Introduction, Aims And Scope Of The Policy
The objectives of Abbotswood Action Group are:
Abbotswood Action Group provides the following activities:
Whilst these do not include direct services or support for children, young people and vulnerable adults Abbotswood Action Group recognises that safeguarding those members of society is everyone’s business and that all may become vulnerable at many stages in their lives.
Abbotswood Action Group is committed therefore to ensure that the Management Committee, volunteers, employees and those who organise activities run by the Abbotswood Action Group have an understanding of Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults and the forms abuse may take, and that they know where to raise concerns if abuse is suspected or reported.
- To represent the interests of residents and users of Abbotswood and the surrounding area
- To seek to improve local facilities and services for all age groups.
- To encourage more community involvement and participation by people of all ages.
Abbotswood Action Group provides the following activities:
- Holding regular meetings to progress its aims and objectives
- Organising and managing events and exhibitions
- Representing the interests of members to outside bodies
- Promoting and carrying out research
- Providing advice where applicable
- Publishing and distributing information
- Employing paid or unpaid agents, staff or advisors
- Training and developing the skills of local people
Whilst these do not include direct services or support for children, young people and vulnerable adults Abbotswood Action Group recognises that safeguarding those members of society is everyone’s business and that all may become vulnerable at many stages in their lives.
Abbotswood Action Group is committed therefore to ensure that the Management Committee, volunteers, employees and those who organise activities run by the Abbotswood Action Group have an understanding of Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults and the forms abuse may take, and that they know where to raise concerns if abuse is suspected or reported.
Safeguarding And Promoting The Welfare Of Children Means:
(Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013)
Children and young persons under the age of 18 of all races, religions and cultures, with or without disabilities, from any model of family life have an equal right to protection from abuse.
Abuse can take various forms:
Volunteers and Management Committee members are not permitted at any time to be alone with children during Abbotswood Action Group activities.
All Abbotswood Action Group volunteers, employees and Management Committee members who are involved in organising activities run by the Abbotswood Action Group will be inducted into this policy and procedure and have an understanding of what forms abuse can take and how to report any concerns. Abbotswood Action Group will ensure that all who are arranging events on their behalf are made aware of this policy.
- Protecting children from maltreatment
- Preventing the impairment of children’s health or development
- Ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances
(Working Together to Safeguard Children 2013)
Children and young persons under the age of 18 of all races, religions and cultures, with or without disabilities, from any model of family life have an equal right to protection from abuse.
Abuse can take various forms:
- Physical
- Emotional
- Neglect
- Sexual
Volunteers and Management Committee members are not permitted at any time to be alone with children during Abbotswood Action Group activities.
All Abbotswood Action Group volunteers, employees and Management Committee members who are involved in organising activities run by the Abbotswood Action Group will be inducted into this policy and procedure and have an understanding of what forms abuse can take and how to report any concerns. Abbotswood Action Group will ensure that all who are arranging events on their behalf are made aware of this policy.
Definition Of Vulnerable Adults
Someone “who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness” (and/or) “who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself or protect themselves from harm”
No Secrets: Department of Health, March 2000
This means that not all adults are vulnerable, but some may be vulnerable at times, and others will be vulnerable all the time.
No Secrets: Department of Health, March 2000
This means that not all adults are vulnerable, but some may be vulnerable at times, and others will be vulnerable all the time.
Definition Of Abuse
“Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons”
No Secrets: Department of Health, March 2000
Abuse includes:
Abuse may be carried out deliberately or unknowingly. Abuse may be a single act or repeated acts.
People may make the choice to remain in abusive situations and if they have the mental capacity to make that decision that may be appropriate, however the decision about mental capacity is a complex one and it is important that the correct assessment of capacity is undertaken within the safeguarding process.
No Secrets: Department of Health, March 2000
Abuse includes:
- physical abuse, hitting, slapping, punching, burning
- sexual abuse, rape, indecent assault, inappropriate touching
- emotional abuse, belittling, name calling
- financial or material abuse, stealing, selling assets
- neglect and acts of omission, leaving in soiled clothes, failing to feed properly
- discriminatory abuse (including racist, sexist, based on a person's disability and other forms of harassment)
- institutional abuse resulting from unsatisfactory systems and routines
Abuse may be carried out deliberately or unknowingly. Abuse may be a single act or repeated acts.
People may make the choice to remain in abusive situations and if they have the mental capacity to make that decision that may be appropriate, however the decision about mental capacity is a complex one and it is important that the correct assessment of capacity is undertaken within the safeguarding process.
Reporting Concerns And Seeking Advice
If a crime may have been or is being committed contact the Police on 101 or 999
Volunteers, employees and Management Committee members should report any concern that they have about a child or vulnerable adult to the Chairman of the Management Committee unless the concern is about the Chairman where it should be reported to the Vice Chairman who will contact the SGC Team below. If the concern is about both the Chairman and Vice Chairman, they should report it to any member of the Management Committee.
Members of the public can also follow the instructions below:
Children and Young people.
To raise a concern or to seek guidance, contact South Gloucestershire Council’s First Point Team on 01454 866000 or the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours and weekends) on 01454 615165
Vulnerable Adults
To raise a concern or to seek guidance, contact South Gloucestershire Council’s Customer Adult Care Team service desk on 01454 868007. Where possible, agreement should be obtained from the adult before sharing personal information with third parties.
Volunteers, employees and Management Committee members should report any concern that they have about a child or vulnerable adult to the Chairman of the Management Committee unless the concern is about the Chairman where it should be reported to the Vice Chairman who will contact the SGC Team below. If the concern is about both the Chairman and Vice Chairman, they should report it to any member of the Management Committee.
Members of the public can also follow the instructions below:
Children and Young people.
To raise a concern or to seek guidance, contact South Gloucestershire Council’s First Point Team on 01454 866000 or the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours and weekends) on 01454 615165
Vulnerable Adults
To raise a concern or to seek guidance, contact South Gloucestershire Council’s Customer Adult Care Team service desk on 01454 868007. Where possible, agreement should be obtained from the adult before sharing personal information with third parties.
Record Keeping
If a concern is raised this should be documented and sent through to the Chairman of Abbotswood Action Group (or the Vice Chairman or a Management Committee member as noted above)
Managing Allegations Against Management Committee
Members, Volunteers Or Employees
Abbotswood Action Group recognises that it is important that allegations are investigated through the Safeguarding process so that allegations can be either proved or disproved for the protection of the child(ren), vulnerable adult(s), volunteers and staff.
Any allegation must be fully investigated by the responsible authority, which will depend on the gravity of the situation. Minor issues may be dealt with by the Management Committee, but significant allegations must be referred to the appropriate statutory authority. Abbotswood Action Group will support staff, volunteers and Management Committee members during this process.
Any allegation related to staff, volunteers and/or Management Committee members working with Children and Young People must be reported to the South Gloucestershire Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 01454 868924.
It is important to remember that abuse is defined by the impact on the individual not the intention of the abuser, in other words if someone does not have their needs cared for this can be just as damaging whether it is done deliberately or because a carer can no longer manage. Obviously the way of then supporting the situation would be likely to be different.
People who behave abusively come from all backgrounds and walks of life. They may be doctors, nurses, social workers, advocates, staff members, volunteers or others in a position of trust. They may also be relatives, friends, neighbours or people who use the same services as the person experiencing abuse.
Any allegation must be fully investigated by the responsible authority, which will depend on the gravity of the situation. Minor issues may be dealt with by the Management Committee, but significant allegations must be referred to the appropriate statutory authority. Abbotswood Action Group will support staff, volunteers and Management Committee members during this process.
Any allegation related to staff, volunteers and/or Management Committee members working with Children and Young People must be reported to the South Gloucestershire Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) on 01454 868924.
It is important to remember that abuse is defined by the impact on the individual not the intention of the abuser, in other words if someone does not have their needs cared for this can be just as damaging whether it is done deliberately or because a carer can no longer manage. Obviously the way of then supporting the situation would be likely to be different.
People who behave abusively come from all backgrounds and walks of life. They may be doctors, nurses, social workers, advocates, staff members, volunteers or others in a position of trust. They may also be relatives, friends, neighbours or people who use the same services as the person experiencing abuse.
Monitoring And Review
This policy will be monitored to judge to what extent it is working and identify areas for improvement.
Monitoring of this policy will take place regularly as a normal part of planning the activities of Abbotswood Action Group – for example, plans for events will be checked to make sure that they take account of safeguarding issues.
This policy will be reviewed every two years by the Management Committee to ensure that it remains up to date and reflects the needs and practices of the organisation.
The policy may also be reviewed if legislation changes or if monitoring information suggests that policy or practices should be altered.
Monitoring of this policy will take place regularly as a normal part of planning the activities of Abbotswood Action Group – for example, plans for events will be checked to make sure that they take account of safeguarding issues.
This policy will be reviewed every two years by the Management Committee to ensure that it remains up to date and reflects the needs and practices of the organisation.
The policy may also be reviewed if legislation changes or if monitoring information suggests that policy or practices should be altered.
Version 2 02/03/2016