Information for Professionals > Policy Document
Since the publication of Sunderland’s first adult protection
procedures in 1998 much work has been done to ensure we stay at
the forefront of good practice in this area. The procedures were
re-written in 2002 to take account of the guidance within “No
Secrets”, and several additional protocols have been produced
to reflect the valuable lessons learned from both national and local
experience along the way.
There is the need, however, to constantly consider change: not
for its own sake but in our efforts to achieve the highest possible
standards, for only through that process can we be assured of best
meeting our set aims and objectives. This document has been produced
to consolidate the achievements and experience to date, and to reflect
the standards contained within the ADSS “Safeguarding Adults,
National Framework of Standards for good practice and outcomes in
adult protection work”.
No single agency can hope to work unaided and ensure the safety
of all adults.
Working together, strengthening our already well-established adult
protection partnership arrangements, is the only way to proceed.
This Policy Document displays open and full commitment from all
partner agencies to continue to work together.
The accompanying Procedural Framework gives clear guidance on the
standards of practice expected from everyone working within the
City of Sunderland, ensuring, through a consistent response to all
concerns, that all adults, irrespective of the nature of the services
they require, are equally safeguarded from abuse, exploitation and
mistreatment.
John Fisher
Head of Service, Adult Services, City of Sunderland
Chair of the Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board
Full text of the Policy Document
Statement of Commitment
As agencies that have worked together in partnership to develop
and adopt the multi-agency procedures relating to safeguarding adults
in Sunderland, we agree to the following principles: All adults
have the right to live lives that are free from violence, harassment,
humiliation, degradation, abuse and neglect. All adults have the
right to be safeguarded from harm and exploitation. All adults
have the right to an independent lifestyle and the right to make
choices, some of which may involve a degree of risk. As a partnership,
we are therefore committed to making sure the multi-agency procedures
become operational by: Ensuring that there is a consistent and
effective response to any concerns, allegations or disclosures of
abuse. Supporting staff and volunteers in recognising abuse, reporting
concerns and investigating incidents of abuse. Preventing or reducing
the risk of abuse in our agencies. Ensuring that staff and volunteers
have a knowledge and understanding of policy and procedures through
appropriate training. Working in partnership with other agencies.
Ensuring that the public, service users and carers have access
to information about safeguarding adults, the policy and procedures.
Contributing to Safeguarding Adults Strategy Discussion Meetings,
Assessment/ Investigation Meetings and contributing to Safeguarding
Plans where necessary. Ensuring that sufficient resources are
made available to meet an identified strategic/forward plan. 5 In
addition, we are also committed to ensure that: Everyone’s
entitlement to Civil and Human Rights is supported. This will include
ensuring carers receive appropriate advice and support services.
Information is shared appropriately, within the identified legal
and ethical constraints. Adults are empowered and involved in
the safeguarding process as much as possible. Equal opportunities,
anti-discriminatory practice and diversity issues are respected.
Significant cases are reviewed as an opportunity to see what has
worked well and whether there are any lessons to be learned and
if so, how these can be put into practice. Agreed procedures and
guidance are reviewed on an annual basis and updated to reflect
best practice.
Introduction
Everyone has the right to lead their lives free from violence and
abuse. This right is underpinned by the duty on public agencies
under the Human Rights Act (1998) to intervene proportionately to
protect the rights of citizens. Any adult at risk of abuse should
be able to access public organisations for appropriate interventions
which enable them to live a life free from violence, fear and abuse.
It is recognised that some adults who may be eligible to receive
health and social care services may be, and often are, vulnerable
to the violation of their rights and to abuse, exploitation or mistreatment.
Some of these people may need additional support to access such
services and support systems. Adults who ‘may be eligible
for community care services’ are those whose independence
and wellbeing would be at risk if they did not receive appropriate
health and social care support. They include adults with physical
disabilities, mental ill-health, learning disabilities or sensory
impairments, howsoever those impairments have arisen e.g. either
present from birth or due to advancing age, chronic illness or injury.
Other people to consider include adults who misuse substances, adults
whose behaviour/condition puts them at risk of abuse and some victims
of domestic violence. It may also include carers: family and friends
who provide personal care to adults on an unpaid basis. When an
adult in this group is experiencing abuse, this will have a significant
impact on their independence, health and wellbeing. If all adults
were able to effectively and independently access support to live
safer lives at the time they needed it, there would be no need for
policies and procedures such as this. However, the publication of
‘No Secrets’ (Department of Health 2000) was based on
the premise that some groups of adults experience a higher prevalence
of abuse than the general population and that they are also not
easily able to access services to enable them to live safer lives.
The work that has taken place since the publication of ‘No
Secrets’ has confirmed this to be the case. This group of
adults were defined as ‘vulnerable adults’ within ‘No
Secrets’. 7 Since ‘No Secrets’ was published,
there have been some significant legal and policy changes relating
to adult social and health care with a re-focusing of language and
philosophy. Also the area of Child Protection has seen recent changes
to structure and language, with an emphasis on ‘Safeguarding
Children’ and the introduction of local Safeguarding Children’s
Boards. Furthermore, the emphasis is now on supporting adults to
access services of their own choosing, rather than intervening to
provide protection. In this way, the adult remains at the centre
of the process, rather than professionals ‘taking over’
and seeing protection as something that is ‘done to someone’.
In recognition of the changing context, previous references to the
‘protection of vulnerable adults’ and to ‘adult
protection’ work are now replaced by the new term: Safeguarding
Adults. This phrase means all the work which enables an adult “who
is or may be eligible for social care or health services”
to retain independence, wellbeing and choice and to access their
human right to live a life free from violence, fear or abuse. In
this context and with the recent introduction of several national
initiatives, such as the POVA Scheme, The Mental Capacity Act, The
House of Commons Committee on Elder Abuse and the recommendations
of the Bichard Inquiry, this is an ideal time to revise Sunderland’s
Adult Protection Policy and Procedures. This edition will be entitled:
Safeguarding Adults: A Multi-Agency Policy and Procedural Framework.
Sunderland’s Safeguarding Adults Procedures will refer to
the local multi-agency response which is made to every adult, in
the City of Sunderland, “who is or may be eligible for social
care or health services” and whose independence and well-being
is at risk due to abuse. 8 In the same context, all agencies that
work together to safeguard adults will be known as the Safeguarding
Adults Partnership. The Executive Committee (also known as the Multi-Agency
Panel for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults or MAPPVA), which
was originally set up to over-see the Adult Protection Procedures
in Sunderland will now be know as the Safeguarding Adults Partnership
Board and will over-see the Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures.
Finally, although recent years have brought change, and more of
this will be reflected in the Procedures, particularly in relation
to language, it does not mean that all of the work done previously
has been in vain; quite the contrary. The changes have come from
the many years of experience, practice and increased understanding
and knowledge of adult protection work, since the implementation
of ‘No Secrets’. Such change should be viewed as productive
and as a positive step forward in this important area of work. It
should also be seen as the next important stage in the development
of Sunderland’s well-established approach to safeguarding
adults.
Principles
All adults are recognised as being entitled to the following:
Self-determination - the individual’s right to self-determination
will be respected and supported. It is recognised that with self-determination
comes a degree of risk, which sometimes means the person may choose
to remain in a situation that professionals perceive to be unsafe.
The wishes and choices of the person who may be experiencing abuse
will be respected, unless there is a responsibility to override
them. This does not take away the professional’s responsibility
to work to minimise or manage the risk whilst supporting the individual’s
freedom of choice. An individual’s wishes cannot undermine
an organisation’s legal or statutory duty to act Rights
- the maintenance of all entitlements and responsibilities associated
with citizenship, including civic, legal and human rights. Independence
- the opportunity to think and act without reference to another
person. Privacy - the right to be alone or undisturbed and free
from intrusion. Dignity - the right to be respected. Partnership
- the right to be kept informed of and involved in all aspects of
care and support. Minimum intervention - no intervention beyond
the necessary or desired level as agreed within the context of a
safeguarding plan or care plan. Equal opportunities - the safeguarding
process should aim to take into account each person’s unique
individuality and to avoid discrimination because of race, religion,
age, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexuality or language. 10 Specifically
in relation to managing situations where there is a risk of abuse
or where abuse is alleged or suspected, the following principles
should be applied: The alleged victim should have wherever possible:
The right to be safeguarded from abuse. Their needs regarded
as paramount. The right to be taken seriously. The right to
be kept informed of processes and outcomes, as appropriate. The
right of access to independent advocacy and/or support particularly
where there is an issue about mental capacity. The right to appropriate
information to raise their awareness of what constitutes abuse.
The right to accessible information on the Safeguarding Adults
process. The right to privacy and confidentiality throughout the
safeguarding process, except where there is a requirement to override.
The right for arrangements to be made with them to promote safety
and welfare in both the short term and long term. The right to
be involved in decisions regarding themselves, made as a result
of the safeguarding process. Carers who are family or friends should
have wherever possible: Support when suspected abuse is reported.
Their views and opinions taken into consideration. The right
to be kept informed of processes and outcomes where it does not
conflict with the best interests of the alleged victim. 11 Staff
or volunteers should have wherever possible: Training, support
and guidance on the safeguarding adults process. Training to raise
awareness of issues of abuse. Support when they report suspected/alleged
abuse. The right to be kept informed of processes and outcomes,
subsequent to their reporting of suspected/alleged abuse, where
it does not conflict with the best interests of the alleged victim.
The perpetrator, where they may also be seen to be vulnerable, should
have wherever possible: The right of access to independent advocacy
or support. The right to be kept informed of processes and outcomes
where it does not conflict with the best interests of the alleged
victim. Appropriate support, treatment or provision as identified
through the safeguarding process and implemented within the context
of care planning. Throughout all safeguarding adults work, information
will be shared, based on the following principles of confidentiality:
Confidentiality will not be confused with secrecy. Informed
consent should be obtained but if this is not possible, and other
adults are at risk, it may be necessary to override the requirement.
It is inappropriate for agencies to give absolute confidentiality
in cases where there are concerns about abuse, particularly when
other people may be at risk. Any exchange of information will
be in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights
Act 1998, and Caldicott Guidance.
Policy Statement
This Policy Document sets out the agreement and principles embodied
in the accompanying Multi-Agency Procedural Framework . It is intended
to set the context in relation to Safeguarding Adults and should
be read in conjunction with the Framework. Within the principles
of this agreement, partnership agencies have agreed to develop or
re-develop their own internal guidance, to be incorporated into,
and compatible with, the Procedural Framework. Each agency will
ensure that all appropriate staff become familiar with the Framework
and their own particular agency guidance.
The aims of the Policy and accompanying Procedural Framework are:
Raising Awareness To raise awareness amongst staff, volunteers,
carers and other members of the community that adults are abused,
that this should be acknowledged and appropriate safeguarding measures
should be implemented.Prevention To ensure agencies have appropriate
and effective preventative measures in place to minimise the risk
of abuse. Responding to Abuse When abuse is reported, or suspected,
to ensure that individuals receive a consistent, supportive and
effective response from all agencies within the City of Sunderland.
Partnership Agreement
From the three overarching aims of the Policy and Procedural Framework
come a number of specific objectives to which each partner agency
is committed. Raising Awareness Each partner agency agrees to: Ensure
service users, their families and members of the wider community,
receive information about how to raise concerns if they suspect
or experience abuse. Enable staff to recognise poor practice or
abuse and respond appropriately, by ensuring they receive the necessary
Safeguarding Adults training. Raise the profile of safeguarding
adults in all relevant internal and multi-agency communications.
Ensure that those who commission, contract or monitor services for
adults are aware of, and adhere to, the Multi- Agency Policy and
Procedural Framework. Collectively, the Safeguarding Adults Partnership
will: Implement a multi-agency training strategy and ensure that
it is appropriately resourced. Disseminate public information in
a variety of formats. Publish an Annual Report. Develop strategic
links with relevant Partnerships in Sunderland e.g. Domestic Violence
Forum, Strategic Safeguarding Board (Children's). Prevention Each
partner agency agrees to: Ensure rigorous recruitment and selection
practice and adherence to preemployment checks eg: references will
always be taken up, CRB and POVA List checks undertaken where applicable.
Ensure that all relevant staff and volunteers receive Safeguarding
Adults training at the level appropriate to their role. Ensure that
all Safeguarding Adults training to staff in their agency is either
delivered through the Safeguarding Adults Team or, if delivered
in-house or by an external provider, is endorsed by the Safeguarding
Adults Team. Ensure clear service standards are maintained and,
where appropriate, staff receive clear operational guidance and
training in such areas as managing challenging behaviour, physical
interventions, personal and intimate care, safer handling, risk
assessment and management, control and administration of medicines,
involvement in service user property and finance, approaches to
sexuality and relationships. Such guidance will set out responsibilities,
and define the limits, of staff and volunteers within the agency.
Publish and promote a procedure (Whistleblowing) to be used when
staff raise concerns about the conduct of their colleagues or managers,
ensuring that those who raise genuine concerns are protected and
supported. Publish a clear, accessible and well-publicised complaints
procedure. This will include information about how to complain to
external bodies such as regulators and service commissioners. Ensure
there are clear policies in place against discrimination and harassment
towards any person (staff, volunteers, service users, carers) on
any grounds including disability, age, race, faith, gender or sexuality.
Ensure purchasers and service providers use contract monitoring
and review arrangements to discuss good practice and address any
difficulties in implementing Safeguarding Adults procedures. Ensure
that the quantity and quality of their safeguarding adults work
is monitored appropriately and effectively, and bring any issues,
areas of concern or examples of good practice to the attention of
the Safeguarding Adults Partnership Board. Collectively, the Safeguarding
Adults Partnership will: Promote within all agencies, the perspectives
of adults who require support and ensure they are considered for
inclusion in all relevant strategies and policies. Act as a source
of advice and information on safeguarding adults matters to staff
within all agencies.
Establish a multi-agency system for reviewing serious cases to
ensure that the necessary lessons are learned to improve our response
to adult abuse. Collate and analyse safeguarding adults data and
recommend appropriate responses to risk themes and safeguarding
issues as they arise. Responding to Abuse Each partner agency agrees
to: Designate a Lead Person for the implementation of work in this
area, who will also act as a source of information and advice for
staff within their agency. Follow the Multi-Agency Procedural Framework
that guides staff through the process of recognition of abuse, how
to report it, through investigation to case review. Ensure that
relevant documentation is promptly submitted to the Safeguarding
Adults Team. Be a source of information to signpost any adult who
is being abused to appropriate sources of advice and support. Develop
internal guidance to be incorporated into, and compatible with,
the Policy and Procedural Framework. This guidance should identify
and clarify roles and responsibilities of staff and guide them on
how to report concerns. Collectively, the Safeguarding Adults Partnership
will: Ensure appropriate representation on the Safeguarding Adults
Partnership Board, at senior level. Ensure that all partner agencies
take responsibility for working actively in partnership to implement
safeguarding adults work. Make recommendations for improved practice
where necessary. Ensure any lessons learned are incorporated into
the relevant policies and procedures. Ensure that the Policy Document
and Multi-Agency Procedural Framework are reviewed annually. Ensure
that sufficient resources are made available to meet the aims and
objectives as stated and agreed within this Policy Document.
The following Partnership Agencies, agree to accept and own the
principles and undertake to carry out the responsibilities as set
out in this Policy Document: Sunderland City Council Sunderland
Teaching Primary Care Trust City Hospitals Sunderland Northumberland
Tyne and Wear NHS Trust Northumbria Police (Sunderland) National
Probation Service Commission for Social Care Inspection Sunderland
Housing Group Sunderland Centre for Voluntary Services Sunderland
Advocacy for Empowerment Sunderland Carers Centre All Independent
Providers of care (including residential and nursing care and domicillary
care providers) All providers of supported living schemes/sheltered
accommodation in the City of Sunderland All voluntary agencies and
advocacy services in Sunderland that support or care for adults
who may be vulnerable.
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