Adult Safeguarding Policy

VERSION CONTROL

Version	Date	Author	Summary of Changes
1.2	June 2026	Maggs Day Centre	Administrative review only. Updated named safeguarding role holders. No changes made to safeguarding procedures, policy content or organisational approach.
1.1	October 2025	CEO	Interim review – CARM Framework update
1.0	October 2025	CEO	Original policy issued

SAFEGUARDING LEADS & SAFEGUARDING ADVICE

The safeguarding leads for Maggs are:

Strategic Safeguarding Lead: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The Chief Executive Officer provides strategic safeguarding leadership, organisational oversight and governance, ensuring safeguarding responsibilities are effectively discharged across all Maggs services.

Operational Safeguarding Lead: Service Lead – North Worcestershire & Harm Reduction

The Operational Safeguarding Lead provides specialist safeguarding advice and oversight, supporting line managers with complex or high-risk safeguarding concerns and coordinating safeguarding responses across Maggs.

Trustee Safeguarding Portfolio Holder
Board of Trustees

The Trustee Safeguarding Portfolio Holder provides safeguarding oversight and assurance on behalf of the Board of Trustees.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

All staff and volunteers must report safeguarding concerns to their line manager in the first instance, as soon as possible following a disclosure or concern.

Line managers are responsible for providing initial advice, ensuring appropriate action is taken and maintaining oversight of the concern.

Where a safeguarding concern is complex, high risk, requires specialist advice or may require referral to external agencies or notification to the Board of Trustees, the line manager must escalate the matter to the Operational Safeguarding Lead.

The Operational Safeguarding Lead will provide specialist safeguarding advice, oversee safeguarding decision-making and escalate matters to the Chief Executive Officer where appropriate.

If the Operational Safeguarding Lead is unavailable and immediate advice is required, concerns should be escalated directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Where concerns relate to the Chief Executive Officer, they should be reported to the Trustee Safeguarding Portfolio Holder.

Staff may also seek safeguarding advice directly from the Worcestershire Safeguarding Team where appropriate:

Worcestershire Safeguarding Team

Telephone: 01905 843189

Website: Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards

Staff may contact the Safeguarding Team directly for advice and guidance where required.

Guidance notes and procedures are available via:

Policies, Procedures & Guidance – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards

REVIEW

This policy will be reviewed every three years, or sooner where there is a significant change in legislation, statutory guidance or local safeguarding procedures.

Policy Date	October 2025
Administrative Review	June 2026 (Named role holders updated only)
Next Full Review	August 2026

SIGN OFF

Signed:
	Chief Executive Officer
Date:

Maggs Adult Safeguarding Policy

If in DOUBT, speak to the Operational Safeguarding Lead or contact the Safeguarding Team for advice: 01905 843189 or go to:

Safeguarding Worcestershire County Council

WSAB – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards

Introduction

Living a life that is free from harm and abuse is a fundamental right. Maggs is committed to preventing abuse and harm and putting people we work with at the centre of our work as outlined in the Care Act. The Care Act 2014 states all organisations must promote the wellbeing of individuals, making sure to always recognise that each person’s needs are different and respond accordingly.

When abuse does take place, it needs to be dealt with swiftly, effectively and in ways which are proportionate to the issues. But it is the person that determines how safeguarding work is taken forward to ensure that the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP) Making Safeguarding Personal | Local Government Association are upheld.

Making Safeguarding Personal | Local Government Association

This then enhances involvement, choice and control as well as improving quality of life, wellbeing, and safety.

Protection of vulnerable adults is a statutory responsibility when a risk of harm has been identified. All agencies must work in collaboration to take all reasonable steps to address any potential concerns within the parameters of local and national policy guidelines. It, however, allows a person the right to choose. So, people can make choices that may be to the detriment of their health and wellbeing if they have capacity to do so. In these instances, it is important not to impose a decision. Instead, they should be given all relevant information and consequences of those decisions to enable them to make an informed choice as to what they will do, even if there is potential that this may cause them harm. If they choose a course of action that may cause them harm steps should be taken to minimise the risk that this may cause.

This policy is written in line with the Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board (WSAB) Adult Protection Policy & Procedures Policies, Procedures & Guidance – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards (safeguardingworcestershire.org.uk) and is applicable to all Maggs services.

Policies, Procedures & Guidance – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards

This policy incorporates the six principles of Safeguarding Adults, which are:

Empowerment – People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent.
Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented
Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.
Partnership – Local solutions through services working with their communities.
Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting, and reporting neglect and abuse
Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.
Prevention – It is better to act before harm occurs.

The purpose of this policy is to set out what actions are required when dealing with adult protection and to ensure effective links are made into the Worcestershire Multi-Agency Adult Protection Procedures including Worcestershire Complex Adults Risk Management (CARM) Policies, Procedures & Guidance – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards CARM –Framework –Practice –Guidance –Final –01.10.2025.pdf

The protection of adults (any person over the age of 18) at risk of harm is a responsibility of everyone. Safeguarding describes how we protect adults from abuse or neglect. Safeguarding is about protecting certain people who may be in vulnerable circumstances. It is, everyone’s responsibility to report concerns regarding any adult who is, or who appears to be, at risk of harm.

Maggs has a duty to report allegations or suspicions of abuse of a Vulnerable Adult, to the Chief Executive or Service leads.

Maggs’ philosophy adopts a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse and ensure the most appropriate responses are taken to any allegations or suspicions of abuse. This is especially important as Maggs is a front-line agency, so Maggs may be the first agency that particularly at-risk individual’s access.

The framework for action relating to safeguarding concerns includes working together through a multidisciplinary approach with consultation and a sharing on information to protect adults at risk of abuse. This policy’s purpose is to ensure a consistent and effective response to any circumstances giving ground for concern, or formal complaints, or expressions of anxiety about adult abuse.

The protection of adults at risk of harm is placed above all other operating principles and supersedes the principle of confidentiality.

Concern About an Adult

If you’re concerned about abuse or neglect affecting yourself or another adult:

In an emergency, call 999
To report a crime or potential crime, call 101
To report an adult safeguarding concern, call 01905 768053
For out-of-hours concerns, contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01905 768020
For safeguarding advice (not referrals), contact the Safeguarding Early Response and Triage Team on 01905 843189 (Monday–Friday, 10am–4pm)
If there are concerns that a vulnerable adult is at risk of exposure to criminal activity, then Police must be notified, if it is an emergency dial 999 or for a non-emergency dial 101

Safeguarding Leads & Safeguarding Advice

The safeguarding leads for Maggs are:

Strategic Safeguarding Lead

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Operational Safeguarding Lead

Service Lead – North Worcestershire & Harm Reduction

Trustee Safeguarding Portfolio Holder

Board of Trustees

The Trustee Safeguarding Portfolio Holder provides safeguarding oversight and assurance on behalf of the Board of Trustees.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

All staff and volunteers must report safeguarding concerns to their line manager in the first instance, as soon as possible following a disclosure or concern.

Line managers are responsible for providing initial advice, ensuring appropriate action is taken and maintaining oversight of the concern.

The Operational Safeguarding Lead will provide specialist safeguarding advice, oversee safeguarding decision-making and escalate matters to the Chief Executive Officer where appropriate.

If the Operational Safeguarding Lead is unavailable and immediate advice is required, concerns should be escalated directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

Where concerns relate to the Chief Executive Officer, they should be reported to the Trustee Safeguarding Portfolio Holder.

Staff may also seek safeguarding advice directly from the Worcestershire Safeguarding Team where appropriate. They can contact the Safeguarding Team directly on 01905 843189 or Contact Us – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards

If staff require advice; they may also contact the Safeguarding Team directly or the Adult Safeguarding board. Guidance notes from the adult Safeguarding board are available from Policies, Procedures & Guidance – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards (safeguardingworcestershire.org.uk)

Discloser & Barring

All staff and volunteers will be subjected to an appropriate DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) disclosure.

Philosophy and Basic Principles

Maggs will aim to adhere to the following principles in working with Vulnerable Adults:

Human and civil rights will be promoted and protected.
Independence, well-being, and choices will be actively promoted.
We will work co-operatively with Partner agencies to prevent the abuse of Vulnerable Adults.
Allegations of abuse will be reported to the Safeguarding Team and comply with any instructions that they give.
Vulnerable Adults will be assumed to have capacity except where it is established that this is not the case. A Vulnerable Adult who has mental capacity has the right to take risks.
Maggs will provide appropriate support during the process to the Vulnerable Adult
Vulnerable Adults’ views will be considered and where possible they will be fully involved in actions taken

Maggs is fully committed to:

Ensuring that the Vulnerable Adults are protected from abuse;
Ensuring that if abuse has or is suspected to have taken place, that this policy is fono suitable person to support them, then the local authority must arrange for an independent advocate to represent them.

Definitions

Who is a Vulnerable Adult?

A Vulnerable Adult is any person aged 18 years or above:

“Who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves or unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation”.

(No Secrets 2000, Paragraph 2.3). https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/no –secrets –guidance –on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/no-secrets-guidance-on-protecting-vulnerable-adults-in-care protecting –vulnerable –adults –in –care

If an individual is under the age of 18 please refer to the Safeguarding Children’s policy Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy new.docx

Significant Harm: “Harm should be taken to include not only ill treatment (Including sexual abuse and forms of ill treatment that are not physical) but also the impairment of physical, emotional, social or behavioural development”. (‘Who decides,’ Lord Chancellors dept 1997)

Abuse: “Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons”. (No Secrets 2000, Paragraph 2.5)

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/no –secrets –guidance –on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/no-secrets-guidance-on-protecting-vulnerable-adults-in-care protecting –vulnerable –adults –in –care

The majority of instances of abuse will constitute a criminal offence. Reference to the Police should be made. The responsibility for initiating prosecutions rests with the Police and the Crown Prosecution Service. Criminal investigations by the police take priority over all other lines of enquiry.

Types of Abuse

All staff should be alert to the potential indicators of abuse. However, the presence of one or more indicators does not necessarily mean that abuse is taking place but may mean that further investigation/observation is required. Victims of abuse do not always react in the same way.

Please go to Types of abuse: Safeguarding adults | SCIE for a list of the types of abuse and indicators and

Policies, Procedures & Guidance – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards (safeguardingworcestershire.org.uk)

Domestic Violence any form of physical, non-physical, or sexual abuse which takes place within the context of a close relationship committed either in the home or elsewhere. In most cases this relationship will be between partners or ex-partners.

Exploitation: the deliberate targeting of vulnerable adults for personal benefit.

Multiple Forms of Abuse- This may occur in an ongoing relationship or service setting or to more than one person at a time. It is important therefore to look not only at a single incident, but to also consider the underlying dynamics and patterns of harm.

People under the age of 18 (16 for Maggs Clothing Project and Malvern Day Centre) will not be permitted to use Maggs Services. However, in exceptional circumstances they will be permitted to access Maggs. Please refer to the Safeguarding Children and Young people Policy for more details on the procedure to follow if a person under the age of 18 presents themselves to Maggs Worcester or Outreach.

If there is a suspicion of abuse or clear evidence of it, the Safeguarding Team must be contacted without delay (within 48hours of a decision being taken to refer) in accordance with the Worcestershire multiagency procedure please refer to Policies, Procedures & Guidance – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards (safeguardingworcestershire.org.uk) A referral to Social Services via the Assessment Centre under the multi-agency procedures will only be appropriate where the person suffering harm i.e., meets the definition of a “vulnerable adult.

There may be times when person under the age of 18 or a vulnerable adult discloses that they have been subjected to one or more forms of abuse. There may also be times when an adult person we work with discloses that they are abusing a person under the age of 18 or a vulnerable adult. In both circumstances the Safeguarding forms must be completed and a record of what has been disclosed made.

The police or relevant Safeguarding authority may disclose that a person we work with is an abuser or on the sex offenders list. In these circumstances Maggs will fully comply with any information requested. If it is necessary to request a disclosure from the police relating to a particular person we work with, then a MOPI request Request information | West Midlands Police (west –midlands.police.uk) must be filled out.

All known abusers will have no lone working attached to their electronic files, to readily inform all staff not to lone work with the individual. All staff will also be informed of the risks e.g., is a sex offender or in the process of an abuse investigation.

Measures that can be taken to avoid abuse taking place – the Care Act places a duty on organisations to promote wellbeing and prevent harm, abuse, or neglect. Therefore, it is important to intervene early to prevent a crisis from occurring. One way to assist in the prevention of abuse is to provide easy read information on how to recognise abuse and how to report it. If people we work with can recognise the signs, they are more likely to take the necessary steps to prevent it from occurring. Ensure that you work with people we work with in a person-centred way and have developed sufficient rapport for them to report to you if they feel that they are being abused.

An individual risk assessment should be completed for all people we work with, and staff ask the person we work with if there are any risks of abuse that they may face, these should be clearly recorded, include steps to be taken to reduce risk. If a person is identified as at risk of abuse this should be monitored, any changes in potential risk must be recorded and actions taken to reduce this risk. Advice must be sought from the safeguarding teams if there are any concerns.

Who may be the Abuser?

A Vulnerable Adult may be abused by a wide range of people including professional staff, relatives, family members, paid care workers, volunteers, other people we work with, neighbours, friends, associates, strangers, and people who deliberately exploit older people.

There is often particular concern if abuse is perpetrated by someone in a position of power or authority, who uses his or her position to their detriment.

Where the alleged abuser is a member of staff or trustee they will be suspended with immediate effect, on grounds of potential gross misconduct and subjected to the disciplinary policy. Where the alleged abuser is a volunteer, they will be suspended with immediate effect pending investigation under the volunteer problem solving procedure. If there is a police or Adult Protection investigation in relation to allegations made against the above individuals Maggs will be fully compliant with any requests made.

The Chief Executive will keep a log of informal and formal complaints where members of staff/ volunteers or others have allegedly abused people we work with cases where a staff member is the alleged abuser will be discussed with the Chair of Trustees and appropriate action taken in line with the relevant procedures.

Where a member of staff wishes to disclose alleged abuse perpetrated by a colleague, they must immediately contact the Chief Executive. An investigation will be set up immediately and this may involve the colleague being suspended from work.

Where the alleged abuser is a worker employed by another agency. The Chief Executive must immediately notify the appropriate Manager from the agency and plan and agree investigation protocols.

Whilst every effort will be made to protect the identity of workers who are raising concerns, the anonymity of referrers cannot be guaranteed throughout the process.

Maggs has a responsibility towards all Vulnerable Adults who have been abused but may also have a responsibility in relation to some perpetrators of abuse.

Confidentiality

Maggs Day Centre’s Confidentiality Policy will be followed in all cases where we receive any information concerning alleged abuse of one of our people we work with. Where the alleged perpetrator is a member of the organisation’s staff, confidentiality will be respected in line with the Disciplinary Policy and if applicable the Whistleblowing procedure. The Chief Executive (unless the allegation is about the Chief Executive) and Chair of Trustees should be informed of any allegations of abuse prior to contacting external agencies.

The Government guidance document ‘No Secrets’ No Secrets: guidance on protecting vulnerable adults in care – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) recognises that there are circumstances in which it will be necessary to share confidential information, who may be at risk of abuse, when it is in their best interests.

Although the views and wishes of the person will normally be respected when sharing the information, agencies cannot guarantee a fully confidential service. There will always be exceptional circumstances when a duty to protect the wider public interest will outweigh the responsibility to any one individual. Decisions and action will only be taken in the absence of consent from the people we work with where:

They or others are in physical danger, i.e., they are not the only person at risk and the risk to others needs to be considered;
It has been assessed (by a multi-disciplinary team) and agreed that the vulnerable adult is unable/incapable of making an informed decision for themselves.
Staff should be prepared to accept that no action, other than continued monitoring, might in some circumstances be the only option due to current legal implications.

Record Keeping

Good record-keeping is an essential part of accountability to those who use their services. Maintaining proper records is vital to individuals’ care and safety. If records are inaccurate, future decisions may be wrong and harm may be caused. Where an allegation of abuse is made all agencies have a responsibility to keep clear and accurate records. It is fundamental to ensure that evidence is protected and to show what action has been taken and what decisions have been made and why.

Sharing information

Sharing the right information, at the right time, with the right people, is fundamental to good practice in adult safeguarding. The Care Act 2014 s45 Care Act 2014 (legislation.gov.uk) ‘supply of information’ duty covers the responsibilities of others to comply with requests for information from the Safeguarding Adults Board. Sharing information between organisations as part of day-to-day safeguarding practice is already covered in the common law duty of confidentiality, GDPR GDPR is here – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk), the Human Rights Act Human Rights Act 1998 (legislation.gov.uk) and the Crime and Disorder Act Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (legislation.gov.uk). The Mental Capacity Act Mental Capacity Act 2005 (legislation.gov.uk) is also relevant as all those coming into contact with adults with care and support needs should be able to assess whether someone has the mental capacity to make a decision concerning risk, safety or sharing information.

Adults have a general right to independence, choice and self-determination including control over information about themselves. In the context of adult safeguarding these rights can be overridden in certain circumstances such as emergency or life-threatening situations.

No employee can give a personal assurance of confidentiality. Frontline staff and volunteers should always report safeguarding concerns to their line manager. However, it is good practice to try to gain the person’s consent to share information and if it does not increase risk, staff should inform the person if they need to share their information without consent.

The amount of information sharing is dependent on who we are sharing the information with and for what purpose. We must share all the information we have when referring to the safeguarding team or requested information from the police. We also have a duty to share all information in safeguarding case conferences and ensure that any work completed is shared with the case co-ordinator. All plans will be decided collaboratively so there is a shared ownership of responsibility. For all other organisations, information needs to be shared on a need-to-know basis or if the person we work with has given consent for us to share the information with a specific organisation. For all organisations that we work closely with we have a specific information sharing protocol, or when attending any multi-agency meetings, we abide by the collective multi-agency information sharing protocol.

Any subject data requests will be dealt with by the Safeguarding Team (01905 768053). Safeguarding adults | Worcestershire County Council

The Role of the Adult Protection Team

The primary role of the Adult Protection Team is to oversee the Adult Protection process, by monitoring the referrals and auditing the quality of work. The Adult Protection Team will be notified of all Adult Protection.

Responsibility for Reporting Abuse

All staff/ volunteers has the responsibility to be aware of possible adult abuse, and to take appropriate action whenever there is a concern that abuse may have taken place or may occur. It is important that any allegation of abuse is taken seriously however insignificant it may seem.

Making a referral is the first stage in the process of keeping people safe and empowering them for the future. It is only by going through the formal channels that a full assessment or investigation will be carried forward.

If you raise a concern about an organisation or an individual, and you are acting in good faith, you will be supported whatever the outcome.

Once a concern has been identified, all cases should be discussed with the immediate line manager (unless they are the alleged abuser) and a decision must be made about who is going to make a referral.

If there is a possibility of a criminal offence having occurred or one has been witnessed then it is vital to contact the police at this point as well as making an Adult Protection referral, as the police investigation will take precedence over the Adult Protection Procedures. If the Vulnerable Adult is injured you will need to consider seeking immediate medical attention or at the earliest opportunity, even if the Vulnerable Adult refuses to accept the medical assistance when it arrives.

A referral can still be under the Adult Protection process for People we work with who are deceased if there is likelihood that the alleged abuser may have access to other Vulnerable Adults at risk of harm.

If you want to discuss an issue before making a referral, then you can speak to the Adult Protection Team 01905 768053. For information on how to report an adult safeguarding concern to Worcester safeguarding go to Safeguarding adults | Worcestershire County Council

If any person discloses to a volunteer something that you feel is a safeguarding concern report it immediately to your line manager, i.e., Volunteer Co-ordinator or the staff member who is managing the place where you work. They will then either discuss this with the safeguarding lead and then advise you on what course of action to take or advise you immediately what course of action to take. This will usually involve you making a statement of what has been said between yourself and the person making the disclosure. Ensure that you never ask leading questions. Refer to Volunteer Health and safety training for more information

WHERE THE ALLEGED ABUSER IS ANOTHER VULNERABLE ADULT

Where the alleged abuser is another vulnerable adult please contact the safeguarding lead for advice and report via the Worcestershire safeguarding team for more information go to Safeguarding adults | Worcestershire County Council . Where the alleged victim has asked that no further action be taken, and where it is determined that the alleged victim and other vulnerable adults are at continued risk, the Chief Executive should contact Social Services, and the police if a possible criminal offence has taken place.

Duty of care obligations continue for the alleged abuser and they may need the same or greater support as was available before the allegation. This will be achieved thorough a risk assessment to establish the likelihood that the alleged abuser will perpetrate further abuse of the alleged victim or others. Clear interventions for reducing risk must be agreed and communicated to all staff providing support to the alleged perpetrator, victim and other people we work with who may be affected.

If the Alleged Perpetrator has committed a violent or sexual offence or is thought to pose risks of serious harm to the public a referral must be made to the Multi-Agency Public Protection Panel (MAPPP). These meetings plan the management of individuals who pose a significant threat to the public.

A MAPPA can be called immediately when an abuser poses a high risk or is an imminent danger to the public. If you feel a MAPPA meeting needs to be arranged, contact the Safeguarding Team, who will arrange for the meeting to be held and contact all relevant agencies to be represented in the meeting.

Consideration should also be taken in Domestic Violence cases or referral to the relevant MARAC. Cases can be referred to these MARAC’s by contacting the MARAC co-ordinators. For further information contact the Adult Protection Team (Via the Worcestershire Safeguarding team) on 01905 768053. For information on how to report an adult safeguarding concern to Worcester safeguarding go to Safeguarding adults | Worcestershire County Council

Whistle-blowing

Whistle-blowing procedures can be used if an employee thinks that their line Manager is colluding with the alleged abuse or not taking it seriously (please refer to the Whistle-blowing policy See also information about the Public Interest and Disclosure Act 2010 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/23/contents

Training

All staff/ volunteers will be at least trained to Level 2 standard in protection of vulnerable adults. All staff/ volunteers will undertake refresher training at least every 3 years.

Review

This policy will be reviewed every three years, or sooner where there is a significant change in legislation, statutory guidance or local safeguarding procedures.

Policy Date	October 2025
Administrative Review:	June 2026 (Named role holders updated only)
Review Date	August 2026
Approved by	Chief Executive Officer
Date	June 2026

Interim Review – Change of Safeguarding Lead only September 2024 Interim Review update CARM Framework 1/10/2025

Appendix

Appendix A

Investigation Guidance In You require further guidance refer to the Safeguarding lead, The Service Lead for North Worcestershire & Harm Reduction.

An adult protection investigation is not a criminal investigation. If you uncover potential criminality at any stage, stop and refer to police. It is the duty of any investigator to record and retain in an appropriate format all material relevant to the investigation.

Investigation is not about ‘proving’ whether abuse happened. It should also establish the effectiveness of current support networks and assess current and future risk to the vulnerable adult and that posed by the alleged perpetrator.

Process of recording information relating to a safeguarding concern

The information obtained through interview will feed into the adult protection process. All information relevant to the adult protection process should be clearly identified as such. Use ‘adult protection’ case notes where contact relates specifically to the adult protection concerns.

The full name and role of individuals in each contact should be recorded.

Use ‘alleged’ abuse / perpetrator / victim when recording at this stage. The decision on whether abuse occurred is taken at the case conference following investigation. People we work with are entitled to see copies of information held on file, so any restricted information must be clearly identified.

No person disclosing that they are being abused or being an abuser can be told that the information will be kept confidential/ secret.

Clarify expectations e.g., Need for detail but if the interviewee cannot remember then they must say so rather than trying to guess.

Allow the interviewee to talk. Do not interrupt unless it is necessary to regulate the flow of information.

Note any observed changes in the interviewee’s behaviour e.g., if they started crying or constantly looked to carer before answering. It is preferable to have a note taker / second interviewer to ensure content is recorded as accurately as possible. When the statement is completed, the interviewee should sign to confirm they agree this is an accurate record. ‘Record of Injury’ can be used to record injuries observed / described. But do not ask the vulnerable adult to remove any clothing

Distinguish between facts, opinions and feelings and use clear and unambiguous language. Description rather than speculation helps to avoid others reading the record from making inaccurate assumptions. Direct quotes can often be more useful than summarising. The record should reflect the person we work with’s perspective, not just those of professionals or carers involved.

Wherever possible compile a chronology. A chronology will give an overview of significant events (any incident that impacts on safety, welfare, or care arrangements). It should not include opinions or analysis. Chronologies help identify emerging patterns and themes weaknesses and the effectiveness of previous intervention. This enables a more accurate picture and highlights gaps and missing details that require further assessment and identification.

When closing the interview remember to thank the interviewee for attending

Key questions to consider when interviewing relating to a safeguarding concern:

Details of incident

Date
Time
Duration
Location
People present
Any triggers / contributing factors 7. What happened before / during / after?
What was said / done
Attitudes of people involved
Was the alleged victim given any assurances?
What is their relationship to the vulnerable adult / alleged perpetrator?
What is their history with the vulnerable adult / alleged perpetrator?
Do they feel that current support arrangements are meeting needs of vulnerable adult / alleged perpetrator?

Wherever possible people we work with will be informed of the progress of any safeguarding investigation even if it is not possible to inform them about the details of the investigation.

Sharing information with Police

Wherever possible obtain informed consent to share information. Where consent is withheld, consider whether the level of risk is sufficient for consent to be disregarded i.e., for the purposes of ensuring their safety, or when a third party or the public may be at risk.

When to inform relatives or carers

The decision when to inform relatives is taken by police where there is a criminal investigation. Where there is no criminality, the decision should be referred to the vulnerable adult. Where they lack capacity to make this decision, this must be assessed and documented, and ‘best interests’ evidenced decision made.

Alleged Perpetrator

They have the right to be informed of the broad nature of the allegation unless this would increase risk to the vulnerable adult. The alleged perpetrator should be interviewed to provide their account of what has happened.

Maggs will wherever possible, continue to support the person we work with who is an (alleged) abuser, unless it would cause significant risk to the (alleged) victim who attends Maggs.

Appendix B

What to do if a safeguarding concern arises

Service user discloses they are being abused or they are abusing others, you must record all information verbatim and do not ask leading questions

Refer to the Safeguarding Lead and the Safeguarding Team on 01905 843189. Follow the advice given by the Safeguarding Team, if they ask for more information ask the service user the information the team require and report this back.

Always ensure that the date, time, and persons spoken to are recorded. Also ensure that a separate log is kept of any safeguarding concerns and actions taken.

Always ask for guidance from the Safeguarding Team if unsure whether to report. The Safeguarding Team will decide if the matter needs to be investigated or not (Maggs cannot make this decision)

Follow all the instruction and actions that the Safeguarding Team tells you to do. The Safeguarding Team will then refer the case onto the relevant Adult and Community Services Team, who will contact the referrer to discuss the case further. The Adult and Community Services Team make the final decision as to whether the case meets the criteria for Adult Protection.

Appendix C

Guidance notes: Homelessness and Abuse

In the No Secrets (2000) definition a vulnerable adult is someone: “who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and maybe unable to protect themselves against significant harm or serious exploitation”

This definition does not look at a person’s vulnerability due to their situation but their physical or mental health needs. Meaning some people who are vulnerable due to their situation may not necessarily fall under the Adult Protection process. This decision, whether a person experiencing homelessness is considered vulnerable will be made by the Safeguarding Team. Who will then, if appropriate, take the course of action required following the normal Adult Protection pathway (for more information re this pathway visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/safeguardingadults) or their time. Ask if there is anything else they wish to add or clarify in their account. Explain what will happen next in the adult protection process and answer any questions they may have.

Some people will be vulnerable because they are homeless, however are not classed as vulnerable adults (and do not posess capacity issues), but need some support. The process will involve referral to a multi agency strategy meeting – eg MAAPA.

It is important that any protection plan is discussed with the person experiencing homelessness and their agreement to that plan is given. The plan should then be put into place and reviewed for its effectiveness. For instance if their health deteriorates they may then be eligible for services from Adult and Community Care services and a referral should be made.

Asylum Seekers

Asylum is protection given by a country to someone over 18 who is fleeing persecution in their own country. Whilst applying for asylum a person maybe entitled to accommodation and support, information on this can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/asylum immigration/asylum or by phone on (Asylum Help UK): 0808 801 0503 Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm

Abuse by Children

If a child or children is/are causing harm to an adult at risk, this should be dealt with under the safeguarding adults policy and procedures, but will also need to involve the local authority children’s services.

Sex Workers

Sex work is a term used to refer to all aspects of the lawful and unlawful sex industry. Sex workers live under the daily threat of arrest, deportation, and violence. These dangers are compounded by the stigma, isolation, and invisibility associated with their work. For detailed safety advice for sex workers go to: Keeping Safe – Safety Advice for Sex Workers in the UK | Global Network of Sex Work Projects (nswp.org)

Self-Harm and Self Neglect

There are many ways in which people may self harm or neglect themselves, these can include:

Self Harm

What is self –harm? – Mind

Self- Neglect refer to Self –Neglect – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards (safeguardingworcestershire.org.uk)

When considering how best to support a person who falls into this category, staff should consider what psychological motivators may exist for the person. Recognising the purpose served by the behaviour to identify a safer alternative.

For advice refer to WSAB –Self –Neglect –Spotlight –Briefing –Aug –2022.pdf (safeguardingworcestershire.org.uk)

Multi-Agency Working

Where a person is involved with several agencies there must be agreement over roles, responsibilities and where information will be recorded. A lead agency should be identified.

It is not always possible to change a vulnerable adult’s behaviour and prevent harm, or to impose services or interventions upon a person who has capacity to make decisions. The vulnerable adult must remain central to the process.

If the vulnerable adult has refused interventions, their decision and the reasons given should be documented. Reference should be made to the person’s capacity. Any proposed intervention should be recorded identifying roles, responsibilities, and timescales. Where the person’s behaviour poses a serious risk to others and there has been a previous criminal conviction consideration should be given as to whether to refer for Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (‘MAPPA’).

Referrals to the Multi-agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC)

Adults at risk, covered by the adults safeguarding procedures, who are experiencing domestic abuse should always be referred into the adults safeguarding procedures and, where appropriate, to the Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC), via Dash without guidance.pdf (safelives.org.uk).

A MARAC is a local multi-agency information-sharing meeting where the focus is domestic abuse cases of the highest risk. A referral to MARAC should be made based on risk. In meetings discuss options for increasing safety and develop a coordinated action plan. The MARAC will also discuss the risks posed to children and how to manage the person alleged to be causing the harm.

For further information, contact the Adult Protection Team on 01905 768053. For information on how to report an adult safeguarding concern to Worcester safeguarding go to Safeguarding adults | Worcestershire County Council

CARM (Complex Adults Risk Management)

This is Coordinated multi-agency response to support those who have mental capacity. It is nonprescriptive in terms of actions and who needs to be involved. It focuses on positive outcomes for adult and builds on strengths and mitigates risks

For more information go to CARM Framework Archives – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards (safeguardingworcestershire.org.uk)

Who Needs Safeguarding? – Worcestershire Safeguarding Boards (safeguardingworcestershire.org.uk)

Appendix D

How the Organisation will inform Service Users of Safeguarding Awareness

At the point someone is allocated a support worker information will be given as what safeguarding is and how to raise a concern. The process of disclosing a safeguarding concern is below:

Service user discloses they are being abused or they are abusing others, you must record all information verbatim and do not ask leading questions
Refer to the Safeguarding Lead and the Safeguarding Team on 01905 843189. Follow the advice given by the Safeguarding Team, if they ask for more information ask the service user the information the team require and report this back.
Always ensure that the date, time, and persons spoken to are recorded. Also ensure that a separate log is kept of any safeguarding concerns and actions taken.
Always ask for guidance from the Safeguarding Team if unsure whether to report. The Safeguarding Team will decide if the matter needs to be investigated or not (Maggs cannot make this decision)

Follow all the instruction and actions that the Safeguarding Team tells you to do.

The Safeguarding Team will then refer the case onto the relevant Adult and Community Services Team, who will contact the referrer to discuss the case further. The Adult and Community Services Team make the final decision as to whether the case meets the criteria for Adult Protection.

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