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Safeguarding adults policy

Contents

  1. Policy summary
  2. Introduction
  3. Purpose
  4. Scope
  5. Procedure or implementation
  6. Training implications
  7. Equality impact assessment screening
  8. Links to any other associated documents
  9. References
  10. Appendices

1 Policy summary

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 (Care Act, 2014). This includes where appropriate, regard for their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs. For people who are unable to protect themselves, additional measures should be provided to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

2 Introduction

Adult safeguarding can be complex and diverse and cover a wide range of activity from prevention through to multi-agency responses to stop harm. The adults should be central to the safeguarding process and their wellbeing must be promoted. Section 1 of the Care Act (2014) includes protection from abuse or neglect as part of the definition of well-being.

People can have complex lives and being safe is one of the things they want for themselves. We should work with the adult to establish what being safe means to them and how it can best be achieved. RDaSH is committed to ensuring the wellbeing of all adults through adherence, in all activity, to the six principles of adult safeguarding (Care Act, 2014):

  • empowerment, presumption of person led decisions and informed consent. Ensuring the service users wishes and their aspired outcomes are at the heart of any decision-making process
  • protection, support and representation for those in greatest need
  • prevention, it is better to act before harm occurs
  • proportionality, proportionate and least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented
  • 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

3 Purpose

This safeguarding adults policy aims to direct and support staff in the recognition, raising and managing of concerns of abuse and neglect of an adult at risk (person aged 18 years or older). This policy provides a clear framework to ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities and accountabilities, as identified by both legislation and locally established procedures, in relation to safeguarding adults at risk.

4 Scope

This policy is applicable to all trust staff, agency staff and other staff not employed directly by the trust such as volunteers who in the course of their duties, may come into contact directly with, or who may become party to information about, safeguarding adults’ issues.

5 Procedure or implementation

5.1 Quick guide

5.1.1 Concerned

  • You have a concern that an adult with care and support needs is at risk of, or is experiencing, abuse or neglect.

5.1.2 Safety

  • Ensure the immediate safety and welfare of the adult at risk and any others who may be affected (including children).
  • Consider if the emergency services are required.

5.1.3 Advice

  • Seek advice from a safeguarding supervisor or the RDaSH Safeguarding team.
  • Advice is also available from the local authority safeguarding team both inside, and outside, of working hours.

5.1.4 Report

  • Complete the safeguarding concern form.
  • Complete an IR1 incident report.

5.1.5 Record

  • Update the electronic patient record.
  • Include actions taken to mitigate the risk.

5.2 Adult at risk

An ‘adult at risk’ is defined by the Care Act (2014) as a person:

  • who is 18 years and over
  • who has needs for care and support (whether the local authority is meeting any of those needs)
  • is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
  • who as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of or the experience of abuse or neglect

Care and support needs:

  • the Care Act (2014) does not define what ‘care and support needs’ mean but the Social Care Institute of Excellence (SCIE) (2022) provides useful guidance

Under the Care Act (2014), local authorities must arrange for an independent advocate to support an adult at risk if they have substantial difficulty in being involved in the safeguarding process and where there is no appropriate individual available to support and represent the person’s wishes.

Compliance with, and adherence to, this policy will ensure that Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) meets the contractual requirements of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Health and Social Care Act (2008) (regulated activities) Regulations (2014) regulation 13, safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment.

Compliance with this policy will also provide assurance that the Trust adheres to NHS England: Safeguarding children, young people and adults in the NHS Safeguarding accountability and assurance framework (2022).

This will be achieved by the delivery of the following objectives:

  • to identify lines of accountability
  • to raise awareness of the types of abuse and neglect and referral procedures with all new members of staff during induction
  • direct staff to named safeguarding professionals within RDaSH who can offer advice and supervision if requested
  • direct staff towards external sources of advice and local safeguarding procedures

5.3 Categories of abuse and neglect

Defining abuse or neglect is complex and rests on many factors. The term “abuse” can be subject to wide interpretation. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect, or occur where a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which they have not, or cannot, consent.

Abuse or neglect may be the result of deliberate intent, negligence, or ignorance. Exploitation can be a common theme in the experience of abuse or neglect. Whilst it is acknowledged that abuse or neglect can take different forms, the Care Act guidance identifies the following types of abuse or neglect:

  • physical abuse, including inappropriate or careless handling, hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, or inappropriate sanctions, unwarranted enforced isolation, or captivity
  • psychological abuse, including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyberbullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks
  • sexual abuse, including rape, indecent exposure, sexual assault, sexual acts, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting. It also includes sexual exploitation which is exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where the person receives “something” (for example, food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, mobile phones, cigarettes, gifts, money) or perceived friendship or relationship as a result of them performing, and another or others performing sexual acts
  • financial or material abuse, including theft, fraud, internet scamming, exploitation, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions, or benefits
  • neglect or acts of omission, includes ignoring medical or physical needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating, hygiene, privacy, and dignity
  • self-neglect, includes a person neglecting to care for their personal hygiene, health, or surroundings; or an inability to provide essential food, clothing, shelter or medical care necessary to maintain their physical and mental health, emotional wellbeing and general safety. It includes behaviour such as hoarding. Each local authority has a procedure to follow, see below:
  • discriminatory, including forms of harassment, bullying, slurs, isolation, neglect, denial of access to services or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, religion or because someone is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. This includes racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia or any other form of hate incident or crime
  • organisational abuse, including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in a person’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to ongoing ill treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes, and practices within an organisation
  • domestic abuse, including an incident or a pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse, by someone who is, or has been, an intimate partner or family member regardless of gender or sexual orientation. This includes psychological or emotional, physical, sexual, financial abuse; so called ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage or female genital mutilation (FGM). Link to the domestic abuse policy
  • modern slavery, encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive, and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment

5.4 Abuse related issues

5.4.1 Pressure ulcers

Most pressure ulcers are entirely preventable through risk assessment and the implementation of pressure relieving measures. The simple fact that a person at risk has a pressure ulcer, even a category 3 or category 4, or multiple pressure ulcers, more than 3 or 4 at a lower category or mixed categories, is not in itself a reason to suspect abuse or neglect.

There are several factors to help decide whether it potentially indicates neglect or whether it indicates a need for care providers to improve practice.

These factors include:

  • the person’s physical health and existing medical conditions
  • any skin conditions the person may have any other signs of neglect, such as poor personal hygiene
  • the appropriateness of their care plan and whether it has been properly carried out
  • the person’s own view, and the views of their family and friends, on the treatment and care

Staff will record in the appropriate document or care plan the patients or service users and carers understanding and comprehension of pressure ulcer prevention or management plans. This must include information on the patient’s capacity to understand the information to ensure informed decision-making. All safeguarding concerns must be reported. Link to the tissue viability and wound care manual.

5.4.2 Prevent

Prevent is part of the government counterterrorism strategy. One of the national objectives for prevent is to avert people from being drawn into terrorism and ensure that they are given appropriate advice and support. If you suspect someone, whether service user, staff or visitor is at risk of radicalisation you must report it. See prevent strategy for the process to follow.

5.4.3 Managing allegations against people in positions of trust (PiPoT)

This is when a person who is working with adults with care and support needs has:

  • behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed an adult with care and support needs
  • possibly committed a criminal offense against or related to an adult with care and support needs
  • behaved towards an adult with care and support needs in a way that indicates she or he is unsuitable to work with such adults
  • behaved in a way that has harmed children or may have harmed children which means their ability to provide a service to adults with care and support needs should be reviewed
  • been subject to abuse themselves and there is evidence that this impacts on their suitability to work with adults with care and support needs

All allegations of abuse, neglect, or maltreatment of adults with care and support needs by a person in a position of trust must be taken seriously and treated in accordance with the managing allegations against people in positions of trust (PiPoT) procedure.

5.4.4 Raising concerns at work (whistleblowing)

RDaSH staff come into contact with lots of different agencies caring for vulnerable people on a daily basis. During a shift a member of staff could potentially witness a colleague or care provider abusing an adult considered to be at risk. Because abuse is a sensitive and difficult area it can be tempting not to take action when abuse is occurring within our work environment, especially when the abuser is a member of staff. However, ignoring our concerns can risk:

  • reinforcing abusive behaviour and perhaps put others at risk
  • no action, including support and protection, for all those in the situation
  • further misery because distress is not acknowledged
  • vulnerable victims seen as not needing or entitled to care, treatment, support or justice
  • perpetuation of a criminal act by the perpetrator

RDaSH has a whistleblowing policy which sets out roles and responsibilities of staff and the processes involved. Freedom to speak up: raising concerns (whistleblowing) policy.

5.4.5 Fabricated or induced illness

Adults can sometimes be presented to professionals by carers, as having physical or mental health problems when the adult has no recognised medical condition and the symptoms cannot be accounted for by any known illness. If these actions are causing, or putting an adult at risk, the situation may be referred to as fabricated or induced illness by carers’ (FII).

Care Act 2014 does not mention FII and FII is not a specified form of adult d abuse. The Care Act (2014) is clear that our responsibility to safeguard adults includes stopping harm and abuse, where possible or limiting the impact by preventing harm and abuse. The Royal College of Psychiatrists (2020) produced guidance for assessing and managing cases of fabricated or induced illness which can be found here: Fabricated or induced illness in adults (opens in new window).

5.5 Responding to adult safeguarding concerns

Make an immediate evaluation of the risk and take steps to ensure that the adult is in no immediate danger. Where appropriate, call 999 for emergency services if there is a medical emergency, other danger to life or risk of imminent injury, or if a crime is in progress.

Consider if there are other adults with care and support needs or children who are at risk of harm and take appropriate steps to safeguard them. The process for reporting safeguarding children concerns can be found in the safeguarding children manual.

Contact RDaSH safeguarding team for advice if required.

Report the incident internally on the Ulysses (IR1) electronic reporting system.

Ensure all decision-making is recorded in the electronic patient records, using the safeguarding adult template.

All adult safeguarding concerns must be reported to the Adult Safeguarding team in the local authority on the same day that the concerns were identified.

See below for contact details:

5.5.1 Involving the adult

Making safeguarding personal (MSP) stresses the importance of keeping the adult at the centre. Under MSP the adult is best placed to identify risks, provide details of its impact and whether they find the mitigation acceptable. Working with the adult to lead and manage the level of risk that they identify as acceptable creates a culture where:

  • adults feel more in control
  • adults are empowered and have ownership of the risk
  • there is improved effectiveness and resilience in dealing with a situation
  • there are better relationships with professionals
  • good information sharing to manage risk, involving all the key stakeholders
  • key elements of the person’s quality of life and wellbeing can be safeguarded

Using MSP principles, the key focus is on developing a real understanding of what people wish to achieve, agreeing, negotiating and recording their desired outcomes, working out with them (and their representatives or advocates if they lack capacity) how best those outcomes might be realised and then seeing, at the end, the extent to which desired outcomes have been realised.

5.5.2 Record keeping

As soon as possible on the same day, make a written record of what has been seen, told or there are concerns about. Written records must be as accurate as possible and contain what was said and done by the people involved. This is important for defensible decision-making which means recording a clear rationale for all the decisions made and the discussions that led to the decision.

The written record will need to include:

  • when you were told about or witnessed the incident
  • who was involved
  • exactly what happened or what you were told, using the persons own words
  • the views and wishes of the adult
  • the appearance and behaviour of the adult and, or the person making the disclosure
  • any injuries observed
  • any actions or decisions taken
  • any previous incidents that have caused you a concern

All safeguarding incidents must be reported on Ulysses, the RDaSH incident reporting system. This includes all incidents of concern involving adults even if it has not resulted in a referral to social care. The incident form must be completed as soon after the incident has taken place or been identified as occurring, and no later than one working day afterwards. Any member of staff who is unable to complete the incident form for any reason within this time frame must inform their line manager.

5.5.3 Information sharing

Safeguarding enables the sharing of information without the persons consent if it is for the purpose of the detection and prevention of crime and also where safeguarding of children is required (HM Government, 2018).

5.5.3.1 Seven golden rules for information sharing
  1. Remember that the general data protection regulation (GDPR) is not a barrier to sharing information but provides a framework to ensure that personal information about living persons is shared appropriately.
  2. Be open and honest with the person (and, or their family where appropriate) from the outset about why, what, how and with whom information will, or could be, shared, and seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so.
  3. Seek advice if you are in any doubt, without disclosing the identity of the person where possible.
  4. Share with consent where appropriate and, where possible, respect the wishes of those who do not consent to share confidential information. You may still share information without consent if, in your judgement, that lack of consent can be overridden in the public interest. You will need to base your judgement on the facts of the case.
  5. Consider safety and wellbeing: base your information-sharing decisions on considerations of the safety and wellbeing of the person and others who may be affected by their actions.
  6. Necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure: ensure that the information you share is necessary for the purpose for which you are sharing it, is shared only with those people who need to have it, is accurate and up to date, is shared in a timely fashion, and is shared securely.
  7. Keep a record of your decision and the reasons for it – whether it is to share information or not. If you decide to share, then record what you have shared, with whom and for what purpose.

5.5.4 Capacity and consent

An adult’s legal right to consent marks the fundamental difference in approaches to adult safeguarding compared with children’s safeguarding arrangements. It is normally essential to seek the service users consent before any safeguarding process begins. However, there may be issues in regard to the service user’s mental capacity to consent. In this instance, refer to the Mental Capacity Act policy, Mental Capacity Act 2005.

5.5.5 Reporting without consent

In cases where there is an overriding public interest or if gaining consent would put the adult at further risk then the concern must be reported. This includes situations where:

  • there is a serious risk of harm to the wellbeing and safety of the adult or a risk of harm to others
  • other adults or children could be at risk from the person causing harm
  • it is necessary to prevent crime or if a crime may have been committed
  • the person lacks the capacity to consent

If a staff member is unsure whether to report the advice can be sought from the RDaSH Safeguarding team email, rdash.safeguardingadults@nhs.net or the Adult Safeguarding team in the local authority:

5.6 Advocacy services

Advocacy promotes equality, social justice, and social inclusion. It can empower people to speak up for themselves. Advocacy can help people become more aware of their own rights, to exercise those rights and be involved in and influence decisions that are being made about their future. In some situations, an advocate may need to represent another person’s interests. This is called non-instructed advocacy and is used when a person is unable to communicate their views.

5.6.1 Advocacy services North Lincolnshire

POhWER

Independent advocacy for:

  • NHS complaints advocacy
  • independent mental health advocacy
  • independent mental capacity advocacy including deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS)
  • relevant person’s paid representative services (RPPR)
  • care act advocacy
  • generic non-statutory advocacy: for residents of North Lincolnshire or those registered with a GP in the area.

5.6.2 Advocacy services Rotherham

Absolute advocacy
Unit 3
Bessemer Way
Bessemer Business Park
Rotherham
S60 1EN

Independent advocacy for:

  • people with mental health needs
  • older people
  • people with physical or sensory impairment
  • Care Act advocacy
  • independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA)
  • deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) advocate
  • independent mental health advocate (IMHA)

For a referral form please see Cloverleaf website (opens in new window).

5.6.3 Advocacy services Doncaster

Doncaster advocacy service (VoiceAbility)
Rear of Carcroft Social Club
Chestnut Avenue
Carcroft
Doncaster
DN6 8AG

Independent advocacy for:

  • community advocacy
  • care and support advocacy
  • care act advocacy
  • independent mental capacity advocate (IMCA)
  • deprivation of liberty safeguards (DoLS) advocate
  • relevant person’s representative (RPR)
  • independent mental health advocate (IMHA)
  • NHS complaints advocacy
  • children and young people’s advocacy

5.7 Section 42 enquiries

A section 42 enquiry relates to the duty of the local authority to make enquiries, or have others do so, if an adult may be at risk of abuse or neglect. This happens whether the authority is providing any care and support services to that adult. It aims to decide what, if any, action is needed to help and protect the adult.

The scale of the enquiry, who leads it, the format it takes and how long, will depend on the particular circumstances.

It will usually start with asking the adult about their view and wishes, which will often determine what next steps to take.

Everyone involved in an enquiry must focus on improving the adult’s wellbeing and work together to that shared aim. At this stage, the local authority also has a duty to consider whether the adult requires an independent advocate to represent and support the adult in the enquiry.

The objectives of an enquiry into abuse or neglect are to:

  • establish facts
  • ascertain the adult’s views and wishes
  • assess the needs of the adult for protection or support and redress, and how they might be met
  • protect the person from the abuse and neglect, in accordance with the wishes of the adult
  • make decisions about what follow-up action should be taken with the person or organisation responsible for the abuse or neglect
  • enable the adult to achieve resolution and recovery

An enquiry could range from a conversation with the adult, or their representative or advocate, prior to initiating a formal enquiry under section 42, right through to a much more formal multiagency plan or course of action.

What happens as a result of the enquiry should reflect the adult’s wishes wherever possible, as stated by them or by their representative or advocate.

If the adult lacks capacity to engage with the process, any decision made must be in their best interests and be a proportionate response to the concern

The local safeguarding adults procedures can be found below:

5.8 Adult safeguarding and the Human Rights Act 1998

In respect of safeguarding adults at risk, there are 4 articles that are of relevance:

  • article 2, protect the right to life. This means public authorities must sometimes take positive steps to protect people if their lives are in danger
  • article 3, affords freedom from degrading and inhumane treatment. Article 3 is breached when public bodies carry out or are responsible for abusive care and treatment; that is allowing or ignoring actions when they should not have done so. There is a positive duty under Article 3, for a public body to intervene when abuse is performed by one private individual against another
  • article 5, enshrines the right to liberty and security. People who lack mental capacity are one of the categories when people can be deprived of their liberty. Legal procedures are set out in the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and the Mental Health Act 1983 and should be followed. If they are not adhered to, it may lead to a breach of article 5. A deprivation of liberty under the MCA describes a best interest decision made regarding a person who lacks mental capacity to decide about care, treatment or living arrangements. Such deprivations must be legally authorised under the provisions of the MCA or by order of the court of protection
  • article 8, guarantees the right to a private life, family life and a home life. Public bodies can interfere with people’s right to respect for private and family life, home and correspondence but they must be able to show that such action is lawful, necessary and proportionate in order to protect national security, public safety, the economy, health or morals, prevent disorder or crime or protect the rights and freedoms of other people

All safeguarding interventions need to consider and respect the above articles.

6 Training implications

6.1 Safeguarding adults manual 1

  • Employee groups requiring training: Staff required to be competent with level 1 safeguarding adult training.
  • Frequency: Every 3 years.
  • Length of training: 2 hours.
  • Delivery method: E-learning.
  • Training delivered by: E-learning for healthcare.
  • Where are the records of attendance held: ESR.

6.2 Safeguarding adults manual 2

  • Employee groups requiring training: Staff required to be competent with level 2 safeguarding adult training.
  • Frequency: Every 3 years.
  • Length of training: 3 hours.
  • Delivery method: E-learning.
  • Training delivered by: e-learning for healthcare.
  • Where are the records of attendance held: ESR.

6.3 Safeguarding adults manual 3

  • Employee groups requiring training: Staff required to be competent with level 3 safeguarding adult training.
  • Frequency: Annually.
  • Length of training: 3 hours.
  • Delivery method: Multiple.
  • Training delivered by: Blended learning.
  • Where are the records of attendance held: ESR.

RDaSH safeguarding training intranet page (staff access only) (opens in new window).

7 Equality impact assessment screening

To access the equality impact assessment for this policy, please email rdash.equalityanddiversity@nhs.net to request the document.

7.1 Privacy, dignity and respect

The NHS Constitution states that all patients should feel that their privacy and dignity are respected while they are in hospital. High Quality Care for All (2008), Lord Darzi’s review of the NHS, identifies the need to organise care around the individual, ‘not just clinically but in terms of dignity and respect’.

Consequently, the trust is required to articulate its intent to deliver care with privacy and dignity that treats all service users with respect. Therefore, all procedural documents will be considered, if relevant, to reflect the requirement to treat everyone with privacy, dignity, and respect, (when appropriate this should also include how same sex accommodation is provided).

7.1.1 Indicate how this will be met

No issues have been identified in relation to this policy.

7.2 Mental capacity act

Central to any aspect of care delivered to adults and young people aged 16 years or over will be the consideration of the individual’s capacity to participate in the decision-making process. Consequently, no intervention should be carried out without either the individual’s informed consent, or the powers included in a legal framework, or by order of the court.

Therefore, the trust is required to make sure that all colleagues working with individuals who use our service are familiar with the provisions within the Mental Capacity Act (2005). For this reason, all procedural documents will be considered, if relevant to reflect the provisions of the Mental Capacity Act (2005)to ensure that the rights of individual are protected, and they are supported to make their own decisions where possible and that any decisions made on their behalf when they lack capacity are made in their best interests and least restrictive of their rights and freedoms.

7.2.1 Indicate how this will be achieved

All individuals involved in the implementation of this policy should do so in accordance with the guiding principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

9 References

10 Appendices

10.1 Appendix A Reporting a child safeguarding concern

  1. You have a concern that an adult with care and support needs is at risk of or is experiencing abuse or neglect.
  2. Ensure the immediate safety and welfare of the child at risk and others who may also be affected.
  3. Are the emergency services required?
    • if yes, contact the emergency services and follow the guidance given by them, escalate the issue in accordance with trust protocol. This may include contacting line management or out hours on call
    • if no, contact the safeguarding team for advice or support if required Rdash.safeguardingadults@nhs.net. Out of hours contact numbers:
  4. Complete the appropriate concern form:
  5. Complete an IR1 and choose safeguarding adult and the appropriate category of abuse.
  6. Update the electronic patient record using the safeguarding adult template, giving a comprehensive overview of the safeguarding concern and actions taken to mitigate the risk.

10.2 Appendix B Responsibilities, accountabilities and duties

The trust, the chief executive and directors of the trust are responsible for ensuring that robust systems are in place to identify and manage the risks associated with safeguarding adult at risk and to support the effective multiagency partnership working and responses which are required.

This includes the identification and training of suitable staff to fulfil the roles set out within the multiagency safeguarding adult’s procedures. All staff are responsible for fulfilling their responsibilities to safeguard adult at risk.

The trust’s nominated executive director, the trust has a nominated executive director for safeguarding adults, who takes a professional lead in promoting best practice in safeguarding adults at board level. In this trust, the nominated executive director for safeguarding adults is the director of nursing and allied health professionals.

Deputy director of nursing (operational lead) has responsibility to provide expert advice, strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding and professional standards. To continually develop a proactive approach to safeguarding through collaboration with the local authority and other agencies. To ensure all mandatory and statutory requirements around safeguarding are met and develop support systems.

Nurse consultant safeguarding has responsibility to provide expert advice, strategic and operational leadership for safeguarding and professional standards. To continually develop a proactive approach to safeguarding through collaboration with the local authority and other agencies. To ensure all mandatory and statutory requirements around safeguarding are met and develop support systems.

Lead professional’s for safeguarding adults, named nurses or named professionals (practice leads) have responsibility to provide an expert professional leadership role in relation to safeguarding adults. To work at a strategic level across the health and the social care community, fostering and facilitating multiagency working and training in respect of safeguarding adults. To act as an expert resource on safeguarding adults issues, providing accessible, accurate and relevant information to staff.

The practice leads are responsible for delivering support, advice and guidance to the safeguarding managers and enquirers.

They have a key role in promoting best practice and are available as a source of advice or guidance and support for managers and staff involved in safeguarding.

Service managers, modern matrons or area clinical managers are responsible for:

  • ensuring all staff have access to the relevant multiagency safeguarding adults procedures in their workplace
  • maintaining compliance with the policy and multiagency safeguarding adults procedures within their services
  • arranging staff attendance at training, updates in relation to safeguarding adults
  • providing support for staff involved in safeguarding adults

Employees of RDaSH: ‘Safeguarding is everybody’s business’.

All employees (including volunteers) have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of adults at risk of harm. Employees must be able to recognise and report safeguarding concerns to their line manager or the Safeguarding team to ensure actions can be taken to address the concerns.

Safeguarding managers are identified trust staff who have undertaken the multiagency safeguarding adults’ procedures and are responsible for:

  • initiating preliminary fact finds
  • overseeing the enquiry and supporting the enquirer
  • arranging and chairing planning meetings, including the agreement of responsibilities, actions and timescales
  • responsible for maintaining records and completion of appropriate documentation
  • responsible for referring the adult at risk for advocacy (independent mental capacity advocate, independent care act advocate and independent domestic violence advocate)
  • if the allegation is regarding a person in position of trust (PiPoT) to liaise with the Safeguarding team
  • prepare interim protection plans

Safeguarding enquirers are identified trust staff who have undertaken the multiagency training on conducting an enquiry. They are responsible for:

  • coordinating the collation of information regarding the alleged abuse
  • meeting with the adult at risk to identify what their outcomes for the enquiry are
  • working with partner agencies if required
  • liaising with the police if criminal activity
  • liaise with safeguarding manager
  • complete documentation
  • ascertain on the balance of probability if abuse has taken place
  • oversee the development of a risk management and protection plan

10.3 Appendix C Monitoring arrangements

10.3.1 Adherence to policy and process

  • How and who by: Training and supervision monitoring process.
  • Reported to: Safeguarding assurance group.
  • Frequency: Quarterly.

10.3.2 Adherence to policy and process

  • How and Who by: Audit.
  • Reported to: Safeguarding assurance group.
  • Frequency: Annually.

Document control

  • Version: 2.
  • Unique reference number: 510.
  • Approved by: Clinical policies review and approval group.
  • Date approved: 17 April 2023.
  • Name of originator or author: Nurse consultant for safeguarding.
  • Name of responsible individual: Executive director of nursing and allied health professionals.
  • Date issued: 25 April 2023.
  • Review date: 30 April 2026.
  • Target audience: All staff within the trust.

Page last reviewed: December 11, 2024
Next review due: December 11, 2025

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