Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
Policy & Procedure
Version
Date Approved
1
27 March 2014
1. Background
1.1.
The Commission for Victims and Survivors is committed to ensuring any adult at risk of
abuse, exploitation or neglect should be able to access support to enable them to live a
life free from violence and abuse.
1.2.
The Commission has derived this policy and procedures from “Safeguarding Vulnerable
Adults – Regional Adult Protection Policy & Procedural Guidance”, Social Services
Directorate (Appendix A) which is regional procedural guidance for Northern Ireland
created to ensure a co-ordinated and standardised approach by all those who work with
vulnerable adults and to establish the principles of good practice in this important area
of work.
1.3.
The following statements underpin the implementation of activities related to the
protection and safeguarding of vulnerable adults:
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Agencies and organisations will work co-operatively in the identification, investigation,
treatment and prevention of abuse of vulnerable adults
A consistent response will be made to vulnerable adults when concerns are raised whether
these are reported through complaints procedures, inspection or registration activity, as a
result of whistleblowing or as a result of disclosure on the part of vulnerable adults or their
carers
Action will be co-ordinated against alleged perpetrators to ensure that parallel processes
are dovetailed including prosecution, disciplinary action and removal from, or notification to,
professional registers and similar bodies
There is a responsibility to share information on a “need to know” basis so that effective
decisions can be made and appropriate preventative action taken
2. Scope
2.1.
This guidance is for all staff, who engage with vulnerable adults in any setting or
context. It is applicable to the protection from abuse of vulnerable people aged 18 or
over and includes older people, people with a learning, physical or sensory disability and
people with mental illness or dementia. It covers all types of abuse, including neglect
and recognises that vulnerable people cannot always protect themselves.
2.2.
The procedures within this guidance do not operate independently of other
arrangements such as complaints and disciplinary procedures, and should be
implemented concurrently in order to ensure the protection of the vulnerable adult.
3. Definition of a Vulnerable Adult
3.1.
As per the Regional Adult Protection Forum the Commission has adopted the Law
Commission for England and Wales (1995) definition of a “vulnerable adult” as:
‘a person aged 18 years or over who is, or may be, in need of
community care services or is resident in a continuing care facility by
reason of mental or other disability, age or illness or who is, or may be,
unable to take care of him or herself or unable to protect him or herself
against significant harm or exploitation’”
4. Guiding Principles
4.1.
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A set of commonly agreed principles underpins this guidance. Such principles flow from
respect for the rights of vulnerable adults who are entitled to:
Privacy
Be treated with respect and dignity
Lead an independent life and be enabled to do so
Be able to choose how to lead their lives
The protection of the law
Have their rights upheld regardless of ethnic origin, gender, sexuality, impairment or
disability, age and religious or cultural background
Have the opportunity to fulfil l personal aspirations and realise potential in all aspects of
daily life
This includes Human Rights considerations, particularly in relation to Article 2 “the Right to Life”,
Article 3 “Freedom from Torture” (including humiliating and degrading treatment), and Article 8
“Right to Family Life” (one that sustains the individual).
Human Rights must be considered in all decision making processes, and due consideration given
to concepts of proportionality and equality of arms.
5. Individual Rights
5.1.
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These principles assume that vulnerable adults have the right to:
Be accorded the same respect and dignity as any other adult, by recognising their
uniqueness and personal needs
Be given access to knowledge and information which they can understand to help them
make informed choices
Information about, and practical help in, keeping themselves safe and protecting
themselves from abuse
Live safely, without fear of violence or abuse in any form
Have their money, goods and possessions treated with respect, and to receive equal
protection for themselves and their property through the law
Guidance and assistance in seeking help as a consequence of abuse
Be supported in making their own decisions about how they wish to proceed in the event of
abuse and to know that their wishes will only be over-ridden if it is considered necessary for
their own safety or the safety of others
Be supported in bringing a complaint under any existing complaints procedure
Be supported in reporting the circumstances of any abuse to independent bodies
Have alleged, suspected or confirmed cases of abuse investigated urgently;
Receive appropriate support, education, counselling, therapy and treatment following abuse
Seek legal advice or representation on their own behalf
Seek redress through appropriate agencies
Have their rights respected and to have their family, informal carers or advocates act on
their behalf as appropriate.
6. Confidentiality
6.1.
In normal circumstances observing the principle of confidentiality will mean that
information is only passed on to others with the consent of the service user. However it
should be recognised that in order to protect vulnerable adults, it may be necessary, in
some circumstances, to share information that might normally be regarded as
confidential.
6.2.
All vulnerable adults and, where appropriate, their carers or representatives need to be
made aware that the operation of multidisciplinary and inter-agency procedures will, on
occasion, require the sharing of information in order to protect a vulnerable adult or
others, or to investigate an alleged or suspected criminal offence.
7. Procedure
7.1.
This outlines the core elements of adult protection procedures.
7.2.
The process of dealing with an allegation or suspicion of abuse of a vulnerable adult
goes through a number of distinct stages.
7.3.
The following have been identified:
a)
b)
c)
d)
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Alerting
Referring
Screening
Planning The Investigation
Investigating
Making Decisions
Monitoring and Review
7.4.
The Commission would, in the case of any incident, primarily be involved at stages a)
and b).
7.5.
Alerting refers to the responsibility to recognise abusive situations and inform a
nominated manager. It is important that all concerns about possible abuse, however
trivial, should be reported. An alert may come from any person who has knowledge or a
reasonable suspicion that a vulnerable adult has been, or is at risk of, being abused.
Everyone working with vulnerable adults has a duty to report suspected, alleged or
confirmed incidents of abuse. In a situation where a staff member has concerns, they
should report this immediately to their line manager or to a senior manager if
consultation with their line manager would involve undue delay. If the allegations relate
to another employee, the staff member should alert their line manager. If the allegations
relate to the line manager, the staff member should report the matter to a more senior
manager. Members of the public wishing to remain anonymous, or persons providing
information who do not wish to be identified, should be aware that, while anonymity will
be honoured as far as possible, it cannot be unconditionally guaranteed. They should be
made aware that they may be required to give evidence, or their name may have to be
disclosed in Court. On receiving an alert of an allegation or suspicion of abuse, the line
manager should check that the vulnerable adult’s immediate needs are being met; ie
that they are in no immediate danger and that medical assistance, if deemed necessary,
has been sought.
7.6.
Referral - All referrals should be made to the appropriate H&SC Trust Adult Protection
Co-ordinator or Designated Officer with responsibility for Adult Protection and/or the
PSNI as required. (See Appendix B & C). This contact may be made by telephone in
the first instance, but should be confirmed in writing within 2 working days. When
deciding the level of urgency of any referral, the degree of apparent risk should be the
deciding factor. Some cases of abuse will require a rapid response and service
provision must allow for this. The first priority should always be to ensure the immediate
safety and protection of the vulnerable adult. This may involve calling the relevant
emergency service or considering, with the vulnerable adult, if they can move to a place
where they feel safe. Life threatening situations, such as severe physical abuse, require
an immediate response. In all other circumstances, allegations of abuse should be the
subject of an initial investigation within 3 working days. Situations arising outside of
normal office hours and requiring immediate intervention should be passed on to the
appropriate Out of Hours Social Work Service.
7.7.
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Procedure to be followed;
Listen carefully to the person reporting the incident or situation and write down exactly what
has happened or has been said – try not to ask questions
Be open and honest about your concerns
Make sure the person is safe - call for emergency services if urgent medical / police help is
required (be aware that medical and forensic evidence might be needed - encourage the
person not to wash or bathe as this could disturb medical/forensic evidence)
Express concern and sympathy about what has happened
Tell the person that they did the right thing in telling you
Do not agree to keep any information confidential
Tell the person you will inform a member of senior management at the Commission
Notify the person that you will be making a referral to the appropriate H&SC Trust Adult
Protection Co-ordinator or Designated Officer with responsibility for Adult Protection and/or
the PSNI as required
Give the person the contact details of the Adult Safe-Guarding Team in the appropriate
Trust so that they can report any further issues or ask any questions that may arise
Give the person the contact details of ‘Samaritans’ if appropriate (08457 90 90 90,
[email protected], Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, Chris, PO Box 90 90, Stirling, FK8 2SA
Contact the Adult Safe-Guarding Team in the appropriate Trust and give them all details of
incident(s)
Appendix B & C to be reviewed and updated on a quarterly basis
Appendix B
Contact Details for Adult Safe-Guarding Teams in each Health & Social Care
Trust
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Normal working hours (9am– to 5pm) – 028 9504 1744
(Roberta Myers – Senior Social Worker)
Out of hours (5pm to 9am) – 028 9504 9999
(Regional Emergency Social Worker)
Northern Health and Social Care Trust
Normal working hours (9am to 5pm) – 028 9441 3125
(Rhonda Robinson secretary to Randal McHugh - Principal Practitioner, Vulnerable Adults)
Out of hours (5pm to 9am) – 028 9504 9999
(Regional Emergency Social Worker)
South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Normal working hours (9am to 5pm) – 028 92501227
(Alison Gregg/Heather Barr - admin staff in Older People’s Services)
Out of hours (5pm to 9am) – 028 9504 9999
(Regional Emergency Social Worker)
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Normal working hours (9am to 5pm) – 028 3741 2015/2354
Eamonn Sherry - Safeguarding Manager, Maggie Nugent & Eilish Colton – Senior Practitioners
Out of hours (5pm to 9am) – 028 9504 9999
(Regional Emergency Social Worker)
Western Health and Social Care Trust
Normal working hours (9am– to 5pm) –
7161 1366
(Aidan Gordon – Assistant Director for Adult Safe-Guarding)
Or
82835980
(Shirley Isaacs – Secretary for Adult Safe-Guarding Service)
Out of hours (5pm to 9am) – 028 9504 9999
(Regional Emergency Social Worker)
Appendix C
Contact Details for Vulnerable Adults Constables in each PSNI District
Dial main Police Exchange switchboard – 028 9065 0222 and ask for the following extensions:
A District (Belfast – North & West)
Constable Michael Cunningham (Vulnerable Adult Liaison Officer) – ext 30456
B District (Belfast – South & East)
Constable Keith Mills – ext 23563
Sergeant Lynn Knox – ext 23574 (both on temporary basis until Feb 2014)
C District (Ards, Castlereagh, North Down & Down)
Constable Caroline Bowman – ext 31039
D District (Antrim, Carrickfergus, Lisburn & Newtownabbey)
Constable Tracey Hawthorne – ext 36645
E District (Armagh, Craigavon, Banbridge & Newry and Mourne.)
Detective Sergeant Claire McKernan – ext 39133
Inspector David McBurney – ext 39073
F District (Cookstown, Omagh, Fermanagh, Dungannon & South Tyrone.)
Laurie Nicholson -ext 56300
[email protected]
G District (Foyle, Limavady, Strabane & Magherafelt)
Paul Malarky – ext 57285
H District (Coleraine, Ballymoney, Moyle, Ballymena and Larne)
Detective Sergeant Siobhan Ennis – ext 39133
028 27649603 / 07795607578
[email protected]