Safeguarding Policy

With thanks to Disability Equality North West for their advice and guidance in preparing this policy

Target Audience: All workers, volunteers and participants in Together! 2012 C.I.C. activities.

Background and Introduction

Together! 2012 C.I.C. believes that every individual who accesses our activities has a right to a life free from fear, to be treated with dignity and respect, to have their choices respected, and not to be forced to do anything against their will. This policy, including the practices and procedures that we describe within it, has been drawn up on the basis of law and guidance that protects children and vulnerable adults. Other relevant Together! 2012 CIC policies include our Code of Conduct for Directors, Employees, Apprentices, Interns and Volunteers, our Data Protection Policy, our Health and Safety Policy and our Safer Spaces policy.

Definition of Abuse

Abuse is described as “a violation of an individual’s human or civil rights by any other person or persons” (No Secrets, Department of Health, 2000).  We recognise that all of our workers, interns, apprentices, volunteers, audience members and activity participants are potentially open to abuse, but that those who are defined as children or ‘vulnerable adults’ are particularly at risk.

Together! 2012 C.I.C. recognises that abuse may be perpetrated as a result of deliberate intent, negligence or ignorance.  Incidents of abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts, and may be perpetrated upon one person in a continuing relationship and/or of more than one person at a time.

Abuse can occur in any context.  Therefore we aim to look consistently beyond any single incident or breach of policy and practice within our activities in order to identify any underlying patterns of harm.

Definition of a Child

A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18 years old, whether or not they are living independently.

Participation by Children and Young People

Participating in activities that are directed specifically at children and young people requires the permission of a parent or guardian.  No one under the age of 16 is allowed to participate in Together! 2012 CIC activities for adults without a parent or guardian taking responsibility. Permission must be given for participation in adult online activities with parents or guardians available during the session. 16 and 17 year olds may only participate in adult activities with the permission of their parents or guardians, and following a risk assessment.

Definition of a Vulnerable Adult

A vulnerable adult is defined as a person who “may be in need of services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness: and who may not be able to take care of him or herself, or is unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.” (Who Decides, Lord Chancellor’s Department, 1997).

Adults who fall outside of this definition may also be vulnerable to abuse due to low self-esteem, social exclusion, drug or alcohol misuse, offending history, homelessness, domestic violence, ethnicity, immigration status, gender or sexuality.

The majority of the adults taking part in Together! 2012 CIC activities, whether Team members or participants, will be vulnerable to abuse for one or more of these reasons.

Context

Abuse can occur in any relationship, context or environment irrespective of whether the child or vulnerable adult lives in his or her own home, foster care, residential care, shared, temporary or supported housing.

Those who perpetrate abuse on others are often well known to their victims. Virtually any individual who is in direct contact with a child or vulnerable person could potentially pose a risk, including other vulnerable people.

The seriousness of abuse varies and can range from behaviour that is violent and criminal to passive abuse, which is neglectful, unintentional and less deliberately exploitative in character. Forms of abuse may include:

  • Physical
  • Sexual
  • Psychological and emotional
  • Financial or material
  • Neglect and acts of omission
  • Discriminatory abuse
  • Social
  • Domestic
  • Institutional.

Risk and protection

Together! 2012 C.I.C. believes that each person has a right to a life that maintains independence and enables them to make their own decisions and choices.

We also acknowledge that an individual’s rights to independent living sometimes involves a degree of risk, and we therefore aim to ensure that any risk is recognised, understood by all and minimised whenever possible.

We also understand that there will be cases where an individual may be unable to make their own decisions and/or to protect themselves or their assets.

Prevention of and dealing with incidents of abuse

Together! 2012 CIC acknowledges that its primary responsibility is the prevention of abuse, and where this fails that there are robust measures in place to deal with incidents of abuse. This includes measures to deal with abuse that is perpetuated on our workers, volunteers and participants outside of our activities by third parties.

Measures for preventing incidents of abuse include ensuring that robust policies and procedures are in place and are being followed by workers and volunteers who are sufficiently skilled and have an awareness of abuse.

  • Zoom links for interactive activities should never be advertised on social media.
  • Links for non-regular participants and non-mailing list members should only be supplied following registration for activities or for event tickets.
  • Waiting rooms will be used for Zoom events to avoid unauthorised entry.
  • Anyone breaching the Safer Spaces policy will be excluded from the Zoom and details kept to avoid future breaches.
  • Zoom webinars will be used for large events to reduce the risk of live interruptions.
  • Live chat at Zoom events will be monitored and action taken to exclude anyone who abuses the Safer Spaces policy.
  • Zoom microphones will be muted by the organiser if intrusive background noise interferes with other participants’ access. We recognise that participants may not have control over background sound, but this will be treated as a policy breach if it is deliberate.
  • No one without a DBS check can be left alone online with a child or vulnerable adult.
  • No worker or volunteer can be alone online with a child or vulnerable adult unless one-to-one working is specifically required, for example where it is essential to discuss personal information.
  • Effective recruitment and selection processes are in place for both workers and volunteers, which involve DBS checks and thorough checking of employment history references where applicable.
  • Breaches of policy and procedures will be dealt with appropriately and consistently.
  • We maintain relationships with other agencies, including Adult Services and the police, and work in line with local inter-agency guidelines for the protection of children and vulnerable adults. The Newham Local Safeguarding Children service can be found here: http://www.newhamlscb.org.uk
  • Cases of abuse are reported to and monitored by the Company Chair or an appointed officer and individual cases of abuse are reviewed in order to improve working practices.

Monitoring of incidents

The Company Chair will keep a log of both informal and formal complaints where workers or others have allegedly abused worker, volunteers or activity participants and the action taken.  Repeat cases where a worker or volunteer is the alleged abuser will be discussed by the Board and appropriate action taken in line with the following procedure.

Recognising abuse

All workers and volunteers should be alert to the potential indicators of abuse, particularly since abuse may be taking place outside of Together! 2012 CIC activities.  The presence of one or more indicators does not necessarily mean that abuse is taking place, but may mean that further investigation/observation is required.  Victims of abuse do not always react in the same way, however, some of the more common reactions that may be observed online are:

  • Full or partial disclosure of an abusive incident
  • Signs of depression or stress which may happen suddenly or gradually emerge
  • Neglected personal care
  • Weight loss or gain
  • Changes in habits/mood ranging from withdrawal from normal activities to a total lack of communication
  • Dramatic change of behaviour/personality – this can happen very suddenly and unexpectedly and is often associated with fear
  • Confusion
  • Persistent financial hardship
  • Denial that anything is wrong and an emphasis that all is extremely well
  • Seeking help from numerous sources/people – this may be a direct request for help or attention seeking behaviour
  • Continually appearing to be under- or over-medicated
  • Repeatedly being without mobility or communication aids
  • Acceptance or resignation of their situation as part of being old and /or disabled.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality will be followed in all cases where we receive any information concerning alleged abuse. The Company Chair should be informed of any allegations of abuse prior to contacting external agencies.

Disclosures of abuse

Workers, volunteers, participants and their family or friends, external agencies or the general public may disclose allegations of abuse perpetrated upon children and adults participating in Together! 2012 C.I.C. activities.

Disclosures made by an activity participant, family member or external agency

Many incidents of abuse only come to light because the abused individual discloses the information himself or herself.  Often they may not realise they are being abused and may not be aware of the significance of what they are disclosing.  Some disclosures may happen after many years. There may be good reasons for this and any delay in reporting or disclosing by an abused person should not cast doubt on their truthfulness.  Team members will be expected to take all allegations seriously, however insignificant they may initially seem. 

During a disclosure of alleged abuse, Team members should always explain that they are required to share this information with the Company Chair.  Where the Company Chair is allegedly involved in the incident, workers or volunteers must explain that they are required to inform them.  If it is possible and appropriate, workers or volunteers should make notes at the time of the disclosure, noting what the person actually says using their own words and phrases.  A full record of the disclosure must be made as soon as possible, and always within 24 hours.

Consent

All action, including referrals to Adult Services and the police, must be subject to the consent of the complainant. In every situation it will be assumed that a person can make their own decisions, and action will only be taken in the absence of consent where:

  • They or others are in physical danger, i.e. they are not the only person at risk and the risk to others needs to be considered;
  • It has been assessed (by the Chair and Directors) and agreed that the child or vulnerable adult is unable/incapable of making an informed decision for himself or herself.
  • Workers should be prepared to accept that no action, other than continued monitoring, might in some circumstances be the only option due to current legal implications.

Disclosures made by a worker

Where a worker or volunteer wishes to disclose alleged abuse perpetrated by a colleague or participant they must immediately contact the Company Chair.  An investigation will be set up immediately and this may involve the colleague or participant being suspended from work, volunteering or attending. (Banning a participant for a minimum of four weeks, and requiring them to attend an interview before being allowed back, is one action that can be taken if a Team member is abused.)

The Company Chair should discuss the option of approaching the police with the individual if appropriate.  All workers and volunteers will take reasonable steps to respect the confidentiality of the person disclosing the alleged abuse.  Together! 2012 C.I.C. will aim to ensure that the person making the disclosure is supported and protected from reprisals or victimisation as a result of an expression of concern.

If workers or volunteers observe a possible incident of abuse or have suspicions abuse is being perpetrated, or receive a disclosure from an activity participant or another source, where the alleged abuser is a worker, they must comply with the Public Disclosure Act (1998). This Act requires workers to report any fraud, misconduct or malpractice to their line manager. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken against the worker.

Multi-agency procedures

All local authorities in England have multi-agency policies in place for the protection of children and vulnerable adults (No Secrets, Department of Health, 2000). These documents are based upon collaborative partnerships between local authorities, police and those who provide a range of services to vulnerable adults. Therefore, if there is a suspicion of abuse or clear evidence of it, the Company Chair must contact the relevant authority without delay (within 24 hours of a decision being taken to refer) in accordance with the local multi-agency procedure.  NB: A referral to Adult Services under the multi-agency procedures will only be appropriate where the person suffering harm meets the NHS and Community Care Act (1990) eligibility criteria i.e. meets the definition of a “vulnerable adult”.

Criminal Offences

Together! 2012 C.I.C. recognises that some instances of abuse constitute a criminal offence, and in such cases the child or vulnerable adult is entitled to the protection of the law in the same way as any other person.

Criminal offences include:

  • Physical or psychological assault including spitting
  • Rape or sexual assault
  • Theft
  • Fraud
  • Discrimination, victimisation or harassment

Where there is obvious evidence of a criminal offence a simultaneous referral to the police must be made and, in such cases, criminal investigations by the police take priority over all other lines of enquiry. Guidance may be sought from the person taking the referral in Social Services.

Protection Procedure

Whenever abuse of a volunteer or activity participant is suspected, workers should follow this procedure.

Stage 1

  • The most senior Activity Leader present should contact the emergency services immediately if the person appears to be in immediate physical danger.
  • If there is no immediate physical danger apparent, proceed directly to Stage 2.

Stage 2

  • The most senior Activity Leader present should discuss the situation and courses of action available with the person who has had abuse perpetrated upon them. This discussion may take place in a separate Zoom room while the activity is continuing, or as soon as possible after the activity has finished by phone or Zoom.
  • The most senior Activity Leader present should then contact the Company Chair immediately by phone or text. If they are not available they should contact another Director, and report the full facts and circumstances of the situation and discuss options and required action, having considered (if available, in consultation with the Engagement Support Worker):
  1. If immediate referral to the police or Adult Services is required;
  2. If there is any requirement to inform the local Supporting People team, registering or inspecting body (for example if the abuse has been carried out by a care worker);
  3. If there is a need to contact any external agencies (for example, if the abuse has been carried out by a care worker who is employed via an agency);
  4. Review of relevant records, particularly similar incidents of the same kind;
  5. Consider (in consultation with the Engagement Support Worker if available) the immediate health/welfare needs of the alleged victim or any other vulnerable adult who may be affected and methods for supporting them, including access to counselling services.

The Company Chair or Director will discuss the appropriateness or not of notifying the alleged abuser of the allegation made against them prior to a referral to Adult Services or the police.  Adult Services and/or interagency input should be sought when making this decision.

Stage 3

  • The Activity Leader, with input from the alleged victim and support from the Company Chair, should complete a Safeguarding Incident Report Form within 48 hours of the report/incident of abuse.
  • It is essential that the above form is signed and dated and completed in a manner that is:
    • Clear and factual.
    • Reflects the words and phrases used by the person disclosing.
    • Describes the circumstances in which the disclosure came about i.e. the context, setting and anyone else who was there at the time.
    • Contains factual information only and not your own opinions.  Any opinions or third party information must be clearly identified as such.
    • An action plan outlining actions to be taken, by whom and timescales must be devised in consultation with the alleged victim. This plan will be produced jointly by the project leader and Company Chair/Director and should be reviewed by them and the complainant at appropriate intervals to ensure the safety of all workers, volunteers and participants.
    • A copy of the completed Abuse Incident Recording Form and Action Plan, plus additional records pertaining to the incident should be kept in a file created for the individual concerned.  The issue of confidentiality should be considered, for example if the allegation involves a worker, do all workers in the project have access to the file?
    • Private and confidential information on workers should be kept separately and placed on the personnel file only, with “need to know” information only in the file at the project.

Stage 4

If no referral is made to Adult Services or no further action is taken, including contacting the police, in line with the individual concerned’s wishes, the project leader and Company Chair:

  • Keep records of all decisions, including why no further action is to be taken.
  • Regularly monitor the situation and review the agreed action plan.
  • Discuss appropriate help-line or counselling services that are available with the individual concerned.
  • Carry out a Risk Assessment and note actions.

Stage 5

If a referral is made to Social Services this should be made by phone and followed by written notification on the form produced by the local Adult Services department.

Investigating Allegations of Abuse

When investigations into alleged abuse are undertaken, it is crucial that the individual’s privacy, dignity, independence and choice is taken into consideration throughout the entire process. Therefore Together! 2012 CIC aims to ensure that the individual is fully supported and has access to all the relevant information to enable them to make informed decisions regarding possible follow-up action.

Internal investigations

Internal investigations into alleged abuse of service users will be undertaken by the Company Chair, who will also be responsible for contacting and liaising with Adult Services where appropriate and the police where a criminal offence is suspected. This will be done in line with the local multi-agency framework for the protection of vulnerable adults.  Where the investigating officer considers that there is possible misconduct by workers they will also apply the disciplinary procedures.  If there is a criminal investigation, the Company Chair will agree the timing of the disciplinary investigation with the police.

Where the alleged abuser is a worker

Where the alleged or suspected abuser is a worker, a full internal investigation must take place.  This does not exclude investigations also being carried out by Adult Services, the police and any registering authority.

Where the alleged abuser is another vulnerable adult

Where the alleged abuser is another vulnerable adult, stages 1 to 5 of the above procedure will apply.  Where the alleged victim has asked that no further action be taken, and where it is determined that the alleged victim and other vulnerable adults are at continued risk, the Company Chair should contact Adult Services, and the police if a possible criminal offence has taken place.

Duty of care obligations continue for the alleged abuser, and they may need the same or greater support as was available before the allegation.  Therefore the Activity Leader, in conjunction with the Company Chair and Engagement Support Worker, will carry out a thorough risk assessment to establish the likelihood that the alleged abuser will perpetrate further abuse of the alleged victim or other service users.  Clear interventions for reducing risk must be agreed and communicated to all workers and volunteers providing support to the alleged perpetrator, victim and other participants who may be affected.  Project leaders and the Company Chair must also liaise closely with Adult Services.

The investigation process described above will also apply in cases where the alleged abuser is a vulnerable adult.  Often additional input from Adult Services may be necessary in some cases.

Where the alleged abuser is a worker employed by another agency

Where the alleged abuser is a worker employed by another agency (private, statutory or voluntary) e.g. Care assistant, PA, support worker, CPN, Social Worker, GP etc, stages 1 to 5 of the procedure must be followed.  If known, the Company Chair must immediately notify the appropriate manager from the agency and plan and agree investigation protocols.

MONITORING AND REVIEW

This Policy is monitored on an ongoing basis and reviewed annually by the directors to ensure that it remains fit for purpose, and is updated as necessary.

Reviewed and updated 12/4/2024.