SAFEGUARDING ADULTS AND CHILDREN POLICY

Priority Services4U Safeguarding Policy

1. Our safeguarding statement

At Priority Services4U, we are committed to protecting adults and children from abuse, neglect, exploitation and avoidable harm.

Everyone has the right to:

• feel safe
• be treated with dignity and respect
• have their views heard
• receive support without abuse or discrimination
• make choices about their life
• receive help when they are at risk.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

All staff must act when they see, hear, suspect or receive information about possible abuse or neglect.

Staff must never ignore a safeguarding concern.

2. What safeguarding means

Safeguarding means:

• preventing abuse and neglect
• recognising signs of harm
• responding quickly to concerns
• protecting people from further harm
• listening to the person
• working with other organisations
• supporting people to make choices
• reporting concerns to the correct authority.

Safeguarding applies wherever harm happens.

This may include:

• a person’s own home
• supported living
• the community
• a hospital
• a day service
• a workplace
• public transport
• online
• another person’s home.

3. Who this policy protects

This policy protects:

• adults with care and support needs
• children and young people under 18
• people using Priority Services4U services
• children who live with or visit people using our services
• family members where a safeguarding concern becomes known
• staff who may themselves be adults at risk
• members of the public where staff become aware of a concern.

A child is any person under the age of 18.

4. Who is an adult at risk?

An adult at risk may be a person aged 18 or over who:

• has care and support needs
• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
• may be unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs.

A person does not need to receive council-funded care to be an adult at risk.

Their care and support needs may relate to:

• age
• physical disability
• learning disability
• mental ill health
• dementia
• autism
• sensory impairment
• brain injury
• long-term illness
• substance dependency
• frailty
• another condition affecting daily life.

Staff must report concerns even when they are unsure whether the person meets the formal definition.

The local safeguarding authority will decide how the concern should be handled.

5. Our safeguarding principles

We follow six main adult safeguarding principles.

Empowerment

We support people to make their own decisions.

We ask the person what they want to happen.

Prevention

We act early to prevent harm.

Proportionality

We use the least restrictive response that will protect the person.

Protection

We support people who are at greatest risk.

Partnership

We work with the person, families, commissioners, health professionals, the council, police and other agencies.

Accountability

We record decisions, explain our actions and accept responsibility for safeguarding practice.

6. The welfare of children

The child’s welfare is our main consideration when we have a concern about a child.

We listen to children and take what they say seriously.

We do not delay reporting because:

• we are unsure
• the child asks us not to tell anyone
• the parent or carer disagrees
• we do not have proof
• the alleged abuser is a professional
• the concern happened outside our service.

Staff must never promise a child that they will keep abuse secret.

Staff should explain that they must share information with people who can help keep the child safe.

7. Types of abuse and neglect

Abuse may happen once or repeatedly.

It may be deliberate or caused by poor practice, lack of knowledge or failure to act.

The person causing harm may be:

• a family member
• a friend
• a neighbour
• a partner
• another person receiving care
• a staff member
• a volunteer
• a professional
• a stranger
• an online contact.

Physical abuse

This may include:

• hitting
• slapping
• pushing
• kicking
• biting
• shaking
• burning
• inappropriate restraint
• force-feeding
• misuse of medication
• rough handling
• causing an injury.

Sexual abuse

This may include:

• sexual touching without consent
• rape or sexual assault
• sexual harassment
• sexual comments
• forcing someone to watch sexual material
• taking or sharing sexual images
• sexual activity where the person cannot consent
• sexual exploitation.

Psychological or emotional abuse

This may include:

• threats
• humiliation
• intimidation
• bullying
• controlling behaviour
• blaming
• isolating someone
• preventing contact with others
• ignoring communication needs
• removing choice
• online harassment.

Financial or material abuse

This may include:

• stealing money
• taking benefits
• misusing bank cards
• pressuring someone to change a will
• charging unfair amounts
• taking property
• controlling a person’s finances
• internet or telephone scams
• misusing a power of attorney
• staff borrowing from a person they support.

Staff must never borrow, lend, accept significant gifts or become involved in a person’s will or financial arrangements outside their authorised duties.

Neglect and acts of omission

This may include failing to provide:

• food
• drinks
• medication
• personal care
• heating
• medical attention
• safe equipment
• supervision
• access to communication
• support described in the care plan.

Neglect may result from a deliberate act or a repeated failure to act.

 
Self-neglect

Self-neglect may include:

• serious lack of personal care
• unsafe living conditions
• hoarding
• refusing essential care
• not eating or drinking enough
• not taking essential medication
• behaviour that places the person at serious risk.

A person making an unwise choice does not automatically mean they lack mental capacity.

Staff must report serious self-neglect concerns and support an assessment of risk and mental capacity where required.

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse may include:

• physical abuse
• emotional abuse
• sexual abuse
• financial control
• coercive or controlling behaviour
• stalking
• harassment
• honour-based abuse
• forced marriage
• abuse by a partner, former partner or family member.

Children who see, hear or experience the effects of domestic abuse may also be victims.

Organisational abuse

Organisational abuse may include:

• unsafe or poor care
• rigid routines
• ignoring people’s choices
• disrespectful treatment
• repeated medication errors
• unsafe staffing
• poor record keeping
• withholding food, drinks or care
• failure to report incidents
• covering up poor practice.

Discriminatory abuse

This may include abuse based on:

• race
• religion
• disability
• sex
• sexual orientation
• gender reassignment
• age
• culture
• language
• pregnancy or maternity
• another personal characteristic.

Modern slavery

Modern slavery may include:

• forced labour
• domestic servitude
• human trafficking
• sexual exploitation
• forced criminal activity
• debt bondage.

Signs may include a person being controlled, unable to leave, unpaid, frightened or without their own identification documents.

Child abuse and exploitation

Concerns involving children may include:

• physical abuse
• sexual abuse
• emotional abuse
• neglect
• child sexual exploitation
• child criminal exploitation
• trafficking
• county lines
• online abuse
• grooming
• domestic abuse
• forced marriage
• female genital mutilation
• radicalisation
• fabricated or induced illness
• harmful behaviour between children.

8. Possible signs of abuse

Signs may include:

• unexplained injuries
• repeated falls or injuries
• fear of a particular person
• sudden changes in behaviour
• becoming withdrawn
• poor hygiene
• weight loss
• dehydration
• missing medication
• untreated health needs
• unusual bank withdrawals
• missing belongings
• unexplained debt
• unsafe living conditions
• repeated infections
• sexually transmitted infections
• torn or bloodstained clothing
• changes in sleep
• distress when using a phone or the internet
• a person being prevented from speaking alone
• a child appearing frightened, hungry, dirty or unusually quiet
• inconsistent explanations from carers
• a person saying that someone has harmed them.

One sign does not always prove abuse.

Staff must still report concerns so that they can be assessed properly.

 
9. What staff must do when someone discloses abuse

If a person tells a staff member about abuse, the staff member must:

1. Stay calm.
2. Listen carefully.
3. Take the person seriously.
4. Allow the person to speak in their own words.
5. Reassure them that they were right to speak up.
6. Explain that the information must be shared with people who can help.
7. Ask only questions needed to understand immediate safety.
8. Record the person’s exact words where possible.
9. Report the concern immediately.
10. Take action to protect the person from immediate harm.

Staff must not:

• promise confidentiality
• ask leading questions
• interrogate the person
• investigate the allegation
• confront the alleged abuser
• ask the person to repeat their account to several staff
• discuss the matter with people who do not need to know
• delay reporting while trying to obtain proof.

10. Immediate danger

If someone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help:

Call 999.

Staff must then:

• give immediate first aid if trained and safe to do so
• move the person to safety where possible
• preserve evidence
• contact the on-call manager or Registered Manager
• make the appropriate safeguarding referral
• complete an incident report.

Staff must not clean an area, wash clothing or remove evidence when a serious assault may have occurred, unless this is necessary to protect life or health.

 
11. Wokingham safeguarding contacts

Adult safeguarding concerns

Contact the:
Wokingham Adult Safeguarding Hub
Telephone: 0118 974 6371
Email: adultsafeguardinghub@wokingham.gov.uk

Use this contact when an adult with care and support needs may be experiencing, or may be at risk of:

• abuse
• neglect
• exploitation
• self-neglect
• domestic abuse
• organisational abuse.

Child safeguarding concerns

Contact the: Wokingham Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub

Wokingham MASH
Telephone: 0118 908 8002
Email: triage@wokingham.gov.uk

The MASH is the main reporting route for concerns about a child in Wokingham.

Priority Services4U also follows the procedures of the:
Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership
These procedures guide professionals working in Wokingham, Reading and West Berkshire.

Out-of-hours safeguarding concerns

For urgent adult or child social-care concerns outside normal working hours:

Emergency Duty Service
Telephone: 01344 351 999

Emergency Where a person is in immediate danger, a serious crime is taking place or urgent police or ambulance support is required:
Call 999.

For non-emergency police matters:
Call 101.

12. Internal reporting

Staff must immediately report the concern to:

Safeguarding Lead: Alyson Hobbs

Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Gabriella Alexe

Registered Manager: Alyson Hobbs Phone number 07780262044

On-call manager: 07824388794

Staff must not wait until the next supervision, team meeting or working day.

If a manager is unavailable, staff must contact the local safeguarding service directly.

Staff do not need management permission to contact:

• the Adult Safeguarding Hub
• Wokingham MASH
• the Emergency Duty Service
• the police
• emergency services.

13. Concerns about a member of staff

Any allegation or concern involving a staff member, manager, agency worker, volunteer or contractor must be reported immediately.

This includes concerns that a worker may have:

• harmed an adult or child
• committed a criminal offence
• behaved in a way that creates a risk
• breached professional boundaries
• misused money or property
• used inappropriate restraint
• failed to provide essential care
• behaved inappropriately towards a child
• covered up abuse or neglect.

Staff must report the concern to the Registered Manager or Responsible Individual.

If the allegation concerns the Registered Manager, staff must report it directly to the Responsible Individual, company director or local safeguarding authority.

The person receiving the allegation must not begin an internal investigation before discussing the matter with the appropriate safeguarding authority.

14. Wokingham LADO

Where an allegation concerns an adult who works or volunteers with children, the manager must contact the:

Wokingham Local Authority Designated Officer: LADO

Email: lado@wokingham.gov.uk

The LADO provides advice and oversight when a person who works with children may have:

• harmed a child
• committed an offence involving a child
• behaved in a way that suggests they may pose a risk to children
• behaved in a way that raises concerns about their suitability to work with children.

For urgent child-safeguarding concerns, staff must contact Wokingham MASH or call 999.

15. Action when an allegation concerns staff

Priority Services4U will:

• protect the adult or child
• notify the appropriate safeguarding authority
• contact the LADO where required
• notify the commissioner where required
• notify CQC where required
• consider police involvement
• preserve evidence
• carry out a fair risk assessment
• consider changes to duties or temporary suspension
• support the person affected
• support the staff member while the matter is investigated
• avoid compromising any external investigation
• record all decisions.

Suspension is a neutral safety measure and is not an automatic finding of guilt.

 
16. Consent and adult safeguarding

Where possible, we:

• explain the concern to the adult
• ask what they want to happen
• seek consent to make a referral
• involve them in decisions
• offer communication support
• consider advocacy.

We may share a concern without the adult’s consent when:

• someone is in immediate danger
• a serious crime may have occurred
• another adult or child may be at risk
• the alleged abuser is in a position of trust
• the adult may lack capacity to make the decision
• the adult is being threatened or controlled
• staff or members of the public may be at risk
• there is a legal or public-interest reason to share information.

We record:

• whether consent was sought
• what the adult said
• why information was shared
• who made the decision.

17. Mental capacity

We assume that an adult has mental capacity unless an assessment shows otherwise.

We do not assume that a person lacks capacity because they:

• have a disability
• have dementia
• make a decision we disagree with
• communicate differently
• make an unwise decision.

We give the person practical support to understand and make the decision.

Where there is reason to doubt capacity, the appropriate person completes a decision-specific mental-capacity assessment.

Where the person lacks capacity, decisions must:

• be made in their best interests
• use the least restrictive option
• consider the person’s wishes, feelings, values and beliefs
• involve relevant representatives and professionals.

A mental-capacity assessment must not delay emergency action needed to prevent serious harm.

18. Information sharing

Staff must keep safeguarding information private, but safeguarding is not secret.

We share relevant information with people who need it to protect the adult or child.

We share information that is:

• necessary
• accurate
• relevant
• proportionate
• timely
•  

Staff must not use data protection as a reason for failing to share information where someone may be at risk.

Staff must record:

• what information was shared
• who received it
• why it was shared
• when it was shared
• who authorised the decision.

19. Recording safeguarding concerns

Staff must make a clear and factual record as soon as possible.

The record must include:

• the person’s name
• date and time
• location
• what was seen or heard
• the person’s exact words where possible
• any visible injury
• who was present
• immediate action taken
• who was informed
• advice received
• referral details
• the staff member’s name and signature.

Staff must:

• distinguish fact from opinion
• avoid assumptions
• write legibly or use the approved digital system
• record corrections properly
• keep records secure.

Where an injury is recorded on a body map, staff must also complete a written description.

Staff must not take photographs using a personal phone.

 
20. Whistleblowing

Staff must speak up about:

• abuse
• neglect
• unsafe care
• poor practice
• dishonesty
• cover-ups
• failures to report safeguarding concerns
• managers who do not act.

Staff can use the Priority Services4U whistleblowing procedure.

If internal reporting does not protect the person, staff may report directly to:

• Wokingham Borough Council
• Wokingham MASH
• the police
• CQC
• the relevant professional regulator
• another prescribed body.

Priority Services4U will not victimise a staff member for raising a genuine concern in good faith.

 
21. Safer recruitment

We reduce safeguarding risks through safer recruitment.

We:

• check identity
• obtain employment history
• investigate unexplained gaps
• obtain suitable references
• complete the appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check
• check the right to work
• check qualifications
• check professional registration where required
• assess values and conduct at interview
• complete induction
• supervise new staff
• maintain recruitment records.

Staff must tell us about any arrest, charge, caution, conviction, barring decision or professional restriction that may affect their work.

 
22. Staff training

All staff receive safeguarding training:

• during induction
• before working without direct supervision
• at the level appropriate to their role
• through regular refresher training
• when legislation or local procedures change
• after an incident or identified learning need.

Training covers:

• adult safeguarding
• child safeguarding
• types and signs of abuse
• domestic abuse
• modern slavery
• exploitation
• self-neglect
• mental capacity
• consent
• information sharing
• recording
• local reporting contacts
• allegations against staff
• whistleblowing
• professional boundaries.

Managers receive additional training in:

• managing referrals
• allegations management
• LADO procedures
• CQC notifications
• safeguarding enquiries
• evidence preservation
• staff support
• organisational learning.

 
23. Preventing abuse

We work to prevent abuse by:

• providing person-centred care
• listening to people
• supporting choice and control
• completing risk assessments
• recruiting staff safely
• training and supervising staff
• monitoring care
• carrying out spot checks
• responding to complaints
• monitoring incidents
• checking medication practice
• reviewing financial support
• maintaining professional boundaries
• supporting staff to speak up
• learning from safeguarding concerns.

24. Professional boundaries

Staff must not:

• enter a personal or sexual relationship with a person they support
• borrow or lend money
• accept significant gifts
• become involved in a person’s will
• use a person’s bank card outside authorised arrangements
• share personal social-media details
• take photographs without authorisation
• invite a person to their private home
• share confidential information unnecessarily
• use their position for personal gain.

Staff must report any boundary concern immediately.

 
25. Restriction and restraint

Staff must not use restraint, restriction or force unless:

• it is lawful
• it is necessary to prevent harm
• it is proportionate to the risk
• the least restrictive option is used
• the staff member is trained and authorised
• the action follows the care plan and risk assessment, except in an unforeseen emergency.

Staff must report and record every use of restraint or significant restriction.

Unauthorised or excessive restraint may be abuse.

 
26. Safeguarding referrals

The Safeguarding Lead or manager will normally make the formal referral.

A referral must not be delayed while:

• waiting for a manager who is unavailable
• completing an internal investigation
• seeking proof
• resolving a staffing issue
• waiting for a team meeting.

Staff may make a direct referral where necessary.

Priority Services4U will cooperate with:

• Wokingham Borough Council
• Berkshire West Safeguarding Children Partnership
• BOB Integrated Care Board safeguarding teams
• commissioners
• police
• CQC
• health professionals
• advocacy services
• other relevant agencies.

 
27. CQC and commissioner notifications

The Registered Manager will notify CQC of abuse or alleged abuse when the notification requirements apply.

We will also notify:

• the commissioning authority
• Wokingham Borough Council
• the relevant Integrated Care Board team
• the police
• professional regulators
• the Disclosure and Barring Service

where the circumstances and legal requirements require this.

Making a CQC or commissioner notification does not replace a safeguarding referral.

28. Supporting the person

We support the adult or child by:

• listening to them
• keeping them informed
• asking what they want
• helping them feel safe
• offering communication support
• involving family or representatives where appropriate
• arranging advocacy where needed
• supporting access to medical treatment
• reducing further risk
• respecting privacy and dignity.

We do not blame the person for the abuse.

 
29. Supporting staff

We support staff who:

• receive a disclosure
• witness abuse
• report a concern
• are involved in a safeguarding investigation
• experience distress after an incident.

Support may include:

• management debrief
• supervision
• occupational-health support
• counselling or employee assistance
• temporary changes to duties
• clear information about the process.

30. Monitoring and governance

The Registered Manager monitors:

• safeguarding referrals
• incidents and near misses
• allegations against staff
• staff training
• DBS checks
• complaints
• medication concerns
• restrictive practices
• injuries
• missing-person incidents
• whistleblowing concerns
• CQC notifications
• commissioner notifications
• actions from safeguarding enquiries.

We review patterns and take action to prevent repeated harm.

We share learning with staff without disclosing unnecessary personal information.

31. Staff safeguarding rule

Every staff member must remember:

Recognise

Notice signs of abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Respond

Listen, protect and take immediate action.

Report

Tell the manager and the correct safeguarding authority without delay.

Record

Write a clear, factual and timely account.

Do not investigate

Leave formal investigations to the authorised agencies.

 
32. Staff declaration

I confirm that I have read and understood the Priority Services4U Safeguarding Adults and Children Policy.

I understand that I must:

• protect adults and children from harm
• report concerns immediately
• call 999 in an emergency
• contact the local safeguarding authority where needed
• listen without investigating
• keep accurate records
• maintain confidentiality
• follow professional boundaries
• speak up when care is unsafe.