Safeguarding Adults Recognition and Referral

and then seeking appropriate advice Safeguarding Adults A safeguarding alert is not about being sure, it is about being unsure..... and then seeking appropriate advice

Introduction This is a basic introduction called ‘Recognition and Referral’ Once completed you should still consider further safeguarding learning by attending a Safeguarding Awareness one day event http://www.walsallsocialcareworkforce.co.uk/training-course/87

Everyone has a right to live a life free from violence and abuse Human rights Everyone has a right to live a life free from violence and abuse No-one has to tolerate being abused – all of us have a responsibility to support people to exercise their right to be free from violence and abuse

Types of abuse Physical Sexual Financial Emotional Neglect Discriminatory Institutional Cover each type of abuse in further detail

Physical abuse Any form of hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, burns, scalds, fractures, attempted strangulation or smothering, poisoning, pushing, rough handling, dragging

Sexual abuse Penetration Attempted penetration Inappropriate touching Sexual comments Being made to look at sexual material Exposure Issues of capacity in relation to sexual abuse may be raised - e.g.: someone with capacity may look at erotic material from choice. HOWEVER – it is NEVER appropriate for a professional – whatever role – to take part in sexual activities with an adult at risk

Signs and symptoms Change in behaviour – fearful, withdrawn Sexualised behaviour – not usual Soreness, bruising injury to genital area Blood, fluids on underwear Reluctance to be left alone

Financial abuse Preventing access to own money/property Taking over access to money Theft Fraud Forcing someone to purchase items Fraudulent selling Look for: never having money, problems paying bills, changed behaviour – worried about money,

Emotional/psychological abuse Includes: threatening, undermining, bullying, making someone afraid, threats of abandonment , threats to withdraw medication

Neglect Lack of food, lack of medication, inappropriate clothing, inadequate heating, being left in soiled/wet clothing, medical needs not met, pressure ulcers grade 3+

Discriminatory Different treatment based on race, age, gender, ethnicity, disability Verbal abuse in relation to any of above Being prevented from being involved in activities based on any of the above Indirect discrimination

Institutional abuse Can be any of other types – but in a residential setting Rigid, inflexible routines Organised for convenience of staff No choice or control Covert medication Treated as children

Family Carers Caring is not easy – may be under pressure. Carers may have to give up important parts of life – resentment May also be at risk of harm Look for warning signs of stress Help and support for carers – not judgement Having difficult times as carer is normal

Confidentiality Be clear about confidentiality, when a service user is telling you something, they are telling the organisation you are working for. It is not ‘Your secret’ Must ‘whistleblow’ concerns about colleagues/organisation. First concern is always vulnerable adult

Responsibilities in the Workplace Duty of care To exercise duty of care – must understand abuse and know signs and symptoms Must raise your concerns and alert adult social care on 0845 111 2922 (Initial Assessment Team) Services are expected to write down concerns and forward this to Initial Assessment Team The more detail the better A duty of care is the requirement to consider the consequences of acts and omissions and to ensure that acts/omissions do not give rise to a foreseeable risk of injury/harm to another person. This a common law ‘duty of care’. This means putting the interests of the people who use their services first. Also means having to do everything in their power to keep people safe from harm. Duty of care underpins any professional activity; it is what underlies the Codes of Practice and it should be built in to practice on a day-to-day level. Exercising a duty of care is also a legal requirement, and is tested in court in the event of a case of negligence or malpractice. People have a right to expect that when a professional is providing support that they will be kept safe and not be neglected or exposed to any unnecessary risks. Having a duty of care towards the people you work with is not unique to social care, all professions who work with people have a duty of care. This includes doctors, teachers, nurses, midwives and many others.

Responsibilities (2) The best safeguarding approach starts with good quality care. Apply policies on: Following care and support plans Recording and reporting Personal care Responding to challenging behaviour Observe professional boundaries, etc Care work can be stressful, seek support It is sometimes hard to keep caring about someone when you have to care for them.

Actions A safeguarding alert is not about being sure – it’s about being unsure Alerts are checked out and a decision made on next steps If necessary there will be an investigation and a case conference – you will be kept informed Sometimes - you need to think the unthinkable

Further Information Safeguarding web link: http://cms.walsall.gov.uk/index/social_care_and_health/keepingsafe/adultabuse.htm Walsall Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board http://www.wsapb.co.uk/ If unsure about a possible safeguarding situation call 0845 111 2922

Further Learning One day Safeguarding Awareness Training is available through Walsall Council’s Workforce Development Team http://www.walsallsocialcareworkforce.co.uk/training-course/87 Safeguarding Learning and Improvement Framework http://www.walsallsocialcareworkforce.co.uk/c/106-safeguarding-adults/