Safeguarding Policy

1 Our Commitment to Safeguarding

Adult Day Centre is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all adults who use our services. We believe that every adult has the right to live free from abuse, neglect, and harm, and to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. All staff, volunteers, contractors, and visitors to the Centre have a duty to act if they suspect that an adult is being abused or is at risk of harm. This policy applies to all individuals associated with the Centre and sets out how we prevent, recognise, and respond to safeguarding concerns.

This policy is reviewed annually, or sooner if there are changes in legislation or guidance. The next scheduled review is [INSERT DATE].

2 What Is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding adults at risk means protecting their right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. Under the Care Act 2014, safeguarding duties apply to any adult who:

• Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting those needs);
• Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
• 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.

Safeguarding is not simply about responding to incidents; it is about creating an environment where harm is prevented, risks are identified early, and individuals are empowered to make informed choices about their own safety.

3 Who Is at Risk of Harm or Abuse?

Any adult with care and support needs may be at risk of abuse or harm. This includes, but is not limited to, adults who:

• Are older and may be frail or dependent on others;
• Have a learning disability, physical disability, or sensory impairment;
• Have mental health needs, including dementia or cognitive impairment;
• Have a long-term illness or are in receipt of palliative care;
• Are socially isolated or have limited support networks;
• Have substance misuse issues;
• Are unable to safeguard themselves without support.

Abuse can happen anywhere: at home, in the community, in a care setting, or online. It can be carried out by anyone, including family members, friends, care staff, strangers, or other individuals.

4 Types of Abuse and Neglect

The Care and Support Statutory Guidance identifies the following main categories of abuse. These are not exhaustive, and abuse may take forms not listed here.

5 Recognising the Signs of Abuse

Abuse can be difficult to identify, and signs may be subtle. Possible indicators include:

The presence of one or more signs does not automatically mean abuse is occurring. However, if you notice any of these indicators, it is important to report your concern so it can be properly investigated by trained professionals.

6 Our Safeguarding Responsibilities

Adult Day Centre takes its safeguarding duties seriously. We are responsible for:

• Prevention: creating a safe, caring environment where abuse is less likely to occur;
• Protection: responding promptly and appropriately when abuse is suspected or disclosed;
• Training: ensuring all staff and volunteers receive regular safeguarding training;
• Vetting: carrying out enhanced DBS checks on all staff and volunteers;
• Leadership: appointing a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) to oversee all safeguarding matters;
• Cooperation: working with statutory agencies to investigate and resolve safeguarding concerns;
• Transparency: maintaining clear, fair, and accessible reporting and whistleblowing procedures.

7 Staff Training, Vetting & DBS Checks

We maintain strict recruitment and training standards:

• All staff and volunteers undergo an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check before any contact with individuals;
• References are obtained and verified for all new staff and volunteers;
• All staff and volunteers complete safeguarding training at induction and refresher training annually;
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead receives specialist safeguarding training every two years;
• Staff receive training on the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and making safeguarding personal;
• We follow safer recruitment practices in line with the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

8 How to Report a Safeguarding Concern

Everyone has a role in safeguarding. If you suspect, witness, or are told about abuse or neglect, you must report it immediately.

9 Whistleblowing Policy

Staff and volunteers who have concerns about the conduct of colleagues, including suspected abuse or poor practice, are encouraged and expected to report these concerns. The Centre will treat all whistleblowing disclosures seriously, confidentially, and fairly.

No member of staff or volunteer will suffer detriment or be disciplined for raising a genuine concern in good faith, even if it later proves to be unfounded. Malicious or vexatious reports, however, may result in disciplinary action.

If a concern involves the Centre's management and the individual does not feel comfortable raising it internally, they may contact the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the local authority safeguarding team, or the police directly.

10 Information Sharing & Data Protection

Effective safeguarding depends on timely and appropriate information sharing between agencies. We will share information in accordance with the UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Care and Support Statutory Guidance.

The following principles apply:

• Information will be shared on a need-to-know basis, only with those who need it to protect the adult at risk;
• Where possible, the adult's consent will be sought before information is shared, unless doing so places them or others at greater risk;
• If the adult lacks the mental capacity to consent, a decision about sharing information will be made in their best interests under the Mental Capacity Act 2005;
• A record will be kept of what information was shared, with whom, and why;
• Fears about sharing information must not be allowed to stand in the way of protecting someone from abuse or neglect.

11 Multi-Agency Working & Partnerships

We recognise that safeguarding is most effective when agencies work together. We will cooperate fully with:

We will participate in safeguarding enquiries, Section 42 enquiries under the Care Act 2014, safeguarding adult reviews (SARs), and any multi-agency strategy discussions as required.

12 Mental Capacity & Consent

We operate under the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, which assumes that every adult has the capacity to make decisions for themselves unless proven otherwise. When a person's capacity is in question, we will:

• Assume capacity unless there is evidence to the contrary;
• Support the person to make their own decisions wherever possible;
• Allow the person to make what others might consider unwise or eccentric decisions, as long as they have capacity;
• Where a person lacks capacity, act in their best interests, taking into account their past and present wishes, beliefs, and values;
• Use the least restrictive option to achieve the desired outcome.

Safeguarding and mental capacity are closely linked. An adult at risk who has capacity has the right to make choices about their safety, including choosing to remain in a situation that others consider harmful. In such cases, we will offer support and information, record the person's wishes, and continue to monitor the situation while respecting their autonomy.

13 Relevant Legislation & Guidance

This policy is informed by and complies with the following:

• The Care Act 2014: the primary legal framework for adult safeguarding in England;
• The Care and Support Statutory Guidance: statutory guidance issued under the Care Act 2014;
• Mental Capacity Act 2005: includes the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS);
• Data Protection Act 2018 & UK GDPR: governs information sharing and privacy;
• The Equality Act 2010: protects against discriminatory abuse;
• The Human Rights Act 1998: protects fundamental human rights;
• The Modern Slavery Act 2015;
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006: governs vetting and DBS checks;
• Domestic Abuse Act 2021;
• Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) guidance: promotes a person-centred approach.

14 Reviewing This Policy

This policy is reviewed at least annually by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Centre management. It will also be reviewed sooner if:

• There are changes to relevant legislation or statutory guidance;
• A safeguarding incident reveals a gap or weakness in our procedures;
• The Centre's services or operational structure changes significantly.

All staff and volunteers will be informed of any changes to this policy following review. The most recent version is always available on this page.

15 Useful Safeguarding Contacts