Empowering Voices Safeguarding Adults Policy
Introduction
Empowering Voices is a UK charity run by people who have tamed their stammers.
We have decades of experience helping people say what they want, when and how they want. There is no stammering cure, but this may be the next best thing.
We aim to hold courses and provide ongoing support throughout the UK.
Policy statement
Empowering Voices
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believes everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status.
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is committed to the six principles of safeguarding adults: empowerment, protection, prevention, proportionality, partnership and accountability. (England)
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is committed to safeguarding adults in line with national legislation and relevant local guidelines by ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe by creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution.
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recognises that health, well-being, ability, disability, and need for care and support can affect a person's resilience. Empowering Voices recognises that some people experience barriers, such as communication, when raising concerns or seeking help.
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accepts that we must fulfil our duty of care, which means that we must do everything reasonably expected of us to help safeguard and protect people from harm and act when we suspect someone is being harmed or at risk of harm.
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is committed to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm to adults, which necessitates the recognition of adults who may be at risk and the circumstances that may increase risk and be willing to report safeguarding concerns.
Scope
This safeguarding adult policy and associated procedures apply to all individuals involved in Empowering Voices, including participants, trustees, and mentors, and to all concerns about adults' safety while participating in our organisation, its activities, and the wider community.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate the commitment of Empowering Voices to safeguarding adults and to ensure that everyone involved in Empowering Voices is aware of:
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The legislation, policy, and procedures for safeguarding adults.
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Their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults.
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What to do or who to speak to if they are concerned about the welfare or wellbeing of an adult within the organisation.
Implementation
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Empowering Voices follows safe recruitment procedures when using volunteers. This includes a DBS check if appropriate.
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The committee will identify and appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead and notify members of who this is and how to contact them.
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All trustees and volunteers have access to all relevant safeguarding documentation.
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All activities include an assessment of, and risk to, the safety of all adults from abuse and neglect. Designate a person who will attend as a safeguarding lead for that event.
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All trustees and volunteers know their roles and responsibilities and follow the code of conduct when working with adults.
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All trustees and volunteers know the safeguarding reporting procedures and the importance of confidentiality.
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This policy is shared with all trustees, mentors, volunteers, and participants.
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This policy is reviewed as part of a document review schedule.
Legislation - what is adult safeguarding?
In its broader context, safeguarding adults applies to everyone over the age of 18 in the UK except Scotland where the age is 16 and is aimed at:
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protecting an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
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people and organisations work together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse and neglect while simultaneously ensuring that the adult's well-being is promoted, taking fully into account their views, wishes, feelings, and beliefs.
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This policy a safeguarding concern is any conduct or situation that is known or suspected by members of empowering voices or any other party involved that could risk violating the safeguarding commitments.
Key legislation includes:
Sexual Offences Act 2003
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
The Care Act 2014
The Equality Act 2010
Responsibilities
• All members of empowering voices have the responsibility to promote the safety of all involved, and all policies and procedures must be followed at all times.
• Different staff members have different roles and responsibilities and should be aware of these. If anyone is unsure, they should contact the safeguarding lead or one of the trustees.
• Members of Empowering Voices must complete relevant safeguarding training and be up to date.
Procedures
Detailed procedures enacting the requirements of this policy are in place. Copies are available from the Safeguarding Lead, Trustee, or Course Leader.
Key Contact
Leanne Kemp is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) responsible for ensuring this policy is adhered to. They will monitor and record safeguarding concerns and ensure they are shared with the appropriate authorities. It is not the role of the DSL to investigate; it is only to gather and share information as appropriate. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) can be contacted at safeguarding@empoweringvoices.co.uk.
Raising and Managing a Concern
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Any safeguarding concerns can be reported via email to safeguarding@empoweringvoices.co.uk or to a trustee or Course Leader who will refer directly to the DSL.
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If you are concerned a person is at risk – report it. We all have a responsibility to report concerns.
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Any concern that an adult is unsafe is taken seriously, responded to promptly, and followed up promptly.
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The DSL will speak to the adult about the issue wherever possible, noting any views the adult may have regarding how they wish the matter to be dealt with and keeping them informed throughout the process.
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The DSL may seek advice from external sources such as the local Safeguarding Adults Team, Local Authority (Scotland), the police or Ann Craft Trust.
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The DSL will only share information with the people who need to know, such as the Safeguarding Adults Team, police, or local Active Partnership. Any referrals or data sharing will be done with the adult's consent wherever possible. If permission is withheld but the information is still passed on, the DSL will document this and the reasons why. They will also inform the adult of this action wherever possible.
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The DSL will make a written record of the concern and store it safely in line with Data Protection requirements.
Note:
If someone is injured or at immediate risk, immediate action should be taken. Seek help by dialling 999 for police or ambulance.
Whistleblowing
If the Designated Safeguarding Lead is implicated or you think it has a conflict of interest, contact the Chair of Trustees (contact details on the website).
Recording and Information Sharing
We recognise the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and follow Information Commissions Office (ICO) guidance documents.
Sharing Information— We work to the Seven Golden Rules.
1. GDPR is not a barrier to sharing information
2. Be open and honest
3. Seek advice, if in doubt
4. Share with consent where appropriate
5. Consider safety and wellbeing
6. Necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure
7. Keep a record of your decision and reasons for sharing
Sources of Information and Support
Empowering Voices
First point of contact – Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) - safeguarding@empoweringvoices.co.uk
Action on Elder Abuse
A national organisation based in London. It aims to prevent the abuse of older people by raising awareness, encouraging education, promoting research and collecting and disseminating information.
Tel: 020 8765 7000
Email: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
http://www.elderabuse.org.uk/
Ann Craft Trust
A national organisation providing information and advice about adult safeguarding. The Ann Craft Trust has a specialist Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity team to support the sector
Tel: 0115 951 5400
Email: Ann-Craft-Trust@nottingham.ac.uk
Men’s Advice Line
For male domestic abuse survivors
Tel: 0808 801 0327
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Tel: 0800 999 5428
National 24Hour Freephone Domestic Abuse Helplines
England
Tel: 0808 2000 247
www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 802 1414
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dsahelpline
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dsahelpline
Scotland
Tel: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Web chat: http://sdafmh.org.uk/
Wales
Llinell Gymorth Byw HebOfn/ Live free from fear helpline
Tel: 0808 8010 800
Type Talk: 18001 0808 801 0800
Text: 078600 77 333
Rape Crisis Federation of England and Wales
Rape Crisis was launched in 1996 and exists to provide a range of facilities and resources to enable the continuance and development of Rape Crisis Groups throughout Wales and England.
Email: info@rapecrisis.co.uk
Respond
Respond provides a range of services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities and training and support to those working with them.
Tel: 020 7383 0700 or 0808 808 0700 (Helpline)
Email: services@respond.org.uk
Stop Hate Crime
Works to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. Stop Hate UK provides independent, confidential and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.
24 hours service:
Tel: 0800 138 1625
Web Chat: www.stophateuk.org/talk-to-us/
E mail: talk@stophateuk.org
Text: 07717 989 025
Text relay: 18001 0800 138 1625
By post: PO Box 851, Leeds LS1 9QS
Susy Lamplugh Trust
The Trust is a leading authority on personal safety. Its role is to minimise the damage caused to individuals and to society by aggression in all its forms – physical, verbal and psychological.
Tel: 020 83921839
Email: info@suzylamplugh.org
www.suzylamplugh.org
Victim Support
Provides practical advice and help, emotional support and reassurance to those who have suffered the effects of a crime.
Tel: 0808 168 9111
Women’s Aid Federation of England and Wales
Women’s Aid is a national domestic violence charity. It also runs an online help service for domestic violence.
