Policies

Safeguarding vulnerable adults policy

Introduction

Vulnerable people may be involved with ‘Walking With’ either as volunteers or as general service users.  This policy applies to all employees and volunteers (including Committee members), and others representing ‘Walking With’ who have contact with vulnerable adults.

The six principles of adult safeguarding

The Care Act 2014 sets out the principles that underpin the safeguarding of adults. Within North Tyneside, we follow a Making Safeguarding Personal approach which embodies the six principles of safeguarding.

Empowerment.

People are 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.

Services offer local solutions through working closely with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.

Accountability.

Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

Safeguarding adults means:

• Protecting people’s rights to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
• People and organisations working together to prevent the risk of abuse or neglect, and to stop it from happening.
• Making sure people’s wellbeing is promoted, taking their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs into account.

Safeguarding Adults is underpinned by The Care Act 2014 which calls for effective multi agency working to ensure that adults at risk of harm are safeguarded within our communities.

An adult at risk is defined by The Care Act 2014 as a person who:

• Has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs)
• Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; 
  and
• As a result of those needs is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

An adult at risk may therefore 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 or alcohol
• is a carer such as a family member/friend who provides personal assistance and care to adults and is subject to abuse
• is unable to demonstrate the capacity to make a decision and is in need of care and support

This list is not exhaustive and being frail, elderly or having a disability does not mean you are therefore at risk, you could for example, be making an informed choice which others may consider unwise – but it is your choice. Both capacitated and incapacitated people can be at risk from harm and at risk of duress, pressure or undue influence.

Policy aim

In promoting this policy ‘Walking With’ is keen to take reasonable steps to:

• Provide a welcoming, secure and comfortable environment for the benefit of vulnerable adults;
• Keep them safe from harm while in the care of its staff or volunteers;
• Comply with relevant statutory requirements;
• Support and protect the interests of staff and volunteers who have contact with, or access to, vulnerable adults.

In welcoming and working with vulnerable adults ‘Walking With’ aims to:

• Provide a friendly welcome for them and promote their general welfare;
• Recognise their rights as individuals and treat them with dignity and respect;
• Consistently apply fair and objective methods of selecting employees, volunteers and contractors;
• Plan activities involving vulnerable adults with care to minimise risks to their health and safety;
• Raise awareness of the dangers to which vulnerable adults may be susceptible;
• Develop appropriate procedures for responding to accidents, incidents, allegations, suspicions or disclosures of abuse.

Implementation

Walking With recognises the need to be aware of each person’s needs and capabilities when working with vulnerable adults.

It should be recognised that vulnerable adults are able to cope in many situations, so sensitivity and common sense should be exercised.

Activities and involvement within the scope of this policy include:

• Interviewing vulnerable adults who are interested in volunteering
• Accompanying vulnerable adults/ ensuring safety on visits to volunteer placements??
• Holding support meetings with vulnerable volunteers
• Working with vulnerable volunteers on volunteer-led projects
• Supporting and working with vulnerable adults on work placement
• Conducting 1:1 interviews with service users
• Providing information and signposting
• Any other activity that might involve substantial, unsupervised access to vulnerable adults

Responding to Safeguarding Concerns or Allegations

If a vulnerable adult wants to allege or disclose abuse, it is essential that the employee or volunteer:

• Listens carefully to what the person says, keeping calm and looking at them directly;
• Lets them know that to help them someone else must be told;
• Reassures them that they are not to blame;
• Is aware that they may have been threatened;
• Does not push them for information;
• Reassures them that they are right to talk about it and what they say is accepted;
• Let them know what will happen next and undertakes to let them know the outcome.

If you witness abuse or abuse has just taken place the priorities will be to:

• If medical assistance is required call a Designated 1st Aider (information at reception) and ambulance (999 [or 9999 from an internal extension.])

• Call the police if you believe a crime has been committed (999, or 101 if not an emergency – [9999 or 9101]).

• Preserve evidence.

• Keep yourself, staff, volunteers, and service users safe.

• Inform Walking With’s Designated Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible.

If a vulnerable adult has talked about abuse, or abuse is suspected, the employee or volunteer must do two things:

• Write down accurately what the person has said recording disclosures or signs of abuse witnessed.
• Notify the Designated Safeguarding person, giving them the completed written information.

It is vitally important that employees and volunteers notify the ‘Designated Safeguarding Person’ (DSP) (Joan Hoult), so that they can then inform and liaise with the relevant authorities.

Where a ‘Designated Person’ is unavailable, and the vulnerable adult is in imminent danger, employees or volunteers should contact the ‘Designated Committee Member’ (DSM) ‘Maureen Madden’, or relevant authorities themselves.  They should then inform the DSP as soon as possible on their return.

Dealing with the above is difficult for any individual so employees and volunteers should not:

• Act alone;
• Start to investigate; or
• Make any assumptions about the persons involved

Dealing with concerns, suspicions, allegations or disclosures involving a Walking With employee or Walking With volunteer

Where it is suspected that an employee or volunteer may be involved in the abuse, employees and volunteers should let the appropriate representative know as soon as possible.  The employee or volunteer should be immediately removed from access to vulnerable adult, but be assured that no presumptions have been made and that the allegation will be fully investigated by the relevant authorities.  Where it is suspected that the DSP may be involved in the abuse, employees and volunteers should let the alternative DSM know as soon as possible

If gross misconduct is reasonably suspected, it may be appropriate to ask them not to attend the office or property at all while the matter is under investigation (suspended on full pay if an employee).  Once the relevant authorities enquiry has concluded, the Walking With Committee should decide what further action is appropriate in conjunction with Walking With’s other relevant policies. 

Accurate records

Full and accurate records (i.e. word for word) must be written as soon as possible, notes should include:

• The date and time of the alleged incident or disclosure;
• The parties involved;
•  What was alleged; and
•  The action taken. 

Records should be as accurate as possible as they may be invaluable to the investigation and used as evidence in court.  A copy should be kept by the appropriate DSP.

Confidentiality and sensitivity

When dealing with personal and emotive details of this nature, confidentiality must be maintained at all times since the allegations or suspicions may prove to be unfounded.  Notes and records should be kept in a secure place and shared only with those who need to know about the incident or allegation.

A sensitive approach should be taken with the accused to explain why an investigation has to take place and to reassure them that the matter will be handled discreetly and even-handedly by ‘Walking With’ /relevant authorities.

No assumptions of guilt should be made unless and until a clear position has been reached in the proceedings.  Impartial contact will be maintained by a nominated staff member during this process.

An individual’s wishes cannot override ‘Walking With’s’  duty to act. Informed consent to share information should be obtained but if this is not possible and a vulnerable adult is at risk it may be necessary to override this.

Remember that the Data Protection Act is not a barrier to sharing information but provides a framework to ensure that personal information about living persons is shared appropriate.

Statement of rights

In dealing with incidents of potential abuse, adults at risk have the following rights

which should be respected:

• The right to live without fear, and free from abuse from their families, caregivers, professionals, volunteers or fellow service users

• The right to be safe and receive adequate care and protection, which includes protection from all forms of violence – physical punishment, intimidation, belittling, lack of respect, harassment, and sexual assault

• The right to be given appropriate information about keeping themselves safe and exercising their rights

• The right to be involved in making decisions that affect them, and to be supported in making their own decisions about how they wish to proceed in the event of abuse, and in whom they wish to confide. Their wishes should only be overridden if considered necessary in the interests of their own safety or the safety of others.

• The right to report violence and have their report taken seriously, including the right to have the Police called, if a crime has been committed.

• People with a disability have a right to be enabled to take an active, full part in everyday life and become as independent as possible. They are entitled to take part in activities that include an element of risk

• The right to make informed choices about intimate relationships without being exposed to exploitation or sexual abuse

• The right to the money and property that is legally theirs, and for these to be treated with respect

• The right not to be discriminated against because of their ethnic origin, culture or religion, their gender or sexuality, their age or disability

• The right to bring a formal complaint under the relevant complaints procedure if they are not satisfied with the outcome of the initial investigation

• The right to the assessment of their needs should they be a victim of abuse.

Behaviour and conduct

Some actions, no matter how well intentioned, may be misinterpreted and leave all parties vulnerable.  The following is a quick reference guide to appropriate behaviour when working with those who may be vulnerable.

Employees and volunteers should:

• Remember they are a role model and provide an example for those they work with to follow;
• Bear in mind that some actions, no matter how well-intentioned, may be easily misinterpreted and so leave all parties vulnerable;
• Be alert to any potential harm or inappropriate behaviour by vulnerable adults;
• Respect individuals rights to privacy;
• Provide access for vulnerable adults to discuss any concerns they may have;

Employees and volunteers should not:

• Arrange to see vulnerable adults in circumstances unconnected with their work;
• Share personal contact details with vulnerable adults, or agree to add them to personal Facebook accounts, or similar;
• Be left alone for substantial periods of time with a vulnerable adult.  Where one-to-one work is necessary they should inform another staff member where they are going, with whom and for how long;
• Permit abusive behaviour by others or engage in it themselves (eg ridiculing and bullying);
• Show favouritism to, or become too closely associated with an individual.  Nor should they get drawn into inappropriate attention-seeking behaviour (eg crushes);
• Allow or engage in suggestive remarks, gestures or touching of a kind which could be misunderstood;
• Promise to keep secrets;
• Jump to conclusions about others without checking facts;
• Do anything which might undermine ‘Walking With’s good reputation for providing a safe environment;
• Hesitate to share concerns on any of these matters with the appropriate Walking With representative.

Training to support the policy and good practice will be delivered to appropriate Committee members, staff and volunteers.

Definitions and indicators of abuse

Abuse or mistreatment is described as behaviour that may cause significant harm or results in the serious exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons.

Categories and indicators of mistreatment or abuse:

Physical abuse; including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions

Indicators: include unexplained or inconsistently explained injuries, clusters of injuries, changes of behaviour, over or under use of medication.

Emotional/psychological abuse; including intimidation, humiliation, being ignored, withholding and denial of help, privacy, choice, requests, religious or cultural needs, access, contact etc.

Indicators: vulnerable adult becomes excessively withdrawn, self esteem is lowered, vulnerable adult has restricted freedom, access to services, activities, social contacts etc.

Neglect and acts of omission; deliberate or by default, where the alleged perpetrator is not able to, or does not, provide the care needed and may not recognise the need for that care. The alleged perpetrator may also be neglecting him or herself.

Indicators: unkempt appearance, malnutrition, failure to provide, food, care, clothing, access to medical care, heating etc. poor physical condition.

Sexual abuse; where the victim is involved in any sexual activity to which they have not given consent or do not fully comprehend. The adult victim may be of any age, male or female. The abuse may take place within a marriage or relationship and may or may not involve physical contact.

Indicators: reluctance to be alone with a known person, changes in behaviour, unexplained difficulties in walking or sitting, overt sexual behaviour or language, self inflicted injuries.

Exploitation of finance and/or property;use of money, assets, property without the informed consent of a vulnerable adult, theft, extortion or fraudulent transactions, prevention of access to money, assets or property.

Indicators: sudden lack of money, disparity between assets and living conditions, reluctance to spend money, excessive interest in the vulnerable person’s assets by others etc. Includes modern day slavery.

Discriminatory abuse; where the abuse is motivated by oppressive and discriminatory attitudes towards the vulnerable adult, and could include physical, psychological or sexual abuse or neglect in a culturally or religiously specific context.

Institutional abuse; which may be hidden and includes the practice of an abusive regime or culture that destroys the dignity and respect to which everyone is entitled. It occurs when the individual’s needs and wishes are sacrificed for the smooth running of an organisation or institution.

Indicators: lack of choice or flexibility, public discussion of personal matters, overly controlling or authoritarian relationships of others towards the vulnerable person, lack of control or ownership over important decisions.

 Current Designated Safeguarding Officer

Joan Hoult

Chief Executive Officer

Walking with

0191 6498974

Current Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer and lead Board member

Maureen Madden

Trustee of Walking With

The People’s Centre

Wallsend 

0191 2634852

Any employee or volunteer who is involved in a disclosure of any kind may feel that they need to speak to an adult protection specialist. They should contact

North Tyneside Adult Social Care Team

Tel: 0191 643 2777/ Out of hours: (0191) 200 6800.

Gateway 

Tel: 0191 3371000

Date version approved: June 2024
Approved by :	Martin Hood- Chair of Trustees and Board of Trustees for Walking With.		Joan Hoult- Chief Executive officer for Walking With.
Next review date:	June 2025	Frequency: Annually.
Author: Joan Hoult
Organisation Walking With in North Tyneside Charity number 1202661

Safeguarding children and young people Policy

Introduction

Walking With works with children and families as part of its activities. This policy applies to all staff, including employees, volunteers and Trustees, at all levels within the organisation, and extends to sessional workers, agency staff, students or anyone working on behalf of Walking With.

Policy Aim

• To protect children and young people who receive Walking With’s services. This includes the children of adults who use our services.
• To provide parents, staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection.
• To promote a safe environment and culture.
• To respond promptly and appropriately to every safeguarding concern or allegation.

Walking With believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people and to keep them safe. We are committed to practise in a way that protects them.

We recognise that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the Children Act 1989.
• All children, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse.
• Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues.
• Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.

Legal framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that seeks to protect children, namely:

• Children Act 1989
• United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991
• Data Protection Act 1998
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Sexual offences Act 2003
• The Education act 1996 and 2002
• Children Act 2004
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Children and young persons act 2008
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• Children and Families Act 2014
• GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018
• Working together to safeguard children and young people 2018
• Keeping children safe in education 2022
• Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) code of practice: 0 to 25 years – Statutory guidance for organisations which work with and support children and young people who have special educational needs or disabilities; HM Government 2014

Additional legislation below:

Legislation	More Information
Human Rights Act 1998	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/42/contents
Sexual Offences Act 2003	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2003/42/contents
The Equality Act 2010	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/contents
Serious Crime Act 2015	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/9/contents/enacted
Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2015/6/contents/enacted
The Data Protection Act 2018	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2018/12/contents/enacted
Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019	https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2019/2/contents/enacted

Types of Abuse

These can include:

• Discrimination including forms of harassment, bullying, slurs, isolation, neglect, denial of access to services or similar treatment because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, religion or because someone is gay, bisexual or transgender. This includes racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, or any hate crime.

• Domestic abuse an incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse by someone who is or has been a family member. This includes psychological/ emotional, physical, sexual, financial abuse or so call “honour” based violence, forced marriage or Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

• Financial or material includes fraud, theft, internet scamming, exploitation, coercion in relation so a vulnerable adult’s financial affairs, including communication with wills, property inheritance, possessions, or benefits.

•  Modern slavery includes slavery, trafficking, forced labour.

•  Neglect includes ignoring medical, emotional, and physical care needs, such as medication, adequate nutrition, or heating.

•  Institutional includes poor care practice within an institution or organisation or care given at home ranging 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.

•  Physical includes assault, hitting, slapping, misuse of medication, restraint.

• Psychological / Emotional includes threats of harm, abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable withdrawal of services or support networks.

•  Sexual includes rape, indecent exposure, sexual assault, sexual acts, sexual harassment, inappropriate touching, looking, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts to which they did not consent.

•  Self-neglect includes a person neglecting to care for their own personal hygiene, health or surroundings, or an inability to provide essential food, clothing, shelter, or medical care necessary to maintain their physical and mental health, emotion wellbeing and general safety.

•  Radicalisation includes where an individual has been radicalised by others, which may lead to acts of crime, terrorism, or harm to others.

Implementation

We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:

• Valuing them, listening to and respecting them.
• Appointing a Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), a deputy and a lead board member for safeguarding.
• Adopting child protection and safeguarding practices through procedures and a Code of Conduct for staff and volunteers.
• Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures.
• Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures.
• Recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made.
• Recording and storing information professionally and securely, and sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children, their families, staff and volunteers via leaflets, poster, one-to-one discussions.
• Using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately.
• Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately.
• Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bulling that does arise.
• Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place.
• Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance.
• Creating a safe and caring space for all to flourish.
• Ensure that good and safe practices are in place for all activities. Thus ensuring the safety of children and young people.

Role of the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)

Strategic: To take the lead role in ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place at Walking With for keeping children and young people safe.

Operational: To promote the safety and welfare of children and young people using Walking With’s services.

Duties and responsibilities

• Ensure that all issues concerning the safety and welfare of children and young people who attend ‘WALKING WITH’ are properly dealt with through policies, procedures and administrative systems.

• Make sure that all staff, volunteers and Trustees are made aware of the procedures and what they should do if they have concerns about a child or children.

• Receive and record information from anyone who has concerns about a child who attends ‘WALKING WITH’.

• With support from management, take the lead on dealing with information that may constitute a child protection concern.  This includes assessing and clarifying the information, and taking decisions where necessary in consultation with colleagues, the Chair of the Trustees and statutory child protection agencies.

• Consult with, pass on information to and receive information from statutory child protection agencies, such as the local authority children’s social care department and the police.  This includes making formal referrals to these agencies when necessary.

• Offer support to staff and volunteers who have been involved in a safeguarding matter.

• Be familiar with and work within local inter-agency child protection procedures developed by the local safeguarding children board.

• Be familiar with issues relating to child protection and abuse, and keep up-to-date with new developments in this area.

• Attend training in issues relevant to safeguarding from time to time and share knowledge from that training with workers and Trustees.

• Be involved in the recruitment of staff and volunteers. And ensure they are fully 

          trained and supported.

Current Designated Safeguarding Officer

Joan Hoult

Chief Executive Officer

Walking with

0191 6498974

Current Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer and lead Board member

Maureen Madden

Trustee of Walking With

The People’s Centre

Wallsend  0191 2634852

Useful contacts

Local Police	Emergency: 999 Non-emergency: 101
North Tyneside Council Front Door service	Office hours: 0345 2000 109 Evenings and weekends: (0191) 200 6800
NSPCC Helpline	0808 800 5000 help@nspcc.org.uk
Childline	0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP)	www.ceop.police.uk

Date version approved: June 2024
Approved by :	Martin Hood- Chair of trustees ana Board of trustees for Walking With.		Joan Hoult- Chief Executive officer for Walking With.
Next review date:	June 2025	Frequency: Annually.
Author: Joan Hoult
Organisation Walking With in North Tyneside Charity number 1202661