Safeguarding Older
People Workshop
Louise Hughes
Safeguarding Programme Manager
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Definition of safeguarding
• Adult safeguarding incorporates the
concepts of prevention, empowerment
and protection to enable adults who are
in circumstances that make them
vulnerable, to retain independence,
wellbeing and choice and to access their
right to a life free from abuse and
neglect.
Group Activity
• Think about one person you know who you
consider to be vulnerable. In groups describe
these people and the causes of their
vulnerability.
Vulnerability factors
could include:
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Limited or no verbal communication
Reliant on the care and support of others
Lacking capacity and understanding
Unaware of their rights
Low self esteem/self worth
Unable to protect themselves
“Institutionalised”
Institutional poor practice
Violence, drug/alcohol misuse in relationships
Disability
Isolation
Previous abuse has occurred
Vulnerability factors
More dependence and more isolation
equals more risk of abuse
New legal framework for adult
protection
An “adult at risk” is an adult who—
(a)is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect,
(b)has needs for care and support (whether or not the
authority is meeting any of those needs), and
(c)as a result of those needs is unable to protect
himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the
risk of it
Abuse:
• a single or repeated act, or multiple acts
• a lack of appropriate action
• perpetrated as a result of deliberate intent,
negligence or ignorance
• an act of omission or neglect
• being persuaded or forced to enter into a
financial or sexual arrangement to which they
have not, or could not, consent
• can occur in any relationship and fundamentally
is an abuse of trust
Categories of abuse
There are 5 main categories:
• Physical
• Sexual
• Emotional or psychological
• Neglect
• Financial
Other Forms of Abuse
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Institutional abuse
Discrimination and hate crime
Abuse by a stranger
Domestic abuse
Activity
Is it acceptable or is it abuse?
Using your red, amber and green cards
decide if you think this is abuse
Not abuse (green card)
Unsure (amber card)
Abuse (red card)
Activity
• Why do you think abuse may not be
disclosed?
– By adults who are vulnerable
– By family & friends
– By staff & volunteers
• What should you do or not do if someone
discloses abuse to you?
To tell or not to tell .....
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I am from a black and minority ethnic (BME) community
My mistreatment is from my partner / husband / wife
I think the mistreatment is likely to happen again
I am a very private person
I am worried about feeling foolish
I have no or few friends to talk things over with
I want to be protected from further or other mistreatment
I cannot remember what happened this morning
I want to be in control of my own life
I come from a small rural Welsh community
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Case Study
Legislation
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Social Services and Wellbeing Wales Act 2014
Data Protection Act 1998
Human Rights Act 1998
Care Standards Act 2000
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
Mental Health Act revision 2007
Equality Act 2010
Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales Act 2006
New duties on range of agencies
• “Everyone’s responsibility”
• Duty to ‘investigate’ – agencies required to make
enquiries & undertake appropriate action
• Enhanced duty to co-operate – agencies
required to provide assistance
• Duty to share information (on people’s situations)
• Duty to report – staff in any setting, working with
adults at risk
• Advocacy
Policy and guidance
• ‘In Safe Hands – Implementing Adult Protection in
Wales’, July 2000
• This addresses the need to develop local multi-agency
codes of practice
• Multi-agency – local authority staff, police, health,
voluntary sector (when required)
• Wales interim policy and procedures for the
protection of vulnerable adults
www.ssiacymru.org.uk
Key agencies include:
• Social Services (Local Authority) duty to assess &
ensure that needs are met, investigate and to coordinate adult and child protection systems.
• Police - duty to investigate allegations of criminal
activity.
• CSSIW - notified of referrals in a regulated setting
• You have a responsibility to use established
processes and procedures to challenge and report
dangerous, abusive, discriminatory or exploitive
behaviour and practice. (Care Council for Wales Code of Practice for Social Care Workers)
Essential Steps
• Believe that abuse can happen & never ignore a hunch
• Share your concerns with your manager or other
appropriate person
• Do not cover up for others
• Ensure that you know the Policy & Procedures
• Know the limits of your responsibility
• Report and record your suspicions as soon as possible
• Do not tackle an alleged perpetrator yourself
• Inform the victim of your steps and what the process will
be
‘The only thing necessary for
the triumph of evil is for good
men to do nothing’
Edmund Burke
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Action planning
• 2 things you have learnt today
• 2 things you intend to do to promote
safeguarding in your role and setting
Contact details
Louise Hughes
Safeguarding Programme Manager
Email: louise.hughes@agecymru.org.uk
Tel: 01352 706 228
www.agecymru.org.uk/scams
@agecymru
facebook.com/agecymru
Age Cymru, St Andrews Park, Queens Lane, Bromfield Industrial Park, Mold,
Flintshire CH7 1XB