Coventry Parent Carer Forum

ADULT'S SAFEGUARDING POLICY

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Purpose

This policy and guidance document exists to ensure that Coventry Parent Carer Forum implements appropriate arrangements, systems and procedures to ensure that the organisation has the right knowledge, skills and resources to protect and safeguard adults at risk of harm and that steering group members, staff and volunteers know what to do if they become aware of abuse.

1.2. What is ‘Adult Safeguarding’

The Care Act 2014 provides a definition and framework for Safeguarding Adults

“Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances”.

1.3. What are the aims of Adult Safeguarding

The aims of adult safeguarding are to:

Stop abuse or neglect wherever possible
Prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect to adults with care and support needs
Safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making choices and having control about how they want to live
Promote an approach that concentrates on improving life for the adults concerned
Raise public awareness so that communities as a whole, alongside professionals, play their part in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse and neglect
Provide information and support in accessible ways to help people understand the different types of abuse, how to stay safe and what to do to raise a concern about the safety or well-being of an adult
Address what has caused the abuse or neglect

2. POLICY

2.1 Policy Statement

Coventry Parent Carer Forum recognises safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and we take our responsibility seriously to promote safeguarding within our organisation and with any groups or organisations with whom we work.

Coventry Parent Carer Forum will ensure staff, volunteers, and steering group members are fully informed regarding defining the parameters surrounding the Safeguarding Adult agenda.

Coventry Parent Carer Forum staff, volunteers and steering group members may spot abuse and neglect; the adult may say or do things that hint that all is not well. It may come in the form of a complaint, or an expression of concern. Everyone within the organisation should understand what to do, and where to go locally to get help, support and advice. It is vital that everyone within the organisation is vigilant on behalf of those unable to protect themselves, including:

Knowing about different types of abuse and neglect and their signs
Supporting adults to keep safe
Knowing who to tell about suspected abuse or neglect and
Supporting adults to think and weigh up the risks and benefits of different options when exercising choice and control.

Coventry Parent Carer Forum will support adult safeguarding by:

Ensuring that we follow safe recruitment & selection procedures and that all of our staff volunteers and steering group members are carefully selected and trained to ensure their awareness of safeguarding issues relating to adults.
Having a Safeguarding Adult policy and procedure which is clearly understood, so that any member of staff, volunteer or steering group member has an appreciation of the appropriate guidance to follow, should a concern be raised.
Reviewing our Safeguarding Adult policy and procedure annually in order to ensure it is in line with national and local policy. This will be done as part of our ongoing practice of annual reviewing of all policies with the steering group.
Ensuring that a dedicated officer is appointed, to hold a specific role in relation to advising staff and volunteers, whereby advice and a clear course of action can be offered in relation to any safeguarding adult concerns. In the event of the lead officer not being available at the time the issue arises, a deputy lead officer will be appointed and will deputise in this role for advice and guidance. If both officers are unavailable, and the situation warrants a swift response, the matter will be referred directly to the relevant local authority Safeguarding Adult Team.
Ensuring that staff and volunteers, who work with ‘adults at risk of harm’ and their carers, develop practice which ensures they know how to report their concerns about a ‘adult at risk of harm’, staff member or volunteer. This will be achieved by ensuring an appropriate induction is carried out, which will include information on our Safeguarding Adult policies and procedures.

2.2 Key Safeguarding Principles

Coventry Parent Carer Forum will be guided in the implementation of this policy by the safeguarding principles set out in The Care Act 2014 and aim to demonstrate and promote these 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.

3 GUIDANCE

3.1 Who is at risk & in what way?

Coventry Parent Carer Forum recognises that we have a duty to act on reports, or suspicions of abuse/neglect, including allegations made against staff, volunteers and steering group members. This will be done in accordance with this guidance, the relevant local area multi agency procedures and if necessary, in conjunction with and guidance from, the relevant local authority Safeguarding Adult Team.

Staff, volunteers & steering group members must be familiar with this guidance and know what to do and where to obtain further support and guidance if they become aware of abuse or neglect.

The statutory adult safeguarding duties apply to an adult who:

Is 18 and over;

has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and;
is experiencing, or at risk of abuse or neglect; and
as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect

3.2 Who may have Care & Support Needs?

Whilst the following list is not exhaustive it should serve as a guide as to who may have:

Care & Support needs, it may be a person who:

is elderly and frail due to ill health, physical disability or cognitive impairment
has a learning disability
has a physical disability and or a sensory impairment
has mental health needs including dementia or a personality disorder
has a long-term illness/condition
misuses substances, drugs or alcohol

Any or a combination of the above factors may indicate someone has care and support needs that may make them more vulnerable to abuse or neglect and this is when the local authority statutory duty applies.

3.3 What Constitutes Abuse and Neglect?

The Care Act 2014 statutory guidance defines the following 10 areas of abuse and neglect; they are not exhaustive but are a guide to behaviour that may lead to a safeguarding enquiry. A more detailed explanation including signs and symptoms can be found at Appendix A.

The Care Act places the types of harm caused by people on ‘adults at risk’ into 10 different categories; the table at Appendix A provides a fuller explanation to the types of abuse.

Physical
Organisational
Psychological
Financial
Neglect
Modern Slavery
Self-neglect
Sexual
Discriminatory
Domestic Abuse

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list but an indicative guide as to the sort of behaviour which could give rise to a safeguarding concern. We should not limit our view of what constitutes abuse or neglect, as they can take many forms and the circumstances of each individual case should always be considered.

3.4. Adult Abuse and the Police

The abuse of ‘Adults at Risk of Harm’ can sometimes involve the police, on occasions the abuse may also be a crime and a criminal investigation will be necessary. The lead for Adult Safeguarding is the local authority but when a crime is suspected the lead agency will be the police. The local authority and the police have arrangements in place that ensure they work closely together in such incidents.

3.5. Who May Potential Abusers Be?

Abuse may be carried out deliberately or unknowingly and may be a single act or repeated acts. People who behave abusively come from all backgrounds and walks of life. They may be staff members, carers, doctors, nurses, social workers, advocates, volunteers or others in a position of trust. They may also be relatives, friends, neighbours or people who use the same services as the person experiencing abuse, people who deliberately exploit vulnerable people and strangers.

3.6 In What Circumstances Can Abuse Occur?

Abuse can take place in any context. It may occur when an adult at risk lives alone or with a relative; it may also occur within nursing, residential or day care settings, in hospitals, in community settings, social situations custodial situations, support services into people’s own homes, and other places previously assumed safe, or in public places.

3.7. Patterns of Abuse

Incidents of abuse may be one-off or multiple, and affect one person or more. Professionals and others should look beyond single incidents or individuals to identify patterns of harm. Patterns of abuse and abusing vary and reflect very different dynamics. These include:

serial abusing in which the perpetrator seeks out and ‘grooms’ vulnerable individuals. Sexual abuse usually falls into this pattern as do some forms of financial abuse
long term abuse in the context of an ongoing family relationship such as domestic violence between spouses or generations
opportunistic abuse such as theft occurring because money has been left around
situational abuse which arises because pressures have been built up and/or because of difficult or challenging behaviour;
neglect of a person’s needs because those around him or her are not able to be responsible for their care, for example if the carer has difficulties attributable to such issues as debt, alcohol or mental health problems;
unacceptable ‘treatments’ or programmes which include sanctions or punishment such as withholding of food and drink, seclusion, unnecessary and unauthorised use of control and restraint
failure of agencies to ensure staff receive appropriate guidance on anti-racist and anti-discriminatory practice
failure to access key services such as health care, dentistry, prostheses
misappropriation of benefits and/or use of the persons money by other members of the household
fraud or intimidation in connection with wills, property or other assets.

3.8 Making Safeguarding Personal

The Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) programme has been running since 2010. The Care Act 2014 guidance required adult safeguarding practice to be person led and outcome focused, aiming towards resolution or recovery. It engages the person in a conversation about how best to respond to their safeguarding situation in a way that enhances involvement, choice and control as well as improving quality of life, wellbeing and safety.

In its simplest form MSP means putting the person at the centre of everything we do during a safeguarding enquiry from the very beginning to the very end.

Coventry Parent Carer Forum recognises the importance of the MSP way of working and will ensure that any safeguarding concerns that are raised by their staff volunteers or steering group member follow this approach.

We will:

ask if the person who has or may have been abused if they require any immediate support to keep themselves safe
explain how safeguarding works
ask what the person would like to happen
support the person in a way to give choice and control to improve their quality of life, wellbeing and safety
be open and honest with the person if we feel we must share our concerns with someone else

3.9 Promoting Adult Safeguarding within Coventry Parent Carer Forum

To assist in the prevention of adult abuse the following areas of practice are highlighted as priority areas and must be followed:

rigorous recruitment practices (including volunteers)
training for all staff, volunteers and steering group member
internal guidelines for staff

3.10 Safe Recruitment & Selection

Coventry Parent Carer Forum have a Safe Recruitment & Selection procedure which covers all potential staff. We ensure that all potential new staff;

complete an application form or a letter of application. This includes: address, evidence of relevant qualifications paid work and voluntary work experience and all criminal convictions.
provide two pieces of identification which confirm both identity and address.
undergo an interview (formal or informal) involving at least two interviewers.
provide at least two references which are followed up before a post is offered. One reference is from the last employer or an organization that has knowledge of the applicant’s work.
if undertaking a regulatory activity or if the is post eligible obtain consent to a Disclosure and Barring Service check (formally CRB check) to and sign up to the update service and agree to Coventry Parent Carer Forum requesting updates.

We ensure all volunteers:

complete an application which includes address and any experience and all criminal convictions
undergo an induction and probationary period.

3.11 Disclosure and Barring

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) helps employers make safer recruitment decisions and prevent unsuitable people from working with vulnerable groups, including children. It replaces the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA).

DBS are responsible for:

processing requests for criminal records checks
deciding whether it is appropriate for a person to be placed on or removed from a barred list
placing or removing people from the DBS children’s barred list and adults’ barred list for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

The Disclosure & Barring Service search police records and, in relevant cases, barred list information, and then issue a DBS certificate to the applicant.

DBS recognise that information released on DBS certificates can be extremely sensitive and personal. Further information regarding the code of practice for recipients of criminal record information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about

3.12 Managing the Recruitment & Selection Process

Coventry Parent Carer Forum:

understand that a person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults is breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with these groups.
understand that an organisation which knowingly employs someone who is barred to work with those groups will also be breaking the law.
understand that if our organisation dismisses a member of staff or volunteer because they have harmed a child or vulnerable adult, or would have done so if they had not left, we must make referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Coventry Parent Carer Forum are committed to minimising and preventing abuse and recognise the importance of safe recruitment policies and practices for paid staff, volunteers and steering group members. We recognise it is important to be robust in emphasising appropriate safeguarding measures when screening potential steering group members, staff and volunteers to work with Adults at Risk of Harm.

Coventry Parent Carer Forum has the following items in place for managing its staff and volunteers:

all staff and volunteers are requirement to comply with the Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and Code of Conduct.
staff and volunteers will have a period of induction where they will complete any induction training which includes relevant information on all the organisation’s policies and procedures.
staff and volunteers will be subject to a probationary period (6 months for staff, 3 months for volunteers) during which they will be supervised and overseen by a steering group member.
all paid staff complete a role review at the end of their induction period before being confirmed in post. Inductions will be completed within 6 months.
all volunteers have a review with a director at the end of 3 months.
all volunteers are supported during their induction by the chair/co-chairs
all steering group members, paid staff and volunteers attend regular safeguarding training appropriate to their role.
all staff and volunteers read and understand the Safeguarding Adult Policy and for this to be reviewed to ensure up-to-date knowledge

3.13 Training

Coventry Parent Carer Forum will promote awareness of Adult Safeguarding issues, to its committee/steering group, staff, volunteers, broader membership and service users. Steering group members, staff and volunteers all receive Adult Safeguarding training appropriate to their role. This will enable them to:

Develop an Understanding of Safeguarding Adults at Risk of Harm within Coventry alongside key legislation and National & local guidance including:

The Care Act 2014
Making Safeguarding personal
Mental Capacity Act 2005
State what Adult Safeguarding is and be able to identify relevant legislation
Explain who may abuse, who may be abused and why abuse might occur
Identify different types of abuse and their signs and indicators
Respond appropriately to abusive situations
Report their concerns in the most appropriate manner.

4 HANDLING THE DISCLOSURE OF ABUSE AND RAISING A CONCERN

4.1. Urgent Actions

In most situations there will not be an immediate threat and the decision about protecting the person with safeguarding needs will be taken in consultation with themselves your designated adult safeguarding lead and/or Adult Social Care.

However, there are some cases that may require an urgent response.

If you suspect a serious criminal act has taken place, telephone 999. Tell them if you think it might be adult abuse.
If the individual is injured seek immediate medical treatment. Tell the ambulance personnel or A&E staff that this is a potential adult abuse situation.

4.2 Initial Response to safeguarding concerns

Any member of staff or volunteer who becomes aware that an adult is or is at risk of, being abused or has safeguarding needs should raise the matter as soon as is possible with the designated safeguarding lead. A check list of actions can be found at Appendix B.

Early sharing of information is the key to providing an effective response where there are emerging concerns. To ensure effective safeguarding arrangements no member of staff, director, or volunteer should assume that someone else will pass on information which they think may be critical to the safety and wellbeing of the adult.

You will need to inform your designated lead of:

name of the person subject of the concern, their address if known and where they are currently located
nature of the concern, including time, day date when it happened,
if known, the name of the person or organisation who may have caused the person harm
what you or someone else may have done to protect the adult from further harm
has the person harmed already consented to you raising this concern beyond your supervision?

More detailed guidance on further actions to protect the adult can be found at Appendix B of this guidance.

4.3. Consent and Capacity

Coventry Parent Carer Forum recognises the importance of gaining consent within its safeguarding adults at risk of harm policies and procedures. If a disclosure of alleged abuse is received, we will ensure that consent is gained to share the information and or raise a safeguarding concern.

If an individual agrees to share information about them to others, they have given consent. If individuals do not consent, then on occasions this has to be accepted; however, this does not prevent you discussing your concerns with your designated lead, and this should be done as a matter of procedure. Equally we understand that there will be occasions where decisions not to consent can be overridden. It may be that an individual is not able to give informed consent because they lack capacity or others might be at risk of abuse from the same person, (public interest) on these occasions it will be appropriate to raise your concerns without the consent of the person concerned, however every effort should always be made to obtain their consent if this is at all possible; if you decide it is necessary to share information without consent you should on most occasions inform the person concerned that you intend to do this and why.

Further guidance on the actions that should be taken when a concern is raised can be found at Appendix B.

4.4 Recording

A written record must be kept in regard to any concern regarding an adult with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions you have taken to protect the adult at risk of harm.

The recordings must be signed and dated. All records must be securely and confidentially filed.

4.5 What might not be a safeguarding concern?

On occasions you may become concerned that someone needs more help at home, this would not be considered safeguarding. However, if you are concerned that someone needs help and support to look after themselves at home, a referral may need to be made to one of the adult care management teams. In most cases a referral will need the knowledge and/or consent of the person concerned. To access the most appropriate team or social care service you should contact Customer Services, who based on the information you provide will discuss the most appropriate option with you.

Coventry City Council contact details: phone 08085 834 333 or email https://www.coventry.gov.uk/contact-council

4.6 How to raise a concern?

In the first instance you should raise your concerns with the Coventry Parent Carer Forum designated officer.

Coventry Parent Carer Forum designated officer for Adult Safeguarding is:

Designated Officer: Diane Morris

Contact Telephone number: 07961 830527

Contact email: covpf@entrustcarepartnership.org.uk

The designated officer will discuss your concerns with you and ensure the initial actions listed at Appendix B have been completed or considered. If a safeguarding concern is to be raised, it will be done immediately or within 24 Hours. Concerns should be reported to the local authority in the area where the abuse is happening.

4.7 Local Safeguarding Adults Teams Contact Details

The Safeguarding Adult Teams are central teams which receive concerns about suspected abuse and coordinate any enquiry. It is important that all steering group members, volunteers and staff are aware of who to contact in case of raising a concern or any other matter relating to keeping adults at risk of harm safe.

4.8 Whistleblowing

An important part of promoting dignity in any organisation ensuring a working environment that encourages employees to challenge poor or dangerous practice. Good leadership and an open and honest culture can enable individuals to feel comfortable about raising concerns with their colleagues or managers.

The Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 provides a framework for whistleblowing across the private, public and voluntary sectors. Coventry Parent Carer Forum staff, steering group and volunteers have a duty to share concerns regarding culture and practice from within the organisation. Without this challenge and scrutiny, there is a potential for safeguarding concerns to arise for our services users, their needs may go unmet, and they become at an increased risk of harm.

A variety of feelings and concerns may be generated by the discovery that a member of staff, volunteer or steering group member is or may be abusing a vulnerable person and this may raise concerns amongst other staff and volunteers. Coventry Parent Carer Forum makes it clear that we will fully support all members of staff, director, volunteers or steering group members and protect anyone who, in good faith and without malicious intent, reports his or her concern about a colleague’s practice or the possibility that a person may be being abused without fear of victimisation, subsequent discrimination or disadvantage.

Members of staff, director, volunteers or steering group members are encouraged to speak to designated safeguarding officer regarding concerns; if it is the designated safeguarding officer, they have the concerns about or are implicated through friendship with the person of concern, then staff are encouraged to speak to the chair if the suspicion or allegation concerns the DSO.

Approved: May 2025

Responsibility of: Coventry Parent Carer Forum Committee

Next review date: May 2027

Appendix A

Appendix B - Actions to take when you become aware of a safeguarding concern

Initial Action

These actions can normally be undertaken by anyone who becomes aware of abuse and neglect.
Remain calm and non-judgemental
Take whatever action is required to ensure the immediate safety or medical welfare of the adult
Do not discourage the adult from further disclosure
Listen to the adult, clarify the main facts and summarise what has been said to you
Remain sensitive, supportive and attentive
Give reassurance but do not press for more detail or make promises
Retain, record and report information
Ensure all potential evidence has been preserved
You will need to inform the designated safeguarding person

Further Action

The actions in this section will normally be taken by the designated safeguarding person. It is important that this person ensures the initial actions have been completed or at least considered.
Take all reasonable steps to ensure the adult is in no immediate danger of further harm
Explain that you cannot keep information about alleged or suspected abuse confidential.
Seek permission to share information with others.
Consider the importance of; Capacity, Consent, Best Interest and Public Interest
Offer future support from yourself or others.
Review any records that have been made and or make a record of what has occurred, and the action taken so far.

Follow Up Actions

These actions will normally be carried out by the designated safeguarding person:

Review the actions taken to ensure the adult is in no immediate danger of further harm
Ensure all potential evidence has been preserved
Review or if appropriate develop a protection plan to protect the adult
Review any records made and ensure they are factual/accurate and correspond to the account given
Discuss any remaining concerns you have with the local councils safeguarding adults’ team
When necessary and appropriate complete and forward the safeguarding adults concern form to the local authority safeguarding adults’ team.