VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY &

PROCEDURES

Contents

1          Statement

2          Introduction

3          Definitions

4          Categories of Abuse

5          Responsibilities of Staff and Volunteers

6          Disclosure of Abuse

7          Suspicion of Abuse

8          Action on Disclosure of Abuse

9          Action on Suspicion of Abuse

10        Making a Referral

11        Support to Staff and Volunteers

12        Allegations of Abuse Made Against a Staff Member or Volunteer

13        Confidentiality

14        Preventing Abuse by Staff and Volunteers

1          Statement

1.1       West Area Project considers it the duty of staff and volunteers to protect vulnerable adults with whom they come into contact from abuse.

2          Introduction

2.1       West Area Project is involved in providing services for adults with learning disabilities who are defined as ‘vulnerable adults.’

2.2       This policy is based on ‘No Secrets’, the national guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse (Department of Health, 2000)

2.3       The charity has obligations to strive to protect vulnerable adults who it may believe to be abused or at risk of abuse or neglect.

2.4       The policy and procedures have been developed to assist staff, trainees, students on placement and volunteers in acting on reported or suspected abuse.

3          Definitions

3.1       No Secrets defines a vulnerable adult as:

‘A person (over 18) 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.’

* Disability includes sensory impairment, physical impairment, learning difficulties etc.

3.2       No Secrets defines abuse as:

‘Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons.’

4          Categories of Abuse

4.1       No Secrets recognises six categories of abuse:

4.1.1    physical abuse, including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions

4.1.2    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;

4.1.3    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;

4.1.4    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;

4.15     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; and

4.16     discriminatory abuse, including racist, sexist, that based on a person’s disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.

5          Responsibilities of Staff/Trainees/Students/Volunteers

5.1       All  staff/trainees/students and volunteers at the West Area Project have a responsibility to be aware and alert to signs that all is not well with a vulnerable person. However, they are not responsible for diagnosing, investigating or providing a therapeutic response to abuse. In addition, not all concerns relate to abuse, there may well be other explanations. It is important to keep an open mind and consider what is known about the vulnerable person and his or her circumstances. No action should be taken without discussion with the Project Manager.

6          Disclosure of Abuse

6.1       If a vulnerable person discloses that they are being abused or any service user discloses that they are involved in abuse of a vulnerable person, action should continue as in Section 8. All action must proceed urgently and without delay.

7          Suspicion of Abuse

7.1       There may be circumstances when a volunteer/student/trainee or member of staff suspects that a vulnerable adult is being abused or neglected.

7.2       It is vital that anyone who suspects a vulnerable adult is being neglected or abused discusses the situation immediately with the Project Manager. Action should continue as in Section 9.

8          Action on Disclosure of Abuse

8.1       There should always be the opportunity to discuss welfare concerns with and seek advice from colleagues, managers and other agencies, but:

·         Never delay emergency action to protect a vulnerable adult

·         Always record in writing concerns about a vulnerable adult’s welfare, whether or not further action is taken

·         Always record in writing discussions about a vulnerable adult’s welfare.

·         At the close of discussion, always reach clear and explicit recorded agreement about who will be taking what action, or that no further action will be taken.

8.2       At all times action must proceed urgently.

8.3       A staff member/trainee/student or volunteer informed of abuse should remind the service user/member that the West Area Project cannot guarantee confidentiality where a vulnerable person is at risk of abuse or further abuse.

8.4       Volunteers/trainee or students on placement should consult with the staff member co-ordinating their service before taking any action.

8.5       Additionally, all action taken following a disclosure of abuse should be discussed in advance with the Project Manager.

8.6       In circumstances where a service user declines to disclose, despite some work having been done towards disclosing, it may be necessary to report the alleged abuse without the member/service user’s agreement. In these circumstances, a service user must be notified in advance of the decision to report to social services.

8.7       Any staff member may report a disclosure of abuse to social services irrespective of the opinion of other staff.

8.8       It is important for staff/trainees/students and volunteers to make written records of any incidents or concerns that they have as soon as possible and if appropriate to include sketches of sites and sizes of injuries. It is also important to make a record of conversations with the vulnerable person using the same language the vulnerable person used especially names used for body parts or sexual acts.

8.9       Full written records must be maintained of all disclosures and actions following disclosure.

9          Action on Suspicion of Abuse

9.1       There should always be the opportunity to discuss welfare concerns with and seek advice from colleagues, managers and other agencies, but:

·         Never delay emergency action to protect a vulnerable adult

·         Always record in writing concerns about a vulnerable adult’s welfare, whether or not further action is taken

·         Always record in writing discussions about a vulnerable adult’s welfare.

·         At the close of discussion, always reach clear and explicit recorded agreement about who will be taking what action, or that no further action will be taken.

9.2       At all times action must proceed urgently.

9.3       Volunteers/trainees and students should consult with the staff member co-ordinating their service before taking any action.

9.4       Additionally, all action taken following suspicion of abuse should be discussed in advance with the Project Manager.

9.5       In all cases of suspected abuse the manager and staff member should discuss whether issues relevant to different cultures and lifestyles have any bearing on the matter.

9.6       As an organisation, the West Area project welcomes the fact that people and lifestyles are diverse and does not make judgements about the acceptability or otherwise of lifestyles. However it is important that this philosophy does not stand in the way of the organisation's responsibility to protect vulnerable people from harm.

9.7       Any staff member may report a suspicion of abuse to social services irrespective of the opinion of other staff.

9.8       It is important for staff/trainees/students and volunteers to make written records of any incidents or concerns that they have as soon as possible and if appropriate to include sketches of sites and sizes of injuries. It is also important to make a record of conversations with the vulnerable person using the same language the vulnerable person used especially names used for body parts or sexual acts.

9.9       Full written records must be maintained of all disclosures and actions following disclosure.

10        Making a Referral

10.1     Social services departments have been designated as the lead agencies with responsibility for co-ordinating a response to allegations or concerns of abuse.

10.2     The Project Manager has the responsibility of informing the relevant social services department of concerns over the abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults. The West Area Project Manager is responsible for ensuring that their referral information is kept updated.

10.3     The West Area Project will work within the following timescales for reporting allegations or suspicions of abuse:

·         Immediate if the vulnerable person is at risk of serious physical harm, or a serious criminal act has taken place, and evidence will need to be kept safe

·         Within 24 Hours if it relates to a specific incident which is, or may be still going on, or may happen again

·         Within 7 Days if it is a more general concern, which does not indicate

            immediate harm.

11        Support to Staff/Trainees/Placement students and Volunteers

11.1     The West Area Project will support staff /trainees/students and volunteers in these  circumstances. If the social services department need further involvement from staff or volunteers following a report of abuse, the Project Manager will discuss with the social services department the nature of their needs and how they might be met.

12        Allegation of Abuse Made Against a Staff Member/Trainee/student or Volunteer

12.1     Workers, paid or unpaid may be subject to abuse allegations. The Charity will offer support in these circumstances, but the social services department will be assisted in their investigation and the disciplinary procedure may be implemented.

13        Confidentiality

13.1     Confidentiality is central to the work of West Area Project, and the attention of all staff and volunteers is drawn to the Confidentiality Policy.

14        Preventing Abuse by paid and unpaid workers in the West Area Project

14.1     It is important that any staff /trainees/students or volunteers who are likely to be working alone with vulnerable people are thoroughly vetted before being employed. At West Area Project this means as well as references being checked there will also be a requirement for offences to be declared and a Criminal Records Bureau check undertaken.

14.2     It should be noted that having a criminal record does not prevent someone from being recruited as a staff member or volunteer in all circumstances. Staff should seek the advice of the Project Manager in cases of doubt.

14.3     It may be very hard for a worker to report a concern about a colleague to the Project Manager but, as with all the other difficulties people will come across, the safety and protection of a vulnerable person must be the priority in any decision that is made.

14.4   In cases where the concern relates to the behaviour of the Project Manager, the workers should approach the Chairperson of the Trustee Committee.

This policy was revised and approved at WAP Board meeting 26/5/22

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WAP and ACTIV2 volunteer and workers: I have read and agree to abide by this policy:

Name:

Position:

Date: