Having policies and procedures to safeguard adults is a legal requirement under the Care Act 2014. Safeguarding means  protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. 

Adult Safeguarding – what it is

• Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
• The provider should always promote the person’s well-being in their safeguarding arrangements. Professionals should work with adults to establish what being safe means to them and how that can be best achieved.
• Prevention is a Key aspect of the safeguarding agenda.

• · To stop abuse or neglect wherever possible.
•  Prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect to adults with care and support needs.
• Safeguard adults in a way that supports them in making choices and having control over how they want to live.
•  Promote an approach that concentrates on improving life for the adults concerned.
•  Raise public awareness so that communities as a whole, alongside professionals, play their part in identifying and preventing abuse and neglect.
•  Provide information and support in accessible ways to help people understand the different types of abuse, how to stay safe and what to do to raise a concern about the safety or well- being of an adult.

All safeguarding work with adults should be based on the following principles:

• ·The empowerment of adults underpins all safeguarding adults work.
•  The focus of safeguarding adults should always be to identify and endeavour to meet the desired outcomes of the adult.
•  Every person has a right to live a life free from abuse, neglect and fear.
•  Safeguarding adults is everyone’s business and responsibility.
• There is zero tolerance to the abuse of adults.
•  All reports of abuse will be treated seriously.
•  Every person should be able to access information about how to gain safety from abuse and violence and neglect.
•  All adult safeguarding work aims to prevent abuse from taking place, and to make enquiries quickly and effectively and take appropriate action where abuse is taking place or is suspected.
• All partner agencies, organisations and partners across the community of East Sussex actively work together and encourage accountability and transparency.
• The Safeguarding Policy relates to an adult who meets the following three key tests:
•  The adult has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs).
• The adult is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect.
•  As a result of their care and support needs, the adult is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

• Empowerment People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and give informed consent.
•  Prevention It is better to take action before harm occurs.
•  Proportionality The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
• Protection Support and representation for those in greatest need.
• Partnership Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.
• Accountability -Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

These six principles should inform the ways in which professionals and staff work with adults.

Abuse can take many forms; it can be physical, psychological, sexual, neglect, discriminatory, organisational and financial.

Abuse also includes domestic abuse, Modern Slavery, organisational and self-neglect. Exploitation is noted as a common theme.

Abuse is a violation of an individual's human and civil rights by any other persons or person. Examples of abuse are:

• Hitting, slapping, rough handling.
•  Giving medication incorrectly.
• Deprivation of warmth, food, clothing health care etc.
• Any kind of sexual activity that the person has not consented to or cannot consent to.
• Misuse or theft of money or property.
• Shouting, swearing
• Neglect of medical or physical need
• Discrimination or harassment

Abuse can happen anywhere by anyone but is usually someone the vulnerable adult knows. Some kinds of abuse are a criminal offence.

Carers

• A carer may witness abuse of neglect
•  A carer may experience intentional or unintentional harm from an adult they are trying to support
•  A carer may unintentionally or intentionally harm or neglect the adult they support

How might abuse come to light? 

• Someone discloses abuse Witness an event happening Notice changes in behaviour Notice physical indicators of abuse
• If someone tells you they are being or have been abused.
•  Stay calm and listen
•  Be objective
• Empathise
• Take them seriously and offer support
•  Keep them safe if necessary
• Make a written record of what you have been told, note the time and date
• Preserve any evidence

Immediate risk-Call emergency services first Speak to your Manager or the office

When a concern is reported to Adult Social Care ASC they will need the following information:

• Is there an immediate or future risk?
•  What are the adult’s views?
• Has consent been obtained?
•  When and where did the incident take place?
• ·Who was involved?
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• Do not promise to keep secrets
•  Do not ask investigative questions or make judgmental comments
•  Do not use leading questions
•  Destroy any evidence
•  Do not confront the alleged abuser
•  Do not make decisions on your own
• Association of Carers rights and responsibilities
•  To ensure that staff and volunteers are aware of this policy and are adequately trained
•  To notify the appropriate agencies if abuse is suspected
•  To cooperate with other agencies and the local authority in safeguarding investigations
• · To DBS check all volunteers and staff that have direct access to vulnerable adults
•  To report concerns in regard to a volunteer or staff member to the Disclosure and barring service.
•  To check at recruitment and at regular intervals Staff and volunteers DBS’s (every three years) and at recruitment allapplicants references (see screening policy)
•  To ensure that this policy is kept up to date
•  Any concerns raised will be recorded on the appropriate form and spreadsheet and notes kept on the database. All information will be kept confidential (see confidentiality policy),and  these concerns will be kept for as long as necessary.

• To be familiar with the Adult Safeguarding policy and procedure and attend appropriate training
•  To take appropriate action in regard to safeguarding of adults.
•  To declare any existing or subsequent convictions. Failure to do so will be regarded as gross misconduct and may lead to dismissal.

To report a concern regarding an adult, members of the public or professionals can contact Ealing Adult Social Care on:

• Telephone: 0208 825 8000
• Email sscallcentre@ealing.gov.uk
• Complete the referral form online 
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• On call mobile telephone 07427620795
• Care Quality Commission 03000 616 161
• Action on elder abuse 0808 808 8141

In event of Emergency  call 999 

Reviewed

March 2023