SAFEGUARDING
POLICY
At Anjuman, we provide a service to a specific group of vulnerable adults with underlying mental health issues.
For the purposes of registration and housing support, a ‘Vulnerable Adult’ can be defined as someone aged 18 or over who:
● Is receiving support, assistance or advice to develop the capacity to live independently
● Is living in supported housing
With regards to Safeguarding, we ensure robust measures are in place to protect such individuals whilst residents.
DBS Checks
Anjuman adheres to a safer recruitment policy which clearly highlights the requirement for all individuals applying for employment at Anjuman to register for Enhance DBS checks prior to contacts with its service users. Therefore, all staff at Anjuman possess fully enhanced DBS checks, with registration certificates securely filed at Anjuman office.
Staff have their enhanced DBS registrations renewed every 3 years to comply with the requirements of the Vulnerable Groups Act (2006).
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
Sharing and Referring (Reporting) Concerns
We ensure during induction that all staff are briefed on safeguarding procedure, and continued training is organised for staff as necessary to revisit and update policies and procedures, particularly following an incident.
In consequence, staff are aware of how to share concerns appropriately, if necessary initially discussing their concerns with a relevant Line Manager, and ensuring that they refer any suspected abuse or neglect which is drawn to their attention.
Our policies indicate that staff may on occasions be required to co-operate further with other agencies with their investigations or enquiries, where necessary or appropriate. This might involve making statements and/or being involved in information sharing and strategy meetings.
Any allegation or suspicion of abuse is always taken seriously and acted on immediately. We ensure that all our staff are aware of this, and understand that it is their duty that if they come into contact with vulnerable adults, they have a duty to share and, if necessary, refer or report concerns regarding suspected abuse or neglect to Social Care.
We have a serious commitment to ensuring that all concerns are shared, even if no further action is taken following a discussion with one of the above.
In the reporting of a suspected case of abuse, the emphasis is on shared professional responsibility and immediate communication. Attempts are made to meet the needs of the vulnerable person, taking into consideration their race, culture, gender, language and level of disability.
There are several ways in which staff receive information or make observations which suggest that a vulnerable adult has been abused or is at risk of harm. Staff are often the first professional on scene, or to register a concern, and their actions and recording of information is therefore crucial to subsequent enquiries.
Staff are aware that someone who is frightened may be reluctant to say what may be the cause of their injury, especially if the person responsible for the abuse is present. It is helpful to make a note of the person's body language. It is important to stop questioning when suspicions are clarified, to avoid unnecessary questioning or probing, as this affects the credibility of subsequent evidence.
Action to be taken by all Staff
If a member of staff comes into contact with a vulnerable person they will record only factual information. The record never contains any comment about suspicions, opinions the member of staff may have had, or conjecture.
Our staff are always careful not to do this in a way that would alert the alleged abuser or place the vulnerable person at risk of further abuse or intimidation. It also is remembered that a patient or carer may request access to any clinical record. Staff are therefore trained to be aware of the following:
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The Freedom of Information Act 2000;
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Data Protection Act 1998;
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Caldicott Principles;
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The possible legal requirements to produce records in Court or a statement of evidence.
Before any decision is made, and remembering the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, staff must decide whether the patient has capacity. In situations where abuse of a vulnerable person is suspected and that vulnerable person is assessed as lacking capacity, an immediate safeguarding referral is made to the relevant Local Authority, and the Police should will be contacted if it is suspected that a criminal offence may have taken place.
Having concluded their contact with the person about whom there is a concern, staff always contact by telephone, their relevant Manager and inform them of their concerns. A decision is then taken at this time whether or not to inform the relevant Adult Social Care Authority.
Dealing with Service User Budgets
In terms of individual budgets, staff are made aware of procedures involving handling a service user’s financial charges i.e. individual monitoring and clear recording of financial transactions.
Service users at Anjuman are encouraged to express concerns with regards to any financial transactions by making staff fully aware of any changes through weekly meetings, with this followed up by written confirmation.
Safeguarding Children
Visiting Policy
With regards to regulations for types of service where children may be affected, we fall into the category where children may visit. Our visiting policy ensures that all visitors arriving on the premises register themselves both on arrival and departure. In relation to adults accompanied by child/children, both the Service User and the visiting adult are made fully aware of the importance of our safeguarding policy - i.e. to be aware of the whereabouts of the child/children at all times.
Policy updated May 2017