Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

This document is the Policy for the Safeguarding Protection of Vulnerable Adults for the Carers Social Group, which will be followed by all staff and committee of CSG, and followed and promoted by the Management Committee of CSG.

CSG does not undertake activities with vulnerable adults in the absence of their parents/carers, but has the opportunity to observe the vulnerable adult’s welfare at family events. Parents/carers remain responsible for their vulnerable adult’s welfare throughout all the work undertaken by CSG.

Any child or vulnerable adult can be vulnerable to abuse. The purpose of this policy is to make sure that the actions of any adult in the context of the activities carried out by CSG are transparent, and safeguard and promote the vulnerable adults.

If any parent or vulnerable adult has any concerns about the conduct of any member of the organisation, this should be raised in the first instance with Vivien Davies, Chair or Avril Martin, the two designated vulnerable adult protection contacts.

Contact details:

Vivien Davies and Avril Martin can both be contacted at email: carerssocialgreenwich@gmail.com

1.

Definitions

Vulnerable adult

In the context of this policy, a vulnerable adult is someone aged 18 or above who may need community care services for reasons including mental health difficulties, a disability, their age or illness. They may not be able to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or exploitation.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable adults means taking action to:

  • protect them from being mistreated

  • make sure their health or development is not impaired

  • make sure that they live, work and enjoy life in an environment that provides safe and effective care

  • help them to have the best possible life chances

Vulnerable Adult Abuse

Vulnerable Adult Abuse abuse is the term used to describe how Vulnerable Adults are harmed by other adults but also sometimes by young people. Abuse or neglect of a Vulnerable Adult is caused by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Learning disabled or autistic Vulnerable Adults are particularly vulnerable and in need of special care. Vulnerable Adults may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or more rarely by a stranger.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a Vulnerable Adult . Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer feigns the symptoms of, or deliberately causes, ill-health to a Vulnerable Adult whom they are looking after. This situation is commonly described using terms such as, fabricated illness by proxy or Munchausen Syndrome by proxy.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill-treatment of a Vulnerable Adult such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the Vulnerable Adult’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to Vulnerable Adults that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on Vulnerable Adults. It may involve causing Vulnerable Adults frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of Vulnerable Adults. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of ill treatment of a Vulnerable Adult though it may occur alone.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a Vulnerable Adult to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the Vulnerable Adult is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving Vulnerable Adults in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material, or watching sexual activities, or encouraging Vulnerable Adults to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a Vulnerable Adult’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the Vulnerable Adult’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a Vulnerable Adult from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to a Vulnerable Adult’s basic emotional needs.

2.

Statement of Intent

CSG is committed to the following statements:

  • the welfare of the vulnerable adult is paramount

  • all vulnerable adults have the right to protection from abuse regardless of age, gender,

    ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs

  • the policy is approved and endorsed by the management committee

  • the policy applies to committee, staff and volunteers and will be included in their induction

  • vulnerable adults and their parents will be informed of the policy and procedures as appropriate

  • all concerns and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously by the committee, staff and volunteers and

    responded to appropriately. This may require a referral to Health and Adult’s Services and, in emergencies, the

    police

  • appropriate legislation and guidance will be complied with

  • the policy and procedure will be evaluated and reviewed

  • the policy and procedure will cross-reference with associated policies and procedures which promote

    vulnerable adult’s safety and welfare

3

Policy

In order to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, the Management Committee will:

  • Ensure that appropriate recording and monitoring systems are in place

  • Operate safe recruitment procedures including using application forms, asking on the form about past

    convictions and pending cases, taking up references, following up employment histories, interviews with trained panels, verifying identity and (if appropriate) workers and volunteers to be Criminal Records Bureau checked before starting work

  • Organise induction and training for workers and volunteers in safeguarding issues (where appropriate)

  • Confirm that projects and activities are adequately supervised, taking into account visitors and guests and any

    necessary consent required from parents/carers

  • Provide guidance on how to respond to a person disclosing abuse

  • Set up a reporting procedure with information about when and how to contact social services.

  • Provide contact details for local support services including the police, and Health and Adult Services.

4

Procedures

IN ALL CASES IT IS VITAL TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS NEEDED TO SAFEGUARD THE VULNERABLE ADULT:

  • If emergency medical attention is required, an ambulance should be called (dial 999) or the vulnerable adult

    taken to the nearest Accident and Emergency Department.

  • If a vulnerable adult is in immediate danger, the police should be contacted (dial 999), as they alone have the

    power to remove a vulnerable adult immediately if protection is necessary, via Police Protection Order.

    Recognition of Abuse or Neglect

    Individuals within CSG need to be alert to the potential abuse of vulnerable adults, including abuse by members of the organisation. It is good practice to be as open and honest as possible with parents/carers about any concerns.

    However, you must not discuss your concerns with parents/carers in the following circumstances:

  • where sexual abuse is suspected

  • where organised or multiple abuse is suspected

  • where fictitious illness by proxy (also known as Munchausen Syndrome by proxy) is suspected

  • where contacting parents/carers would place a vulnerable adult, yourself or others at immediate risk.

    What to do if vulnerable adults talk to you about abuse or neglect

    It is recognised that a vulnerable adult may seek you out to share information about abuse or neglect, or talk spontaneously, individually or in groups, when you are present. In these situations you must:

  • Listen carefully to the vulnerable adult. DO NOT directly question the vulnerable adult

  • Give the vulnerable adult time and attention

  • Allow the vulnerable adult to give a spontaneous account; do not stop a vulnerable adult who

    is freely recalling significant events

  • Make an accurate record of the information you have been given, taking care to record the timing, setting

    and people present, the vulnerable adult’s presentation, as well as what was said. Do not throw

    this away as it may later be needed as evidence

  • Use the vulnerable adult’s own words where possible

  • Explain that you cannot promise not to speak to others about the information they have shared

  • Reassure the vulnerable adult that you are glad they have told you; they have not done anything

    wrong;

    what you are going to do next

  • Explain that you will need to get help to keep the vulnerable adult safe

  • Do NOT ask the vulnerable adult to repeat his or her account of events to anyone.

    Consulting about your concern

    The purpose of consultation is to discuss your concerns in relation to a vulnerable adult and decide what action is necessary. You may become concerned about a vulnerable adult who has not spoken to you, because of your observations of, or information about that vulnerable adult.

    It is good practice to ask a vulnerable adult why they are upset, or how a cut or bruise was caused, or respond to a vulnerable adult wanting to talk to you. This practice can help clarify vague concerns and result in appropriate action.

5

Further action

If you are concerned about a vulnerable adult, you must share your concerns. Initially you should talk to one of the people designated as responsible for vulnerable adult protection within CSG. If that person is implicated in the concerns, you should discuss your concerns directly with Social Services (telephone number 0208 854 8888)

You should consult externally with Royal Borough of Greenwich Social Services in the following circumstances:

  • when you remain unsure, after internal consultation, as to whether vulnerable adult protection concerns exist

  • when there is disagreement as to whether vulnerable adult protection concerns exist

  • when you are unable to consult promptly, or at all, with your designated internal contact for vulnerable adult

    protection

  • when the concerns relate to any member of the Management Committee.

    Consultation is not the same as making a referral, but should enable a decision to be made as to whether a referral to Social Services or the Police should progress.

    Making a referral

    A referral involves giving Social Services or the Police information about concerns relating to an individual or family, in order that enquiries can be undertaken by the appropriate agency followed by any necessary action.

    In certain cases the level of concern will lead straight to a referral without external consultation being necessary.

    Parents/carers should be informed if a referral is being made, except in the circumstances outlined on page 4.

    However, inability to inform parents for any reason should not prevent a referral being made. It would then become a joint decision with Social Services about how and when the parents should be approached and by whom.

    If your concern is about abuse or risk of abuse from someone not known to the vulnerable adult or their family, you should make a telephone referral directly to the police and consult with the parents.

    If your concern is about abuse or risk of abuse from a family member, or someone known to the vulnerable adult, you should make a telephone referral to your local Social Services Office.

    Information required

    Be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible (in emergency situations all of this information may not be available). Unavailability of some information should not stop you making a referral.

  • Your name, telephone number and position, and request the same of the person to whom you are speaking

  • Full name and address, telephone number of family, date of birth of the vulnerable adult and siblings

  • Gender, ethnicity, first language, any additional needs

  • Names, dates of birth and relationship of household members and any significant others

  • The names of professionals known to be involved with the vulnerable adult/family e.g. GP or social worker.

  • The nature of the concern and foundation for it.

  • An opinion on whether the vulnerable adult may need urgent action to make them safe

  • Your view of what appears to be the needs of the vulnerable adult and family

  • Whether the consent of a carer with parental responsibility has been given to the referral being

    made.

6

Action to be taken following the referral

  • Ensure that you keep an accurate record of your concern(s) made at the time

  • Put your concerns in writing to Social Services following the referral (within 48 hours)

  • Accurately record the action agreed, or that no further action is to be taken, and the reasons for

    this decision.

  • Confidentiality

    CSG will ensure that any records made in relation to a referral will be kept confidentially and in a secure place.

    Information in relation to vulnerable adult protection concerns should be shared on a “need to know” basis. However, the sharing of information is vital to vulnerable adult protection and, therefore, the issue of confidentiality is secondary to a vulnerable adult’s need for protection.

    Contact details

  • Contact Adult Social Care - Safeguarding Adults

    To raise a safeguarding adults concern please contact the Contact Assessment Team using the following details (or 020 8854 8888 out of hours).

    Telephone: 020 8921 2304

    Email: aops.contact.officers@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

  • Health and Adults Services - General enquiries

    Telephone: 020 8921 2304

    Email: aops.contact.officers@royalgreenwich.gov.uk

    For sensitive or confidential emails, we suggest that you use a secure method of communication such as Egress.

  • Contact Assessment Team

    Second Floor,
    The Woolwich Centre,
    35 Wellington Street,
    London SE18 6HQ

    Telephone lines are open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4pm, and are closed at weekends.

  • Social care emergencies

    For social care emergencies outside office hours call 020 8854 8888.

  • Greenwich Police - you can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ring 101 for non emergencies and 999 in an emergency.

This policy was approved by the CSG committee on 15 March 2024 and will be reviewed next on 15 March 2026