Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Statement & Policy

Our culture

To empower and support adults to make their own choices. To investigate actual (or suspected) abuse or neglect and support adults who are at risk of, or experiencing abuse or neglect.

According to the Department of Health a Vulnerable Person can be anyone:

Who may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.

POLICY STATEMENT

Viva Arts and Community Group has a duty to ensure that everyone involved in its work is able to feel that they work in an open and safe environment where they are treated with respect and dignity. We have a duty of care to safeguard and support all Adults at risk who participate in our projects.

The Care Act 2014 places a responsibility on councils to protect people who are at risk from abuse or neglect (Sections 42 to 47 of the Care Act 2014).

The aim of these Safeguarding Guidelines and Procedures is to ensure that all staff, volunteers and employees at VIVA that work with and support Adults at risk are confident about their own good practice and are aware of how to distinguish good practice in their colleagues’ behaviour.

All suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately. We have procedures in place to address poor practice and support any Adult who appears to be at risk, or who appears to be a victim of abuse.

We will safeguard adults at risk by ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe. We are committed to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm to adults which includes:

• the recognition of adults who may be at risk and the circumstances which may increase risk.
• knowing how adult abuse, exploitation or neglect manifests itself.
• being willing to report safeguarding concerns.

Our Safeguarding Adults at Risk Policy should be considered alongside our Safeguarding Children and Young people policy, our Health and Safety Policy and Privacy Policy

VIVA believes everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status. We are committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution. We acknowledge that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and is committed to prevent abuse and neglect through safeguarding the welfare of all adults involved.

We recognise that health, well-being, ability, disability and need for care and support can affect a person’s resilience. We recognise that some people experience barriers, for example, to communication in raising concerns or seeking help. We recognise that these factors can vary at different points in people’s lives.

This policy demonstrates the commitment of VIVA to safeguarding adults and to ensures that everyone who support Adults at risk is aware of:

• Their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults.
• What to do or who to speak to if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult
• No staff/ Members or volunteers working for VIVA are trained to deal with situations of abuse, or have the power to decide if abuse has occurred, but have a responsibility to refer causes for concern to the Designated safeguarding trustee who may refer to the Local Authority.

DEFINITIONS

The Care ACT 2014 guidance provides the following definition of adult safeguarding:

‘Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. This must recognise that adults sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear, or unrealistic about their personal circumstances’.

Adult at Risk of Harm: (We shorten to ‘Adult at Risk’)

CARE ACT 2014: An adult at risk is an individual aged 18 years and over who:

(a) has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) AND;

(b) is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, AND;

(c) as a result of the care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

An adult at risk may 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 sensory impairment.

Has mental health needs including dementia or a personality disorder.

Has a long-term illness / condition.

Suffers from drug or alcohol problems.

Is unable to demonstrate the capacity to make a decision and is in need of care and support.

Who these Guidelines cover in our work:

• Learning Disabled Participants
• Asylum Seekers and Refugees
• Socially Isolated Older People

Any other Participation project which includes adults at risk

There is a legal duty on Local Authorities to provide support to ‘adults at risk’. The safeguarding legislation applies to all forms of abuse that harm a person’s well-being. The law emphasises the importance of person-centred safeguarding. The law provides a framework for organisations to share concerns they have about adults at risk with the local authority.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The role and responsibilities of the designated trustee(s) are:

• To ensure that all staff, trustees and volunteers are aware of what they should do and who they should go to if they have safeguarding concerns about an Adult at risk.
• Ensure that any concerns about an Adult at risk are acted upon, clearly recorded, referred on where necessary and followed up to ensure the issues are addressed.
• The designated trustee(s) will record any reported incidents in relation to the breach of Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.

In conjunction with the Safeguarding Officers, all staff must ensure that they:

Recognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or possible abuse.

Respond to concerns expressed by an Adult at risk.

Any concerns about poor practice must be reported.

Work safely and effectively with adults at risk.

ATTITUDES

Staff/members and volunteers should be committed to treating vulnerable persons with respect and dignity.

Always listening to what adult is saying.

Valuing each adult

Recognising the unique contribution everyone can make.

Encouraging and praising each adult.

TYPES OF ABUSE AND INDICATORS FOR ADULTS AT RISK

Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons. It can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it. Any or all of the following types of abuse may be perpetrated as the result of deliberate intent, negligence, omission or ignorance.

• Physical
• Sexual
• Psychological
• Neglect
• Financial

Abuse can take place in any relationship and there are many contexts in which abuse might take place; e.g. Institutional abuse, Domestic Abuse, Forced Marriage, Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery, Sexual Exploitation, County Lines, Radicalisation, Hate Crime, Mate Crime, Cyber bullying, Scams. An adult may confide to a member or another participant that they are experiencing abuse inside or outside VIVA. There are many signs and indicators that may suggest someone is being abused or neglected. There may be other explanations, but they should not be ignored. The signs and symptoms include but are not limited to:

Unexplained bruises or injuries – or lack of medical attention.

Person has belongings or money going missing.

Person is not attending / no longer enjoying their sessions. You may notice that a participant has been missing from sessions and is not responding to reminders.

Someone losing or gaining weight / an unkempt appearance.

A change in the behaviour or confidence of a person. For example, a participant may be looking quiet and withdrawn.

Self-harm.

A fear of a particular group of people or individual.

A parent/carer always speaks for the person and doesn’t allow them to make their own choices.

They may tell you / another person they are being abused – i.e. a disclosure.

RESPONDING TO CONCERNS

The Care Act 2014 set out a requirement for ‘making safeguarding personal’ through which all safeguarding practices should be person-led, and outcome focused. An adult at risk should be involved in conversations about the safeguarding process and have choice and control over this. This should also be considered as part of the safeguarding decision-making process. If a volunteer or staff member feel that the adult is at risk but potentially lacks the capacity or understanding to make choices about their lifestyle, then a concern should be raised.

The adult’s views, wishes, feelings and beliefs must be considered when decisions are made about how to support them to be safe. Working with the person will mean that actions taken help them to find the solution that is right for them. Treating people with respect, enhancing their dignity and supporting their ability to make decisions also helps promote people’s sense of self-worth and supports recovery from abuse. If someone has difficulty making their views and wishes known, then they can be supported or represented by an advocate. This might be a safe family member or friend of their choice or a professional advocate (usually from a third sector organisation).

The Care Act 2014 sets out the following principles that should underpin the safeguarding of adults.

1. Empowerment: people are supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent
2. Prevention: it is better to act before harm occurs
3. Proportionality: the least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented
4. Protection: support and representation for those in greatest need
5. Partnership: services offer local solutions by working closely with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting, and reporting neglect and abuse
6. Accountability: accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding

When concerned about the welfare of an Adult at risk of harm, staff /members and volunteers must always act in the best interests of the person and act immediately.

If an Adult at Risk is in immediate danger then the staff member must call the police on 999, and advice and support will be given.

If a member of staff has a concern about the welfare of an Adult at Risk or if an Adult at Risk had made a disclosure, staff must complete the Incident report form.

the first possible opportunity and give this and report to the Designated Safeguarding Trustee. The information recorded on the form must be factual and not based on opinions, recording what the person has said or what has been witnessed, with the specific nature of the concern.

When a disclosure happens

Members of staff or volunteers who receive an allegation of abuse from an adult should:

• Find a suitable location for the participant to talk.
• Reassure them and allow them to speak without interruption.
• Listen carefully to what is said.
• Record what they have been told / witnessed as soon as possible.
• Do not make any suggestions or coach/ offer advice in any way.
• Remain calm and do not show shock or disbelief.
• Reassure the adult that they have done the right thing in telling you.
• Tell the adult that they are not to blame.
• Tell the person that the information will be treated seriously.
• Do not interrogate or ask detailed or probing questions.
• Never promise to keep a secret and explain that you have a responsibility for their safety and must have a confidential conversation with the safeguarding specific point of contact.
• Let the adult know that there are others who can help them and that they are not alone.

AFTER A DISCLOSURE HAS BEEN MADE

After a disclosure is made it is vitally important that the Incident Report Form has been completed as soon as possible and the Designated Safeguarding Lead is notified. The Designated Safeguarding Lead may contact the Adult at Risk of harm or their named carer to discuss the concern and decide, based on the information provided, whether a referral should be made to the local safeguarding services. If it is decided that the concern, or incident potentially meets the threshold for a referral (*reasonable cause to suspect that an adult who has care and support needs, is at risk of or experiencing abuse and neglect) the Designated Safeguarding trustee will make the referral to the local authority.

RECORDING AND STORING INFORMATION

Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a need-to-know basis only. This includes the following people:

The Designated Safeguarding Trustee/s,.

The carer or person responsible for the person who is alleged to have been abused.

The person making the allegation.

Social services/police.

Social services should advise on who should approach the alleged abuser.

Information will be stored in a secure online folder with limited access to designated people, in line with the Privacy Policy).

Sharing information without consent

The circumstances when information needs to be shared without the adult’s consent include those where:

• it is not safe to contact the adult to gain their consent – i.e. it might put them or the person making contact at further risk.
• you believe they or someone else is at risk, including children.
• you believe the adult is being coerced or is under duress.
• it is necessary to contact the police to prevent a crime, or to report that a serious crime has been committed

ROLES

The role and responsibilities of the designated trustee (s) are:

• To ensure that all staff, trustees and volunteers are aware of what they should do and who they should go to if they have safeguarding concerns about an Adult at risk.
• Ensure that any concerns about an Adult at risk are acted upon, clearly recorded, referred on where necessary and followed up to ensure the issues are addressed.
• The designated trustee(s) will record any reported incidents in relation to the breach of Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.

In conjunction with the Safeguarding trustee, all staff/members volunteers must ensure that they:

Recognise their responsibilities and report any concerns about suspected poor practice or possible abuse.

Respond to concerns expressed by an Adult at risk.

Work safely and effectively with adults at risk.

Any concerns about poor practice must be reported.

PREVENT RADICALISATION

VIVA recognises the positive contribution it can make towards protecting children and young people from radicalisation to violent extremism. We will continue to empower children and young people to create communities that are resilient to extremism and support the wellbeing of particular children and young people who may be vulnerable to being drawn into violent extremism or crime. It will also continue to promote the development of spaces for free debate where shared values can be reinforced. Radicalisation is the process by which individuals come to support terrorism or violent extremism. There is no typical profile for a person likely to become involved in extremism, or for a person who moves to adopt violence in support of their particular ideology. Although a number of possible behavioural indicators are listed below, staff/members and volunteers should use their professional judgement and discuss with other colleagues if they have any concerns:

 ▪ Use of inappropriate language

 ▪ Possession of violent extremist literature including electronic material accessed via the internet and communication such as e-mail and text messages

▪ Behavioural changes

▪ The expression of extremist views

▪ Advocating violent actions and means

 ▪ Association with known extremists

▪ Seeking to recruit others to an extremist ideology

If staff have any significant concerns about a child/young person beginning to support terrorism and/or violent extremism, they should discuss this with the Designated Safeguarding trustee.

 PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO AND ONLINE SAFETY

VIVA use photography, video and sound recording regularly within its work and share these online.

Unless written permission has been granted by the Adult (or their Carer), staff are not allowed to take pictures or film. Theatre Royal Wakefield will need to be satisfied that all the relevant documentation and permission has been received before any pictures or film can be taken.

Consent for photography or video recording of any child/young person is obtained. Please see our Privacy Policy and Data Protection Policy for more information. Photographs and videos of adults will be stored in a secure and designated online folder with restricted access only accessible by relevant appointed staff.

Viva Arts and Community Group:

• will ensure that all management committee members, trustees, staff, and volunteers are familiar with this policy and procedures.
• will work with other agencies within the framework of the Safeguarding Adults Board Policy and Procedures as required.
• will act within its confidentiality policy and will usually gain permission from individuals concerned before sharing information about them with another agency
• will inform members that where a person is in danger or a crime has been committed then a decision may be taken to pass information to another agency without the individual’s consent
• will endeavor to keep up to date with national developments relating to preventing abuse and welfare of adults
• will ensure that the Designated Named Person understands his/her responsibility to refer incidents of adult abuse to the relevant statutory agencies (Police/Adult Services Directorate) as appropriate

The Designated Named Person for Safeguarding Adults in Viva Arts and Community Group is:

Anne Bevan – annie_bevan@hotmail.com

This person should be contacted for support and advice on implementing this policy and procedures. (Contact can also be made via The Viva Office at the theatre, 01353 722228)

Viva Arts and Community Group will ensure that any allegations made against members, members of staff or volunteers will be dealt with swiftly. Where a member of staff/volunteer is thought to have committed a criminal offence the police will be informed.

If a crime has been witnessed the police should be contacted immediately. The safety of the individual(s) concerned is paramount. Where necessary, a risk assessment will be undertaken immediately to assess the level of risk to all Viva members posed by the alleged perpetrator. This will include whether it is safe for them to continue in their role or any other role within Viva Arts & Community whilst the investigation is undertaken.

Viva Arts and Community Group has a whistle blowing policy and staff/volunteers are aware of this policy. All will be supported to use this policy.

This Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy will be clearly communicated to staff, trustees, volunteers and volunteers and will be published on the Viva Arts & Community website for all Viva members to access.

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy will be reviewed regularly by the trustees.

See statement for safeguarding.