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Policies, Procedures & Guidance

Multi-agency Policy and Procedures for the West Midlands

Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board has adopted the ‘Adult Safeguarding: Multi-agency policy and procedures for the protection of adults with care & support needs in the West Midlands’. All staff, in whatever setting, have a key role in preventing harm or abuse occurring and in taking action where concerns arise. The policy and procedures set simply and clearly how agencies and individuals should work together to protect adults at risk. Agencies are also required to have local guidance in place explaining to staff how the procedures will be implemented within their employing organisation.

West Midlands Adult Safeguarding Policy and Procedures

Worcestershire Safeguarding Adults Board Guidance

Types of Abuse

Abuse or neglect is an action, or lack of action, that leads to harm occurring to another person. Abuse or neglect may be deliberate or result from negligence or ignorance.

The Care Act 2014 sets out the following areas which are recognised forms of abuse and neglect;

  • Physical abuse – including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.
  • Domestic violence – including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse; so called ‘honour’ based violence.
  • Sexual abuse – including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or 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.
  • Psychological abuse – including emotional abuse, 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.
  • 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, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
  • Modern slavery – 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.
  • Discriminatory abuse – including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
  • Organisational abuse – including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an organisation.
  • Neglect and acts of omission – including ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating
  • Self-neglect – this covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.

 

Where does abuse and neglect happen?

Abuse is something that can happen at any time, anywhere including;

  • In somebody’s own home
  • In someone else’s home
  • At a Day Centre
  • In care homes
  • In hospital
  • At work
  • At college
  • In a public placeAn abuser is often a person who has a level of power over the person being abused and they can be well known to the person being abused. They could be a;

Who might cause the abuse or neglect?

  • partner, relative or family member
  • neighbour
  • friend and/or another service user
  • Carer
  • staff member
  • volunteer or
  • stranger

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