SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY
Introduction.
The Echo Society recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable adults. A vulnerable adult or adult at risk is defined as: “an adult (a person aged 18 or over) 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”
1) Aim.
• The purpose of this policy is to outline the duty and responsibility of Management, Supervisors, Counsellors and volunteers working on behalf of The Echo Society in relation to Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults.
• All adults have the right to be safe from harm and must be able to live free from fear of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
2) Objectives.
• To explain the responsibilities The Echo Society and its Management, Supervisors, Counsellors and volunteers have in respect of vulnerable adult protection.
• To provide Management, Supervisors, Counsellors and volunteers with an overview of vulnerable adult protection.
• To provide a clear procedure that will be implemented where vulnerable adult protection issues arise.
3) Context.
For the purpose of this policy ‘adult’ means a person aged 18 years or over.
What do we mean by abuse?
• Abuse of a vulnerable adult may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may occur as a result of a failure to undertake action or appropriate care tasks. It may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur where a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which they have not, or cannot, consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the individual.
• Concerns about abuse may be raised and reported to the social services agency as a result of a single incident or repeated incidents of abuse. However for some clients the issues of abuse relate to neglect and poor standards of care. They are ongoing and if ignored may result in a severe deterioration in both physical and mental health and even death.
• Anyone who has concerns about poor care standards and neglect in a care setting may raise these within the service, with the regulatory body and/or with the social services agency.
• Where these concerns relate to a vulnerable adult living in their own home, is or at risk of homelessness, with family or with informal carers they must be reported to the social services agency. These reports must be addressed through the adult protection process and a risk assessment must be undertaken to determine an appropriate response to reduce or remove the risk.
Who is included under the heading 'vulnerable adult?'
• An Adult (a person aged 18 or over) 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'. (Definition from 'No Secrets' March 2000 Department of Health)
• This could include people with learning disabilities, mental health problems, older people and people with a physical disability or impairment. It is important to include people whose condition and subsequent vulnerability fluctuates. It may include an individual who may be vulnerable as a consequence of their role as a carer in relation to any of the above.
• It may also include victims of domestic abuse, hate crime, homeless, and anti social abuse behaviour. The persons’ need for additional support to protect themselves may be increased when complicated by additional factors, such as, physical frailty or chronic illness, sensory impairment, challenging behaviour, drug or alcohol problems, social or emotional problems, poverty or homelessness.
• Many vulnerable adults may not realise that they are being abused. For instance an elderly person, accepting that they are dependent on their family, may feel that they must tolerate losing control of their finances or their physical environment. They may be reluctant to assert themselves for fear of upsetting their carers or making the situation worse.
• It is important to consider the meaning of 'Significant Harm'. The Law Commission, in it's consultation document 'Who Decides,' issued in Dec 1997 suggested that; 'harm' must be taken to include not only ill treatment (including sexual abuse and forms of ill treatment which are not physical), but also 'the impairment of, or an avoidable deterioration in, physical or mental health; and the impairment of physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development'.
4) Legal Framework.
Human Rights Act 1998, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998
Data Protection Act 1998, Freedom on Information Act 2000, Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Code of Practice2008
The Mental Capacity Act 2005, covering England and Wales, provides a statutory framework for people who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves, or who have capacity and want to make preparations for a time when they may lack capacity in the future. It sets out who can take decisions, in which situations, and how they must go about this.
The Human Rights Act 1998 gives legal effect in the UK to the fundamental rights and freedoms contained in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) created a framework for whistle blowing across the private, public and voluntary sectors. The Act provides almost every individual in the workplace with protection from victimisation where they raise genuine concerns about malpractice in accordance with the Act’s provisions.
5) Role of Management, Supervisor, Counsellor and Volunteers.
• Management, Supervisors, Counsellors and volunteers working on behalf of the organisation have a duty to promote the welfare and safety of vulnerable adults.
• Management, Supervisors, Counsellors and volunteers may receive disclosures of abuse and observe vulnerable adults who are at risk. This policy will enable those working for The Echo Society make informed and confident responses to specific adult protection issues.
6) Types of Abuse.
• Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur when a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which he or she has not consented, or cannot consent.
• Abuse can occur in any relationship and it may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it.
• The Department of Health in its ‘No Secrets’ 2000 report suggests the following as the main types of abuse:
Emotional or Psychological Abuse - including threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.
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.
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.
Discriminatory abuse - including race, sex, culture, religion, politics, that is based on a persons disability, age or sexuality and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment, hate crime.
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.
Institutional abuse - Institutional abuse although not a separate category of abuse in itself, requires specific mention simply to highlight that adults placed in any kind of care home or day care establishment are potentially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. This can be especially so when care standards and practices fall below an acceptable level as detailed in the contract specification.
Multiple forms of abuse - Multiple forms of abuse may occur in an ongoing relationship or an abusive service setting to one person, or to more than one person at a time, making it important to look beyond single incidents or breaches in standards, to underlying dynamics and patterns of harm. Any or all of these types of abuse may be perpetrated as the result of deliberate intent and targeting of vulnerable people, negligence or ignorance.
Not included and relevant:
Coercive and controlling behaviour - The Government defines Coercive and controlling behaviour as: “ Coercive behaviour is an act or a pattern of acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish, or frighten their victim. Controlling behaviour is a range of acts designed to make a person subordinate and/or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance and escape and regulating their everyday behaviour.”
Stalking - The Crime Survey for England and Wales defines stalking as: “One or more incidents (causing distress, fear or alarm) of receiving obscene or threatening unwanted letters, e-mails, text messages or phone calls, having had obscene or threatening information about them placed on the internet, waiting or loitering around home or workplace, following or watching, or interfering with or damaging personal property by any person, including a partner or family member.”
Cyber Bullying - cyber bullying occurs when someone repeatedly makes fun of another person online or repeatedly picks on another person through emails or text messages, or uses online forums with the intention of harming, damaging, humiliating or isolating another person. It can be used to carry out many different types of bullying (such as racist bullying, homophobic bullying, or bullying related to special educational needs and disabilities) but instead of the perpetrator carrying out the bullying face-to-face, they use technology as a means to do it.
Forced Marriage - forced marriage is a term used to describe a marriage in which one or both of the parties are married without their consent or against their will. A forced marriage differs from an arranged marriage, in which both parties consent to the assistance of a third party in identifying a spouse. The Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 make it a criminal offence to force someone to marry.
Mate Crime - a ‘mate crime’ as defined by the Safety Net Project is ‘when vulnerable people are befriended by members of the community who go on to exploit and take advantage of them. It may not be an illegal act but still has a negative effect on the individual.’ Mate Crime is carried out by someone the adult knows and often happens in private. In recent years there have been a number of Serious Case Reviews relating to people with a learning disability who were murdered or seriously harmed by people who purported to be their friend.
Radicalisation - the aim of radicalisation is to attract people to their reasoning, inspire new recruits and embed their extreme views and persuade vulnerable individuals of the legitimacy of their cause. This may be direct through a relationship, or through social media.
Domestic abuse.
Home Office Definition 2004
‘Any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are, or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.’
Women’s Aid Definition
‘Domestic violence is physical, sexual, psychological or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. This can also include forced marriage and so-called “honour crimes”. Domestic violence may include a range of abusive behaviours, not all of which are in themselves inherently “violent”.
• Most research suggests that domestic violence occurs in all sections of society irrespective of race, culture, nationality, religion, sexuality, disability, age, class or educational level.
• Both definitions would therefore also include incidents where extended family members may condone or share in the pattern of abuse e.g. forced marriage, female genital mutilation and crimes rationalized as punishing women for bringing ‘dishonour’ to the family.
• It is important to recognise that Vulnerable Adults may be the victims of Domestic Abuse themselves or be affected by it occurring within their household. This is likely to have a serious effect on their physical and mental wellbeing.
• Where Vulnerable Adults are victims of Domestic Abuse, they may need extra support to plan their future. The violence or threat of violence may continue after a victim has separated from the abuser. It is important to ensure that all the vulnerable people in this situation have appropriate support to enable them to maintain their personal safety.
• A separate Domestic Abuse Protocol is in place between Police, Social Services and Health.
• Incidents reported by the police through the domestic abuse protocols will be addressed under the adult protection processes if it is considered that a vulnerable adult may be at risk of abuse. (See Joint Police, Social Services and Health protocol for dealing with cases of domestic abuse where vulnerable adults are involved)
7) Children.
It is essential that the needs of any children within an abusive or domestic violence situation where there is a vulnerable adult involved are considered and acted upon. Please contact your Supervisor or Manager and/or the local social services Safeguarding Children’s team.
8) Procedure in event of a Disclosure.
• It is important that vulnerable adults are protected from abuse. All complaints, allegations or suspicions must be taken seriously.
• This procedure must be followed whenever an allegation of abuse is made or when there is a suspicion that a vulnerable adult has been abused.
• Promises of confidentiality must not be given as this may conflict with the need to ensure the safety and welfare of the individual.
• A full record shall be made as soon as possible of the nature of the allegation and any other relevant information.
• This must include information in relation to the date, the time, the place where the alleged abuse happened, your name and the names of others present, the name of the complainant and, where different, the name of the adult who has allegedly been abused, the nature of the alleged abuse, a description of any injuries observed, the account which has been given of the allegation.
9) Responding to an Allegation.
• Any suspicion, allegation or incident of abuse must be reported to your Supervisor or Manager on that working day where possible.
• The Supervisor or Manager shall telephone and report the matter to the appropriate local adult social services duty social worker. A written record of the date and time of the report shall be made and the report must include the name and position of the person to whom the matter is reported. The telephone report must be confirmed in writing to the relevant local authority adult social services department within 24 hours.
10) Responding Appropriately to an Allegation of Abuse.
In the event of an incident or disclosure:
DO
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Make sure the individual is safe
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Assess whether emergency services are required and if needed call them
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Listen
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Offer support and reassurance
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Ascertain and establish the basic facts
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Make careful notes and obtain agreement on them
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Ensure notation of dates, time and persons present are correct and agreed
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Take all necessary precautions to preserve forensic evidence
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Follow correct procedure
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Explain areas of confidentiality; immediately speak to your manager for
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Support and guidance
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Explain the procedure to the individual making the allegation
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Remember the need for ongoing support.
DON’T
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Confront the alleged abuser
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Be judgmental or voice your own opinion
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Be dismissive of the concern
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Investigate or interview beyond that which is necessary to establish the basic facts
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Disturb or destroy possible forensic evidence
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Consult with persons not directly involved with the situation
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Ask leading questions
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Assume Information
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Make promises
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Ignore the allegation
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Elaborate in your notes
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Panic
It is important to remember that the person who first encounters a case of alleged abuse is not responsible for deciding whether abuse has occurred. This is a task for the professional adult protection agencies, following a referral from the designated Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer.
11) Professional Boundaries.
The Echo Society expects all who work for the organisation to protect the professional integrity of themselves and the organisation.
The following professional boundaries must be adhered to:
Giving and receiving gifts from a service user:
The Echo Society does not allow any member of the team to give gifts to or receive gifts from a service user. However, gifts may be provided by the organisation as part of an event/activity.
Management, Supervisors, Counsellors, and Volunteers Contact with Service Users.
• personal relationships between Management, Supervisors, Counsellors and volunteers (paid or unpaid) and a a service user who is a current service user is prohibited. This includes relationships through social networking sites such as facebook and twitter.
• it is also prohibited to enter into a personal relationship with a person who has been a a service user over the past 12 months.
• the Echo Society prohibits passing on service users’ personal contact details.
• taking family members to a client’s home is not allowed.
• selling to or buying items from a service user is not allowed.
• accepting responsibility for any valuables on behalf of a a service user is prohibited.
• accepting money as a gift/Borrowing money from or lending money to service users in prohibited.
• personal relationships with a third party related to or known to service users is not allowed.
• the Echo Society prohibits accepting gifts/rewards or hospitality from organisation as an inducement for either doing/not doing something in their official capacity.
• be cautious of, or avoid personal contact with a service user/s.
12) Confidentiality.
• Vulnerable adult protection raises issues of confidentiality which must be clearly understood by all.
• Management, Supervisors, Counsellors and volunteers have a professional responsibility to share relevant information about the protection of vulnerable adults with other professionals, particularly investigative agencies and adult social services.
• Clear boundaries of confidentiality will be communicated to all.
• All personal information regarding a vulnerable adult will be kept confidential.
• All written records will be kept in a secure area for a specific time as identified in data protection guidelines. Records will only record details required in the initial contact form.
• If an adult confides to the Management, Supervisor, Counsellor or a volunteer and requests that the information is kept secret, it is important that the member of the team tells the adult sensitively that he or she has a responsibility to refer cases of alleged abuse to the appropriate agencies.
• Within that context, the adult must, however, be assured that the matter will be disclosed only to people who need to know about it.
• Where possible, consent must be obtained from the adult before sharing personal information with third parties. In some circumstances obtaining consent may be neither possible nor desirable as the safety and welfare of the vulnerable adult is the priority.
• Where a disclosure has been made, a member of the team must let the adult know the position regarding their role and what action they will have to take as a result.
• Management, Supervisors, Counsellors and volunteers must assure the adult that they will keep them informed of any action to be taken and why. The adults’ involvement in the process of sharing information must be fully considered and their wishes and feelings taken into account.
13) The roles of individual Agencies.
Adult Social Services.
• The Department of Health’s recent ‘No secrets’ guidance document requires that authorities develop a local framework within which all responsible agencies work together to ensure a coherent policy for the protection of vulnerable adults at risk of abuse.
• All local authorities have a Safeguarding Adults Board, which oversees multi-agency work aimed at protecting and safeguarding vulnerable adults. It is normal practice for the board to comprise of people from partner organisations who have the ability to influence decision making and resource allocation within their organisation.
The Police.
The Police play a vital role in Safeguarding Adults with cases involving alleged criminal acts. It becomes the responsibility of the police to investigate allegations of crime by preserving and gathering evidence. Where a crime is identified, the police will be the lead agency and they will direct investigations in line with legal and other procedural protocols.
Role of Designated Vulnerable Adult Protection.
• The role of the designated team member for vulnerable adult protection is to deal with all instances involving adult protection that arise within the organisation. They will respond to all vulnerable adult protection concerns and enquiries.
• The designated Vulnerable Adult Protection Leads for the organisation is your supervisor or if they are absent the manager.
Should you have any suspicions or concerns relating to Adult Protection, contact your supervisor or if they are absent the manager.
Role of Supervisor and Manager.
• The role of the Supervisor and/or Manager is to support the team member involved with the incident and to ensure the correct procedures are followed.
• The Supervisor and/or Manager could, if agreed with the team member dealing with the incident, make contact with the designated Adult Protection Lead in the first instance.
• The Supervisor and Manager must ensure that all Management, Supervisors, Counsellors and volunteers are familiar with the organisation’s vulnerable adult protection procedures and ensure that training is undertaken, where appropriate.
Training.
• Training will be provided, as appropriate, to ensure that colleagues are aware of these procedures.
• Specialist training will be provided for the member of team with vulnerable adult protection responsibilities.
Complaints Procedure.
The Echo Society organisation has a complaints procedure available. If you have a complaint then you should tell us by contacting us by clicking here.
Recruitment Procedure.
The organisation operates procedures that take account of the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable adults, including arrangements for appropriate checks on new Management, Supervisors, Counsellor and volunteers where applicable.
14) References, internet links, guidance and further resources of information.
Safer Practice, Safer Learning, click here:
‘No Secrets’ report, click here:
Safeguarding Adults, click here:
Review of this safeguarding vulnerable adults policy.
We may update this safeguarding vulnerable adults notice from time to time as necessary. The terms that apply to you are those posted here on our website on the day you use our website. We advise you to print a copy for your records.
If you have any question regarding our safeguarding vulnerable adults policy, please contact us by clicking here.
