ROOM FOR WORK
SAFEGUARDING ADULTS AT RISK OF ABUSE POLICY
1 PURPOSE
1.1 Room for Work (RFW) is committed to providing a safe environment for its employees,
volunteers and learners. RFW deliver an educational course for adults 45+ who are
not classed as adults at risk, however, the charity recognises that adult abuse can arise
anywhere and at any time hence the need for this policy.
1.2 All employees and volunteers, in whatever setting or role, will take necessary actionto report an incident when a concern arises and/or will take appropriate action to prevent further abuse.
2 SCOPE
2.1 This policy covers the responsibilities of staff and volunteers in relation to the
protection of adults at risk of abuse. If any member of the staff, volunteer or Trustee
is being abused or is abusing another person within the organisation, then the internal
Grievance and/or Disciplinary Policies/Procedure should be followed.
2.2 This policy applies to:
- All staff, including: senior managers, the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers,
sessional workers, agency staff, students and/or anyone working on behalf of RFW. - Anyone providing support on behalf of RFW via any method, including face to
face, remotely, online, digitally and via telephone. - Anyone providing support on behalf of RFW from all locations, including office-
based, working from home, remotely, off-site, non-RFW premises and outdoors.
- 3 GENERAL PRINCIPLES
3.1 This policy is based on The Six Principles of Safeguarding that underpin all adult
safeguarding work as set out in The Care Act 2014:
The Six Principles of Safeguarding Empowerment Adults are encouraged to make their own decisions and are provided with support and information,
How RFW hopes learners feel during the safeguarding process
*I am consulted about the outcomes I want from the safeguarding process and my thoughts about these directly inform what happens.
*Prevention Strategies to prevent abuse and neglect are developed which promote resilience and self determination.
*I am provided with easily understandable information about what abuse is, how to recognise the signs and what I can do to seek help
4 AIMS
4.0 Where abuse is suspected RFW will aim to ensure:
4.1 Adults have a right to independence, choice and self-determination. This right extends to being able to have control over information about themselves and, in most cases,to determine what information is shared.
4.2 We will not allow the person to impose confidentiality on the RFW representative to whom they have disclosed the abuse. In all cases of abuse/suspected abuse, it must be made clear that confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, and all details of the conversation will be passed to a Safeguarding Officer, the Designated SafeguardingLead (DSL) who is the Programme Leader.
4.3 However, there must be absolute confidentiality within the organisation (RFW) and
the person who has been/is being abused should be assured of this. (Unless the
information must be disclosed to another agency (eg police) as indicated in 4.6).
4.4 We will always encourage the person experiencing abuse to have their case referred
to Social Services and/or the Metropolitan Police or other relevant agencies; however,
as long as we believe the person has the capacity to make decisions, we will respect
the person’s privacy if they decline social services/police involvement.
4.5 If, after a discussion with the adult at risk of abuse and they refuse any intervention,
their wishes will be respected unless: - there is a public interest; for example, a serious crime has been or may be
committed; or - there is a duty of care to intervene; for example, not acting will put other adults
or children at risk.
4.6 In a stressful situation a person suffering abuse may later change their mind about
pursuing their complaint. The person who suspects abuse must be protected by
careful case recording, which will make clear what was agreed with the person who is
thought to be abused.
4.7 It should be agreed what further support is available, either from within RFW or from
other specialist organisations. This is particularly important if the person does not wish
to report the abuse. Care should also be taken that members of staff and volunteers
of RFW are protected from taking on more than they are trained for.
4.8 Members of staff, volunteers and trustees should never at any time allow themselves
to be put at risk.
5 WHAT DO WE MEAN BY ABUSE?
5.1 Abuse is a breach of an individual’s human rights. This may be a single act or happen
repeatedly over a period of time. Abuse can include physical or mental aggression,
neglect, persuading someone to agree to something against their will, taking
advantage of someone who is unable to give consent or a combination of these.
5.2 Types of Abuse:
Physical Including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, restraint or inappropriate
sanctions.
Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is a very specific form of physical (and
psychological) abuse. FGM is a procedure where the female genitals are
deliberately cut, injured or changed, but where there’s no medical reason
for this to be done.
Sexual Including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult at risk
has not consented, could not consent or was pressured into consenting.
Psychological Including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation
of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, slavery harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation, unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
Financial оr material Including, and limited to, theft, fraud, exploitation and the misuse or
misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
Neglect or acts of omission
Including ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access
to appropriate health care, social care, education services or misuse of
medication, adequate nutrition or heating-
Discriminatory Including racist, sexist behaviour or harassment based on a person’s
ethnicity, race, culture, sexual orientation, age or disability, and any other
forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.
*Organisational/ Institutional abuse
This can sometimes happen in residential homes, nursing homes or
hospitals when people are mistreated because of poor or inadequate
care, neglect or poor practice that affects the whole of that service.
*Domestic abuse
The Home Office defines domestic abuse as: 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. This can
encompass but is not limited to the following types of abuse:
psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse and ‘honour’ based violence.
This type of abuse 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.
Self-neglect An extreme lack of self-care, such as neglecting to care for one’s own
personal hygiene, health or surroundings. It is sometimes associated with hoarding, but encompasses a wide range of behaviours.
Radicalisation Prevent is part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy and aims to safeguard and provide support to divert vulnerable individuals at risk from being radicalised or groomed into supporting terrorist activity, before any crimes are committed. Radicalisation is comparable to other forms of exploitation, such as grooming and Child Sexual Exploitation. It is the process by which a person comes to support terrorism and extremist ideologies associated with terrorist groups. Radicalisation is process rather than an event, and there is no single profile or pathway by which someone can be drawn into terrorism. There are instead a range of contributing factors including, peer pressure, bullying, family tensions, race/hate crime, lack of self-esteem or identity and personal or political grievances which can make people more vulnerable. Vulnerable individuals are often targeted and influenced by radicalisers either directly or increasingly in online chat rooms or through social media.
This list is not exhaustive; there are many other types of abuse.
6 WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT ABUSE?
6.1 Immediate action by the person raising the concern
The person who raises the concern has a responsibility to first and foremost safeguard the
adult at risk.
a. Make an evaluation of the risk and take steps to ensure that the adult is in no immediate danger;
b. If a crime is in progress or life is at risk, dial emergency services – 999;
c. Encourage and support the adult to report the matter to the police if a crime is suspected and not an emergency situation;
d. Ensure that other people are not in danger;
e. Inform a manager, including if an employee, volunteer or person who uses services is the source of risk;
f. Record the information received, risk evaluation and all actions on an incident Report Form (see Appendix A)
6.1.1 If you are concerned that any adult is experiencing abuse whether it is by an employee,
carer, family member, neighbour or other, it is your responsibility to report any
concern immediately or within 4 hours, to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
contact person for the organisation.
Robin McKay Bell
Telephone: 07775 914 642
Email: robin@roomforwork.org
6.2 The safeguarding manager/lead should review action taken, and:
a. Clarify that the adult is safe, that their views have been clearly sought and
recorded and that they are aware what action will be taken;
b. Address any gaps;
c. Check that issues of consent have been addressed;
d. In the event that a person’s wishes are being overridden, check that this is
appropriate and that the adult understands why;
e. Contact the children and family’s department if a child or young person is also at risk;
f. Make sure action is taken to safeguard other people;
g. Take any action in line with disciplinary procedures; including whether it is
appropriate to suspend staff or move them to alternative duties;
h. In addition, if a criminal offence has occurred or may occur, contact the Police
force where the crime has / may occur;
i. Make a referral under Prevent if appropriate;
j. Record the information received and all actions and decisions on an Incident Report Form
(see Appendix A)
6.3 Decision Making: Pre-Referral to the Local Authority
6.3.1 The DSL will usually lead on decision making. Where such support is unavailable,
consultation with other senior staff should take place.
6.3.2 In the event that these are unavailable, seeking the advice of the Local Authority
should be considered.
6.3.3 Staff should also take action without the immediate authority of a line manager:
* If discussion with the manager would involve delay in an apparently high-risk
situation;
*If the person has raised concerns with their manager and they have not taken
appropriate action (whistleblowing).
6.3.4 If after discussing your concerns with the DSL and agreeing an alert should be raised,
you must then alert Adult Social Services in London Borough of Richmond Upon
Thames Council within 24 hours on the contact details below to raise a safeguarding
alert.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Telephone: 020 8891 7971
Text: 07800 002 439
Email: adultsocialservices@richmond.gov.uk
Online form: Report adult abuse – London Borough of Richmond upon Thames
Office hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
6.3.5 Where there is uncertainty about the appropriateness of raising a safeguarding alert,
advice can be sought from Adult Social Services on the contact details above.
6.3.6 If you suspect criminal abuse is involved, contact the Police by dialling 101.
6.3.7 Out of Hours enquiries: For emergency queries outside of office hours you can call
London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames Adults Emergency Duty Team.
Telephone: 020 8744 2442
Minicom: 1800 1 020 8744 9414
The service is available from 5pm to 8am on Monday to Friday and 24 hours on
weekends and Bank Holidays.
7 PERSON ALLEGED TO HAVE CAUSED HARM
7.1 In order to manage the risks involved, discussion with Adult Social Services or the
police could be considered.
7.2 Where the person alleged to be causing harm is another learner, it may be necessary
to remove them from contact with the adult at risk of abuse.
8 ALLEGATIONS AGAINST STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
8.1 If the person alleged to be causing harm is an employee or volunteer, ensure that they
are not in contact with the adult at risk of abuse or any others who may be at risk,
such as whistle blowers.
8.2 Where an immediate decision has to be made to suspend the member of staff or
volunteer, the person has a right to know in broad terms what allegations or concerns
have been raised against them.
9 WHAT CAN RFW DO TO REDUCE THE RISK OF HARM?
9.1 After the alert has been raised with Adult Social Services, discuss with the DSL if any
other measures or risk assessments can be undertaken, If an employee is involved
then ensure they have no further contact until the case has been fully investigated,
and the employee is cleared by the investigation. Pending the result of the
investigation, a risk assessment should be carried out by the employee’s manager
and/or a Senior Manager to determine whether the employee can continue with other
learners. The investigation should also be viewed as a protection for the employee
where the allegation is part of the adult’s mental state, or the allegation is malicious.
9.2 RFW’s complaints policy should be implemented where a learner raises a complaint about an employee, and an investigation carried out accordingly. This investigation would usually run in tandem with a safeguarding investigation and a police investigation if there is one.
Staff can minimise the risk of adult abuse by: - Developing an awareness of what adult abuse is by attending up to date training.
- Acknowledging that it could happen to any adult anywhere and at any time.
- Being alert to the support needs of learners who are also carers.
- Being alert to risk factors.
- Accessing support from colleagues and managers as required.
Carers can minimise the risk of being abused by: - Accessing support with caring for the adult at risk.
- Identifying appropriate ways to meet the adult at risks needs.
- Finding someone to talk to about the caring experience.
RECORDING AND RECORD-KEEPING OF A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN OR INCIDENT
Records are kept of safeguarding related incidents, disclosures and concerns. They are
stored on a confidential database and systematically reviewed and monitored to
ensure that appropriate investigation has taken place. After an investigation is
completed, the outcomes and any resultant actions will be logged and followed up.
It’s important to keep a clear and comprehensive summary of: - all allegations that have been made
- details of how allegations have been followed up and investigated
- decisions made about the allegation and actions taken.
10.3 An incident recording form is available to help staff record information and support
discussions: (please see Appendix A: RFW Incident Reporting Form).
11 WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER AGENCIES:
11.1 Clear arrangements must be put in place and agreed, including respective
responsibilities (such as which organisation is the safeguarding lead) and reporting
processes, where work is delivered in partnership with other agencies.
12 WHISTLE BLOWING:
12.1 Whistle blowing is when someone reports wrongdoing that is in the public interest.
This is usually something they’ve seen at work but not always. The wrongdoing might
have happened in the past, be happening now, or be something the whistle blower is
concerned may happen in the near future (Gov.uk, 2018).
12.2 COMMUNICATING THIS POLICY AND PROCEDURE:
12.1 Actively promoting this policy shows that the organisation is genuinely open to
protecting adults at risk of abuse and keeping them safe from harm. This policy will be
available to all staff and volunteers and will be distributed widely within the
organisation.
13 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY:
13.1 This policy must be applied consistently and in line with RFW’s Equality and
Diversity Policy.
14 MONITORING AND REVIEW
14.1 This policy will be reviewed every two years to ensure that it complies with legislative
and regulatory requirements and best practice.
14.2 It is subject to approval by the trustees of RFW and will be presented to the trustees
for approval after each review.
14.3 Performance against the Policy will be monitored through:
Discusions of safeguarding issues as part of staff and volunteer meetings.
Annual reporting of statistical information on safeguarding issues to the Board.
15 RELEVANT POLICIES - Complaints Policy
- Confidentiality Policy
- Data Protection Policy
- Disciplinary Policy
- Equality and Diversity Policy
- Grievance Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
Social Media Policy - Whistleblowing Policy
16 RELATED DOCUMENTS - RFW Incident Reporting Form – Appendix A
- London Borough of Richmond’s Safeguarding policy and procedures visit their
website on: safeguarding, london multi agency policy and procedures.pdf
(richmond.gov.uk) - LONDON MULTIAGENCY ADULT SAFEGUARDING POLICY & PROCEDURES Final version
(as agreed by the London Safeguarding Adult Board) April 2019
Author Purpose/Challenge Date
Draft adapted from Richmond Borough Mind’s Policy Review & Update May 2023
**RFW Adapted Policy Reviewed July 2025
*Next Review & Update July 2027
Trustee Signature:
Garth Watkins,
Chairman
Date: 29 July 2025
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