checks onrecruits to ensure that they are of a high standard, and cooperates in all initiatives regarding thesharing of information on employees who are found to be unsuitable to work with vulnerable people.7.2 The organisation ensures stringent procedures are followed which include the Disclosure andBarring Service (DBS) checks (as appropriate to the role of the employee).7.3 Reference checks are carried out on all potential employees. 8. Preventing Abuse from Occurring8.1 The organisation is committed to taking all possible steps to prevent abuse from occurringincluding:● Setting out and making widely known the procedures for responding to suspicions or evidenceof abuse● Operating personnel policies which ensure that all potential employees are rigorously checked● Incorporating material relevant to abuse into staff training at all levels● Maintaining vigilance concerning the possibility of abuse of individuals from whatever source● Encouraging staff, individuals and all other stakeholders to develop a climate of openness andawareness which makes it possible to report concerns about behaviour which might beabusive or might lead to abuse● Ensuring the organisation’s “Whistleblowing Policy” is available to all employees● Devising systems and strategies of support which minimise the risk of abuse of individuals byother supported individuals● Providing staff training in positive behaviour support and behaviours of concern so that theyunderstand and deal appropriately with any form of aggression between supported individuals● Maintaining robust procedures for regulating any contact employees need to have with regardto individuals’ property, money or financial affairs● Communicating concerns to the appropriate officers of the relevant Local SafeguardingAuthority and CQC, in line with current policies and authoritative professional guidance● Enabling supported individuals as far as possible to avoid or control situations or relationshipswhich would make them vulnerable to abuse 9. Identifying Actual or Possible Abuse9.1 The organisation aims to identify any instances of actual or possible abuse involving individuals byall possible means including:● Fostering an open and trusting communication structure within the organisation so thatemployees, supported individuals and others feel able to discuss their concerns with someoneauthorised to take action● Ensuring that all staff and individuals know to whom they may turn for advice and action if theybecome aware or suspect that abuse is occurring● Ensuring employees know and feel confident to use the Whistleblowing Policy if they feel Aspens CharitiesA Company limited by guarantee, ref no. 10342980, England. A registered charity no. 1171448unable to openly voice their concerns● Encouraging staff to recognise that a commitment to the highest possible standards of careand support must overrule loyalty to colleagues individually or corporately● Making it clear to staff that not to report incidents or suspicions of abuse is itself abusive andmay lead to disciplinary or criminal proceedings● Operating systems of management, supervision, internal inspection, and quality control whichhave the potential to reveal abuse where it exists 10. Procedure for Reporting Safeguarding Concerns10.1 The following organisational procedure must be followed10.2 If you witness an act of abuse, suspect that an individual has been subject to abuse or is at risk ofabuse (whether it is deemed intentional or unintentional), then you must follow this procedure.10.3 DO NOT discuss it with anyone other than the person to whom you are reporting the incident.Such incidences should not be discussed within staff teams at any point as this could affect anysafeguarding investigations and/or evidence.10.4 All Managers and employees, including volunteers must also read the ‘relevant Local Authority“Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures”, which is the main point of reference when managingsafeguarding concerns.10.5 It is essential, when using the Local Authority reporting forms, to always refer to the on-lineversion as this will be updated regularly. DO NOT download the policy or forms to save copies asfuture changes will not be reflected within it. Members of Staff should immediately carry out the following:● Ensure any immediate action regarding the safety of the Individual (or individuals) concerned istaken, including any emergency medical treatment● Immediately report any concerns to the manager of the service you work in, or the on-callmanager, as appropriate● Phone the police on 999 if the individual is in immediate dangerThe ‘Reporting Manager’, usually the manager of the service will then immediately action thefollowing:● Report the incident to the senior operations manager or nominated individual● For out-of-hours safeguarding concerns - contact the senior on-Call● Unless you would be putting the adult concerned at risk, talk to the adult regarding their view ofthe concern, what they want to happen and agree actions that will be taken● Raise a safeguarding alert with the relevant Local Authority “Adult Social Care Duty Team”without delay (contact details below)● All concerns should be raised within 24 hours● If unsure whether a safeguarding concern should be raised, seek advice from Adult SocialCare Team of the relevant Local Authority (contact details below)● Refer to the police if the suspected abuse is a crime or offence● Ensure any staff member or volunteer who may be thought to be the cause of risk is not incontact with the adult, or other adults Please Note: Al l safeguarding concerns should also be treated as a “Serious Incident”. The managerof the service must refer to the “Reporting of Serious Incidents Policy” and guidance which can beaccessed within the Policies Manual 11. Local Authority Contact Details for Reporting Safeguarding Concerns and furthersources of Information11.1 To access the Sussex Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure, use the following link:http://sussexsafeguardingadults.procedures.org.uk/ For services and support carried out in East SussexEast Sussex –Adult Social Care Direct Tel: 0345 60 80 191 - this is the same number for out of hoursand you will be redirected to the out of hours Duty Team For services and support carried out in West SussexWest Sussex Adult Services Tel: 01243 642 121 – this is the same number for out of hours For services and support carried out in Brighton and HoveBrighton & Hove City Council Adult Social Care Tel: 01273 295555 On-line Safeguarding Adults report form available on:www.brighton-hove.gov.uk [email protected] For Services and Support carried out in the London Borough of Bexleyhttps://carehub.bexley.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/help/safe/adabuse On-line Safeguarding Adults report form:https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/adult-social-care/report-adult-safeguarding-concern London Borough of Bexley Adult Social Care: 0208 3037777 orEmail: [email protected] For Services and Support carried out in KentOn-line safeguarding reporting form available at:http://www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/report-abuse Office hours Tel: 03000 41 61 61 (text relay 18001 03000 41 61 61) or email[email protected]. Out of hours and in an emergency Tel: 03000 41 91 91 For Services and Support carried out in MedwayOn line safeguarding reporting form available at:http://www.medway.gov.uk/pdf/SAF_Form_Oct_14_V3.pdf Medway Adult Social Care Department Tel: 01634 33 44 66 between 8.30am and 5pmOut-of-hours service in an emergency Tel: 03000 41 91 91.For Services and Support carried out in SurreySurrey Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) Tel: 0300 470 9100 between 9am to 5pm, Monday toFriday Email: [email protected] Out of hours service in an emergency Tel: 01483 517898 Email: [email protected]Textphone (via Text Relay): 18001 01483 517898SMS: 07800000388 (for the deaf or hard of hearing)Fax: 01483 517895 11.2 The Duty Teams should advise you to inform social workers and families of all the supportedindividuals involved. If not or you are unsure, then ask.11.3 All reporting will require you to scan or email any alert forms, including any incident forms to thevulnerable adult’s social worker and you must inform them that you have reported the incident to theAdult Safeguarding Team. If they do not have an allocated social worker, the Duty Team will takeresponsibility. 12. CQC Serious Incident ReportingThe manager of the service or nominated individual will also:Report to Care Quality Commission (CQC) National Area Office on 03000 616161Email or Post ‘Notification’ forms to HSCA [email protected]. Notification forms are accessed viathe CQC website www.cqc.org.uk DO NOT download and save Notification Forms as they may notreflect the most up to date information.CQC ADDRESS:Care Quality Commission (CQC)City GateGallow GateNewcastle –Upon- TyneNE14PA 13. Associated Policies and ProceduresPositive Behaviour Support PolicyWhistle-blowing PolicyMental Capacity and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Policy 14. Applicability and scope This policy applies to all staff and volunteers working with Service Users. in, or for theorganisation All staff have responsibility for ensuring that they work within the remit of this policy and in theway they have been trained. 15. ReviewThis policy should be reviewed annually or if the service is notified of any changes of legislation,guidance, national or local policies Manage Cookie Preferences Chat with us, powered by LiveChat