Policy Statement
 

Safeguarding is a fundamental part of St. Edmunds Charity’s work and this commitment is reflected in the Edmunds Charity’s Quality Standards and the values of our organisation, which inform and support all of our safeguarding activity:
 

• We are respectful

• We treat others as they would want to be treated

• We are inclusive

• We work together, we involve and we consult

• We are solutions-focused

• We ensure that what we do makes a real difference

• We are expert

• We strive to be the best at what we do.

• We are empowering

• We support others to achieve their goals
   

About safeguarding adults at risk

All adults aged 18 years and over should be able to live free from fear and harm and have their rights and choices respected.
 

Some adults are less able to protect themselves than others, and some have difficulty making their wishes and feelings known.

This may make them vulnerable to abuse.
 

What is abuse?

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Abuse may be (but not limited to):
 

• Physical abuse

• Domestic violence or abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Psychological or emotional abuse

• Financial or material abuse

• Modern slavery

• Discriminatory abuse

• Organisational or institutional abuse

• Neglect or acts of omission

• Self-neglect

• Not allowing contact with family or friends
   

Abuse can be the result of a single act or may continue over months or years, abuse can be accidental, or a deliberate act. Anyone can be an abuser – relatives, partners, volunteers, neighbours, friends, strangers or people paid to provide care and services.

Most abusers are people close to the adult, who are loved and trusted by them. However, some people will deliberately abuse adults they see as easy targets.

Abuse can occur anywhere: people can be abused at home, in care or nursing homes, day centres, or any place the adult should be safe.

 

Guiding Principles
 

Everyone's responsibility - Everyone at St. Edmunds Charity has a responsibility to keep children and vulnerable adults who need care and support safe from abuse and neglect.

Prevention – We will put sensible measures in place to prevent abuse, including the use of safe recruitment practices, promoting safe working practice and raising awareness of safeguarding.

Protection – We will provide policy, procedures, information and training to enable all Edmunds Charity’s staff to identify and respond appropriately to concerns about abuse.

Partnership – St. Edmunds Charity will work in Partnership with statutory, regulatory and other relevant organisations to ensure that safeguarding concerns are responded to appropriately.

Empowerment – We will be person-centred and uphold rights in our safeguarding work

Accountability - We aim to be transparent in our approaches and recognise the need for continuous learning and improvement.

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Roles and Responsibilities
 

All staff and volunteers

Every individual working for St. Edmunds Charity, irrespective of their role, has a part to play in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults who need care and support. All staff will undertake training and must familiarise themselves with our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures.
 

St. Edmunds Charity’s trustees approve the Safeguarding Policy and have a duty of care to their charity, which includes taking the necessary steps to safeguard those at risk from abuse, managing risk and protecting the reputation of the charity.
 

Managers are responsible for ensuring that they, and the staff that they supervise, are aware of St. Edmunds Charity safeguarding policy and procedures and access relevant training. They should promote the discussion of safeguarding at team meetings and as part of supervision or one-to-one meetings. They may be required to make decisions relating to complex or serious safeguarding concerns and will seek advice from the Head of Safeguarding at the local authority when needed.

Breaches of Policy

Failure to comply with the St. Edmunds Charity safeguarding policy may be managed in a number of ways, depending on the nature and consequences of any incident. In some cases a combination of responses may be required.

• Local authority co-ordinated safeguarding investigation

• Police investigation

• Referral to the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS)

• Disciplinary process

• Serious incident reporting to The Charity Commission

• Internal review or co-operation with an external review

 

Staff to report safeguarding concerns to Rochdale Adult Care Services:
 

Telephone:  0300 303 8886
 

E-mail:adult.care@rochdale.gov.uk
 

Address: Adult Care Services
Number One Riverside
Smith Street
Rochdale OL16 1XU