Policy
Foreword
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire produced its first set of multi agency adult protection polices, procedures and practice guidance in October 2001. In response to new legislation, research, growing expertise and the publication of the Association of Directors of Social Services document, “Safeguarding Adults” (2005), the time has arrived to completely overhaul our policy and procedure. Progressing from Adult Protection to Safeguarding Adults is a positive step forward supported by the changing national context as well as by individuals and organisations in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. “Safeguarding Adults” builds upon “No secrets” and provides us with a national framework of standards for good practice. Our mission has been to produce an overarching document ensuring a framework of consistency to protect those individuals in our society who are the most vulnerable. At the heart of our work is the individual experiencing abuse or neglect. The multi agency team responsible for creating the policies and procedures have consulted extensively with a range of partner agencies, fellow professionals and individual users of services to create a document that is meaningful to all who may need to use it. “There can be no secrets and no hiding place when it comes to exposing the abuse of vulnerable adults” No Secrets, DoH (2000). Much has been achieved since this publication and many adults have been enabled to live safer lives. However, much remains to be done. This document will guide and inform your practice but each and every reader needs to ensure they remain vigilant and play their part in routeing out every hiding place when it comes to exposing the abuse of vulnerable adults.
Jon Wilson,Chair, Nottinghamshire Committee for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.
Policy
‘All persons have the right to live 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. These rights include Article 2: ‘the Right to Life’; Article 3: ‘Freedom from Torture’ (including humiliating and degrading treatment); and Article 8: ‘Right to Family Life’ (one that sustains the individual).
Any adult at risk of abuse or neglect should be able to access public organisations for appropriate interventions which enable them to live a life free from violence and abuse. It follows that all citizens should have access to relevant services for addressing issues of abuse and neglect, including the civil and criminal justice system and victim support services. Remedies available should also include measures that achieve behaviour change by those who have perpetrated abuse or neglect’. Safeguarding Adults: A National Framework of Standards for Good Practice and Outcomes in Adult Protection Work (ADSS, 2005).
"Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons." ‘No Secrets’ (DH 2000)
This document provides a framework within which all agencies will work together in preventing and minimising the risk of abuse to vulnerable adults in Nottingham(shire) and provides a consistent and effective approach to dealing with concerns and allegations of abuse and neglect.
Vulnerable Adult A ‘Vulnerable Adult’ is defined by No Secrets as: ‘A person aged 18 years or over who is or maybe in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; AND Who is or maybe unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.’
Values
All individuals have a right to live free from abuse in accordance with the principles of respect, dignity, autonomy, privacy and equity. Vulnerable adults are entitled to exercise the same rights as others in the prosecution of criminal offences and the pursuit of civil remedies. Vulnerable adults should enjoy the same rights as others in respect of access to care and treatment provided by public agencies.
Statement of Commitment
In order to support these values, organisations will:
- Actively work together within the agreed inter-agency framework based on the guidance contained in No Secrets (2000 Department of Health, Home Office) and Safeguarding Adults (2005 Association of Directors of Social Services).
- Endeavour to provide safe and effective delivery of services that facilitate the prevention and early detection of abuse.
- Maintain effective dialogue to ensure co-operation between agencies, including sharing information as appropriate in line with the Nottingham(shire) Information Sharing Protocol to safeguard vulnerable adults.
- Fully contribute to safeguarding assessments and concerns of abuse in accordance with this policy and procedure.
- Take a proactive approach to preventing and minimising abuse of vulnerable adults within their organisation.
- Provide and maintain the multi-agency Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure and ensure organisational procedures are compliant with the multi-agency framework.
- Have robust systems so that staff are familiar with the Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure and the need for a proactive approach to prevent abuse.
- Audit and evaluate practice, and provide reports as required, to ascertain how well services work together and how each agency fulfils its responsibilities to safeguard adults.
- Collect data to enable monitoring and analysis of information, in accordance with good practice and government requirements.
- Actively promote the empowerment and well-being of vulnerable adults through the services they provide.
- Integrate strategies, policies and services relevant to abuse and the safeguarding of vulnerable adults.
- Recognise the ongoing duty of care to service users who perpetrate abuse and facilitate any necessary action to address abusive behaviour.
- Adhere to rigorous recruitment practices to deter those who actively seek vulnerable people to exploit or abuse.
- Actively support the rights of the individual to lead an independent life based on self determination and personal choice.
- Provide appropriate advocacy, advice and support when a vulnerable adult’s right to an independent lifestyle and choice is at risk.
- Carry out assessments and investigations in accordance with equal opportunity principles, in a manner and setting appropriate to the understanding, degree of disability, cultural background, and gender of the person(s) involved.
- Contribute fully to serious case reviews as necessary or required by the Safeguarding Adults Board.
- Provide appropriate resources to contribute to the development of the multi-agency framework.
- Have a workforce development plan in place that includes appropriate competencies for staff and volunteers in relation to safeguarding adults work.
- Link with other systems designed to protect other groups (e.g. Domestic Violence and Child Protection).