Safeguarding Policy

People with genetic haemochromatosis are at increased risks of mental health issues, relating to iron overload, compared to the general population. The nature of the condition means that many people contacting the charity or using its services encounter safeguarding-related risks, particular to the condition. These can include :

issues with self-neglect impacting treatment adherence;
needle phobia or medical procedure anxiety;
disclosure of medical neglect/distress dealing with clinicians;
risks of cognitive impairment or fatigue linked to the condition;
issues related to the sharing of personal data which may include their personal health status, or diagnostic odyssey;
mental health impacts and self-soothing through excess drug/alcohol use;
stress of treatment management putting a strain on relationships or parenting.

This Policy explains HUK's approach to keeping people safe from harm and meeting our safeguarding duties, especially adults with care and support needs and children. We are committed to building an organisational culture that proactively prevents harm and responds sensitively where harm occurs or is suspected, whether online or offline.

This Policy applies to anyone working on behalf of HUK, whether acting in a paid or unpaid capacity, including staff, freelance visitors, trustees, board observers and volunteers. For ease, they are described as Team Members throughout the Policy.

Consider this Policy alongside other relevant policies, procedures, and guidance, including:

Code of Conduct
Complaints Policy
Data Protection Policy
Equal Opportunity Policy
Health and Safety Policy
Lone Working Policy
Recruitment and Selection Policy
Serious Incident Policy
Social Media Policy
Whistleblowing Policy

2. Definitions

2.1 Abuse: Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the individual. It may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may occur due to a failure to undertake action or appropriate care tasks. It may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur where a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which they have not, or cannot, consent.

The indicators and types of abuse are listed in Appendix 1 of this Policy.

2.2 Adult with care and support needs are those who engage with a mixture of practical, financial and emotional support or extra help to manage their lives and be independent.

An adult with 'care and support needs' may have a mental or physical disability or illness, such as:

a learning disability
a physical disability and/or a sensory impairment
mental health needs including dementia or a personality disorder
a long-term illness/condition
drug or alcohol addiction

Given the nature of the condition and the services that HUK provides, it is recognised that the individuals we will most likely come into contact with will have care and support needs in the context of this Policy.

2.3 Adult at risk of harm: An adult who

- has needs for care and support (whether or not a local authority is meeting any of those needs) and;
- is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect; and
- as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

2.4 Child is anyone who has not yet reached their 18^th birthday.

2.5 Partners: third-party organisations that our Charity is working with or alongside, including those to which we have offered contracts or grants.

2.6 Safeguarding: protecting a person'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 person's wellbeing is promoted, including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action.

2.7 Team member: anyone engaged or acting on behalf of HUK including employees, agency workers, secondees, interns, those on work experience, volunteers (including trustees and board observers), freelancers, and consultants.

3. Policy Statement

Safeguarding is a priority for Haemochromatosis UK (HUK). As a fundamental responsibility for trustees, safeguarding and protecting people goes to the heart of HUK's culture. We will ensure safeguarding is embedded within our programmes, operations, working environment and digital activities. We recognise our responsibilities as an employer, a volunteer engager, a partner and a direct service provider.

Everyone has the right to be safe from harm and must be able to live free from fear of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Everyone has an equal right to be protected from all types of harm or abuse regardless of their age, disability, sex, intent or history of gender reassignment, pregnancy, maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality, caste and ethnic or national origins), sexual orientation, religion or belief, or because someone is married or in a civil partnership.

We will implement safeguarding arrangements to protect people from harm, abuse, neglect, and mistreatment. More broadly, we will promote individuals' welfare, well-being, health, and safety in contact with HUK.

All team members play a role in safeguarding and preventing abuse. They are required to take complaints, allegations, or suspicions seriously and report them to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Lead Safeguarding Trustee

We collaborate with partners to protect people from harm. External organisations hold primary responsibility for meeting safeguarding duties for those in contact with them and their work. Therefore, while this Policy does not directly apply to them, it does set out our commitment to supporting them in meeting their duties.

When responding to safeguarding concerns, we prioritise the best interests of those at risk. We will always consider how we can best support individual(s) and the potential effect the application of this Policy may have on their life. We treat those affected with dignity and respect at all times, listening to what they say, taking their views seriously, and working with them collaboratively when deciding how to support their needs.

4. Legal context

We recognise and seek to meet all duties expected by our principal regulator, the Charity Commission for England and Wales as set in their guidance for safeguarding and protecting people, protecting charities from abuse for extremist purposes and due diligence, monitoring and verifying the end use of charitable funds.

In developing this Policy and any associated procedures and guidance, we have referred to key domestic legislation as expected by Charity Commission, including The Charities Acts 2006 & 2011, the Children Act 1989 & 2004, the Protection of Children Act 1999 and the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, the Care Act 2014, the Data Protection Act 2018, Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, the Equality Act 2010 and in light of the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and the Online Safety Act 2023.

HUK recognises its duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults at risk of harm affected by its work. Where we engage in such work, we will consider relevant statutory guidance including Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023), Care and Support Guidance (2025), Prevent Duty Guidance for England & Wales (2023) and the Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance (2022). We shall consider this guidance proportionally in light of the unique nature and structure of the organisation and respecting the duties of statutory agencies to protect children and adults experiencing or at risk of harm.

While specific legislation and guidance for safeguarding differ across the UK, the principles of good safeguarding practice are the same. We will always consider whether additional duties arise for specific work across the four nations.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

5.1 Trustees

Trustees are accountable for safeguarding and protecting those in contact with HUK. All trustees should ensure that those at risk from harm in the organisation's care receive high-quality, evidence-based care and personalised safeguarding.

They must:

Appoint a Lead Trustee for Safeguarding from amongst their members.
Receive and scrutinise regular updates from HUK's Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Seek assurances on the organisation's approach to safeguarding, including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.(External consultant to review every three years)
Review this Policy at least annually.
Outline our approach to safeguarding in the Trustees Annual Report
Ensure reporting of serious safeguarding incidents in line with Charity Commission guidance.

5.2 Lead Trustee for Safeguarding

The Lead Trustee for Safeguarding is an essential support to the DSL

They must:

Proactively consider safeguarding duties and advise the Board when agreeing organisational strategy, policies and procedures or reviewing organisational risks.
Reflect on safeguarding issues and ensure all trustees engage with the issue.
Keep safeguarding policies and procedures under review and report this to trustees; including when they review the policy annually.
Work closely with the CEO and DSL to ensure we are creating a safer culture.
Together with the CEO and DSL, oversee safeguarding concerns, particularly any allegations against team members.
As necessary, receive and lead management of safeguarding concerns about the CEO or members of the Board of Trustees.

The Lead Trustee should always be provided with information about safeguarding matters they feel is necessary and proportionate to fulfil their responsibilities and ensure the charity meets its regulatory duties.

5.3 Executive Team

The Executive Team provides strategic leadership for managing safeguarding risks and building a positive safeguarding culture.

They must:

Appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead ensuring they have the capacity, capability and support to fulfil their functions.
Maintain an organisational-wide risk register which includes safeguarding as relevant.
Ensure cohesion between different functions, embedding safeguarding across all of HUK's work.
Identify and respond to learning about the organisation's approach to safeguarding.

5.4 Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL is accountable overall for the operational implementation of our safeguarding work and communicating with the Executive Team and the Board on all aspects of safeguarding.

They must:

Oversee all safeguarding activities in the organisation.
Advise the organisation on the legal requirements and guidance relating to safeguarding.
Take initiative in safeguarding, identifying, and minimising possible risks to prevent abuse and neglect.
Ensure all team members receive this policy and safeguarding training appropriate to their role.
Maintain a record of all safeguarding training completed and that all team members have read the Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.
Monitor safeguarding externally and within the organisation and proactively provide updates and reminders on safeguarding as necessary.
Support and advise team members who are dealing with safeguarding concerns.
Maintain a safeguarding log and record any safeguarding concerns and incidents raised internally or through external work.
Report updates to the Executive Team and Board (eg. summary of serious logged concerns, updates on staff training and induction or wider updates to law, Policy or practices as relevant). They will transparently report action and challenges or barriers to implementation.
Lead a thematic review of safeguarding concerns annually to ensure learning is embedded into HUK's practices. This will inform the at least annual review of our Safeguarding Policy and Procedure.

5.5 Team members

All team members should take appropriate, proportionate, preventative steps to reduce the risk of, or perception of, harm occurring, especially concerning children and adults at risk.

All team members must act to protect those at risk of harm. They must recognise and accept their responsibility to recognise and report concerns of harm, including identifying suspected poor practices and allegations.

They must:

Read and be familiar with this Policy.
Know how to respond to concerns and where to seek advice and assistance.
Know about different types of abuse and neglect and the risks relevant in their work.
Undertake safeguarding training in line with their level of responsibility as advised by the DSL.
Take any safeguarding concerns and allegations seriously, respond appropriately to emergencies or report any suspected abuse or neglect to the DSL following these procedures
Maintain confidentiality while meeting their responsibility to retain and share information to protect people from harm in a safe, secure, and lawful manner in accordance with our procedures.
Provide feedback as relevant on how to improve our approach to safeguarding.

Any team member who believes they are not receiving the support necessary to meet their safeguarding duties should raise this and can always contact the DSL or Lead Trustee for support.

Failure to follow their duties in line with this Policy and procedures may result in disciplinary action in line with the relevant Disciplinary Policy.

5.6 Managers' responsibilities

In addition to the roles and responsibilities for all team members, managers of staff or those who manage contracts with consultants delivering services to us have additional responsibilities proportionate to their role.

They must provide effective management and supervision for team members through line management, support and quality assurance measures.

They must:

Comply with the safeguarding aspects of the recruitment policy.
Discuss any role-specific safeguarding requirements with those they supervise and ensure they participate in appropriate training.
Supported others to identify and respond to concerns about abuse, neglect and substandard practice as relevant to the context of their role
Work with the DSL to deal with allegations or concerns relating to any staff member.
Comply with the requirements for safer recruitment for the roles they manage.

6. Our commitments

6.1 Recruitment

Team members are subject to robust recruitment processes proportionate to the risks in the role to ensure the individual is suitable before they commence their role.

For all roles:

Satisfactory references are required.
The role will be assessed, taking into account the working environment, determining if there is a requirement for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check eligibility and, if so, at what level.

For roles that will work with adults with care and support needs or children, we will:

Clearly define their responsibilities, including for safeguarding and use this to develop relevant selection criteria.
Advise all candidates to disclose any reason that may affect their suitability to undertake this work (including convictions, cautions, court orders, reprimands and warnings) as relevant and lawful.
Seek proof of identity.
Obtain references (including professional and/or character as proportionate).
Require documentary evidence of academic/vocational qualifications where this forms part of the Essential criteria for the role.
For employees, verify previous employment history and check any potential gaps in employment history. For other team members, we will consider if this is proportionate depending on the role and their previous disclosed experiences.

6.2 Awareness raising and training

All new team members will receive information about this Policy and reporting procedures. They will attend an induction that contains information on all relevant policies and procedures.

Team members will participate in proportionate safeguarding training relevant to their role and responsibilities. Refresher training is usually delivered annually (or within two years, depending on the role), and the DSL provides pertinent updates as appropriate.

Team members who provide higher-risk activities, where they may interact with adults with care and support needs and children, will always undertake additional, proportionate training relevant to their roles.

Allied Health Professionals employed or contracted for services by HUK will undertake safeguarding training annually.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Lead Safeguarding Trustee receive specialist training on appointment and at least every two years.

Haemochromatosis UK shall keep accurate record of all training.

6.3 Managing risk in our services and activities

Individuals responsible for programme or project design and implementation must ensure that safeguarding is accounted for at all programme/project cycle stages. This includes both direct delivery and those delivered with partners; whether in person, remotely or through digital activities.

Programmes and activities must always be designed with safeguarding in mind, identifying specific hazards and implementing proportionate risk management measures. Risk assessments must be regularly reviewed as part of monitoring activities.

Individuals responsible for programme or project design and implementation should consult the DSL for advice as necessary and include the DSL where they identify higher risks of harm to children or adults with care and support needs.

6.4 Digital safeguarding

We will manage the risks of our technology on and off the premises and online platforms through which our activities are delivered. These risks will include:

content: being exposed to illegal, inappropriate or harmful material
contact: being subjected to harmful online interaction with other users
conduct: personal online behaviour that increases the likelihood of, or causes, harm.
contract: being exposed to inappropriate or unsuitable commercial risks

We will examine risks and seek to meet good best practices in digital safeguarding relevant to the platform and intended users' context. We will consider appropriate approaches to educate and raise awareness of online safety among these groups that are relevant to our activities.

We will review and update the security of our information systems regularly, ensuring that appropriate filtering and monitoring systems are in place when team members or those we work with access any systems or internet provision.

We will examine and risk assess any social media platforms and new technologies before they are used within the organisation, especially when applied for use with children and adults at risk. Where we use third-party platforms/apps and social media, we are bound by their terms and conditions, but we will take reasonable steps to help mitigate risks and escalate and report any concerns.

We will always act to remove hateful and inappropriate content targeting our team members.

6.5 Supporting our partners to meet their responsibilities

Partner organisations (such as contracted partners involved in fundraising or service delivery or non-contracted partners whom we work closely with to deliver ad-hoc projects/programmes or other services) are responsible for designing, implementing and reviewing their own safeguarding arrangements. We will seek to provide support and information proportionate to our role and enable them to meet their responsibilities.

Our expectations are proportionate to the risks of the activities we are working together on, with greater requirements for those partners in contact with children or adults with care and support needs.

We will:

Undertake appropriate due diligence before entering into a partnership relevant to the risks of the project or activity. This may include evidence that safeguarding is embedded across their culture and delivery (eg. they provide appropriate training to their team)
Ensure partners have a proportionate Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and, if they work with children or adults at risk of harm, a named DSL. Where this is not in place, we may require them to comply contractually with this Policy if appropriate.
Detail in agreements with partners our requirements to report safeguarding breaches to us (where permissible in law) and the right to audit compliance with their safeguarding obligations, if necessary.
Always offer support and understanding to partners managing a safeguarding concern. We will meet our duties to report concerns to relevant regulators if necessary. We retain the right to pause or withdraw funding should we have concerns about a partner's ability to keep people safe.

6.6 Monitoring and quality assurance

We will seek to learn from any safeguarding concerns or incidents, including ascertaining the feedback of those engaged.

We will meet our regulatory responsibility to review our approach to safeguarding annually and update this Policy, as necessary.

6.7 Managing concerns

We will seek to fulfil our responsibilities to protect people in contact with our organisation from harm and support our partners in fulfilling their duties. safeguarding concerns may arise in several situations:

Team members observe, hear, or receive information about someone experiencing or at risk of harm. This may be due to behaviour, actions or inactions
- caused by individuals themselves (e.g., suicide, self-harm, self-neglect)
- perpetrated by a team member
- experienced outside of our activities but which colleagues or those working on our behalf become aware of.
We receive a whistleblowing communication from a partner or member of the public about a partner and/or individual associated with that partner.
A team members behaviour falls below our expected standards.
We design or implement programmes and activities which enable or cause harm; including through our activities online.

We will seek to manage any safeguarding concern quickly, professionally and sensitively. We will ensure our response centres on the person experiencing or at risk of harm and consider the needs of bystanders and our organisation as a whole.

We recognise that those in positions of responsibility may abuse their power and exploit or harm others. We seek to act to deal with any abuse and to challenge any abuse of power, especially by anyone in a position of trust or responsibility.

We will record all safeguarding concerns, discussions, and decisions (and justifications for those decisions) promptly and appropriately in writing. We will record and store information professionally and securely per established procedures. We will protect individuals' rights to privacy and confidentiality and only disclose information about a person who comes into contact with HUK to other colleagues on a 'need to know' basis.

Where a Team Member is subject to a concern with an allegation or suspicion of inappropriate behaviour, they will receive appropriate support from HUK and should be given a fair hearing. HUK's relevant procedures (e.g. disciplinary procedures for an employee) will be followed.

PART B: Safeguarding Procedures

These procedures provide direction to team members who have a concern they think may be related to safeguarding. They outline how to recognise, respond safely, and report situations when you reasonably suspect or are told that someone is being, has been, or is likely to be harmed.

Team members may have concerns as a result of:

a direct disclosure
an allegation, concern or complaint reported by another person
an observation
an incident

In the context of our work, concerns may occur through:

telephone calls or emails into the charity from members of the charity, their relatives and members of the public.
communication via social media channels
communication via Alice AI chatbot
public events and talks (including support group and information events)
health professional events and talks
employee/volunteer report or complaint
beneficiary reporting an incident or complaint
outbound calls and emails from the charity with individual staff members or trustees
In some cases, there may be a caller who makes more than 3 calls in a two-week period, they are regarded as a "frequent caller". There is a process for handling frequent callers, as it is important to establish if a safeguarding need exists. Frequent callers may be more at risk, and experience has demonstrated that they are often more likely to be vulnerable. The Helpline Protocols describes the process for reporting safeguarding concerns or incidents and outlines how we handle incidents affecting those without mental capacity.

It is not the responsibility of Team Members to decide whether or not abuse has taken place or to carry out an investigation. You are required to act on any concerns raised in accordance with this procedure. Local authorities and police hold the lead responsibility for establishing and co-ordinating the local intra-agency framework for safeguarding adults at risk. We will work to help them meet their obligations.

1. Recognising harm and abuse

1.1 Someone is at imminent and serious risk

You should take appropriate action when confronted by someone at imminent and serious risk of harm. This could include someone being at serious risk of harm to themselves of others, those expressing serious suicidal or self-harm intent or who may be in contact with those who would harm them.

Every situation will be different, and your response may depend on the team's capacity and capability or your background knowledge of the individual(s) at risk of harm.

You must take reasonable steps to protect any person from immediate harm, such as calling the emergency services.

1.2 Someone shares they are being abused

Treat the matter seriously
Listen carefully, stay calm; do not express views, judgements, shock or embarrassment
Avoid asking leading questions. Instead, use phrases such as Tell me, Explain to me, Describe to me
If the complainant is the individual him/herself, questions should be kept to the minimum necessary to understand what is being alleged. Care must be taken in asking or interpreting responses to questions about indications of abuse as this could affect the evidence, which is put forward if there are subsequent legal proceedings.
Do not examine any physical injuries and do not attempt to investigate the allegations yourself
Assess whether anyone is at immediate risk.
Explain that a report will be made to the HUK DSL and/or appropriate agency, unless to do so would cause further risk or undermine any subsequent investigation by the police or local authority.
Provide the person with the contact details of HUK's DSL so they can report any further issues or ask any questions that may arise.

1.3 Abuse suspected but not disclosed

In non-emergency situations, where abuse is suspected but not disclosed, team members with the concern should consider whether to approach the individual concerned to ascertain their views. If they are unable to do so for any reason, then the DSL should be informed.

1.4 Allegations against people representing HUK

If an allegation is made against a team member, it must be taken seriously and risks to those using the service should be assessed. If a team member has a concern about another team member, they must discuss their concerns with the DSL – not with the colleague.

The DSL will notify the CEO immediately and take on the role of Investigating Officer, which is in line with the Disciplinary Policy and Procedure (this will be different for employees and contractual workers compared to trustees and volunteers). Any action taken due to the allegation will be taken following that Policy. If any person wishes to raise a complaint about how a matter of alleged abuse was handled, this should be made in writing to the CEO who will review the details. If any allegations have merit, the CEO will review the evidence to ascertain whether any disciplinary action is justified under the Disciplinary Procedures and whether external agencies need to be informed of the findings.

Any internal investigation regarding team members that is a safeguarding concern should (where necessary) be conducted with the agreement of the Local Authority and/or the police to ensure that any criminal investigation or protection plan is not compromised.

2. Reporting Procedures

Team members must report all safeguarding concerns, allegations, or worries to HUK's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or Lead Safeguarding Trustee) as soon as possible. Any suspected abuse or neglect must be reported to the DSL as soon as possible so a decision can be made about who will report the concerns to the appropriate agency.

This would include:

concern regarding activity within HUK
concern connected to a partner organisation funded by HUK
other issues arising for those in contact with HUK

If you have any doubt about something you have seen, read, or heard, it is always best to follow this procedure and raise it with the DSL, who will discuss it with you and offer support. We will record, treat seriously and support with every reported safeguarding concern.

Note,

If the DSL is suspected of abuse, this must be reported to the designated Lead Safeguarding Trustee and the CEO
If either the CEO or a trustee is suspected of abuse, this must be reported to the Chair of Trustees and the Lead Safeguarding trustee.
If the Chair of Trustees is suspected of abuse, this must be reported to the Lead Trustee for Safeguarding.

While the partner will lead concerns relating to their activity, team members must also report these concerns to our DSL. They will seek assurance that the funded organisation responds appropriately and promptly.

3. Responsibility to record

Team members shall make a written record of the concern as soon as possible and no later than one working day after the concern has been identified. All concerns should be documented on the Safeguarding Concern Form, along with further actions and outcomes.

Personal information may be disclosed without the individual's consent if there are reasonable grounds to believe that the individual is at risk of harm.

The report must include:

the name and position of the person sharing the information
the names of others involved, such as the person who may be at risk, and if relevant, the person(s) subject of concern
when and where the alleged incident took place, including date and time
who was present
the account of what is alleged to have happened
a description of any injuries described or observed
Where possible always record using the individual's own words.

All completed forms must be stored securely and deleted once confirmed as received by the DSL.

4. Actions to be taken by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The DSL will decide whether external authorities need to be informed based on the information gathered and with the relevant colleagues. The DSL will consider whether to speak to the individual to ascertain their views.
The DSL will inform HUK's relevant Executive Team and designated Lead Safeguarding Trustee . In exceptional cases the DSL may decide to inform committees earlier in order to bring it to the attention of the Executive Team and Board of Trustees. Incidents will be reported to the Trustees regularly or by exception where necessary.
HUK's DSL and Lead Safeguarding Trustee will use the Safeguarding Log to note:

- Information provided to relevant authorities
- Any notes, memoranda or correspondence dealing with the matter
- Any other relevant material

Copies of reports, notes and any additional documents should be kept securely. Retention will depend on the nature of the concern and in line with existing policies and procedures.

The DSL will take the appropriate action. Where appropriate, they will seek the consent of an adult before raising a safeguarding concern with the Local Authority on their behalf. In some situations, the individual's consent cannot be gained or is superseded by other concerns. This will include situations when:

capacity to make that decision
Other people are, or may be, at risk, including children
Sharing the information could prevent a crime
The alleged abuser has care and support needs and may also be at risk
A serious crime has been committed
The organisation's staff, trustees or volunteers are implicated
The person has the mental capacity to make that decision, but they may be under duress or being coerced
A court order or other legal authority has requested the information
There is a 'vital interest' (a risk to life and limb)

If the DSL feels it to be appropriate, details will be provided to the relevant statutory bodies. If the referral contains information about a staff member, freelancers, trustee, volunteer or other service user, the referral and any related information is stored separately and confidentially, with reference to it on the individual's file.

5. Whistleblowing

If a member of staff genuinely believes that a concern cannot be reported to any manager, or if they have reported it and think that the response is inadequate or inappropriate, they should consult HUK's whistleblowing Policy for guidance or report to the Lead Safeguarding Trustee.

Protect (formerly Public Concern at Work) offer free, confidential advice to employees on whistleblowing. Any activity to protect management or organisational interests should never compromise the safety or welfare of those in contact with the organisation.

Appendix 1: Safeguarding contacts

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

NAME Victoria Pointon RN
NUMBER 03030 401 101

EMAIL [email protected]

Lead Trustee for Safeguarding:

NAME Sarah Vousden
NUMBER 07437 159774

EMAIL [email protected]

The Safeguarding Leads are not available outside of office hours. A concern about an adult or child who may be at immediate risk of harm should always be reported to the police.

Appendix 2: Flowchart summary of actions

Appendix 3: Recognising Abuse and Neglect of children

The abuse or neglect of a child can be caused by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm being inflicted. Children may be abused in a family, in a community or institutional setting, by those known to them or, much more rarely, by a stranger.

The following definitions are taken from Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023. They have been included to assist those providing services to children in assessing whether a child may be suffering actual or potential harm

You can also seek further guidance from: What to do if you're worried a child is being abused: advice for practitioners.

Indicators of Significant Harm

The following guidance is intended to help all professionals who come into contact with children. It should not be used as a comprehensive guide, nor does the presence of one or more factors prove that a child has been abused; it may, however, indicate that further enquiries should be made. This is not an exhaustive list.

An unexplained delay in seeking treatment that is obviously needed;
An unawareness or denial of any injury, pain or loss of function;
Incompatible explanations offered or several different explanations given for a child's illness or injury;
A child reacting in a way that is inappropriate to his/her age or development;
Reluctance to give information or failure to mention previous known injuries;
Frequent attendances at Accident and Emergency Departments or use of different doctors and Accident and Emergency Departments;
Frequent presentation of minor injuries (which if ignored could lead to a more serious injury);
Unrealistic expectations/constant complaints about the child;
Alcohol misuse or other substance misuse;
A parent's request to remove a child from home or indication of difficulties in coping with the child;
Domestic violence;
Parental mental ill health;
The age of the child and the pressures of caring for a number of children in one household.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child.

Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child.

Recognising Physical Abuse
It can sometimes be difficult to recognise whether an injury has been caused accidentally or non-accidentally, be alert to the possibility that an injury may not be accidental and seek appropriate expert advice. Medical opinion will be required to determine whether an injury has been caused accidentally or not.

Consider:

Children with frequent injuries
Children with unexplained or unusual fractures or broken bones; and
Children with unexplained bruises, cuts, burns or scald and bite marks.

Emotional Abuse

The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child's emotional development. It may involve:

conveying to a child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person.
not giving the child opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or 'making fun' of what they say or how they communicate.
feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond a child's developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction.
seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another.
serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.

Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Recognising Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse may be difficult to recognise, as the signs are usually behavioural rather than physical. The manifestations of emotional abuse might also indicate the presence of other kinds of abuse.

The indicators of emotional abuse are often also associated with other forms of abuse. They may include:

Developmental delay;
Abnormal attachment between a child and parent/carer, e.g., anxious, indiscriminate or no attachment;
Indiscriminate attachment or failure to attach;
Aggressive behaviour towards others;
A child scapegoated within the family;
Frozen watchfulness, particularly in pre-school children;
Low self- esteem and lack of confidence;
Withdrawn or seen as a 'loner' with difficulty relating to others.

Sexual Abuse

Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.
The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing.
They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse. Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse.
Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Recognising sexual abuse
Children of all genders and of all ages may be sexually abused and are frequently scared to say anything due to guilt and/or fear. This is particularly difficult for a child to talk about and full account should be taken of the cultural sensitivities of any individual child / family.

Recognition can be difficult unless the child discloses and is believed. There may be no physical signs and indications are likely to be emotional / behavioural. Some behavioural indicators associated with this form of abuse are:

Inappropriate sexualised conduct;
Sexual knowledge inappropriate for the child's age;
Sexually explicit behaviour, play or conversation, inappropriate to the child's age;
Continual and inappropriate or excessive masturbation;
Self-harm (including eating disorder), self-mutilation and suicide attempts;
Running away from home;
Poor concentration and learning problems;
Loss of self-esteem;
Involvement in child sexual exploitation or indiscriminate choice of sexual partners;
An anxious unwillingness to remove clothes for - e.g., sports events (but this may be related to cultural norms or physical difficulties).

Some physical indicators associated with this form of abuse are:

Pain or itching in genital area;
Recurrent pain on passing urine or faeces;
Blood on underclothes;
Pregnancy in a younger girl where the identity of the father is not disclosed and/or there is secrecy or vagueness about the identity of the father;
Physical symptoms such as injuries to the genital or anal area, bruising to buttocks, abdomen and thighs, sexually transmitted infection, presence of semen on vagina, anus, external genitalia or clothing.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child's health and development.

Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance misuse.

Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to:

Provide adequate food and clothing, shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment);
Protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger;
Ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate caregivers);
Ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment.

It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child's basic emotional needs.

Recognising Neglect
The growth and development of a child may suffer when the child receives insufficient food, love, warmth, care and concern, praise, encouragement, and stimulation.

Apart from the child's neglected appearance, other signs may include:

Short stature and underweight;
Red/purple mottled skin, particularly on the hands and feet, seen in the winter due to cold;
Swollen limbs with sores that are slow to heal, usually associated with cold injury;
Recurrent diarrhoea;
Abnormal voracious appetite at school or nursery;
Dry, sparse hair;
A child seen to be listless, apathetic and unresponsive with no apparent medical cause,
Indiscrimination in relationships with adults (may be attention seeking).

A clear distinction needs to be made between organic and non-organic failure to thrive. This will always require a medical diagnosis. Non-organic failure to thrive is the term used when a child does not put on weight and grow and there is no underlying medical cause for this.

Radicalisation or exposure to extreme views

Radicalisation refers to the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups.

Recognising radicalisation and extremism
There are a number of behaviours which may indicate a child is at risk of being radicalised or exposed to extreme views. These include;

Spending increasing time in the company of other suspected extremists.
Changing their style of dress or personal appearance to accord with the group.
Day-to-day behaviour becoming increasingly centred on an extremist ideology, group or cause.
Loss of interest in other friends and activities not associated with the extremist ideology, group or cause.
Possession of materials or symbols associated with an extremist cause.
Attempts to recruit others to the group/cause.
Communications with others that suggests identification with a group, cause or ideology.
Using insulting to derogatory names for another group.
Increase in prejudice-related incidents committed by that person – these may include;

- physical or verbal assault
- provocative behaviour
- damage to property
- derogatory name calling
- possession of prejudice-related materials
- prejudice related ridicule or name calling
- inappropriate forms of address
- refusal to co-operate
- attempts to recruit to prejudice-related organisations
- condoning or supporting violence towards others.

Online abuse

Online abuse is abuse that happens via the internet or digital technologies. It can happen across various devices, platforms apps, social media, via messaging or emails, through online gaming and live steaming sites and services. Children and young people can be at risk from people they do and don't know, it can be linked with offline abuse or it can solely take place online.

The types pf online abuse can include online bullying, grooming online, radicalisation online, the sharing of nudie and semi-nude imagery which is sometimes known as sexting, sexual abuse and exploitation online.

Recognising online abuse
The signs of online abuse can be hard to spot and they may be very similar to the signs associated with other forms of abuse but there are some things to watch out for including – more time online than usual, seeming distant angry or upset especially after being online, being secretive a about what they are doing online and who they are talking to and having new devices or a number of extra devices, along with new email addresses.

Appendix 4: Recognising Abuse and Neglect of adults

Many types of abuse of adults are criminal offences and should be treated as such. This guidance covers how to respond to concerns, observations or allegations concerning safeguarding an adult at risk. Abuse is a violation of a person's human rights or dignity by someone else.

An adult at risk is a person aged Anyone aged 18 or over who has needs for care and support and is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect. As a result of those care and support needs, they may be unable to protect themselves. This might include disabled people, those frail due to age, has mental health needs including dementia or personality disorder, has a long-term illness/or condition or who misuses substances or alcohol.

Mental Capacity refers to a person's ability to make decisions for themselves or about their own life. Some people have difficulties in making such decisions. This is called 'lacking capacity'. Under the Mental Capacity Act (MCA), laws govern who can make decisions on someone else's behalf, which help safeguard adults at risk.

Any of these forms of abuse can be either deliberate or be the result of ignorance or lack of training, knowledge or understanding. Often if a person is being abused in one way they are also being abused in other ways.

The person who is responsible for the abuse may be a stranger but is often well known to the person abused and could be:

A relative / family member
Professional employees
Paid care worker
Volunteer
Other service user
Neighbour
Friend or associate

Some of the general signs of harm to look for are:

multiple bruising or finger-marks;
injuries the person cannot give a good reason for;
deterioration of health for no apparent reason;
loss of weight;
inappropriate or inadequate clothing;
withdrawal or mood changes;
a carer who is unwilling to allow access to the person;
an individual who is unwilling to be alone with a particular carer;
unexplained shortage of money.

Physical abuse, includes:

Assault, hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, hair-pulling, biting, pushing
Rough handling
Scalding and burning
Physical punishments
Inappropriate or unlawful use of restraint
Making someone purposefully uncomfortable (e.g., opening a window and removing blankets)
Involuntary isolation or confinement
Misuse of medication (e.g., over-sedation)
Forcible feeding or withholding food
Unauthorised restraint, restricting movement (e.g., tying someone to a chai
r)

Domestic violence or abuse

Domestic violence and abuse includes any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

It also includes so called 'honour' -based violence, female genital mutilation and forced marriage.

Coercive or controlling behaviour is a core part of domestic violence. Coercive behaviour can include:

acts of assault, threats, humiliation and intimidation
harming, punishing, or frightening the person
isolating the person from sources of support
exploitation of resources or money
preventing the person from escaping abuse
regulating everyday behaviour

Sexual abuse

Rape, attempted rape or sexual assault
Inappropriate touch anywhere
Non-consensual masturbation of either or both persons
Non-consensual sexual penetration or attempted penetration of the vagina, anus or mouth
Any sexual activity that the person lacks the capacity to consent to
Inappropriate looking, sexual teasing or innuendo or sexual harassment
Sexual photography or forced use of pornography or witnessing of sexual acts
Indecent exposure

Psychological or emotional abuse, can include:

Enforced social isolation – preventing someone accessing services, educational and social opportunities and seeing friends
Removing mobility or communication aids or intentionally leaving someone unattended when they need assistance
Preventing someone from meeting their religious and cultural needs
Preventing the expression of choice and opinion
Failure to respect privacy
Preventing stimulation, meaningful occupation or activities
Intimidation, coercion, harassment, use of threats, humiliation, bullying, swearing or verbal abuse
Addressing a person in a patronising or infantilising way
Threats of harm or abandonment
Cyber bullying

Financial or material abuse, can include:

Theft of money or possessions
Fraud, scamming
Preventing a person from accessing their own money, benefits or assets
Employees taking a loan from a person using the service
Undue pressure, duress, threat or undue influence put on the person in connection with loans, wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions
Arranging less care than is needed to save money to maximise inheritance
Denying assistance to manage/monitor financial affairs
Denying assistance to access benefits
Misuse of personal allowance in a care home
Misuse of benefits or direct payments in a family home
Someone moving into a person's home and living rent free without agreement or under duress
False representation, using another person's bank account, cards or documents
Exploitation of a person's money or assets, e.g. unauthorised use of a car
Misuse of a power of attorney, deputy, appointee ship or other legal authority
Rogue trading – e.g., unnecessary or overpriced property repairs and failure to carry out agreed repair or poor workmanship

Modern slavery, can include:

Human trafficking
Forced labour
Domestic servitude
Sexual exploitation, such as escort work, prostitution and pornography
Debt bondage – being forced to work to pay off debts that realistically they never will be able to

Discriminatory abuse, can include:

Unequal treatment based on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion and belief, sex or sexual orientation (known as 'protected characteristics’ under the Equality Act 2010)
Verbal abuse, derogatory remarks or inappropriate use of language related to a protected characteristic
Denying access to communication aids, not allowing access to an interpreter, signer or lip-reader
Harassment or deliberate exclusion on the grounds of a protected characteristic
Denying basic rights to healthcare, education, employment and criminal justice relating to a protected characteristic
Substandard service provision relating to a protected characteristic

Organisational or institutional abuse, can include:

Discouraging visits or the involvement of relatives or friends
Run-down or overcrowded establishment
Authoritarian management or rigid regimes
Lack of leadership and supervision
Insufficient employees or high turnover resulting in poor quality care
Abusive and disrespectful attitudes towards people using the service
Inappropriate use of restraints
Lack of respect for dignity and privacy
Failure to manage residents with abusive behaviour
Not providing adequate food and drink, or assistance with eating
Not offering choice or promoting independence
Misuse of medication
Failure to provide care with dentures, spectacles or hearing aids
Not taking account of individuals’ cultural, religious or ethnic needs
Failure to respond to abuse appropriately
Interference with personal correspondence or communication
Failure to respond to complaints

Neglect or acts of omission, can include:

Failure to provide or allow access to food, shelter, clothing, heating, stimulation and activity, personal or medical care
Providing care in a way that the person dislikes
Failure to administer medication as prescribed
Refusal of access to visitors
Not taking account of individuals’ cultural, religious or ethnic needs
Not taking account of educational, social and recreational needs
Ignoring or isolating the person
Preventing the person from making their own decisions
Preventing access to glasses, hearing aids, dentures, etc.
Failure to ensure privacy and dignity

Self-neglect, can include:

Lack of self-care to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety
Neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings
Inability to avoid self-harm
Failure to seek help or access services to meet health and social care needs
Inability or unwillingness to manage one’s personal affairs

Radicalisation

There are a number of behaviours which may indicate a person is at risk of being radicalised or exposed to extreme views. These include;

Spending increasing time in the company of other suspected extremists.
Changing their style of dress or personal appearance to accord with the group.
Day-to-day behaviour becoming increasingly centred on an extremist ideology, group or cause.
Loss of interest in other friends and activities not associated with the extremist ideology, group or cause.
Possession of materials or symbols associated with an extremist cause.
Attempts to recruit others to the group/cause.
Communications with others that suggests identification with a group, cause or ideology.
Using insulting to derogatory names for another group.
Increase in prejudice-related incidents committed by that person – these may include;
- physical or verbal assault
- provocative behaviour
- damage to property
- derogatory name calling
- possession of prejudice-related materials
- prejudice related ridicule or name calling
- inappropriate forms of address
- refusal to co-operate
- attempts to recruit to prejudice-related organisations
- condoning or supporting violence towards others.

Policy Review due November 2026

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