Safeguarding Policy

SAFEGUARDING POLICY DOCUMENT

1)AIM of this Document

Ty Golau acknowledges its duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of the service users who attend their sessions at the above addresses and is committed to ensuring that its safeguarding practise reflects its statutory responsibilities and relevant guidance.
This document recognises that the welfare and interests of service users are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender identity, religion or belief, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic background, all service users:

Have a positive and enjoyable experience in all their engagement with Ty Golau ,whether visiting the above locations or through any on-line, social media and social networking site contact
Are protected from abuse whilst either visiting the above locations or participating in visits and events conducted by its representatives or “on line”, social media or social networking contact

As part of our safeguarding practise, Ty Golau will

Promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of their service users
Ensure that all volunteers understand their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding
Ensure that everyone is provided with training that is relevant to their role so that they can recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse and neglect in order to be able to take appropriate action to safeguard the service users. Awareness training will be provided in house for all volunteers. Appointed Safeguarding Officers will have in depth training provided
Ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and that support is provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose concerns
Ensure that confidential detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored
Prevent the employment of unsuitable volunteers within Ty Golau
Ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation and are kept up to date and relevant.

2)The Purpose of this document

Is to ensure that Ty Golau volunteers understand what to do if they have concerns that a service user is being abused or neglected
Volunteers are aware in:

Recognising service user abuse and neglect
Responding to concerns about all users at both locations during active sessions
Reporting service user concerns and seeking guidance.
Recording all information and actions relevant to the concern.

3)Who this document applies to:

All volunteers and recognises that everyone at Ty Golau have a responsibility to ensure that service users are safe

4)Recognising Abuse

The document is concerned with the physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect of service users. The categories of abuse and their definitions are summarised in Appendix 1

5)Responding to Concerns about abuse

Witnessing, being made aware of or having service user disclose abuse to volunteers can generate mixed feelings which may include disbelief, anxiety, anger and a sense of being overwhelmed
The following provides simple and straight forward actions that volunteers need to take
When volunteers have concerns about a service user but are unsure about whether what they have seen, heard or been informed about is abusive, they should seek, advice and guidance. It is always better to err on the side of caution than not take any action. In this situation they should contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer

SAFEGUARDING GENERAL GUIDANCE DOCUMENT

To help volunteers deal with a situation:

Should a service user disclose to a volunteer they, or someone they know is experiencing abuse

Should they witness, or become aware of behaviour towards a service user that is unusual or cause for concern
The procedure below should be followed regardless of whether the concerns arise at Ty Golau sessions or events happening off site

Volunteers response to life threatening situations. In the event of a threat to a service users life volunteers will, alert emergency services

What steps should volunteers take in non life threatening circumstances:

If a volunteer is concerned that

A service user has disclosed that they or someone they know is experiencing abuse

A Volunteer has witnessed or become aware of behaviour towards a service user that is unusual, inappropriate or causes a volunteer concern
Volunteers should contact Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) at the first opportunity and also inform on duty Ty Golau manager. The manager will not be expected to give volunteers advice or guidance, but should be aware of the situation

Volunteers are required to record:

The concerns
The date, time and place
The people involved (including what details are known about the service user)
The actions agreed and taken (including who agreed/did what)
The disclosure, if made by the service user

A proforma setting out the steps for recording the information that volunteers will need to pass on to DSO is available in Appendix 2
The DSO will decide on any subsequent action that needs to be taken and will keep volunteers informed together with Ty Golau manager.

The following explains how volunteers should/should not behave and what actions volunteers should/should not take in dealing with a situation that causes concern

What to do:

Do-reassure the service user that they are right to tell you as volunteers
Do-be accessible and receptive
Do-listen carefully
Do-tell the service user that you are taking their concerns seriously
Do-tell the service user that you will need to tell people who can help them and you will give the information to those people only
Do-tell the service user what will happen next
Do-listen and record what the service user has told you without interruption, question or prompts

What not to do:

Do not act with disbelief, disgust or in any way that conveys to the service user that you don’t want to hear them
Do not jump to any conclusions specifically about the abuser
Do not speculate or accuse anyone
Do not tell the service user you will keep their secret
Do not ask the service user any leading questions or any questions about the disclosure
Do not make any promises that you cannot keep
Do not stop a service user who is speaking freely
Do not promise total confidentiality
Do not ask the service user to sign a disclosure

What next:

Do consult (immediately) with DSO
Do record what you have been told as soon as possible –see above and Appendix 2
Do record only what the service user discloses (using a verbatim record as much as possible) and nothing more
Do not seek to investigate the allegation or confront the alleged abuser

6)Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)

Whilst Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone who supports Ty Golau sessions, the DSO is the lead person for Safeguarding

7) Role and Responsibilities

These are summarised in Appendix 3

8)General Activity Flow Chart (outside life threatening circumstances)

This is shown in separate word document

APPENDIX 1

Signs of abuse can often be difficult to detect. This aims to help people who come into contact with people with care and support needs to identify abuse and recognise possible indicators. Many types of abuse are also criminal offences and should be treated as such.

Types of abuse:

Physical abuse
Domestic violence or abuse
Sexual abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse
Financial or material abuse
Modern slavery
Discriminatory abuse
Organisational or institutional abuse
Neglect or acts of omission
Self-neglect

Evidence of any one indicator from the following lists should not be taken on its own as proof that abuse is occurring. However, it should alert practitioners to make further assessments and to consider other associated factors. The lists of possible indicators and examples of behaviour are not exhaustive and people may be subject to a number of abuse types at the same time.

Physical abuse

Types of physical abuse

Assault, hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, hair-pulling, biting, pushing
Rough handling
Scalding and burning
Physical punishments
Inappropriate or unlawful use of restraint
Making someone purposefully uncomfortable (e.g. opening a window and removing blankets)
Involuntary isolation or confinement
Misuse of medication (e.g. over-sedation)
Forcible feeding or withholding food
Unauthorised restraint, restricting movement (e.g. tying someone to a chair)

Possible indicators of physical abuse

No explanation for injuries or inconsistency with the account of what happened
Injuries are inconsistent with the person’s lifestyle
Bruising, cuts, welts, burns and/or marks on the body or loss of hair in clumps
Frequent injuries
Unexplained falls
Subdued or changed behaviour in the presence of a particular person
Signs of malnutrition
Failure to seek medical treatment or frequent changes of GP

Domestic violence or abuse

Types of domestic violence or abuse
Domestic violence or abuse can be characterised by any of the indicators of abuse outlined in this briefing relating to:

psychological
physical
sexual
financial
emotional

Domestic violence and abuse includes any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. It also includes so called ‘honour’ -based violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriage.
Coercive or controlling behaviour is a core part of domestic violence. Coercive behaviour can include:

Acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation
harming, punishing, or frightening the person
isolating the person from sources of support
exploitation of resources or money
preventing the person from escaping abuse
regulating everyday behaviour.

Possible indicators of domestic violence or abuse

Low self-esteem
Feeling that the abuse is their fault when it is not
Physical evidence of violence such as bruising, cuts, broken bones
Verbal abuse and humiliation in front of others
Fear of outside intervention
Damage to home or property
Isolation – not seeing friends and family
Limited access to money

Sexual abuse

Types of sexual abuse

Rape, attempted rape or sexual assault
Inappropriate touch anywhere
Non- consensual masturbation of either or both persons
Non- consensual sexual penetration or attempted penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth
Any sexual activity that the person lacks the capacity to consent to
Inappropriate looking, sexual teasing or innuendo or sexual harassment
Sexual photography or forced use of pornography or witnessing of sexual acts
Indecent exposure

Possible indicators of sexual abuse

Bruising, particularly to the thighs, buttocks and upper arms and marks on the neck
Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
Bleeding, pain or itching in the genital area
Unusual difficulty in walking or sitting
Foreign bodies in genital or rectal openings
Infections, unexplained genital discharge, or sexually transmitted diseases
Pregnancy in a woman who is unable to consent to sexual intercourse
The uncharacteristic use of explicit sexual language or significant changes in sexual behaviour or attitude
Incontinence not related to any medical diagnosis
Self-harming
Poor concentration, withdrawal, sleep disturbance
Excessive fear/apprehension of, or withdrawal from, relationships
Fear of receiving help with personal care
Reluctance to be alone with a particular person

Psychological or emotional abuse

Types of psychological or emotional abuse

Enforced social isolation – preventing someone accessing services, educational and social opportunities and seeing friends
Removing mobility or communication aids or intentionally leaving someone unattended when they need assistance
Preventing someone from meeting their religious and cultural needs
Preventing the expression of choice and opinion
Failure to respect privacy
Preventing stimulation, meaningful occupation or activities
Intimidation, coercion, harassment, use of threats, humiliation, bullying, swearing or verbal abuse
Addressing a person in a patronising or infantilising way
Threats of harm or abandonment
Cyber bullying

Possible indicators of psychological or emotional abuse

An air of silence when a particular person is present
Withdrawal or change in the psychological state of the person
Insomnia
Low self-esteem
Uncooperative and aggressive behaviour
A change of appetite, weight loss/gain
Signs of distress: tearfulness, anger
Apparent false claims, by someone involved with the person, to attract unnecessary treatment

Financial or material abuse

Types of financial or material abuse

Theft of money or possessions
Fraud, scamming
Preventing a person from accessing their own money, benefits or assets
Employees taking a loan from a person using the service
Undue pressure, duress, threat or undue influence put on the person in connection with loans, wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions
Arranging less care than is needed to save money to maximise inheritance
Denying assistance to manage/monitor financial affairs
Denying assistance to access benefits
Misuse of personal allowance in a care home
Misuse of benefits or direct payments in a family home
Someone moving into a person’s home and living rent free without agreement or under duress
False representation, using another person’s bank account, cards or documents
Exploitation of a person’s money or assets, e.g. unauthorised use of a car
Misuse of a power of attorney, deputy, appointee, or other legal authority
Rogue trading – e.g. unnecessary or overpriced property repairs and failure to carry out agreed repairs or poor workmanship

Possible indicators of financial or material abuse

Missing personal possessions
Unexplained lack of money or inability to maintain lifestyle
Unexplained withdrawal of funds from accounts
Power of attorney or lasting power of attorney (LPA) being obtained after the person has ceased to have mental capacity
Failure to register an LPA after the person has ceased to have mental capacity to manage their finances, so that it appears that they are continuing to do so
The person allocated to manage financial affairs is evasive or uncooperative
The family or others show unusual interest in the assets of the person
Signs of financial hardship in cases where the person’s financial affairs are being managed by a court appointed deputy, attorney or LPA
Recent changes in deeds or title to property
Rent arrears and eviction notices
A lack of clear financial accounts held by a care home or service
Failure to provide receipts for shopping or other financial transactions carried out on behalf of the person
Disparity between the person’s living conditions and their financial resources, e.g. insufficient food in the house
Unnecessary property repairs

Modern slavery

Types of modern slavery

Human trafficking
Forced labour
Domestic servitude
Sexual exploitation, such as escort work, prostitution and pornography
Debt bondage – being forced to work to pay off debts that realistically they never will be able to

Possible indicators of modern slavery

Signs of physical or emotional abuse
Appearing to be malnourished, unkempt or withdrawn
Isolation from the community, seeming under the control or influence of others
Living in dirty, cramped or overcrowded accommodation and or living and working at the same address
Lack of personal effects or identification documents
Always wearing the same clothes
Avoidance of eye contact, appearing frightened or hesitant to talk to strangers
Fear of law enforcers

Further Home Office information on identifying and reporting modern slavery

Discriminatory abuse
Types of discriminatory abuse

Unequal treatment based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation (known as ‘protected characteristics’ under the Equality Act 2010)
Verbal abuse, derogatory remarks or inappropriate use of language related to a protected characteristic
Denying access to communication aids, not allowing access to an interpreter, signer or lip-reader
Harassment or deliberate exclusion on the grounds of a protected characteristic
Denying basic rights to healthcare, education, employment and criminal justice relating to a protected characteristic
Substandard service provision relating to a protected characteristic

The person appears withdrawn and isolated
Expressions of anger, frustration, fear or anxiety
The support on offer does not take account of the person’s individual needs in terms of a protected characteristic

Organisational or institutional abuse

Types of organisational or institutional abuse

Discouraging visits or the involvement of relatives or friends
Run-down or overcrowded establishment
Authoritarian management or rigid regimes
Lack of leadership and supervision
Insufficient staff or high turnover resulting in poor quality care
Abusive and disrespectful attitudes towards people using the service
Inappropriate use of restraints
Lack of respect for dignity and privacy
Failure to manage residents with abusive behaviour
Not providing adequate food and drink, or assistance with eating
Not offering choice or promoting independence
Misuse of medication
Failure to provide care with dentures, spectacles or hearing aids
Not taking account of individuals’ cultural, religious or ethnic needs
Failure to respond to abuse appropriately
Interference with personal correspondence or communication
Failure to respond to complaints

Possible indicators of organisational or institutional abuse

Lack of flexibility and choice for people using the service
Inadequate staffing levels
People being hungry or dehydrated
Poor standards of care
Lack of personal clothing and possessions and communal use of personal items
Lack of adequate procedures
Poor record-keeping and missing documents
Absence of visitors
Few social, recreational and educational activities
Public discussion of personal matters
Unnecessary exposure during bathing or using the toilet
Absence of individual care plans
Lack of management overview and support

Neglect and acts of omission

Types of neglect and acts of omission

Failure to provide or allow access to food, shelter, clothing, heating, stimulation and activity, personal or medical care
Providing care in a way that the person dislikes
Failure to administer medication as prescribed
Refusal of access to visitors
Not taking account of individuals’ cultural, religious or ethnic needs
Not taking account of educational, social and recreational needs
Ignoring or isolating the person
Preventing the person from making their own decisions
Preventing access to glasses, hearing aids, dentures, etc.
Failure to ensure privacy and dignity

Possible indicators of neglect and acts of omission

Poor environment – dirty or unhygienic
Poor physical condition and/or personal hygiene
Pressure sores or ulcers
Malnutrition or unexplained weight loss
Untreated injuries and medical problems
Inconsistent or reluctant contact with medical and social care organisations
Accumulation of untaken medication
Uncharacteristic failure to engage in social interaction
Inappropriate or inadequate clothing

Self-neglect

Types of self-neglect

Lack of self-care to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety
Neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings
Inability to avoid self-harm
Failure to seek help or access services to meet health and social care needs
Inability or unwillingness to manage one’s personal affairs

Indicators of self-neglect

Very poor personal hygiene
Unkempt appearance
Lack of essential food, clothing or shelter
Malnutrition and/or dehydration
Living in squalid or unsanitary conditions
Neglecting household maintenance
Hoarding
Collecting a large number of animals in inappropriate conditions
Non-compliance with health or care services
Inability or unwillingness to take medication or treat illness or injury