Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy SER-POL-19 Version 2.0 Date approved: 19 November 2013 Approved by: Board

Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy SER-POL-19 Version 2.0

1.

Introduction and Background

1.1

Southway Housing Trust aims to provide the highest possible standard of service. It does this either directly or indirectly (via other housing and/or support and care organisations) to meet the wider range of housing support and care needs in the communities in which it works. In this context Southway is committed to ensuring that it takes into account the specific needs of different groups of its residents when considering the range and quality of service it provides.

1.2

In recent years there has been increasing concern nationally about the safety and welfare of children and of adults at risk. This policy has been developed with reference to Manchester City Council’s safeguarding guidance and the good practice drawn from other social housing provider policies.

1.3

Southway Housing Trust is committed to supporting and working in partnership with Manchester City Council and other partner agencies to ensure the safeguarding of children and of adults at risk accessing the services Southway provides.

1.4

Further national guidance on safeguarding and ‘duty of care’ obligations is contained within the following: 

Sexual Offences Act 2003



The Education Act (2002 – Section 15)



The Children Act (1989 and Amendments)



Every Child Matters (2003)



The Children Act (2004)



The Common Assessment Framework (2004)



Working Together To Safeguard Children (2010 2013)



Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)



Protection of Vulnerable Adults Scheme



Establishment of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB)



Cabinet Office Guidance on DBS (Disclosure and Barring System) checks



No Secrets: guidance on protecting vulnerable adults in care

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Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy SER-POL-19 Version 2.0

2.

Purpose of Policy

2.1

To set out the policies for safeguarding children and adults at risk in respect of Southway Housing Trust employees and contractors.

2.2

To make clear the responsibilities of employees when working in the presence of children and adults at risk.

2.3

To advise Managers about the safeguarding requirements for contractors, agency staff and volunteers.

3.

Policy Principles

3.1

Southway Housing Trust believes that children and adults have rights as individuals and should be treated with dignity and respect.

3.2

Southway Housing Trust and its contractors will strive to provide a safe environment for any children and vulnerable people accessing its services.

3.3

The welfare of young people and adults at risk is of primary concern.

3.4

All young people and all adults at risk, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, social-economic status, religious belief and / or sexual identity, have the right to safeguarding from abuse.

3.5

It is everyone’s responsibility to report any concerns about abuse to their Line Manager and liaise with Manchester City Council and other agencies as appropriate.

3.6

All incidents of alleged poor practice, misconduct and abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly, appropriately and effectively.

3.7

The sharing of information will be guided by a case by case assessment, but Southway acknowledges that this is a vital element of safeguarding and improving outcomes for all.

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Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy SER-POL-19 Version 2.0

4.

Definition of Abuse

4.1

Abuse can be defined as any behaviour towards a person that deliberately or unknowingly causes them harm or endangers their life or violates their rights.

4.2

Abuse may be: 

Physical – hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, inappropriate use of restraint



Sexual – including any sexual acts to which the person at risk has not consented or is not able to consent to



Psychological (for example being repeatedly made to feel unhappy, humiliated, afraid or devalued by others) – threats of harm or abandonment, isolation or withdrawal from support networks



Financial or material (stealing from or denying access to money or possessions) – fraud, exploitation, coercion into lending money, misuse or misappropriation of property



Neglect – ignoring medical or physical care needs, access to social care or education, withholding the necessities of life, medication, nutrition and heating



Institutional abuse



Discriminatory – abuse motivated by discriminatory attitudes towards age, race, religion, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, disability or cultural background

5.

Responsibilities

5.1

All Southway Housing Trust staff, agency staff, volunteers and contractors are responsible for understanding, reporting and sharing information with regard to the safeguarding of children and of adults at risk. Ultimately the responsibility of safeguarding children and adults at risk lies with Senior Management.

5.2

Managers at all levels have a particular responsibility to ensure staff understand safeguarding, receive training and are encouraged and supported through the safeguarding process. In addition Managers are responsible for guaranteeing that safeguarding standards are adhered to in the delivery of those services they have responsibility for.

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Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy SER-POL-19 Version 2.0 5.3

All necessary steps must be taken at a team level by managers to ensure that they, their staff, agency staff, volunteers and contractors are compliant with the requirements of this policy.

5.4

When organising and holding an event or activity the person organising the event is expected to: 

Ensure the activity is planned, organised and delivered in accordance with the Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy.



Verify that safeguarding arrangements are effective when using third party organisations to supply people to undertake the activity.

5.5

In addition it should be noted that all employees, agency staff, volunteers and contractors are in a position of trust and in particular those who support guide or in any other way interact with children, young people or adults at risk.

5.6

The responsibility identified above is made reference to in every Southway job description. Southway commits to incorporate the Common Assessment Framework into this policy.

6.

Procedure

6.1

This policy is delivered through an internal procedure which will be provided to employees in hardcopy and will also be available on the staff intranet.

6.2

The procedure includes all necessary referral forms, guidance on completion, and detail on how documentation is to be securely stored.

7.

Training

7.1

All Southway Housing Trust staff will be briefed on the safeguarding policy and procedure.

7.2

Staff with specific responsibilities in this area will receive detailed training on Safeguarding principles and responsibilities. Annually the policy will be profiled at team meetings to keep it in the minds of employees.

7.3

Refresher training and training for new starters will be organised as necessary.

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Safeguarding Children and Adults at Risk Policy SER-POL-19 Version 2.0

8.

Links with other Policies, Procedures and Strategies     

Anti-Social Behaviour Policy Single Equalities Scheme Customer Care (Everyone Matters) Policy Data Protection and Information Sharing Policy People With Support Needs Policy

9.

Policy Review

9.1

This policy will be reviewed at least once every three years, and earlier if legislative changes or good practice development make this necessary.

POLICY REVIEW HISTORY To be completed during each review Previous versions (version number – approved by – approval date – title if different) V1 – Board – 23/11/2010 – Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy Date of last EIA: Review lead by:

  

November 2013

David Squires Main points or amendments made and reasons

Reference to ‘vulnerable adults’ has been changed to ‘adults at risk’, in the title and throughout the policy. This term is considered current good practice and is used by MCC and other organisations. The list of national guidance on safeguarding has been updated More detailed definitions of the different types of abuse have been included

Next review due:

Q3 2016/17

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