What is Safeguarding ? Preventing abuse, (harm or neglect) Responding to allegations of abuse Everyone’s responsibility

Who should we safeguard? Children “At risk” adults, 18 or over with mental illness , disability or elderly who receive or may need community care services. Other Adults not in receipt of community care services but who may become vulnerable because of abuse or the risk of it. Everyone ! Workers pre trade union – workers in the care sector now.

What do we need to safeguard against? Physical, Sexual , Psychological Financial Neglect Discrimination Institutional Physical abuse, Q does it have to cause a visible injury? A. Pain injury or negative change in physical health. examples This includes, for example, restraining somebody unnecessarily, giving them too much or too little medication, slapping, beating or pushing somebody or forcing somebody to do something against their will. Sexual abuse Q. Can it be abuse if someone has given their permission for the activity? A. yes if they were not able to understand or were pressured into giving permission is Examples; sexual assault, indecent exposure ('flashing'), inappropriate touching, forcing people to watch pornography or sexual harassment. Psychological or emotional abuse. making another person suffer emotionally or mentally. examples, swearing, bullying, humiliating somebody, threatening physical violence, intentionally making somebody scared of you or forbidding/making someone afraid to leave their home.. Financial or material abuse, Q. Can this be unintentional? A. Yes, it is really important to look at this one in terms of prevention Clear Examples, stealing money or belongings or bullying or persuading a person in order to get money or belongings or to make them change their will. Where it may be unintentional using somebody else's property, income, savings or belongings without their permission, persuading an adult at risk to sign a contract they do not understand or buy something which they do not fully understand they were buying which leaves them at a financial disadvantage. Neglect. repeatedly refusing to help or not being able to help somebody with their daily living and health and safety needs. Q.Can you think of an example of when this may be a safeguarding risk for both the victim and perpetrator? A. Informal or untrained/unsupported care staff who could be liable to prosecution, become targets of wider abuse or experience the type of abuse where their needs are not recognized and met. Examples. not providing personal care, not cleaning the person's home so they are living in unhygienic conditions, and not looking after their medical needs. Discrimination because of their race, religion, sex, age, sexuality or disability. Q People who are discriminated against may be more at risk from abuse. Why might this be? A. already disempowered through experiencing predudice. Less support mechanisims, people don’t understand/disregards impact of event. Institutional abuse can include repeatedly giving poor care and putting the needs of the institution before the needs of the person. Institutional abuse also includes discouraging an adult from getting family involved in their care, very strict management, too few staff, or staff who are poorly trained or poorly supervised.  

Who might abuse ? Anyone! Carer, paid or voluntary Health, social care or other worker Relative, friend or neighbour Another resident or service user Stranger Person or organisation that intends to exploit vulnerable people. Anyone! Employer, service user

Everyone and anyone! Everyone has the potential to be abused. Anyone can become an abuser. We all have a responsibility to do something about it. As professionals policies and procedures to follow which help us discharge this responsibility but this should never negate our human responsibilitiy to look beyond what is already being done to see what more could be done. So – what can we do--

Learn as much as we can http://www.scie.org.uk/socialcaretv/default.asp Bite sized insight into how abuse affects individuals and what can help combat it. www.everychildmatters.gov.uk Principles of safeguarding children, Contains a range of flow charts which give an understanding of start to finish process http://www.ncvys.org.uk/index.php?page=262#what Introduction to safeguarding in voluntary and community organizations, link to downloadable standards and info about “keeping it safe” guidance. adults http://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/health-and-social-care/safeguarding-adults.aspx Local guidance for staff working in care homes with flow charts. http://www.idea.gov.uk/idk/aio/25765507 Making safeguarding personal: A toolkit for responses Kate Ogilvie Cathie Williams looks at what is required in a person centred approach to safeguarding. Keep safeguarding as an essential part of our personal CPD, make sure policies and procedures are reviewed and updated in the light of new knowledge. Help others including service users learn/understand,

Make sure we have local knowledge! Get to know the safeguarding policies that affect us. Know how to whistle blow if necessary. Find out about local safeguarding initiatives (Keeping Safe, Pershore) Find out about local groups which can help support individuals Check if the information is available for service users in suitable format Raise concern if you feel the policies/information are not good enough.

Challenge bad practice / individual or institutional abuse? Provide opportunity for people to confide? Empower, enable , support, before during and after. Have healthy scepticism Help individuals widen circle of support. Signpost to community initiatives. Consider Developing peer or advocacy groups RISK BALANCING. “perhaps the saddest form of abuse is that caused as a result of well meaning attempts to prevent it.” Mom, Bryan, breakdown Family group conferences. Cotton wool- independant living self determination. Use supported decision making or positive risk taking strategies