POLICY CONTROL
This policy, together with its appendices, is based on the Trussell Trust template Safeguarding Policy v 3.1 first published October 2021. This has been updated to incorporate useful feedback from food banks within the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network and in particular the work of Bradford North Foodbank. It was adjusted on the 6th of September 2024 by KCU Ltd to reflect the changing environment of the Charity, including the spokes of the foodbank, shops and education centre the charity governs.
INTRODUCTION
Safeguarding means protecting people’s right to live safely, 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 or child’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action.
AIMS OF THE POLICY
This policy, taken together with North Northamptonshire County Council Multi-Agency Safeguarding Policies, represents commitment in working together to safeguard children and adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation. It clarifies the roles and responsibilities of employees, trustees and volunteers in relation to developing their own awareness and skills as well as the policies and procedures that must be followed.
The policy outlines:
- The practice and procedure for representatives within KCU Ltd, to contribute to the prevention of the abuse and neglect
- A clear framework for action including information sharing when abuse is suspected.
POLICY EQUALITIES STATEMENT
KCU, is committed to practices that protect from harm regardless of a person’s age, gender, disability, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or any other characteristic as covered by the Equality Act 2010.
SCOPE AND DEFINITIONS OF THE POLICY
Whose Business is Safeguarding?
Legislation establishes that safeguarding is everybody’s business. This organisation recognises that we all play a key role in preventing, detecting, reporting and responding to abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Scope of Policy
The policy applies to activities delivered by KCU Ltd, Where KCU Ltd deliver any activities in partnership with another body this policy applies - unless a formal agreement exists that specifically details safeguarding arrangements and the roles and responsibilities of the parties to the agreement. Where a formal partnership exists, the Safeguarding Trustee and the Chief Executive Officer of KCU Ltd will review the partner’s safeguarding policy and procedures at least annually or when changes have been made with the agreed policy and will ensure procedures meet the standards set out in this policy. The policy applies in respect of this organisation’s responsibility towards the following groups of people:
Children and young people - legally defined as any person under the age of 18. From this point the terms ‘child’ or ‘children’ will be used to refer to this group.
An ‘adult at risk of abuse or neglect with care and support needs’ however for the purpose of this policy we will use the term ‘vulnerable adult(s)’ to refer to this group.
Employees, trustees and volunteers who come into contact with children or vulnerable adults during the course of their work or volunteering responsibilities.
Contractors when carrying out work on behalf of the organisation.
Definitions
Child Protection is defined as:
Protecting individual children identified as either suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect or other identified risk factors such as parental Domestic Violence, substance misuse.
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people is defined as:
Protecting children from maltreatment
Preventing impairment of children’s’ health or development
Ensuring that children are growing up and living in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
Ensuring safe and effective care, to enable children to have optimum life chances.
Adult Safeguarding is defined as:
Protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect aiming to ensure that each adult is supported to maintain:
Wellbeing
Choice and control
Safety
Good health
Dignity and respect
Implementation
KCU Ltd is committed to developing and maintaining its capability to implement this policy and procedures. In order to do so the following will be in place:-
A clear line of accountability within the organisation for the safety and welfare of all children and adults.
Access to relevant training and professional advice.
Regular management reports to the trustees detailing how safeguarding risks are being addressed.
Safeguarding procedures that deal effectively with any concerns of exploitation, abuse or neglect, including those caused through poor practice.
A named person appointed as Designated Safeguarding Lead
A named person appointed as Deputy Safeguarding Lead (collectively the DSLs)
Arrangements to work effectively with other relevant organisations to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and adults, including arrangements for sharing information.
Risk assessments that specifically include safeguarding.
The organisation’s policies and procedures are consistent with this Safeguarding policy.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
KCU Ltd will work within the framework of legislation and guidance in relation to safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults. An index of key legislation is contained in Appendix 7.
All staff and volunteers will consider the following when raising a concern:
Safeguarding adults is mainly aimed at individuals with care and support needs whose circumstances may put them at risk of abuse or neglect by others - due consideration must also be given to people who need to use a foodbank given the inherent vulnerability resulting from a person’s immediate circumstances.
Where safeguarding concerns are identified about children, the welfare of the child is paramount.
Abuse is defined as a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights; it may consist of a single act or repeated acts
The nature and extent of the abuse including whether it is a criminal offence
The impact of the abuse on the person and the physical and /or psychological harm being caused and whether the abuse is having an impact on other people
Deprivation of liberties where people may be victims of exploitation and modern slavery, for example forced labour. Or where living in care homes, hospitals or other institutions and are looked after in a way that inappropriately restricts their freedom.
TYPES OF ABUSE
Eleven types of abuse are currently identified through legislation and UK guidance frameworks:
Physical abuse – Involves any manner of causing physical harm to a child or vulnerable adult or fabricating symptoms of, or inducing illness in, a child or vulnerable adult, including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions, administering or allowing access to drugs or alcohol.
Domestic abuse – including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse, so called ‘honour’ based violence.
Sexual abuse – Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing any child or vulnerable adult of whatever age to take part in any form of sexual activity, whether or not s/he is aware of what is happening; or behaving, or inducing a child/ vulnerable adult to behave, in sexually inappropriate ways - including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking and 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. This includes inappropriate sexual relationships with people in positions of power or influence. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. Sexual abuse (and harassment) can be experienced and perpetrated by men, women and people of any gender identity or sexual orientation. It can be carried out by anyone of the same sex, a different sex or anyone of any gender identity.
Psychological abuse – the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child or vulnerable adult such as to cause severe and enduring effects on a child’s emotional development including 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. It is important to note that within faith communities a further aspect of psychological abuse is Spiritual abuse. This is where the abuse does damage to a vulnerable adult’s or child’s emerging faith and spirituality. The fact that the damage includes damage to the spiritual self is what makes it spiritual abuse and usually occurs within the context of wider abuse.
Financial or material abuse – including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, possessions or benefits.
Modern slavery – encompasses slavery, human trafficking, criminal exploitation, forced labour and domestic servitude, where traffickers and slavers coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitudes and inhumane treatment
Discriminatory abuse - including forms of harassment, slurs, exclusion, or similar treatment. This includes discrimination on the grounds of a person’s protected characteristics including; race, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, political views, faith or religion (including where someone is discriminated against because they have no religion), as well as racist, sexist, homophobic or ageist comments.
Organisational abuse - Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or special care setting such as a hospital or care home, or where care is provided within their own home.
Neglect and acts of omission Neglect involves the persistent failure to meet a child’s or vulnerable adult’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the person’s health and development – these include ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, and the withholding of the necessities of life such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating, access to family and friends.
Self-neglect - Self-neglect covers a wide range of behaviour, neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.
Hate crime – a hate crime is any criminal offence that is motivated by hostility or prejudice based upon the victim’s disability, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or transgender identity.
Further information on recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse can be found in Appendices 4 and 5.
Note – Abuse can be carried out by children and KCU Ltd recognises that if a child or children is or are causing harm to an adult with care and support needs, this should be dealt with under the Local Authority adult safeguarding policy and procedures but will also need to involve the Local Authority Children’s Services.
INFORMATION SHARING AND CONSENT
KCU Ltd is committed to complying with UK General Data Protection Regulations and the Data Protection Act. Sharing the right information, at the right time, with the right people, is fundamental to good practice in safeguarding. KCU Ltd will share safeguarding information with the right people at the right time to:
- Prevent death or serious harm
- Coordinate effective and efficient responses
- Enable early interventions to prevent the escalation of risk
- Help families, children and vulnerable adults access the right kind of support to reduce risk and promote wellbeing
- Maintain and improve good practice in safeguarding
- Reveal patterns of abuse that were previously undetected and that could identify others at risk of abuse
- Identify low-level concerns that may reveal children or vulnerable adults at risk of abuse
- Help identify people who may pose a risk to others and, where possible, work to reduce offending behaviour
- Reduce organisational risk and protect reputation
Wherever possible we will always seek the informed consent of the person(s) concerned before sharing their personal information. Obtaining informed consent to share information is best practice and is often key to ensuring any further support or action is successfully maintained, based on trust and transparency.
UK Law assumes that all people over the age of 16 have the ability to make their own decisions, unless it has been proved that they can’t. The law gives people the right to make their own decisions even if others consider them to be unwise. The Law says that to make a decision a person needs to:
- Understand information
- Remember it for long enough
- Think about the information
- Communicate their decision
There are exceptions where seeking consent is not necessary. Exceptions - when seeking consent is not appropriate:
Where you have a child protection concern, you must share information with the relevant agencies, even if you haven’t been given consent. GDPR does not affect this principle.
Where gaining consent would put the person at risk, or the organisation’s volunteers and staff at further risk of significant harm.
Where other people (especially children) may be placed at risk of harm from the person, group or agency suspected of causing the abuse.
Where person at risk is assessed as not having the ‘mental capacity’ to make this decision, in this case appropriate representatives/advocates should be consulted, however, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will make the final decision.
Where a crime has taken place and there is an overriding public duty for the police to investigate. If a person does not want you to contact the police and you are unsure, then seek the advice of the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
In making the decision whether to share information without consent consideration will therefore be given to the seriousness and pervasiveness of the abuse: the ability of the individual to make decisions; the effect of the abuse on the individual in question and on others; whether a criminal offence has occurred; and whether there is a need for others to know (e.g. to protect others who may not be involved in the immediate situation).
If the decision is made not to share information because consent has been withheld and the exceptions given above do not apply then the person will be advised of any actions they can take to protect themselves and signposted or supported to access other local advice and support services. They will also be made aware of the fact that they can change their minds at any point.
All information and concerns should be raised with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, their deputy, or if they are not available the Foodbank Manager who will then make the decision as to whether to share information with another agency including Thirtyone:eight, social care or the police.
In the case of severe concerns where delay in contacting the Designated Safeguarding Lead could result in further harm the worker/volunteer should contact the relevant statutory authorities immediately and inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead as soon as possible afterwards. Decisions about sharing information (or not) will be clearly recorded with reasons clearly stated.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND RECORDING
Every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned both when an allegation is made and whilst it is being investigated. Confidentiality can only be broken and a concern shared when it is in the best interest of the child, vulnerable adult or in the public interest to do so – the circumstances for this are outlined in section 8 above.
All records will be written, stored and destroyed with due regard for confidentiality and in line with KCU Ltd’s policy on record keeping and in adherence with the Data Protection legislation. Staff and volunteers will be trained and supported to maintain and store accurate records.
Where incidents that have resulted in (or risk) significant harm to beneficiaries, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will communicate with Trustees who may be required to be report the incident to the charities regulator as a Serious Incident Report.
PROCEDURE IF A MEMBER OF STAFF OR VOLUNTEER HAS A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN:
Read this section in conjunction with our safeguarding concern flowchart, to be found at Appendix 3.
All Staff or volunteers must raise their concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, their deputy or if they are not available the Foodbank Manager. If the subject of concern is a member of staff or volunteer see KCU Ltd’s Whistle Blowing Policy (Appendix 4). The Whistle Blowing Policy should be used when a member staff or volunteer has concerns about the conduct of a colleague in a position of trust within the organisation, which could be detrimental to the safety or wellbeing of adults and children.
Things to Remember:
- All allegations/disclosures will be treated seriously - the safety of the vulnerable adult or child is paramount.
- Staff and volunteers should stay calm, listen and reassure the person they are concerned about that they are being listened to.
- Staff and volunteers should always demonstrate a sensitive approach.
- Staff and volunteers should be aware of the possibility of a police investigation, and are not to investigate any allegation themselves.
Staff and volunteers will explain that they are required to share information with those people who need to know but not with other staff or volunteers. Absolute confidentiality cannot be promised.
If there is immediate danger, or someone requires urgent medical attention, then the police or ambulance should be called immediately (on 999 or 112), and the Designated Safeguarding Lead informed as soon as possible.
Reporting Procedure
Any concerns should be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead, their deputy or in their absence the Foodbank Manager who will decide whether to contact the “Thirty one: eight” helpline who can advise on appropriate next steps including whether to refer to statutory services.
A Safeguarding Concern Report Form (Appendix 2) will be completed by the employee/volunteer or by the Designated Safeguarding Lead using information relayed by the person reporting the concern. Information recorded on the form must:
Be accurate and factual – do not make subjective judgements or supposition.
Wherever possible include the actual words said by the child or vulnerable adult rather than an interpretation of what was said.
Record only specific facts relating to disclosure, dates, places etc. should be recorded accurately along with any details of the injuries or consequences i.e. where they are and what they looked like.
Consider if the incident also needs to reported under Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.
Where necessary the Designated Safeguarding Lead will report the concern to Statutory Children’s/Adults Social Care Services, providing a copy of the Safeguarding Concern Form, and where appropriate a chronology of events.
If a criminal offence has been committed, the Foodbank Manager or the Designated Safeguarding Lead will call the police and any other linked agencies as necessary.
Children’s or Adult’s Social Care may then take the lead on any investigation and inform other agencies, where appropriate.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead will provide any further information to statutory Services as required.
Completed Safeguarding Concern Forms will be kept centrally by the Safeguarding Lead, stored in a locked cabinet at [insert location], with restricted access, away from other personal files. Where completed Safeguarding Concern forms are stored electronically, they will be kept in a password protected folder [insert location] with restricted access in line with this policy and the Data Protection Policy.
Where incidents that have resulted in (or risk) significant harm to beneficiaries, the Designated Safeguarding Lead will notify the Board of Trustees who may be required to be report the incident to the charities regulator as a Serious Incident Report (cf. Section 11 - Monitoring).
Domestic violence
Where a person visiting the foodbank reports an incident of domestic violence whilst a child or vulnerable adult is in the home, this must be treated as a disclosure of abuse and should be passed on to a Designated Safeguarding Lead with immediate effect using the procedures outlined above.
Where an incident of domestic violence is reported and there is no child or vulnerable adult present, foodbank staff and volunteers should as a minimum signpost the client to an appropriate agency but must not attempt to coerce them to contact the police unless the client wants and feels able to do so.
Where foodbank staff or volunteers witness an act of domestic violence, they must contact the police immediately.
For advice or information about anything relating to domestic violence the foodbank team should contact the National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247
MONITORING
Information about safeguarding cases and how they were dealt will be reviewed and reported on regularly to the Board of Trustees. Areas to focus on include:
- How quickly the concern was reported to the Safeguarding Lead
- Whether a concern was reported to statutory agencies
- How quickly a concern was made to the police/Children’s/Adults Services (where relevant)
- Accuracy of information recorded
The quality of the input into the safeguarding process (feedback from Police/Children’s/Adults Services)
Outcomes of safeguarding process
Whether any incidents highlighted training issues or a need to amend in-house procedures
Whether the incident should be notified to the charity regulator under Serious Incident Reporting procedures
Reports to trustees should focus on the issues and the organisation’s response to an incident not the specific details of an individual case. Reports made to the trustees should be captured in a Safeguarding Incident Register. This is to enable the organisation to reflect on and improve its practice in developing an effective safeguarding culture.
The policy and procedure will be reviewed and audited regularly or if legislation changes.
Partnership Working
If working with other organisations in partnership to deliver activities, both organisations must be able to readily access their respective safeguarding policy and procedures. Reporting of concerns must take place as they occur where there is a specific risk to either partner’s employees, volunteers, clients, or service provision. Other management information should be shared as part of regular reporting schedules but focus on the issues and the organisation’s response to an incident not the specific details of the case, such as number of concerns and number reported to statutory agencies. Meetings should be scheduled at least quarterly between partners to discuss.
GOOD PRACTICE
Safer Recruitment of staff and volunteers
References will be taken up according to the guidelines below:
Employees: Two references after acceptance of a provisional job offer which is subject to receipt of satisfactory references.
Volunteers applying for or appointed to leadership positions, and Sign posters: Two references at the time of application/appointment to be received before they start the role;
All other posts: Two references to be obtained after successful completion of a four-session trial-period - during the trial period they will be subject to continuous supervision.
In all cases at least one of the references should be from a recent past employer or from another organisation the person has volunteered with, if they have no recent employment history.
References should be provided in writing or transcribed where received verbally. KCU Ltd will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that references are bona-fide and will seek alternatives where in doubt.
All staff and volunteers have a duty to disclose any unspent convictions. Failing to do so may be regarded as gross misconduct or a breach of the volunteering agreement.
All staff and volunteers responsible for supervising vulnerable adults or children will undergo an enhanced criminal records check if their role falls within the eligibility guidelines (cf. Appendix 1 for links to guidance on eligibility).
Staff and volunteers without a criminal records check will not be permitted unsupervised access to vulnerable adults or children.
All criminal records check will be renewed every three years.
Training
All staff and volunteers will familiarise themselves with all KCU Ltd’s policies and procedures, including safeguarding, during induction.
All staff and volunteers will complete basic Safeguarding training every two years and other relevant training as required.
All trustees, volunteers and staff will be made aware of:
The possibilities of abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults
Local procedures and know the names and contact details of relevant local and national professionals and organisations (see Appendix 1).
All staff and volunteers, including trustees, will be required to undertake refresher safeguarding training at least biennially (every two years).
Supported Volunteers
All volunteers will be asked whether they have any specific or additional support needs, or other relevant information like unspent criminal convictions that indicates a need for additional support from KCU Ltd
Where significant additional support needs are disclosed or identified the volunteer will be regarded as a supported volunteer.
Where KCU Ltd offers supported volunteering opportunities, including for young people or volunteers with additional needs, then the supervisor will be subject to an enhanced criminal records check.
Supported volunteering placements will be subject to individual assessment to ensure appropriate management and support for specific additional support needs identified.
All Supported volunteers will receive an individual support assessment which will be regularly reviewed with the volunteer coordinator or their supervisor.
KCU Ltd will ensure that all volunteers, including young people or volunteers with additional needs receive appropriate support to understand this safeguarding policy and know who to talk to if they feel unsafe.
If the volunteer is likely to struggle to absorb the information contained within this policy by reading it, the volunteer coordinator, supervisor or a Designated Safeguarding Lead will talk through the policy verbally.
KCU Ltd will produce an easy-read safeguarding reporting procedure, which can be printed out and given to staff and volunteers.
Safeguarding is discussed at regular team meetings and supervisors are encouraged to raise issues about their area of work and discuss them.
When facilitating supported volunteering, supervisors will observe for any situation or suggestion that a vulnerable adult or child is being either highly favoured or harshly treated, as these may be signs of abuse.
Our priority is protecting the welfare of all supported volunteers whether vulnerable-adults or children. Where possible, line managers should take opportunities to observe those vulnerable adults and children for whom they are responsible.
MANAGEMENT AND SUPERVISION
Unless expressly delegated to Managers or the Designated Safeguarding Lead, trustees are responsible for clarifying with staff and volunteers their roles and responsibilities regarding the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults. Supervisors of staff and volunteers will monitor working practices and offer the opportunity to raise any concerns.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Sylvia McLevy Designated Safeguarding Lead 07803 358722 sylvia.mclevy@kcultd.org.uk
Vanessa Bojang Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead 07752 119257 vanessa.camara@kcultd.org.uk
Victoria Perry Chair of Trustees chair@kcu.org.uk
The Designated Safeguarding Leads will never be related to each other.
The Designated Safeguarding Leads will both hold a personal copy of this Policy.
Safeguarding Trustee:- Victoria Perry
Monitoring of the procedures:- Sylvia McLevy
Reporting To:- Trustee Board
Next Review Date:- 06/10/26
This policy was approved by the Trustees:
Signed : Victoria Perry & Julian Payne
Position: Chair and Treasurer
Date: 28/11/2025
Appendix 1 - Key Contacts & Foodbank Venues
If someone is injured or in imminent danger, call 112/999
Our Key Contacts
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Sylvia Mclevy
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Vanessa Bojang
Social Services
Local Authority is North Northants County Council
Social Services – Office Hours - 9:00 – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday
Social Care Services
Daytime Contact Numbers
Adult Access Point: 0300 126 3000
Children’s Access Point: 0300 126 7000
Social Care Services Out-of-Hours Emergency Duty Team (EDT)
Adults AND Children: 0300 126 7000
Other National Advice Providers:-
- The Action Elder Abuse Confidential Free phone help Line - 0808 808 8141 - 9am-5pm
- ChildLine - 0800 1111
- NSPCC 24/7 Child Protection Helpline - 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org
- National Domestic Violence Helpline – 0808 2000 247
- Samaritans – 116 123
If you think a crime has taken place…
Local & Regional Police – Non-emergency number: 101
You will be directed to the correct team for your postcode area.
Appendix 2 - SAFEGUARDING INCIDENT REPORTING FORM - See the end of this document.
Appendix 3 - Signs and Symptoms of Abuse (Children)
The following signs could be indicators that abuse has taken place but should be considered in context of the child’s whole life.
Physical
Injuries not consistent with the explanation given for them
Injuries that occur in places not normally exposed to falls, rough games, etc
Injuries that have not received medical attention
Reluctance to change for, or participate in, games or swimming
Repeated urinary infections or unexplained tummy pains
Bruises on babies, bites, burns, fractures etc which do not have an accidental explanation*
Cuts/scratches/substance abuse*
Sexual
Any allegations made concerning sexual abuse
Excessive preoccupation with sexual matters and detailed knowledge of adult sexual behaviour
Age-inappropriate sexual activity through words, play or drawing
Child who is sexually provocative or seductive with adults
Inappropriate bed-sharing arrangements at home
Severe sleep disturbances with fears, phobias, vivid dreams or nightmares, sometimes with overt or veiled sexual connotations
Eating disorders - anorexia, bulimia*
Emotional
Changes or regression in mood or behaviour, particularly where a child withdraws or becomes clinging.
Depression, aggression, extreme anxiety.
Nervousness, frozen watchfulness
Obsessions or phobias
Sudden under-achievement or lack of concentration
Inappropriate relationships with peers and/or adults
Attention-seeking behaviour
Persistent tiredness
Running away/stealing/lying
Neglect
Under nourishment, failure to grow, constant hunger, stealing or gorging food, Untreated illnesses, inadequate care, etc
*These indicate the possibility that a child or young person is self-harming. Approximately 20,000 are treated in accident and emergency departments in the UK each year.
Appendix 4 - SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ABUSE (ADULTS)
The following signs could be indicators that abuse has taken place but should be considered in context of the person’s whole life.
Physical abuse
· History of unexplained falls, fractures, bruises, burns, minor injuries
· Signs of under or overuse of medication and/or medical problems left unattended
· Any injuries not consistent with the explanation given for them
· Bruising and discolouration - particularly if there is a lot of bruising of different ages
· and in places not normally exposed to falls, rough games etc
· Recurring injuries without plausible explanation
· Loss of hair, loss of weight and change of appetite
· Person flinches at physical contact &/or keeps fully covered, even in hot weather
· Person appears frightened or subdued in the presence of a particular person or
· people
Domestic violence
Unexplained injuries or ‘excuses’ for marks or scars
Coercive, controlling and/or threatening relationship including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse; so-called ‘honour’ based violence and Female Genital Mutilation
Sexual abuse
Pregnancy in a woman who lacks mental capacity or is unable to consent to sexual intercourse
Unexplained change in behaviour or sexually explicit behaviour
Torn, stained or bloody underwear and/or unusual difficulty in walking or sitting
Infections or sexually transmitted diseases
Full or partial disclosures or hints of sexual abuse (that may be accompanied by some of the following additional symptoms:-
· Self-harming
· Emotional distress
· Mood changes
· Disturbed sleep patterns
· Psychological abuse
· Alteration in psychological state e.g. withdrawn, agitated, anxious, tearful
· Intimidated or subdued in the presence of a particular person
· Fearful, flinching or frightened of making choices or expressing wishes
· Unexplained paranoia
· Changes in mood, attitude and behaviour, excessive fear or anxiety
· Changes in sleep pattern or persistent tiredness
· Loss of appetite
· Helplessness or passivity
· Confusion or disorientation
· Implausible stories and attention seeking behaviour
· Low self-esteem
Financial or material abuse
Disparity between assets and living conditions
Unexplained withdrawals from accounts or disappearance of financial documents or loss of money
Sudden inability to pay bills, getting into debt
Carers or professionals fail to account for expenses incurred on a person’s behalf
Recent changes of deeds or title to property
Missing personal belongings
Inappropriate granting and / or use of Power of Attorney
Modern slavery
Physical appearance; unkempt, inappropriate clothing, malnourished
Movement monitored, rarely alone, travel early or late at night to facilitate working hours.
Few personal possessions or ID documents.
Fear of seeking help or trusting people.
Discriminatory abuse
Inappropriate remarks, comments or lack of respect
Poor quality or avoidance care
Low self-esteem
Withdrawn
Anger
Person puts themselves down in terms of their gender identity or sexuality
Institutional Abuse
Low self-esteem
Withdrawn
Anger
Person puts themselves down in terms of their gender identity or sexuality
No confidence in complaints procedures for staff or service users.
Neglectful or poor professional practice.
Neglect and acts of omission
Deteriorating despite apparent care
Poor home conditions, clothing or care and support.
Lack of medication or medical intervention
Self-neglect
Hoarding inside or outside a property
Neglecting personal hygiene or medical needs
Person looking unkempt or dirty and has poor personal hygiene
Person is malnourished, has sudden or continuous weight loss and is dehydrated – constant hunger, stealing or gorging on food
Person is dressed inappropriately for the weather conditions
Dirt, urine or faecal smells in a person’s environment
Home environment does not meet basic needs (for example not heating or lighting)
Depression
Appendix 5 - Whistle Blowing
This appendix outlines KCU’s Whistle Blowing Policy and procedures
Background
It is important that any fraud. misconduct or wrongdoing by staff or others working on behalf of a charity is reported and properly dealt with. This policy sets out the way in which individuals may raise any concerns that they have and how those concerns will be dealt with.
Approach
The following approaches apply to this policy:
Everyone should be aware of the importance of preventing and eliminating wrongdoing at work. Staff and others working on behalf of the charity should be watchful for illegal or unethical conduct and report anything of that nature that they become aware of.
Any matter raised will be investigated promptly and confidentially and the outcome of the investigation reported back to the person who raised the issue.
No employee or other person working on behalf of the charity will be victimised for raising a matter under this policy and procedure.
Victimisation of an individual for raising a qualified disclosure will be a disciplinary offence.
An instruction to cover up wrongdoing is itself a disciplinary offence.
Policy
It is the duty of every member of staff and volunteers to speak up about genuine concerns in relation to criminal activity, breach of a legal obligation (including negligence, breach of contract, breach of administrative law), miscarriage of justice, danger to health and safety or the environment and the cover up of any of these in the workplace. It applies whether or not the information is confidential.
KCU is committed to ensuring any concerns of this nature will be taken seriously and investigated. Staff and volunteers who raise concerns reasonably (e.g. suspicion that the malpractice has occurred, is occurring, or is likely to occur) will not be penalised in any way.
This policy is for people employed by or volunteering with KCU. For the purposes of this policy only, this is someone who is:
· Employed on a permanent or fixed term contract of employment
· On secondment to KCU
· On a temporary contract or employed through an agency to work for KCU
· An independent consultant for KCU
· A volunteer with KCU
· Contractors and suppliers of services to KCU
Procedure
This procedure is for disclosures about matters other than a breach of your own contract of employment, which should be raised via the grievance procedure.
Stage 1:
In the first instance, any concerns should be raised with the Operations Director who will arrange an investigation of the matter. If the concern is about either of the Directors this should be done through the Chair of the Trustee Board. The investigation may involve you and other individuals involved giving a written statement. Any investigation will be carried out in accordance with the approaches set out above. Your statement will be taken into account and you will be asked to comment on any additional evidence obtained. The Operations Director will take any necessary action, including reporting the matter to the chair of trustees and any appropriate government department or regulatory agency. The Director (or Chair in the case of Directors) will also invoke any disciplinary action required. On conclusion of any investigation, you will be told the outcome and what the charity has done, or proposes to do, about it. If no action is to be taken, the reason for this will be explained.
Stage 2:
If you are concerned that a Director is involved in the wrongdoing, has failed to make a proper investigation or has failed to report the outcome of the investigations to the relevant person, you should escalate the matter to the Chair of the Board of Trustees. The Chair will arrange for a review of the investigation to be carried out, make any necessary enquiries and make their own report to the Board.
Stage 3:
If on conclusion of stages 1 and 2 you reasonably believe the appropriate action has not been taken, you should report the matter to the relevant body. This includes:
· HM Revenue and Customs
· The Health and Safety Executive
· The Environment Agency
· The Serious Fraud Squad
· The Charity Commission
· The Pensions Regulator
· The Information Commissioner
· The Financial Conduct Authority
You can find the full list in the Public Interest Disclosure (Prescribed Persons) Order 2014: www.gov.uk/government/uploads/systems/uploads/attachment/data/file/496899/BIS-16-79-blowing-the-whistle-to-a-prescribed-person.pdf
Appendix 6 (I) - Key Legislation in England
Legal Framework Children and Young People:
Children Acts 1989 and 2004
Children and Young Persons Act 2008
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Children and Families Act 2014
Education Act 2002 and 2011
Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003
Children and Adoption Act 2008
Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009
The Children and Social Work Act 2017
Working together to safeguard children 2006, 2015, 2018 and 2023
Legal Framework Vulnerable Adults
Care Act 2O14
Mental Capacity Act (including DoLS) 2005
Human Rights Act of 1998
Care and Support Statutory Guidance 2014 – identified the following 6 principles that underpin all adult safeguarding work:
Empowerment – People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions with informed consent
Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs
Proportion – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented
Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need
Partnership – Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse
Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding
