Purpose and Scope
In its wider context, safeguarding adults applies to everyone over the age of 18 and is about:
- protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect,
- people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse and neglect, while at the same time making sure that we fully take into account the adult’s views, wishes, feelings and beliefs regarding their wellbeing in deciding on any action.
Legal Framework
The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the relevant legislation and government guidance which can be found here.
Our Commitment
Every individual, regardless of age, background, or ability deserves a safe and respectful environment. We all carry a responsibility to ensure that our spaces, both physical and digital, are free from harm, discrimination, harassment and any form of abuse.
We aim to establish a foundation of trust, safety and responsibility in all our interactions, be they face-to-face or online, creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment.
Everyone involved with us should feel they have the power to keep themselves and others safe from harm, and to report or challenge inappropriate behaviour. We aim to maintain an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution.
We are committed to the six principles of safeguarding adults (England) which are:
- empowerment,
- protection,
- prevention,
- proportionality,
- partnership
- and accountability,
ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe in line with national legislation and local guidelines where appropriate.
We recognise that mental and physical health and well-being, ability and disability, and need for care and support can fluctuate and affect a person’s resilience and that some people experience barriers, for example, to communication in raising concerns or seeking help.
We accept that we are required to fulfil our duty of care, doing everything that can be reasonably expected of us to help safeguard and protect people from harm, and to act when we suspect that someone is being harmed, or is at risk of harm.
We are committed to creating a culture of zero tolerance of harm to adults which necessitates the recognition of adults who may be at risk and the circumstances which may increase risk and being willing to report safeguarding concerns.
Raising and Managing Concerns
Speaking up if you’re worried someone is harming or abusing someone else is always the right thing to do. Even if you’re not certain, you must report your concern. If you speak up, you will be protected: you will not be penalised or criticised for it.
Reports can be made anonymously. All reports will be addressed with utmost seriousness and confidentiality, responded to promptly and followed up.
Concerns or incidents, whether they occur in a physical or digital space, can be reported to any volunteer or staff member who will inform the designated safeguarding leads (who are currently our co-directors). You can also always directly approach our co-directors if you prefer.
You can also report directly using our form:
If you feel that the situation has not been handled correctly, or you do not feel that you can safely speak with the co-Directors about it, please refer to our Whistleblowing guidance.
In the rare situation where an adult or child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Our Process
Once a concern has been reported, one of the safeguarding leads will:
- Speak with the adult concerned wherever possible
- Determine their wishes, ensuring the process is person led and outcome focused
- Offer support and information for the adult concerned to make informed choices
- Put measures in place to keep the adult safe during any ongoing activity (if appropriate)
- Seek external guidance and advice if appropriate
- Only share information with people who need to know
- Ask for consent to report the concern to statutory agencies if needed; if consent is withheld, but information is still passed on, we will clearly document this and the reasons why
- Keep the adult informed and involved throughout the process
- Keep a written record of the concern and subsequent process and communications, ensuring that the information is necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure
Supporting Documents
This policy should be read in conjunction with our other organisational policies including our general Safeguarding and Whistleblowing policies.
Contact Information
Responsibility for Adult Safeguarding is shared by our co-directors.
Croydon Adult Safeguarding Team: 020 8726 6500
Ann Craft Trust (provides information and advice about adult safeguarding): 0115 951 5400
https://www.anncrafttrust.org/
Review
This guidance will be reviewed annually to ensure that it remains effective and aligned with the needs and aspirations of Autistic Community Hub CIC and its community of members, staff, volunteers and partners.
This policy was last updated March 2024.