One of the most important principles of safeguarding is that it is everyone’s responsibility. Each person within an organisation must do everything they can to ensure that adults at risk are protected from abuse, harm and neglect.
The six principles of adult safeguarding as embedded in the Care Act 2014 apply to all sectors and settings, namely: Empowerment, Prevention, Proportionality, Protection, Partnership and Accountability. These principles underpin everything that we do at Gray Healthcare.
If you would like a copy of our adult safeguarding policy, please get in touch.
This is our safeguarding adults pledge, click on each principle to find out more:
Empowerment
Personalisation and the presumption of person-led decisions and informed consent. “I am asked what I want as the outcomes from the safeguarding process and these directly inform what happens.”
We will ensure that the individuals we support (*Adults at Risk) *an adult at risk is any person who is aged 18 years or over and at risk of abuse, harm, or neglect because of their needs for care and/or support and are unable to safeguard themselves.’ are visible, their voices heard, and their needs, wishes and views heard.
We will endeavour to provide responses that are personalised and effective, regardless of background, gender, age, culture, sexuality, or ethnicity.
We recognise that one of the most important principles of safeguarding is that it is everyone’s responsibility. We will endeavour to lead the way and ensure that each professional and organisation involved with the people we support does everything they can to ensure that they are protected from abuse, harm, and neglect.
We will work with the person to set safeguarding outcomes which have meaning to them. We will ensure that information is presented at a level that the person can interpret.
Prevention
It is better to take action before harm occurs. “I receive clear and simple information about what abuse is, how to recognise the signs and what I can do to seek help.”
We will work with agencies involved in the lives of those we support, always acting in their best interests.
We will endeavour to raise public awareness so that professionals, other staff, and communities as a whole play their part in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse, harm or neglect.
We will promote an outcomes-based approach in safeguarding that works for people resulting in the best experience possible.
We will raise public awareness so that professionals, other staff and communities as a whole play their part in preventing, identifying and responding to abuse, harm or neglect.
Proportionality
Proportionate and least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented. “I am sure that the professionals will work for my best interests, as I see them, and they will only get involved as much as needed.”
We will take a personalised approach that enables safeguarding to be done with, not to, people.
We will work with the person to set safeguarding outcomes which have meaning to them.
We will ensure that our practice focuses on achieving meaningful improvement to people’s circumstances rather than just an ‘investigation’ and ‘conclusion’.
We are committed to eliminating the unnecessary use of restrictive practices. We pledge to act in the best interests of the people we support and actively promote alternatives to medication such as active support, intensive interaction, or positive behaviour support.
Protection
Support and representation for those in greatest need. “I get help and support to report abuse. I get help to take part in the safeguarding process to the extent to which I want and to which I am able.”
Safeguarding is the golden thread throughout our recruitment and onboarding processes. We ensure that we carry out all the necessary checks and that each year our teams receive over 60 hours of high-quality training specifically tailored to the individual they are supporting.
Our staff have training on confidentiality, data protection and mental capacity legislation (appropriate to their role and country of practice) in order to effectively respond to the safeguarding needs of adults.
We are willing to listen to adults at risk, families and carers and to act on issues and concerns.
We will safeguard individuals in a way that supports them in making choices and having control in how they choose to live their lives.
Partnership
Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, identifying, and reporting neglect and abuse. “I know that staff treat any personal and sensitive information in confidence, only sharing what is helpful and necessary. I am confident that professionals will work together to get the best result for me.”
We will share information intelligently to ensure that the rights of the people we support are safeguarded.
We will ensure that duties and requirements contained within the Care Act (2014) help to improve peoples independence and well-being. We will involve those we support in all aspects of their support.
We will embed coproduction trauma informed care initiatives. We will encourage participation, mutuality and respect for others and value the experience, skills and knowledge that each participant brings.
We will embed trauma informed care principles, namely safety, trust, choice, collaboration, empowerment, and inclusivity – we will ensure that our teams and the people we support have access to training to enable them to understand the widespread impact of trauma and understand the need to create an environment of healing and recovery.
Accountability
Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding. “I understand the role of everyone involved in my life.”
We will recognise how our own beliefs, experience and attitudes might influence involvement in safeguarding work.
We will recognise how our own actions impact on others.
We will ensure that the people we support understand how to report a concern.
We recognise that Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility