Safeguarding Policy

The Trust is dedicated to safeguarding our service users and ensuring that all our employees are equipped to do so. We therefore ask that all client facing roles and senior managers complete safeguarding and prevent training every 3 years. The HR manager is responsible for maintaining these records and employees will receive an email when their training is due. It is the responsibility of the employee to ensure that the necessary training is then completed as soon as possible.

MCDT Board has a designated Safeguarding Trustee and the Chair of the Board, is the Boards safeguarding lead for vulnerable adults. The Board will undertake safeguarding training every 3 years.

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this policy is to ensure that if you are involved with children’s activities you:

• understand your personal responsibility for protecting the children with whom you work
• are able to take appropriate action if there is any suggestion that a child is at risk
• know what to do and can respond appropriately to any child who alleges or discloses that abuse is happening
• take steps to minimise opportunities for misunderstandings

Basic Principles

A child’s safety and welfare are our first concern.

All children whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, racial origin, orientation, language and or religious belief have the right to be safe and protected from significant harm or abuse of any kind.

• Any allegations and suspicions of abuse will always be taken seriously and acted upon quickly.
• All children are entitled to be cared for in a healthy, safe environment without harm being caused to or inflicted upon them.

Safeguarding of children is our primary concern.

If, as part of any of our staff work, where they are in contact with children you:

• will have to undergo an Enhanced ‘disclosure check’ by The Disclosure and Barring Service
• will follow the recognised statutory guidance as directed by the Sheffield Safeguarding Partnership
• will receive ‘safeguarding’ training with an appropriate organisation. Your line manager may also ask you to go on a training refresher course annually.
• must be familiar with the definition of a ‘child in need’ and have an understanding of the factors, signs and symptoms
• will be entitled to external support/counselling if you have had to deal with safeguarding issues. Discuss this with the Child Protection Liaison Officer (CPLO).

Guidelines

These guidelines are here for the protection of the children in our staff care and for their own protection against accusations of inappropriate behaviour.

• If you believe a child to be in need, suffering, or likely to be suffering from significant harm you must pass the information on immediately to the CPLO. A discussion will take place and a decision made about an appropriate action. You should inform your line manager that there has been an incident, but details of safeguarding issues will only be shared on a need to know basis
• You should avoid any situation where you may feel compromised or that may leave you vulnerable to allegations relating to child protection issues. i.e., you should never be left alone with a child. This includes session work, detached involvement and organised event work.
• You should not agree to supervise children without an appropriately qualified external professional being present
• You will need the permission (beforehand) of a parent/guardian if a child is taking part in any Trust activities
• You must get written consent of the parent/guardian/carer of the child, prior to any photographs filming or any media involvement
• Consent forms will be held in a confidential file and photographs will not be kept on a data base
• Make sure you prepare a risk assessment, which can be seen by parents/guardians before the start of any activities
• You must make sure that children are supervised at all times by trained staff or their parents
• Avoid excessive cuddling of a child
• Do not take a child to the toilet on your own
• If a child requires assistance in undressing or changing their clothes, make sure another member of staff is aware or present dependent upon the child’s needs.
• Physical punishment of a child is unlawful and as such, any allegations will be assessed and dealt with by the disciplinary procedure
• If you notice any existing injuries which the child has, you should write them down, stating date and time that you noticed the injury, details of the injury and sign the statement, utilising the existing injuries form.
• If a child is hurt as the result of an incident or accident which happened while under your supervision you should record the incident in a log and the child’s parent/guardian/carer should be told. You should ask the parent/guardian/carer to countersign the incident log, in acknowledgement that they have been told of the accident/incident and the consequent injury.
• If the child does hurt itself, a person with appropriate first aid qualifications should give first aid
• If it is felt that a child needs to be examined for assessment of injuries, then where possible another member of staff should be present throughout this procedure
• You must always maintain professional boundaries with all children ensuring appropriate care.
• All children, their families and guardians/carers have the right to confidentiality at all times. You may only share information if you believe a child is at risk of significant harm.  Any breach of confidentiality may lead to disciplinary action.

A child is in need if:

• They are unlikely to achieve or maintain or to have the opportunity of achieving or maintaining, a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision of services by the local authority
• their health or development is likely to be significantly impaired, or further impaired without the provision of such services
• they are disabled

Child abuse is the term used to describe how children are significantly harmed, often by adults but also by other children and young people.  Children with special needs are particularly vulnerable and in need of special care.  Children are mainly abused by the people they know and trust.  Abuse may happen at home within the family or within a public environment such as school or a sports centre.  The abuse or neglect of children can have major long-term effects on all aspects of a child’s health, development or well-being.  Child abuse can take on a number of forms but can be identified under four general categories:

• Physical abuse
• Neglect
• Emotional abuse (including exposure to domestic violence)
• Sexual abuse

It is not always easy, even for those with specialised training, to recognise child abuse.  Not all people working with children are expected to be experts at such recognition.  Significant harm includes anything which impairs a child’s social or physical development or well-being.  If you have any concern that a child is at risk, you must report it immediately to the CPLO who will contact the Children’s social care department or police as appropriate. Information is available on www.safeguardingsheffieldchildren.org.  The following signs may indicate the possibility of abuse or neglect. It is, however, important to remember that none of the following are conclusive proof of abuse and all can have an innocent explanation.

Physical Abuse

This is defined as ‘physical harm or injury which is deliberately inflicted on a child’.   This will include hitting, kicking, burning, scalding, biting, nipping, scratching and the act of giving any poisonous or harmful substances such as drugs, illegal substances or alcohol to a child to cause harm or injury.

Physical abuse can create such signs and symptoms as bruising, fractures and breakages of bones, internal injuries, brain damage and death to a child.

You should be especially aware of any child who suffers:

• Any injuries at all, even small bruises, to young babies who are not yet able to move independently
• Injuries which do not match the explanation given for them
• Bruises in places where you would not normally expect to find them, in soft tissue, for example, rather than on a bony prominent area
• Burns and scalds, which resemble a distinctive shape or pattern, for example marks resembling handprints, grasp or finger marks, belt marks or ligature marks, marks concurrent with objects, such as cups, cigarettes or domestic irons
• Bite marks and bruising which resembles ‘love bites’
• Bruising which is apparent in or around the area of the mouth

Neglect

This is defined as ‘the persistent or severe failure to meet a child’s basic physical or emotional needs, so that their health and development are adversely affected’.

All children need adequate food, clothing, warmth, love and attention to grow and develop properly.  If they do not receive enough of any of these, their growth and development may suffer.

Children may also be neglected if they are left unattended or in the custody of another child or young person or a person thought to be irresponsible.  Also, they are neglected if the carer does not seek medical attention when the child requires it.

Neglect can lead to the child ‘failing to thrive’, suffering health and emotional problems, also the child can become lethargic and withdrawn being uninterested in their surrounding environment.

You should be especially aware of any child who:

• is constantly hungry, greedy or stealing food
• is continually smelly, scruffy and dirty
• has lingering illnesses and ailments, which have not been treated
• is often dressed in inadequate or unsuitable clothing for the weather conditions
• suffers regular accidents, suggesting a lack of appropriate supervision
• is constantly tired
• responds inappropriately to attention, the child may show extreme behaviour, by becoming timid and withdrawn or by craving constant attention and affection.

Emotional Abuse

This is defined as ‘continually failing to show love or affection to a child’. Emotional abuse includes severe or persistent rejection of the child, this may happen through a number of actions, either by criticism, bullying, harassment, taunting, ridiculing and ‘belittling’ or by the use of intimidating and threatening behaviour towards the child.  A child that is subject to an environment where ‘domestic violence’ occurs is also the victim of ‘emotional abuse’.

A child who is the victim of ‘domestic abuse’ can often show signs of becoming withdrawn and nervous when in the company of others, the child may also lack confidence and self-esteem or may even show signs of extreme aggression towards others.

You must be particularly aware of any child who:

• is continually depressed or withdrawn
• runs away or is frightened to go home
• is persistently blamed for things that go wrong
• is made to carry out tasks which are inappropriate to the child’s age
• is not allowed to do ‘normal’ childhood activities
• shows signs of excessive fear of their parents/guardians/carers
• Is excessively ‘clingy’ or tearful.

Sexual Abuse

The definition of sexual abuse is when ‘the child is used to fulfil the sexual desires and needs of a person’.  The act of ‘sexual abuse’ is when a child is induced by bribery, coercion, threats or violence to actively engage in any form of sexual activity. This may range from the displaying of pornographic material to the child, in the form of literature or video, by the act of ‘exhibitionism’ or by physical interaction by the person with the child by means of masturbation, oral sex or intercourse with the child.

A child who is the victim of ‘sexual abuse’ will be traumatised mentally, emotionally and physically. As a result of this experience a child may be unable to establish a stable relationship in their adult life.

Be especially concerned about a child who:

• is distrusting of adults and unable to understand ‘genuine’ affection from others
• exhibits sexually explicit behaviour
• has inappropriate sexual knowledge for their age
• tries to ‘self-harm’ or attempts suicide
• is unable to form appropriate relationships with their ‘peers’ and others

If a child makes an allegation of abuse to you, you should:

• Stay calm and reassure the child
• Make sure you do not ‘interrogate’ the child
• Listen attentively and patiently to the child and not interrupt if they are recalling specific events
• Make sure that the child is not caused any unnecessary distress
• Tell the child that you have to report the incident to the CPLO immediately. (The CPLO will assess whether a child is in need or at risk of significant harm).  Be honest with the child and explain that whilst the allegation will remain confidential it will be discussed with appropriate staff and authorities where it is thought necessary.
• If a child does disclose to you ensure that when recording the disclosure the child’s exact words are used, not your interpretation of what they said.

If you can write down what the child tells you, do so, if it is not appropriate at the time, make sure you do as soon after the event as is possible.  This may be used as supporting evidence upon request by the appropriate authorities.

All allegations or concerns regarding another member of staff or any other person, whether paid or voluntary, who is working within or on behalf of the Trust, must be reported immediately to your CPLO.  The employee will be informed of the allegation at a private meeting in the presence of another member of staff.  They will then be suspended immediately pending further investigation. The LADO, (Local Authority Designated Officer) would be contacted and would lead any investigation.

The matter will be referred to the appropriate authority by the CPLO.  Any  supporting paperwork will be sent to the relevant agency for assessment.  The parent/guardian/carer will be informed of the concerns and will have sight of all documentation unless the allegation implicates the parent/guardian/carer directly.

If the CPLO thinks that the child may be at risk of significant harm by the parent/guardian/carer if the allegation is disclosed, they must make the protection of the child paramount.

If, after investigation, the CPLO does not believe a child is at risk of significant harm, then a record of the initial concerns will be made.  The child’s well-being will continue to be observed, monitored and recorded on a regular basis.

Where the child is considered old enough, they will be kept informed on a regular basis of the outcomes of the investigation.

The CPLO will record all incidents in the Child Protection issue Log which should state:

• Date
• Time
• Location
• Name of child/ren and adult/s involved
• The information disclosed
• The actual events taken place or seen
• The information recorded should be based on fact only and not assumption.

Any decision to deny parents/guardians/carers access must be made by the following only:

• Social Care
• South Yorkshire Police
• The Child Protection Liaison Officer (in consultation with the above)

Where they think appropriate, they will discuss any concerns in relation to a specific child protection issue with the appropriate board member responsible for safeguarding.  Note: Recent legislation dictates that all documents relating to safeguarding will be kept until the child is twenty-five years of age or passed to the appropriate authorities.

You must strictly follow the terms and conditions of the Code of Confidentiality.  You will be told of a safeguarding issue if it is thought necessary and it will be on ‘a need to know basis’.  If you are in possession of any such information you must not discuss it other than with the CPLO or staff of another appropriate agency, e.g. Social Care.

“Manor and Castle Development Trust apply the Children’s Workforce Development Council’s safer recruitment guidance (2009) in all recruitment and selection processes/procedures.”

The CPLO will not interview a child in relation to any allegation. That is the responsibility of Social Care or the police.

The CPLO is the first point of contact if you have any concerns.

The CPLO’s role is for internal guidance, information and support only.

The CPLO will not make decisions regarding any allegations but will help manage the process of reporting the incident.

The CPLO will liaise with social care or the police by passing on details of concern

The child will not be identified fully and will be referred to only by their initials in all communication, both verbal and written.

A Safeguarding report form is available from the CPLO. Copies of these blank forms are available at all MCDT sites.

The CPLO will be made aware of any forms completed by a staff member and will review the information.

The welfare and safety of all vulnerable adults who have contact with any member of the Trust in whatever capacity, is very important to us.  Safeguarding is everyone’s business.

This section of the policy acts as a guide for you. It will provide you with the correct procedure to follow if have a safeguarding issue. The Older Adults Protection Liaison Worker is Val Jones,  0114 278 9999.  Talk with her if you have any concerns or do not understand any part of this section.  If the Protection Liaison Officer is unavailable, you can access advice from the Safeguarding Help Line 03030031111

Aims and Objectives

The aim of this policy is to ensure that if you are involved with vulnerable adults you:

• understand your personal responsibility for protecting the vulnerable adults with whom you work
• are able to take appropriate action if there is any suggestion that a vulnerable person is being abused
• know what to do and can respond positively to any vulnerable adult who alleges or discloses that abuse is happening
• take steps to minimise opportunities for misunderstandings

Basic Principles

A vulnerable person’s safety and welfare is our first concern.

All vulnerable adults whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, racial origin, language and or religious belief have the right to be safe and protected from abuse of any kind.

• Any allegations and suspicions of abuse will always be taken seriously and acted upon quickly.
• All vulnerable adults are entitled to experience a healthy, safe environment without intentional harm being caused to or inflicted on them.

Remember the safety and protection of vulnerable adults is our primary concern.

If, as part of staff work, you are in contact with vulnerable people you:

• will have to undergo an Enhanced ‘disclosure check’ by The Disclosure and Barring Service.
• will receive training with an appropriate organisation. Your line manager may also ask you to go on a training refresher course annually.
• will be entitled to external support/counselling if you have had to deal with adult protection issues. Discuss with your line manager.

Guidelines

These guidelines are here for the protection of the vulnerable adults you may be working with:

• If you believe a vulnerable adult to be in need, is suffering, or is likely to be suffering from significant harm you must pass the information on immediately to the appropriate professional services, (social services or police). You should also report back to your line manager what has happened and the action you have taken.
• You should avoid any situation where you may feel compromised or that may leave you vulnerable to allegations relating to protection issues.
• If you notice any existing injuries which the vulnerable adult has, you should write them down, stating date and time that you noticed the injury, details of the injury and sign the statement.
• If a vulnerable adult is hurt as the result of an incident or accident which happened whilst you are working with that individual you should record the incident in a log and the appropriate carer should be told. You should ask the carer to countersign the incident log, in acknowledgement that they have been told of the accident/incident and the consequent injury.
• You must always maintain a professional relationship with all vulnerable adults and behave accordingly.
• All vulnerable adults, their families and guardians/carers have the right to confidentiality at all times. You may only share information if you believe a vulnerable adult is at risk.  Any breach of confidentiality may lead to disciplinary action.

Vulnerable adults are defined (under the Protection of Vulnerable Adults Regulations 2002) as people aged 18 or over who are receiving any one the following services.

• accommodation and nursing or personal care in a care home
• personal care or nursing or support to live independently in their own homes
• any services provided by an independent hospital, independent clinic, independent medical agency or National Health Service body
• social care services
• any services by a provider catering for people with learning difficulties and who as a result of a learning or physical disability or a physical or mental illness, (temporary or chronic), including drug or alcohol addiction or reduced physical or mental capacity are dependent on others or need assistance in performing basic physical functions or severely impaired in their ability to communicate or impaired in their ability protect themselves from assault, abuse or neglect.

However, it is important to also note that a vulnerable adult may not yet have a diagnosis but may still be deemed as vulnerable if they are experiencing low well-being.

Abuse is the term used to describe how vulnerable adults are significantly harmed.  Vulnerable people are mainly abused by the people they know and trust.  Abuse may happen at home within the family or within a public environment.

Abuse can happen to anyone, but some adults are more “at risk” of abuse or neglect because they are more vulnerable.

A person is defined as an “adult at risk” if they are:

• 18 years or older
• In need of care and support (whether or not they get any) because of their age, disability, illness, mental health needs, drug or alcohol misuse and
• As a result of their care and support needs are unable to protect themselves from harm

Key contacts for Adult Social Care Services:

If you don’t want to tell someone you know, you can call First contact 0114 273 4908 (24hour number)

South Yorkshire Police 0114 220 2020 (If you or someone else is in immediate danger or in emergency only call 999)

Sheffield Safeguarding Adults Office – for advice 0114 273 6870 (office hours).

Email: adultaccess@sheffield.gcsx.gov.uk (do not include personal information if you do not have a secure email address)

If you report adult abuse to Sheffield Adult Social Service they will:

• Listen to you
• Take all concerns seriously
• Treat the information you give them in the strictest confidence
• Take steps to help to stop the abuse
• Keep you informed and involved at each stage of the safeguarding adult’s procedure

In Sheffield we have an Safeguarding Partnership which is made up of a range of organisations including Sheffield City Council, NHS, police and representatives from the voluntary sector.

These organisations work closely together to make sure that all cases of suspected abuse are investigated fully and that vulnerable adults are protected from harm.

Abuse is any action which harms another person. It includes:

Physical abuse

• Hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, burning, locking someone in a room, inappropriate restraint, misuse of medication

Verbal abuse

• Shouting or swearing

Domestic abuse

• Physical, sexual, financial, psychological and emotional abuse. Also includes so called “honour” based violence.

Sexual abuse

• Rape, sexual assault, forcing someone to take part in or witness a sexual act against their will, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual photography.

Emotional or psychological abuse

• Bullying, controlling, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact from people or support services, being laughed at, made to feel frightened or being pressured into decisions.

Financial or material abuse

• Fraud, stealing, misusing or withholding someone’s money or belongings, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance.

Neglect

• Being left without food, heating, care or medication.

Discrimination

• Ill treatment or harassment based on a person’s age, gender, sexuality, disability, race or religious belief.

Modern slavery

• Removal of passports
• Slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude.

Self-neglect

• A person neglecting their personal hygiene, health or surroundings (this includes hoarding).

Organisational abuse

• Neglect or poor care within a care setting such as care home or hospital or care provided in one’s own home.

Abusers

• Abusers can be partners, family members, relatives, people who work or volunteer in health or social care services, another service user, friends, neighbours or strangers.

It is not always easy, even for those with specialised training, to recognise abuse.  If you have any concern that an adult is in danger, you must report it immediately to Social Services or the Police.

The following signs may indicate the possibility of abuse or neglect.  It is, however, important to remember that none of the following are conclusive proof of abuse and all can have an innocent explanation.

Physical Abuse

Physical Abuse is ‘the non-accidental infliction of physical force that results in bodily injury, pain or impairment’.

Examples of Physical Abuse:

• Hitting
• Slapping
• Kicking
• Inappropriate restraint or sanctions
• Force feeding
• Misuse (or inappropriate withholding) of medication.

Signs and Symptoms of Physical Abuse:

The signs of Physical Abuse are often evident but can also be hidden by the abuser or the victim. Any unexplained injuries should always be fully investigated. Evidence to look out for includes:

• Any injury not fully explained by the history given
• Injuries inconsistent with the lifestyle of the Vulnerable Adult
• Bruises and/or welts on face, lips, mouth, torso, arms, back, buttocks, thighs
• Clusters of injuries forming regular patterns or reflecting the shape of an object
• Burns, especially on soles, palms or back, from immersion in hot water, friction burns, rope or electric appliance burns
• Multiple fractures
• Lacerations or abrasions to mouth, lips, gums, eyes, external genitalia
• Marks on body, including slap marks, finger marks
• Injuries at different stages of healing.

Emotional/Psychological Abuse

Emotional Abuse is defined as ‘the use of threats, humiliation, bullying, swearing and other verbal conduct, or any other form of mental cruelty, which results in mental or physical distress. It includes the denial of basic human and civil rights, such as choice, self-expression, privacy and dignity.’

Examples of Emotional/Psychological Abuse:

• Intimidation by word or deed
• Humiliation
• Harassment
• Enforced social isolation (including cultural discrimination)
• Blaming, controlling, threats.

Signs and Symptoms of Psychological Abuse:

• Change in appetite
• Low self-esteem, deference, passivity, and resignation
• Unexplained fear, defensiveness, ambivalence
• Emotional withdrawal
• Sleep disturbance
• Self-harming behaviour.

Neglect/Acts of Omission

Neglect and Acts of Omission (including medical or physical care needs) include the failure to provide access to appropriate health care, social care or educational services and the withholding of the necessities of life such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.

Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (section 44) wilful neglect and ill treatment of a person lacking capacity is a criminal offence.

Examples of Neglect/ Acts of Omission

• Neglect can be both physical and emotional. It is about the failure to keep a Vulnerable Adult clean, warm and promote optimum health, or to provide adequate nutrition or medication or to prevent an individual from making choices.
• Neglect of a Duty of Care or the breakdown of a care package may also give rise to safeguarding issues i.e. where a carer refuses access or if a care provider is unable, unwilling or neglects to meet assessed needs. If the circumstances mean that the Vulnerable Adult is at risk of significant harm, then Safeguarding Adults procedures should be invoked.

Signs and Symptoms of Neglect

• Physical condition of the Vulnerable Adult is poor, e.g. pressure ulcers, unwashed and unkempt
• Clothing in poor condition, e.g. unclean, wet, ragged.
• Inadequate physical environment
• Inadequate diet
• Untreated injuries or medical problems
• Inconsistent or reluctant contact with health or social care agencies
• Failure to engage in social interaction
• Malnutrition
• Inadequate heating
• Medical condition not treated due to failure to give prescribed medication
• Poor personal hygiene.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse is defined as ‘direct or indirect involvement in sexual activity without valid consent’. Alerts relating to sexual offences by a worker must be discussed with the police as covered by the Sexual Offences Act. Consent to a particular activity may not be given because:

• A person has capacity and does not want to give it
• A person lacks capacity and is therefore unable to give it
• A person feels coerced into activity because the other person is in a position of trust, power or authority.

Examples of Sexual Abuse:

• Unwanted physical and sexual contact, e.g. caresses
• Intercourse with someone who lacks the capacity to consent
• Rape
• Indecent exposure
• Sexual harassment (verbal or physical)
• Displaying pornographic literature videos or internet sites
• Gross indecency.

Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse:

• Significant change in sexual behaviour or attitude
• Pregnancy in a woman who is unable to consent to sexual intercourse
• Wetting or soiling
• Poor concentration
• Withdrawn, depressed, stressed appearance
• Unusual difficulty or sensitivity in walking or sitting
• Stained or bloody underclothing
• Bruises, bleeding, pain or itching in genital area
• Sexually Transmitted Infections, urinary tract or vaginal infection;
• Bruising to thighs or upper arms
• Self-harming behaviour.

Financial Abuse

Financial Abuse is defined as “the unauthorised and improper use of funds, property or any resources belonging to an individual”.

Those who financially abuse may be people who hold a position of trust, power, and authority or has the confidence of the Vulnerable Adult.

Examples of Financial Abuse:

• Misuse and/or misappropriation of monies, benefits and/or property
• Forcing changes to a will or testament
• Preventing access to money, property, possessions or inheritance.

Signs and Symptoms of Financial Abuse:

• Unexplained sudden inability to pay bills or maintain lifestyle
• Unusual or inappropriate bank account activity
• Lasting Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney obtained when Vulnerable Adult is unable to comprehend and give consent
• Withholding of money
• Recent change of deeds or title of property
• Unusual interest shown by family or others in the Vulnerable Adult’s assets
• Person managing financial affairs is evasive or uncooperative.

Discriminatory Abuse

The principles of Discriminatory Abuse are embodied in legislation including the following:

Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendments) Regulations 2003

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Human Rights Act 1998

Equality Act 2010

Discriminatory Abuse links into all other forms of abuse.

Discriminatory Abuse exists when values, beliefs or culture result in a misuse of power that denies mainstream opportunities to some groups or individuals.

It is the exploitation of a person’s vulnerability, resulting in repeated or pervasive treatment of an individual, which excludes them from opportunities in society, for example, education, health, justice, civic status and protection. It includes where a person or group is treated less favourably than any other person or group based on their colour, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, status, etc

Examples of Discriminatory Abuse:

• Unequal treatment
• Verbal abuse
• Inappropriate use of language
• Slurs
• Harassment
• Deliberate exclusion
• Anti-social behaviour – hate incident and hate crimes, see Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and Hate Crime, Specific Types of Abuse Procedure.

Recent change of deeds or title of property

• Unusual interest shown by family or others in the Vulnerable Adult’s assets
• Person managing financial affairs is evasive or uncooperative.

Discriminatory Abuse

The principles of Discriminatory Abuse are embodied in legislation including the following:

Race Relations Act 1976 (Amendments) Regulations 2003

Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Human Rights Act 1998

Equality Act 2010

Discriminatory Abuse links into all other forms of abuse.

Discriminatory Abuse exists when values, beliefs or culture result in a misuse of power that denies mainstream opportunities to some groups or individuals.

It is the exploitation of a person’s vulnerability, resulting in repeated or pervasive treatment of an individual, which excludes them from opportunities in society, for example, education, health, justice, civic status and protection. It includes where a person or group is treated less favourably than any other person or group based on their colour, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, status, etc

Examples of Discriminatory Abuse:

• Unequal treatment
• Verbal abuse
• Inappropriate use of language
• Slurs
• Harassment
• Deliberate exclusion
• Anti-social behaviour – hate incident and hate crimes, see Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 and Hate Crime, Specific Types of Abuse Procedure.

If you become concerned about any individual or incident, you can speak to the Trust’s Child Protection Liaison Worker or the Older Adults Protection Liaison Worker.

The Trust’s Child Protection Liaison Officers are:

Fiona Spotswood
Community Development Worker: 07495965429

The Older Adults Protection Liaison Worker is:

Val Jones
Health & Wellbeing Manager: 0114 278 9999

Talk with one of them if you have any concerns or do not understand any part of this section.  If the Protection Liaison Officers are unavailable, you can access advice from the Safeguarding Advice Line 0114 2053535. Report any issues you have sought advice on to a CPLO when available.

In addition, you can contact our Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) who is responsible for co-ordinating the response to concerns that an adult who works with children may have caused them or could cause them harm. The Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) works within Children’s Services and gives advice and guidance to employers, organisations and other individuals who have concerns about the behaviour of an adult who works with children and young people. For information or assistance from the LADO service you can call (0114) 273 4855.

If a vulnerable person makes an allegation of abuse to you, you should:

• stay calm and reassure the vulnerable person
• make sure you do not ‘interrogate’ the vulnerable person
• listen attentively and patiently to the vulnerable person and not interrupt if they are recalling specific events
• make sure that the vulnerable person is not caused any unnecessary distress
• tell the vulnerable person that you have to report the incident immediately. Be honest with the vulnerable person and explain that whilst the allegation will remain confidential it will be discussed with appropriate staff and authorities where it is thought necessary.

If you can write down what the vulnerable person tells you, do so, if it is not appropriate at the time, make sure you do as soon after the event as is possible.  This may be used as supporting evidence upon request by the appropriate authorities.

All allegations or concerns regarding another member of staff or any other person, whether paid or voluntary, who is working within or on behalf of the Trust, must be reported immediately to your line manager.  The accused employee will be informed of the allegation at a private meeting in the presence of another member of staff.  They will then be suspended immediately pending further investigation.