Abuse is mistreatment by any other person or persons that violates a person's human and civil rights. The abuse can vary from treating someone with disrespect in a way which significantly affects the person's quality of life, to causing actual physical suffering.
Abuse can happen anywhere – at home, in a residential or nursing home, a hospital, in the workplace, at a day centre or educational establishment, in supported housing, in the street, on line.
What Does Safeguarding Mean?Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s or child’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It is about people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action.
What Should you do if you are Concerned that Someone is Being Abused or is at Risk of Abuse?
Act - don’t assume that someone else is doing something about the situation Doing nothing is not an option! If anyone is injured get a doctor or ambulance If you think a criminal offence has been committed, call the Police on 999 Speak to your manager as soon as possible. If you think no action has been taken, escalate to a more senior manager. If you are still concerned follow your Whistleblowing Policy. You should always follow your local safeguarding procedures. Ask your manager if you aren’t sure what they are Make a note of your concerns, what happened and any action you take so that you can tell your manager. Think about Who? (Is involved) What (Has happened) Where (Where did it take Place). Be careful what you write in the visit log as this may be seen by others What are the Types of Abuse?
The Care Act 2014 defines the different types of abuse. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list but a guide to the sort of behaviour which could trigger a safeguarding concern:
Assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint, inappropriate physical sanctions
Sexual abuseRape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing, or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting
Financial or material abuseTheft; fraud or exploitation; pressure regarding wills, property, or inheritance; misuse of property, possessions or benefits.
Modern Slavery
Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse, ‘honour’ based violence
Neglect
Ignoring medical or physical care needs; preventing access to health, social care, or educational services; withholding the necessities of life, such as food, drink, or heating.
Discriminatory abuse
Including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment: because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion
Organisational abuse
Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one's own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation
Self- Neglect
page2image3041045648
This covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one's personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding
page2image3041059216
Psychological abuse
Including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
What Action Must you Take if you have Concerns?
If you are worried that a person is at immediate risk of harm you should also contact the police, your local safeguarding team or, in the case of a child, your local safeguarding partner (the group of Local Authority, CCG and Police. Refer to 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018' for more information)
Resolution Care Ltd follows STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL safeguarding procedures and its own policy and procedure details the responsibilities and action required. If you have any concerns that someone is at risk of harm or abuse, is being harmed or abused, you must take action.
Ensure your own safety – leave the situation if you are at risk of harm
Where there is clear evidence of harm or an imminent danger, call the emergency services immediately
Treat all allegations of abuse seriously
Report concerns to your line manager as soon as possible
Who do you Report your Concerns to?
At Resolution Care Ltd the person responsible for safeguarding is:
(Beauty Nhende-Garanganga)
They can be contacted on 07827392739 or resolutioncare@mail.com
Escalating Concerns
We report our concerns to STAFFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Adult Safeguarding
03456042719
Raising a Concern to the CQC
You can also contact the CQC if you feel that you cannot use the Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure at Resolution Care Ltd. The CQC can be contacted by using the following methods:
Phone: 03000 616161 Email: Enquiries@cqc.org.uk Post: CQC National Correspondence, Citygate, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 4PA
This statement and our full Safeguarding Policy and Procedure is available online and in other languages by accessing www.qcs.co.uk
References
Serious Violence Strategy April 2018:
Quality person centred care with passion and integrity to people living in their own homes, promoting their choice, dignity and independence.
©Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved. Resolution Care Ltd
