Safeguarding Adults Policy

Introduction

Safeguarding helps to protect a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse, neglect, and harm. mhs takes all concerns and allegations of abuse, neglect, and harm very seriously. We collaborate with partner agencies to stop abuse where it occurs and ensure that customers get the right support.

Abuse can take many different forms and includes Domestic Abuse and Honour Based Abuse and Violence. Domestic Abuse Policy (Customer).  It may occur via neglect of a person, by inflicting harm, or failing to act to prevent harm. It is behaviour that either deliberately or unknowingly causes harm, endangers life, or infringes on a person’s rights.

This policy is applicable to mhs homes and Heart of Medway Housing Association properties and the terms “we” and “our” relate to both concerns unless otherwise stated.

In our work we come into contact with adults. We recognise that we have a duty to ensure that all of our staff (including temporary staff, volunteers, contractors, and agents who work for or on behalf of mhs homes) understand their roles in relation to protecting the rights of people to live free from abuse and neglect.

Policy statement

We believe that everyone should be protected from abuse and neglect. We recognise our role in raising awareness, investigating, reporting, dealing with and referring allegations of suspected and actual abuse.

We are committed to working in partnership with agencies that have the statutory responsibility towards vulnerable adults.

We will ensure that those working for mhs homes are aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and the procedures to be followed should they have concerns about somebody’s welfare.

We recognise that some people who suffer abuse may struggle to find the words to speak out, so it is vital that anyone working with vulnerable people is vigilant for signs of abuse. We will ensure staff are trained to identify issues and help and support vulnerable people.

Purpose

By adopting this policy, mhs will ensure that we:

  • Comply with current and relevant legislation, regulatory standards (mhs as registered charity and Heart of Medway as a Registered Provider) and contractual obligations.

  • Remain consistent with the strategic aims of mhs and best practice.

  • Provide effective control of the risks it is seeking to address.

  • Enshrine the organisation’s commitment to putting customers at the heart of our policy making process.

  • Continue to meet the diverse needs of our customers, stakeholders and staff.

  • Work well on an operational level.

  • Are sufficiently flexible to drive further service improvements and efficiencies.

  • Have appropriate levels of quality assurance, measures and monitoring.

Scope

This policy applies to all mhs employees. This policy and it’s procedure is relevant and applicable when working with our customers, partnerships and external agencies. There is a separate policy and associated procedure which relates to safeguarding younger people.

When working with adults at risk of abuse, we will apply the six safeguarding principles which are enshrined within The Care Act;

  • Empowerment: People being supported to make their own decisions and 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 concerns of abuse and neglect.

  • Accountability: Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding

Roles and Responsibilities

mhs has a responsibility to act upon and report safeguarding concerns as soon as they are identified in order for the relevant agency to investigate and take action to protect individuals who may be at risk. We will co-operate with those agencies as they make their enquiries.

Strategic lead

The Director of Housing is the safeguarding strategic lead for mhs homes and chairs the mhs safeguarding board. Any strategic issues or requests for information from local Safeguarding Boards should be referred to the strategic lead.

Safeguarding champions

The role of the safeguarding champion is to be a point of contact for the rest of the organisation in relation to any safeguarding queries or concerns. The champions are listed in the Safeguarding Procedure

Safeguarding Board

The strategic lead and safeguarding champions meet monthly as the Safeguarding Board. The Board will monitor mhs homes safeguarding policy and procedures and discuss any safeguarding referrals made by mhs homes.

The Safeguarding Board will also ensure updates to the safeguarding policies and procedures are communicated to all staff and ensure staff receive training appropriate to the nature of work they undertake. They are also responsible for monitoring cases and communicating and lessons learnt.

All staff

All staff (paid or unpaid) have responsibility to follow the guidance set out in this document and related policies and procedures, and to pass on any welfare concerns in accordance with the required procedures.

Policy Detail

We believe that everyone should be protected from abuse and neglect. We recognise our role in raising awareness, investigating, reporting, dealing with and referring allegations of suspected and actual abuse.

We are committed to working in partnership with agencies that have the statutory responsibility towards vulnerable people.

We will ensure that those working for mhs homes are aware of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding and the procedures to be followed should they have concerns about the welfare of an adult.

We will appoint designated safeguarding champions to provide leadership and consistency in relation to safeguarding decisions.

We will record and store information professionally and securely and monitor safeguarding incidents in order to develop best practice.

We will ensure we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place.

We ensure we make it clear to our staff that no medication or medical advice is to be given to customers.

Recognising and responding to abuse

  • Where we believe someone is being abused or neglected, we will respond to immediate risks and alert appropriate emergency services and social services as soon as possible.

  • If a crime is alleged, we will contact the police as soon as possible following disclosure.

  • We will alert the relevant line manager to the safeguarding concern at the earliest opportunity.

  • We will respond appropriately to continue to safeguard the person; where they live in an mhs property this may include moving them and their family to temporary or alternative accommodation.

  • We will conduct our own investigation and work with social services and the police to undertake any multi-agency enquiry.

  • Where an alert concerns an mhs employee, the line manager will review implications of the alert on staff. If any concerns or risks are identified, the line manager will alert the HR department and agree appropriate action in line with mhs policy. Where an alert concerns a volunteer, we will review the volunteer’s position with mhs and take appropriate action.

  • Staff consult with police regarding Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) for high-risk offenders and Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferencing (MARAC) with regards to incidents of domestic abuse.

  • We recognise the importance of challenging bullying behaviour which forms part of staff training. Serious bullying (including on-line bullying) can cause people frequently to feel frightened or in danger or can lead to exploitation. We ensure customers receive appropriate support.

  • Staff are trained to recognise and tackle online abuse whether through social networks, playing online games or using mobile phones. Customers may experience cyberbullying, grooming, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or emotional abuse.

  • Self-Harm Prevention- Staff are trained as part of their induction process in suicide prevention and to be aware of the signs of suicide.

Recruitment

  • We have safe recruitment and vetting processes for all mhs employees and volunteers.

  • Staff who have contact with customers as part of their work, are checked using the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before they are confirmed in post. The checks for supported living and foyers are enhanced DBS checks.

  • We ensure all our staff and volunteers receive regular safeguarding training relevant to their roles, and managers support them to understand their safeguarding responsibilities and to follow the safeguarding policy and procedure.

Whistleblowing

We encourage colleagues to raise concerns relating to the safety of people that they interact with. We have a strong Whistleblowing Policy in place for colleagues to use if they suspect that a person is being abused. The policy reassures everyone that it is safe and acceptable to speak up and to enable all to raise any concerns at an early stage and in the right way.

Stakeholder Engagement

This policy is reviewed and approved by the Safeguarding Board and the mhs Group Board

We will conduct a customer consultation exercise to get feedback on this policy and subsequently any significant changes.

Training

We will provide regular safeguarding training to staff appropriate for the nature of the work they undertake.

mhs ensures mandatory safeguarding training for all staff at point of induction and renewed training at least every year Foyer staff have opportunities to access additional Safeguarding training. Training for staff is appropriate for the nature of the work they undertake. Additional awareness and reporting training via toolbox talks is given to repairs and grounds operatives.

The training on safeguarding young people ensures that colleagues are aware of indicators of abuse or neglect and how to raise and respond to safeguarding concerns. Training is provided through a mixture of e Learning and tutor led sessions.

All staff working with young people are trained to:

• Recognise the signs of abuse and behaviours which should give cause for concern.

• Where appropriate, assess the risk of abuse to young people that we work with and ensure measures are in place to minimise this as part of assessment and support planning.

• Respond to abuse in accordance with this policy and the relevant Safeguarding Young People Procedure.

• Refer cases of abuse to Safeguarding teams in line with Local Authority reporting

Assurance and Monitoring

The strategic lead and safeguarding champions meet monthly as the Safeguarding Board. The group monitors mhs homes safeguarding policy and procedures and discuss safeguarding referrals made by mhs homes.

The Board review casework to ensure good practice is followed and advise staff on improvements or training.

The Safeguarding Board ensures updates to the safeguarding policies and procedures are communicated to all staff and ensure staff receive training appropriate to the nature of work they undertake.

The Executive Director, Customer and Transformation reports annually to the mhs Board on safeguarding.

Safeguarding is subject to internal audit scrutiny. The last audit was October 2022.

Definitions

Safeguarding: Safeguarding means protecting a person's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.​​​​​​​

Abuse: Abuse is any form of physical, emotional, financial or sexual mistreatment or neglect that leads to injury or harm. Other types of abuse include institutional abuse, discriminatory abuse and modern slavery or exploitation.

Listed below is the principal legislation and guidance in relation to safeguarding of adults:

• The Family Law Act 1996

• The Protection from Harassment Act 1997

• The Police Act 1997

• The Data Protection Act 2018

• The Crime & Disorder Act 1998

• The Human Rights Act 1998

• The Freedom of information Act 2000

• The Care Standards Act 2000

• The Sexual Offences Act 2003

• The Domestic Abuse Act 2021

• The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005

• The Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Code of Practice

• Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Code of Practice

• The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

• The Mental Health Act 1983 (amended 2007)

• The Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014

• Care Quality Commission (Registration) Regulations 2009

• CQC Fundamental Standards

• The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2014

• Criminal Justice and Courts Services Act 2015

• Modern Slavery Act 2015

• The Serious Crime Act 2015

• General Data Protection Regulation

• The Care Act 2014

Principles

Equality statement

mhs homes has a duty to ensure that no person receives less favourable treatment from the organisation on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, religion or belief, race, sex or sexual orientation.

​​​​​​​Data protection

mhs homes will only share information that meets the requirements of the Data Protection Act 2018.  Confidentiality and impartiality will be exercised by mhs homes at all times.

Feedback

We welcome suggestions and comments from people who use or provide our services. We believe that this can provide some important lessons to help us ensure that the service is improved for everyone.

If you have something to say about this policy or the information that is provided, then please let us know. Please refer any comments to the author of this document.