Safeguarding and Vulnerable Persons Policy

(Including Procedures and Code of Behaviour)

COVID 19

The Covid 19 pandemic has increased the risk of vulnerable/isolated individuals being scammed, duped and/or abused. In addition, the additional pressure on support services has led to a reduction in the help available from those services. Arts Together therefore acknowledges that its contracted staff and volunteers must be extra vigilant in identifying and reporting any suspicious activity and advising members accordingly whilst not causing them any undue alarm.

1     Introduction

Arts Together is aware that abuse of vulnerable adults is widespread but frequently unrecognised

This policy informs the recruiting and the attitudes of those working for and involved with Arts Together as well as the actions to be taken.

2     Purpose

Arts Together has agreed the following policies and procedures because;

3     Arts Together’s principles

We follow the principles of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998, particularly;

All individuals have the right to the protection of the law and access to the judicial process

All Arts Together contracted staff and frontline volunteers will be required to subscribe to a code of behaviour and practice designed to safeguard vulnerable adults from harm and to follow published procedures in reporting allegations of abuse.

Before starting work with vulnerable adults, Arts Together contracted staff or frontline volunteers will be required to produce evidence of having satisfied the DBS (CRB) currently prescribed.The policy is deemed to be incorporated in the contract of employment and it is a condition of service with Arts Together that the contracted staff and frontline volunteers understand and operate the policy fully.

All Arts Together contracted staff and frontline volunteers will be briefed on and be given a copy of this policy and must agree to apply it in practice. A copy will be freely available to other groups involved in any events or meetings held by Arts Together.

Arts Together will:

4     A summary of procedures for all Arts Together facilitators, frontline volunteers
and contracted managers;

     The Designated Person will:

5      Definitions

Vulnerable adult is the term applied to people aged 18 or over 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 against significant harm or exploitation.

Designated Person is the term for the person in an organisation responsible for dealing with concerns or allegations of abuse. At Arts Together the Designated Person is the relevant Hub Manager or, in their absence, the Arts Together Manager or the Safeguarding Lead Trustee.

Independent Person is the term for someone nominated to be available for a vulnerable adult to consult if they have concerns about being exploited or abused. When working within the framework of another organisation, Arts Together contracted staff must find out the contact details of the Independent Person.

Physical Abuse is causing physical injury, or failing to prevent physical injury or suffering. It may involve hitting, shaking, slapping pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, inappropriate restraint, or inappropriate sanctions and

Institutional abuse; indicated by repeated instances of unsatisfactory professional practice, pervasive ill treatment or gross misconduct indicating an abusive climate.

Psychological abuse; including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation or contact or communication, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks,

Discriminatory abuse; including that based on a person’s ethnic origin, religion, language, age, sexuality, gender, disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment,

Sexual Abuse; including rape and sexual assault, contact or non-contact sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressurised into consenting,

Neglect or acts of omission; including ignoring medical or physical care 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,

Financial or material abuse; including theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

6         Procedures

6.1      Dealing with Concerns or Allegations.
If you suspect a vulnerable adult is being abused:

If a vulnerable adult discloses to you abuse by someone else:

If you receive an allegation about an adult or about yourself:

6.2      Inappropriate Advances.

Vulnerable adults can sometimes make suggestive approaches. Sometimes inappropriate physical contact can happen quite accidentally. It is vital that you take responsibility to:

6.3      Record keeping – You must refer. You must not investigate.

Facts to be recorded when a disclosure or allegation of abuse is made:

1. Name of the vulnerable adult and carer’s details.
2. Vulnerable adult’s address and relevant telephone numbers.
3. What is said to have happened or what was seen and heard.
4. When did it occur?
5. Who else, if anyone, was there?
6. What evidence of abuse can be recorded? ( See Definitions and ‘No Secrets’ guidance)
7. Who was involved in the incident, and in what way?
8. What was said by those involved?
9. If the vulnerable adult was able to say what happened, how did they describe it?
10. Was anyone else informed? If so by whom and when?

Do not discuss the disclosure with anyone outside the investigation.

6.4      Prevention and being alert

All Arts Together facilitators, frontline volunteers and contracted managers must:

https://www.wiltshiresvpp.org.uk/assets/02523611/safeguarding_adults_leaflet.pdf

6.5      Designated person’s responsibilities

The designated person will:

6.6     Reporting procedure

When an allegation of abuse is reported immediately:

https://wiltshiresvpp.org.uk/assets/02523611/safeguarding-adults_good-referrals-guidance.pdf

The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) provides support and advice, contact them on

Tel: 0300 456 0111 Out of hours: 0845 607 0888

Email: [email protected]

6.7      Code of appropriate behaviour when working with vulnerable adults

DO

DO NOT