BASIC AWARENESS Safeguarding Adults in Adult Education College Bexley

Context for Safeguarding A Need for Ongoing Vigilance o The need for safeguarding and safer recruitment was highlighted by the Soham case and the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman by Ian Huntley o The findings in Sir Michael Bichard’s report (2004) identified flaws and shortcomings in recruitment when working with children or vulnerable adults. o Without vigilance Ian Huntley, for example, was employed as a Caretaker at Soham Community School.

What is child protection? What is safeguarding? What’s the difference?

Child protection looks at recognising abuse and neglect and acting on it Whereas safeguarding looks at keeping children, young people and adults at risk safe from a much wider range of potential harm, and delivers preventative action, not just reaction

Safeguarding Definition o “The term ‘safeguarding’ describes the broader preventative and precautionary approach to planning and procedures that are necessary to be in place to protect children and young people from any potential harm or damage” Keeping it Safe, National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, 2002 o Child protection and safer recruitment are important aspects of safeguarding o This is also true for adults at risk

What is safeguarding adults? The main purpose is to seek to: oprevent abuse oidentify abuse and ensure alerting of concerns oprovide multi-agency response to investigate and protect adults at risk from abuse oTo improve practice, service delivery and positive outcomes for individuals who have experienced abuse.

Who are we safeguarding from abuse? oPeople 18 or over and o‘who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and oWho may be experiencing abuse or neglect

Adults at risk o18 years plus oLearning Disability oPhysical Disability oMental Health Problem oSensory Impairment oOlder Persons

What do we mean by ‘abuse’? o Physical o Psychological & Emotional o Neglect & Acts of Omission o Sexual o Financial & Material o Discriminatory o Institutional

Who might be the abuser? o Social care staff o Medical staff o Partners, husbands, wives o Friends o Doctors o Neighbours o Family members o People who use services o Anyone!

Where may abuse occur? o At home o Care homes o Day centres o College o Public transport o Hospital o Out in the community o Anywhere!

Barriers to disclosure Often people do not disclose because: oPerception that nothing can change oFear of the abuser oCommunication / Cultural barriers oFear of not being believed oFeeling of guilt oConfusion oShame

Your responsibilities as Alerters oAbuse suspected or discovered oEnsure adult at risk is in no immediate danger/arrange medical if needed oDo not go into detail/preserve evidence oInform = report to line manager oExplain = you must tell & see oRecord = make accurate record

Making a referral Referrals of allegations or suspicions should be reported to: Fiona Playford – Strategic Manager Student & College Services Glenda Jackson – Learner Support Manager