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Adult Safeguarding Policy

Version: One
Ratified by: Ben Hutchinson and Deborah J Hopkins
Date ratified: 30-03-26
Author: Penny Lewis
Date issued: 30-03-26
Review date: 30-03-28

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Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Involve is Penny Lewis.

 

Email: penny@involveleeds.org.uk

Telpehone: 07565 103649.

 

Trustee Lead for Safeguarding and Deputy is Ben Hutchinson

Email: Ben.hutchinson@hotmail.co.uk

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1. INTRODUCTION

 

Involve is a Community Centre in Hunslet. We aim to provide a welcoming, safe space which will encourage people to attend groups and activities, encourage providers to work in the centre and support local groups in setting up their own activities.


Adults at Risk attend Involve Leeds to undertake activities in groups and activities run by Involve and in those run by external groups.


Involve will not tolerate the abuse of any adult at Risk, whether or not they are known to be so by Social Services.


Involve is committed to:

  • Managing its services is a way which minimises the risk of abuse occurring

  • Working with relevant agencies to end any abuse that is taking place

  • In achieving these aims the organisation will:

  • Involve is committed to:

  • Managing its services is a way which minimises the risk of abuse occurring

  • Supporting adults at risk who are at risk, experiencing or have experienced abuse

  • Working with adults at risk and other agencies to end any abuse that is taking place

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2. WHO IS AN ADULT AT RISK

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For the purposes of this policy, an adult at risk an adult who:

  • is aged 18 years or more, and

  • has needs for care and support (whether or not these are currently being met), or

  • is experiencing or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and

  • as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.


This definition includes adults with physical, sensory and mental impairments and learning disabilities, howsoever those impairments have arisen e.g. whether present from birth or due to advancing age, chronic illness or injury.


Also included are people with a mental illness, dementia or other memory impairments, people who misuse substances or alcohol.


The definition includes unpaid carers (family and friends who provide personal assistance and care to adults on an unpaid basis).

 

3. NAMED PERSON(S) FOR SAFEGUARDING

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Name of Safeguarding Lead: Penny Lewis


Name of Deputy Safeguarding lead / Trustee Safeguarding Lead : Ben Hutchinson
 

Telephone number: 07565 103649
Mobile Number:
Emergency Contact No: 999
 

Telephone number of Children’s Social Work Service (including out of hours number):
During Office hours - 0113 222 4403
Social Care- Emergency Duty team - 0113 240 9536 (out of hours)

 

4. WHAT IS ABUSE

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Abuse can take many forms and the circumstances of the individual should always be considered. It may consist of a single act or repeated acts. The following are examples of issues that would be considered as a safeguarding concern:


Physical abuse

Includes hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, unlawful or inappropriate restraint, or inappropriate physical sanctions.


Domestic abuse

Is “an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse… by someone who is or has been an intimate partner or family member regardless of gender or sexuality” (Home Office, 2013). Domestic violence and abuse may include psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse; as well as so called ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
 

Sexual abuse

Includes rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult at risk has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting.


Psychological abuse

Includes 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 from services or supportive networks.

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Financial and material abuse

Includes 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

Includes human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use the means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhuman treatment.


Neglect and acts of omission

Includes 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

Includes abuse based on a person’s race, sex, disability, faith, sexual orientation, or age; other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment or hate crime/hate incident.


Organisational abuse

Includes neglect and poor 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 on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.


Self-neglect

Covers a wide range of behaviours, such as neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviours such as hoarding.
 

A safeguarding response in relation to self-neglect may be appropriate where:

  • a person is declining assistance in relation to their care and support needs, and

  • the impact of their decision, has or is likely to have a substantial impact on their overall individual wellbeing

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Online abuse

Online abuse is any harmful, distressing, or illegal behavior targeted at individuals via the internet, social media, gaming, or mobile phones. It includes cyberbullying, stalking, threats, identity theft, and non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Such behavior, often intended to cause fear or humiliation, can have serious psychological effects and may constitute a criminal offence

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Every member of staff and volunteer has a responsibility to act on concerns of possible abuse and must inform the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.

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Designated Safeguarding Lead: The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) has the responsibility to decide whether it is appropriate to Raise a Safeguarding Concern required or respond to the concerns in an alternative manner. The DSL is also responsible for ensuring that staff and volunteers have appropriate training and information to fulfil their roles.

 

The Designated Safeguarding Lead

The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Involve is Penny Lewis.

Email: penny@involveleeds.org.uk

Telephone: 07565 103649

 

Lead Trustee for Safeguarding Adults

Lead Trustee for Safeguarding has responsibility for governance, oversight, and assurance that Involve protects beneficiaries, staff, and volunteers from harm.

 

They are responsible for ensuring policies are reviewed annually and act as the main liaison between the board and the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

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5.TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

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Awareness of this safeguarding policy/procedure will be covered within the induction programme of all new employees or volunteers.

  • All staff will receive training on safeguarding adults at a level commensurate with their roles.

  • Staff will receive information and guidance on the requirements and provisions of the Mental Capacity Act. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2005/9

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6. PREVENTION

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Relevant policies and procedures to help prevent abuse will include:

  • Health and Safety policy.

  • Equality and Diversity Policy

  • Financial Policy

  • GDPR Policy

  • Booking and Hiring agreements

  • Complaints and Whistle Blowing

  • Volunteer Policy

  • Food Hygiene/safety Policy.

  • Incident and accident reporting procedures

 

All these policies are currently under review and links will be added in due course.

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7. RESPONDING TO AN ALLEGATION OR CONCERN IF A PERSON DISCLOSES ABUSE TO YOU DIRECTLY

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If an adult discloses abuse to you directly you have a responsibility to act on this information. It does not matter what your role is, doing nothing is not an option.

 

If a person discloses abuse to you directly, use the following principles to respond to them:

  • Assure them that you are taking the concerns seriously

  • Do not be judgemental or jump to conclusions

  • Listen carefully to what they are telling you, stay calm, get as clear a picture as you can. Use open ended questions

  • Do not start to investigate or ask detailed or probing questions

  • Explain that you have a duty to tell your manager or the designated officer

  • Reassure the person that they will be involved in decisions about them

 

Your responsibilities are:

 

1. To take action to keep the person safe if possible.

  • Is an urgent police presence required to keep someone safe – call 999

  • Does the person need urgent medical assistance, do they need an ambulance – call 999

2. If a crime has occurred, be aware of the need to preserve evidence
3. Always inform your organisation's Designated Safeguarding Lead. You cannot keep this information secret, even if the person asks you to.
4. Clearly record what you have witnessed or been told, record your responses and any actions taken.
5. The Designated Safeguarding Lead will take the concern forward.

 

If consulting with your Designated Safeguarding Lead will lead to an undue delay and thereby leave a person in a position of risk, you should Raise a Safeguarding Concern yourself.


Raising a safeguarding concern, means reporting abuse to the local authority under the safeguarding adults procedure. Anyone can raise a safeguarding concern, often however this is undertaken by a manager in the organisation. This person is referred to as the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

 

8. RESPONDING TO AN ALLEGATION OR CONCERN IF A YOU ARE INFORMED OR BECOME AWARE OF POSSIBLE ABUSE OR NEGLECT

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If any member of staff or volunteer has reason to believe that abuse is or may be taking place you have a responsibility to act on this information. It does not matter what your role is, doing nothing is not an option.


Gather information, including what the adult wants to happen now, and what changes they want to achieve from the support they could receive.

 

Take action to ensure the immediate safety and welfare of the adult at risk (and any other person at risk):

  • Is urgent medical attention or an ambulance required

  • Is an urgent police presence required?

 

Does a crime need to be reported:

  • If there is an immediate risk, in which case dial 999. If not immediate the DSL will dial 101

  • Be aware of the possible need to preserve forensic evidence

 

Raise a safeguarding concern with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will raise the concern with Adult Social Care as approriate.

 

If the DSL is not immediately available, take action yourself by raising a safeguarding concern with Adult Social Care. Do this:

  • Immediately where the concern is urgent and serious.

  • Within the same working day for other concerns.

 

Document the incident and any actions or decisions taken.

  • If recording a disclosure or allegation, use the words used by the person concerned, do not put the information into your own words.

  • The Designated Safeguarding Lead will ensure key people are informed. (Safeguarding board)

  • Provide support for the person identifying the concern.

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The Designated Safeguarding Lead will ensure key people are informed. (Safeguarding board)
Provide support for the person identifying the concern.

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9. RAISING A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN WITH ADULT SOCIAL CARE

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To raise a safeguarding concern under the safeguarding adults procedures:
Contact:

  • Adult Social Care Contact Centre: 0113 222 4401

  • Emergency Duty Team: 07712 106 378 (if urgent and outside of the Contact Centre times)

 

The person you speak to will ask you for details about the allegation/concern. If you have reported the incident to the police, tell the person this as well.


Then complete the Safeguarding Adults: Supporting Information form; sometimes called the SA1 Form. This can be found on www.leedssafeguardingadults.org.uk


The safeguarding concern will be allocated to an appropriate team, who will then contact you to discuss the concerns further and advise you to whom the Supporting Information form (SA1) should be sent.

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10. SAFE RECRUITMENT

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Involve do not currently work with or have direct responsibility for Adults at Risk, although they may attend the centre independently. However, we will still operate a safer recruitment policy. We will:

  • Use application forms to assess the candidate’s suitability for the role.

  • Make it clear that we have a commitment to safeguarding and protecting children.

  • Have a face-to-face interview with pre-planned and clear questions.

  • Include a question about whether they have any criminal convictions, cautions, other legal restrictions or pending cases that might affect their suitability to work in a Community Centre where children may be on the premises.

  • Check the candidate’s identity by asking them to bring photographic ID.

  • Check the candidate actually holds any relevant qualifications they say they have.

  • Apply for a DBS check if appropriate.

  • Ask for and check any references they provide. Ask specifically about an individual’s suitability to work with children.

  • Provide them with a copy of your safeguarding procedures.

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11. MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION OF STAFF/VOLUNTEERS

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We will establish routes for volunteers, trustees and staff to discuss with Safeguarding Lead, Trustee Lead or Project Manager any safeguarding matter giving them concern, by ensuring regular opportunities for support and Supervision.

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12. ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF

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Involve will establish have procedures in place to ensure that any allegation made against a member of staff working with children is dealt with appropriately.


An allegation made against the Project Manager will be reported to the Trustee Lead for Safeguarding.


An allegation made against the Trustee Lead Safeguarding Lead will be reported to the Project Manager (DSL).


Allegations against any other member of staff, volunteer or centre user will be made to the Project Manager.


Regardless of whether a police and Social Service investigation follows, an internal investigation will take place and consideration is given to the operation of disciplinary procedures. This may involve an immediate suspension and/or ultimate dismissal dependant on the nature of the incident.

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13. RECORDING AND MANAGING CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

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Concerns or allegations will be recorded on the Cause for Concern Form. This form will be completed by the person who receives the allegation or concern.

  • Hard copy confidential information will be stored on the computer in a password protected file accessible by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and/or Lead Trustee for Safeguarding.

  • The online folders pertaining to Safeguarding will have controls restricting sharing.

  • The computer is in a locked office and needs a password to log on.

  • Adults at Risk have a right to confidentiality unless Involve believes the adult is at risk of abuse or harm by not sharing details.

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14. DISTRIBUTING/ REVIEWING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

  • This Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually by the Project Manager (DSL) and the trustees.

  • This policy and Safeguarding procedures will be shared with all trustees, members of staff and volunteers.

  • This policy and procedures will be accessible via the website.

  • This policy, procedures and information about the Safeguarding Lead will be displayed in the community Centre on the main notice board and in the office. Contact details shall be displayed in every room.

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15. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE TRUSTEES

 

All their policies and procedures are approved by their Trustees. The Trustees are ultimately accountable for all that happens within their establishment and that includes the implementation of effective safeguarding procedures.

  • Written guidance will be provided to all staff, volunteers and trustees as part of induction procedure

  • The DSL will ensure everyone understands their legal duties and responsibilities

  • The Trustee will work with the Project Manager to:

  • Develop a clear framework for behaviour management towards any children or young people

  • Provide information about procedures to follow if an allegation is made

  • Ensure all workers have training to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse

  • Ensure that all staff have enhanced DBS checks, if appropriate. .

  • Have correct policies in place covering your activities eg: health and safety, lone working, etc.

  • Understand what is good safeguarding practice and take responsibility for ensuring this is undertaken by all staff within your organisation

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