Safeguarding Policy

Gifted Women

Adult Safeguarding Policy

 

Last updated

20.09.2022

Safeguarding Lead:

Dr. Mary Embleton (Gifted Women Trustee)

 

 

Introduction:

 

This policy is to make sure that Gifted Women has all the right things in place to protect and safeguard adults.

 

Gifted Women believes in protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. This policy sets out the roles and responsibilities of Gifted Women in working together in promoting the adult’s welfare and safeguarding them from abuse and neglect. Employees, trustees and volunteers should be made aware of how this policy can be accessed.

 

This policy and related procedures are applicable to the trustees, Chief Executive Officer,

employees and volunteers of Gifted Women. Failure to comply with the policy and related procedures is to be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the organisation.

 

Key Principles of Adult Safeguarding:

 

In the safeguarding of adults, Gifted Women is guided by the six key principles set out in The Care Act 2014. Gifted Women aims to demonstrate and promote these six principles in our work:

  • Empowerment – People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent

  • Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.

  • Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.

  • Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.

  • Partnership – Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.

  • Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

 

Recognising the signs of abuse:

 

Employees, trustees and volunteers are well-placed to identify abuse - the adult may say or do things that let you know something is wrong. It may come in the form of a disclosure, complaint, or an expression of concern. Everyone within the organisation should understand what to do, and where to go to get help, support and advice.

 

Types of Abuse:

 

The Care Act 2014 defines the following ten areas of abuse. These are not exhaustive but are a guide to behaviour that may lead to a safeguarding enquiry. This includes:

 

·       Physical abuse - Including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.

·       Domestic Violence/ Domestic Abuse - Including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse; so called ‘honour’ based violence.

·       Exploitation- Including sexual and/or criminal exploitation

·       Sexual abuse - Including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography. Witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented 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, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.

·       Financial or material abuse - Including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse of misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

·       Modern slavery - Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and those who coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.

·       Discriminatory abuse - Including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment because you are, or are perceived to be different due to race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

·       Organisational abuse - Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to long-term ill treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes or practices within an organisation.

·       Neglect and acts of omission - Including ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.

 

Radicalisation to Terrorism:

 

The Government through its PREVENT programme has highlighted how some adults may be vulnerable to exploitation and radicalisation and involvement in terrorism.  Signs and indicators of radicalisation may include:

 

·       Being in contact with extremist recruiters.

·       Articulating support for violent extremist causes or leaders.

·       Accessing violent extremist websites, especially those with a social networking element.

·       Possessing violent extremist literature.

·       Using extremist narratives to explain personal disadvantage.

·       Justifying the use of violence to solve societal issues.

·       Joining extremist organisations.

·       Significant changes to appearance and/or behaviour.

 

Reporting Concerns:

 

Any employee, trustee or volunteer who becomes aware that an adult is or is at risk of, being abused must raise the matter immediately with their supervisor /or with the Gifted Women’s designated safeguarding person. If the adult requires immediate protection from harm, contact the police and Adult Social Care.

 

Early sharing of information is the key to providing an effective response where there are emerging concerns. To ensure effective safeguarding arrangements no one should assume that someone else will do it.

 

Safe Recruitment & Selection:

 

The Gifted Women employability programme is intended for participants aged 18+, however if a participant is turning 18 within 6 weeks of the start date she may be able to join at the discretion of the management provided;

-       she is referred by an external professional who can provide a written reference 

-       the external support worker / professional agrees to provide continuing support throughout the duration of the programme.

-       an extended risk assessment is completed and signed off by the management.

 

Gifted Women is committed to safe employment and safe recruitment practices, that reduce the risk of harm to adults with care and support needs from people unsuitable to work with them.

 

Gifted Women has policies and procedures that cover the recruitment of all Trustees, employees and volunteers. An up to date DBS check is required for all staff and volunteers who have regular contact with participants, to be renewed every 3 years.  

 

Social Media:

 

All employees and volunteers should be aware of Gifted Women social media policy and procedures and the code of conduct for behaviour towards the adults we support.

 

Is there a Person in a Position of Trust Involved?

 

In any instance of safeguarding, consideration must be given as to whether an allegation has been made against a person in a position of trust (PiPoT) and who may be a risk to others. This can be anyone, from a formal employee or volunteer, to an informal carer.

 

Training and Awareness:

 

Gifted Women will ensure an appropriate level of safeguarding training is available to its Trustees, Employees, Volunteers and any relevant persons linked to the organisation who requires it (e.g. contractors).

For all employees who are working or volunteering with adults at risk this requires them as a minimum to have awareness training that enables them to:

·      Understand what safeguarding is and their role in Safeguarding Adults.

·      Recognise an adult potential in need of safeguarding and take action.

·      Understand how to report a safeguarding Alert.

·      Understand dignity and respect when working with individuals.

·      Have knowledge of the Safeguarding Adults Policy.

 

Training should be refreshed annually.

Similarly, employees and volunteers may encounter concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children/young people. For more information about children’s safeguarding, refer to Gifted Women Children and Young People’s Safeguarding Policy.

 

Mental Capacity:

 

The Mental Capacity Act defines someone is lacking capacity, because of an illness or disability such as a mental health problem, dementia or a learning disability, who cannot do one or more of the following four things:

·       Understand information given to them about a particular decision

·       Retain that information long enough to be able to make the decision

·       Weigh up the information available to make the decision

·       Communicate their decision. Refer to the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-capacity-act-code-of-practice. Gifted Women will need to involve an advocate if the person lacks capacity to make decisions about a safeguarding concern.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing:

Gifted Women expects all employees, volunteers and trustees to maintain confidentiality.  Information will only be shared in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

 

However, information should be shared with the Local Authority if an adult is deemed to be at risk of harm or contact the police if they are in immediate danger, or a crime has been committed.

 

Recording and Record Keeping:

 

A written record must be kept about any concern regarding an adult with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions taken, decision made and why they were made.

 

All records must be signed and dated. All records must be securely and confidentially stored in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

 

Whistleblowing:

Gifted Women is committed to ensuring that employees and volunteers who in good faith whistle-blow in the public interest, will be protected from reprisals and victimisation.

 

Important Contacts:

 

Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding
Name: Dr Mary Embleton
Email address Mary.Embleton@NHS.net

Deputy Senior Lead for Safeguarding

Name: Jenny Adjene
Email address: info@giftedwomen.co.uk

Designated Trustee for Safeguarding
Name: Julie Howes
Email address: Julie.Howes5@NHS.net

Plymouth Safeguarding Team:

Tel: 01752 304401, Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm (excluding Bank Holidays). The adult safeguarding advice line will direct you to an answerphone which will be accessed by the Plymouth City Council Safeguarding Adults Team.

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/reportabuse


Police
Emergency – 999
Non-emergency – 101

Telephone: 0808 2000 247

https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/  (for domestic abuse cases)