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Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy

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    1.1 Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedure

    1. Safeguarding Children Policy Statement
    Open Homes Nottingham is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children (anyone under the age of 18) and young people we encounter. We do this by taking reasonable steps to protect them from neglect, physical, sexual, or emotional harm.

     Our key principles include:

    • A duty of care to all children our staff or volunteers interact with.
    • The paramount importance of children’s welfare.
    • The right of all children to protection from abuse, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality, or beliefs.
    • The responsibility to raise awareness and implement clear procedures for addressing safeguarding concerns.

    Our Commitments:

    • Provide adequate support, training and guidance to staff and volunteers.
    • Implement a clear procedure for dealing with safeguarding issues, ensuring awareness among all personnel.
    • Follow safe recruitment practices, including DBS checks for all staff and volunteers interacting with children.
    • Appoint a designated Child Protection Officer for any concerns about a child.
    • Ensure each project has specific safeguarding procedures.
    • Assess and manage risks associated with our activities to minimise and manage these risks.

    2. Safeguarding Children Guidelines
    Situations involving the abuse of children arise infrequently in the work in which Open Homes Nottingham is involved. However, it is vital that staff and volunteers are informed and equipped to be able to deal with situations as and when they do present. Therefore they should be able to recognise, respond to and report suspected, alleged or disclosed abuse effectively and appropriately, in line with the established procedure.

    Guidelines for Good Practice:

    • Identify and manage situations that may present risks.
    • Organise work and project settings to minimise risks.
    • Create and maintain an open and non-defensive culture for discussing concerns.
    • Foster mutual accountability, enabling the challenge of potential abusive behaviours.

    2.1 Definitions of Abuse
    Abuse and neglect can occur in various settings and involve different forms:

    • Physical Abuse: Deliberate harm, including hitting, shaking, or poisoning. Children are at higher risk in homes with substance abuse or domestic violence.
    • Emotional Abuse: Persistent emotional maltreatment, leading to severe effects on a child's emotional development, such as verbal abuse or bullying.
    • Sexual Abuse: Involves any sexual activity with a child, including physical contact and non-contact activities like grooming or exposure to sexual content. Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a significant concern, often involving coercion or manipulation.
    • Neglect: A pattern of failing to provide basic needs, which can lead to serious impairment of health and development. It includes inadequate food, clothing, hygiene, or supervision.

    2.2 Recognising and Responding to Abuse
    Signs of abuse may vary. Common indicators include:

    • General Indicators: Behavioural changes, poor hygiene, avoidance of certain individuals, school difficulties, or frequent absences.
    • Physical Abuse Signs: Unexplained injuries or frequent accidents.
    • Emotional Abuse Signs: Withdrawal, excessive fear, or parents who show indifference to the child.
    • Sexual Abuse Signs: Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviour for age, physical health issues related to sexual activity.
    • Neglect Signs: Unsafe living conditions, lack of proper clothing, or unmet medical needs.

    3. Reporting Procedure
    Reporting potential or suspected child abuse is essential and will not jeopardise a staff member or a volunteer’s position at Open Homes Nottingham. Any allegation should be taken seriously and particular care should be taken with regard to confidentiality and the sharing of information with appropriate people.

     

    Remember it is not your responsibility to decide whether abuse is taking place but it is your responsibility to pass concerns on.  The guiding principle is that the safety of the child is always the overriding consideration.

    Steps for Reporting:

    1. Record accurate details using the provided form; if unavailable, write on paper and transfer later.
    2. Report immediately to your Project Leader/Line Manager and the Child Protection Officer (for Nottingham Nightstop, please contact the on-call worker who will contact the safeguarding lead, Dawn Randall, if needed).
    3. If appropriate, this will then be reported to Depaul by a staff member and logged.
    4. Maintain confidentiality; do not discuss with others and ensure documentation is kept confidential and stored securely.
    5. Avoid investigating or asking leading questions yourself.
    6. Do not promise confidentiality and explain to the young person that you must pass the information on for their safety if there is a concern.
    7. If the disclosure is about another child or young person, if possible, please obtain their full name, address and date of birth.  It may be helpful to explain to the young person that you are worried about (name) and need the information as you have to speak to Open Homes Nottingham to see if any help can be given.  If the young person refuses to provide the information, then re-assure them they are safe, and that you still need to pass this information on.  Please also let them know that if they are concerned then they need to speak to yourself or someone in authority.

    Helpful Communication:

    • Reassure the young person they are safe and express concern about their wellbeing.
    • Clarify that sharing information is part of your duty to protect them and others.

    For Further Guidance:
    Refer to the 2023 Working together to safeguard children guidance: Link

    Record Keeping:
    Maintain confidential records of all concerns and communications. These records should comply with data protection policies.

    Open Homes Nottingham or for Nottingham Nightstop volunteers/Supported Lodgings Hosts the on-call number: 03333232265

     

     

    Examples of how to approach the conversations with a  young person:

     

    ‘Thank you for sharing that with me, you are safe here with us.  I just need to check if there are any other children in the house where your (name of alleged abuser) lives, as we need to make sure they are safe too’

     

    ‘Thank you for sharing that with me, are you worried about (name)?’

     

    ‘I am concerned about you/or about (name) therefore I need to pass this information on to Open Homes Nottingham/Nottingham Nightstop as we have a duty to make sure you/or (name) is safe’

     

    ‘I understand that you don’t want me to tell anyone but I have a duty to ensure that you and any other young people are safe.  I need to speak to Open Homes Nottingham/Nottingham Nightstop and see if they can get any help for you/or (name).’

     

    ‘I understand that you don’t want to tell me anymore, the reason I am asking is because I have a duty to ensure that you and (name) is safe, I need to contact Open Homes Nottingham/Nottingham Nightstop and see if they can get them any help, I will let you know what they say.  The more you can tell me the more we will be able to help you/ or (name)’

     

    ‘I understand that you don’t want to tell me that information, the reason I have to ask is that I have a duty to make sure you/ or (name) is safe.  If you are concerned about (name) in the future then speak to someone you trust like a support worker/teacher etc.  We can talk about this more if you would like if you have any questions or we can watch a film or …’

     

     

     

    NB. Please ensure you keep clear written records of all concerns, communication with   appropriate agencies, and any actions taken. These must be kept confidential as per data protection policy.

     

    For further detailed information, refer to the 2023 Working Together to Safeguard Children document   https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/working-together-to-safeguard-children--2

     

      * MASH - Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub

1.2 Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy

 

1. Policy Statement

1.1 – Zero Tolerance Statement

Open Homes Nottingham states that it is committed to zero tolerance of abuse and neglect of any form within our organisation, and will endeavour to deal effectively with any manifestation of the behaviour irrespective of its magnitude.

 

1.2 – Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each member of the Open Homes Nottingham team to prevent the abuse of vulnerable adults accessing our projects, and to report any abuse discovered or suspected by following the reporting procedures outlined. Each member of the Open Homes Nottingham team working with vulnerable adults must know the recommendations, and undertake to observe them.

 

No staff member or volunteer will prejudice their own position or standing with Open Homes Nottingham by responsibly reporting potential or suspected abuse of vulnerable adults. Any allegation or concern regarding the abuse of a vulnerable adult will be treated seriously and for this reason it is important for anyone raising a concern to strictly follow the procedures laid down by Open Homes Nottingham. Particular care should be taken in regard to confidentiality and the sharing of information with appropriate people.

 

     1.3 – Policy Aims

•           Protect vulnerable adults:

Vulnerable adults should be assured of good standards of care and protection from all Open Homes Nottingham staff, volunteers and representatives.

•           Protect Open Homes Nottingham staff, volunteers and representatives:

By following the guidelines and procedures in the policy, everyone working with Open Homes Nottingham should be able to avoid inappropriate, misguided or wrong behaviour and know what to do should they be concerned about a vulnerable adult’s welfare.

•           To protect Open Homes Nottingham:

The policy forms part of Open Homes Nottingham’s commitment to best practice in all areas of our work.

 

1.4 – Access

This policy will be made accessible via the following methods:

•           This policy will be made accessible to all staff members on the Open Homes Nottingham system;

•           This policy will be provided to all volunteers;

•           This policy will be provided to any service users or third parties who request it by submitting a [027.7 Subject Access Request Form], or who require it for the purposes of funding applications.

 

2. Definitions

2.1 – Vulnerable Adult

A person who, due to age, disability, illness, or other circumstances, is unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation. This definition follows the statutory guidance from the Health and Care Act 2022.

 

Vulnerable adults may include, but are not limited to:

•           People with a learning disability;

•           People with a physical disability;

•           People with mental ill health;

•           People who are profoundly deaf;

•           People who are visually impaired;

•           People who are deaf/blind;

•           People over 65;

•           People with HIV/AIDS.

 

2.2 – Abuse

Mistreatment by any other person or persons that violates a person's human and civil rights. It can vary from treating someone with disrespect in a way which significantly affects the person's quality of life, to causing actual physical suffering. It can happen anywhere - in a residential or nursing home, a hospital, in the workplace, at a day centre or educational establishment, in supported housing or in the street (definition from Nottingham City Council).

 

Any of these forms of abuse can be either deliberate or be the result of ignorance, or lack of training, knowledge or understanding. Often if a person is being abused in one way they are also being abused in other ways

 

As defined in Health and Care Act 2022, safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

Physical Abuse

Including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions;

Domestic Violence

Including coercive control, psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse and honour-based violence;

Sexual Abuse

Including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult at risk has not consented, or is incapable of giving informed consent or was pressured into consenting. This may involve contact or non-contact abuse (e.g. touch, masturbation, being photographed, teasing, and inappropriate touching);

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;

Modern Slavery

Encompasses slavery, human trafficking; forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment;

Discriminatory Abuse

Including racist, sexist, that based on a person's disability, culture and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment;

Organisational Abuse (previously known as institutional abuse)

Neglect and poor professional practice in care settings also need to be taken into account. It may take the form of isolated incidents of poor practice at one end of the spectrum, through to pervasive ill treatment or gross misconduct at the other. It can occur when the routines, systems, communications and norms of an institution compel individuals to sacrifice their preferred lifestyle and cultural diversity to the needs of that institution. Repeated instances of poor care may be an indication of more serious problems;

Neglect & Acts of Omission

Including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, and the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating;

Self- Neglect

Covering a wide range of behaviours: neglecting to care for one's personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.

 

3. Minimising & Preventing Abuse

The Health and Care Act 2022 states that safeguarding should promote wellbeing and prevent harm before a crisis occurs. The Act strengthens collaboration between local authorities, health services, and social care providers.

 

 

Members of the Open Homes Nottingham Team should be trained in knowing where to access information to best sign-post Vulnerable Adults to services that can aid prevention of Abuse.

 

As a part of Open Homes Nottingham’s responsibility to minimise and prevent abuse, it endeavours to enact the following:

•           All members of the Open Homes Nottingham Team (including both staff and volunteers) who interact with Vulnerable Adults will undergo a DBS check;

•           All prospective members of the Open Homes Nottingham Team (including both staff and volunteers) will be required to:

o          Be interviewed by a panel consisting at least two board members or members of staff;

o          Provide a character reference;

o          Undergo safeguarding training that will enable them to confidently identify potential indicators of abuse and neglect, and know the reporting procedures they must follow;

•           Annual safeguarding ‘refresher’ training will be held for all members of the Open Homes Nottingham Team who interact with Vulnerable Adults;

•           All Volunteers will undergo an annual supervision, as outlined in the [13.0 Support & Supervision] policy.

 

4. Reporting Procedures

4.1 – Emergencies

If someone is at risk of immediate harm, then call the police on 999

 

4.2 – Other

 

When in any doubt about the appropriate best course of action, all members of the Open Homes Team should contact the Safeguarding Lead:

Dawn Randall: +44 7840 867773

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

4.3 – Within the Organisation

Should any alleged abuse involve member(s) of the Open Homes Nottingham Team, reporting procedures 017.4.1 & 017.4.2 must still be followed, in conjunction with the [028.0 Whistleblowing] and [005.0 Disciplinary] policies.

 

5. Section 42 Enquiries 

5.1 – Definition

Under the Health and Care Act 2022, when a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult is at risk of abuse or neglect and is unable to protect themselves, it must make enquiries or ensure enquiries are made to determine necessary actions.

If requested by the Local Authority, Open Homes Nottingham will cooperate in safeguarding enquiries, following local safeguarding protocols.

 

5.2 – Objectives

•           Establish facts (determine what has actually happened/may happen);

•           Ascertain the adult's views and wishes;

•           Assess the needs of the adult for protection, support and redress and how they might be met;

•           Protect from the abuse and neglect, in accordance with the wishes of the adult;

•           Make decisions as to what follow-up action should be taken with regard to the person or organisation responsible for the abuse or neglect;

•           Enable the adult to achieve resolution and recovery.

 

5.3 – Advise for Making Enquiries

5.3.1 – Core Considerations

•           What facts need to be established?

•           What information is relevant/irrelevant?

•           What information has already been gathered, and how reliable is it?

•           What additional information is needed and what is the best way to gather it?

Where a police investigation is taking place (or will be) the individual making the enquiry must first establish with the investigating officer any potential enquiry actions that may/may not be carried out.

 

5.3.2 – Facts to Establish

The following are examples of key questions of fact that may need to be established by an enquiry:

•           What is the adult's insight into the concern and situation? Is mental capacity an issue? Is coercion or undue influence a concern?

•           What does the adult want to happen/not happen?

•           What was the impact of the abuse on the adult-at the time if happened and now-do they need support to recover? Have their needs changed?

•           What is the nature of the alleged abuse or neglect? How likely is it that it occurred?

•           Did the alleged abuse happen in more than one place? Are there any other people at risk?

•           Who caused the alleged abuse or neglect? Do they still pose a risk?

•           Has the alleged abuse been happening for some time? Are there previous referrals? If so, is there a pattern?

•           Is the alleged abuse likely to happen again? If so, how can this be mitigated?

•           Has a crime been committed? Is advice needed from the police?

•           Is the adult able to protect themselves from further abuse?

 

5.3.3 – Actions

The following are examples of possible actions that may be appropriate dependent on the specific circumstances of the enquiry:

•           A conversation with a care-giver or family member;

•           A conversation with a professional or organization;

•           A conversation with anyone deemed to be a witness to what may have happened;

•           A conversation with the person alleged to have caused harm;

•           An examination of records, including contact logs etc.;

•           An exploration into alternative options for meeting needs, including accommodation;

•           An exploration into available support services;

•           A review of equipment.

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