Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy
Cavendish Coaches (the Company) is committed to ensuring that vulnerable people
who use our services are not abused and that working practices minimise the risk of
such abuse. Employees of Cavendish Coaches have a duty to identify abuse and
report it.
Definition
Vulnerable adults are people who are over 18 years of age and are getting or may
need help and services to live in the community. Vulnerable adults may be unable to
take care of themselves and unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation
by other people.
Abuse can include:
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physical,
financial,
material,
sexual,
psychological,
discriminatory,
emotional abuse
neglect.
A vulnerable adult is defined as anyone aged 18 or over who:
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Lives in residential care or support accommodation;
Receives domiciliary care in their own home
Receives any form of health care from a medical practitioner GP or
Dentist (but only at the point when they are receiving such care)
Is detained in lawful custody (Prison, remand centre etc)
Is under supervision of the probation service
Is in receipt of a specified welfare service including
support/assistance/training/teaching/instruction/advice
Participates in an activity for people with needs due to age or disability
Is an expectant or nursing mother living in care
Receives direct payments from a local authority or health or social care
trust
Requires assistance in conducting own affairs
Abuse can take place in any setting, public or private, and can be perpetuated by
anyone.
Rights & Responsibilities
Responsibilities of Cavendish Coaches Employees:
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To ensure volunteers are aware of vulnerable adult’s need for protection
To notify the appropriate agencies if abuse is identified or suspected
To support and where possible secure the safety of individuals and ensure
that all referrals to services have full information in relation to identified risk
and vulnerability
To Criminal Records Board (CRB) check volunteers that have access to or
work with Vulnerable Adults
Responsibilities of Cavendish Coaches Employees:
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To be familiar with the vulnerable adult protection policy
To take appropriate action in line with the policy of Cavendish Coaches
To declare any existing or subsequent convictions.
Dealing with Disclosure of Abuse and Procedure for Reporting Concerns
If a vulnerable adults or young person tells a member of staff about possible abuse:
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Listen carefully and stay calm.
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Do not interview the vulnerable adults, but question normally and without pressure,
in order to be sure that you understand what the vulnerable adults is telling you.
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Do not put words into the vulnerable adult’s mouth.
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Reassure the vulnerable adults that by telling you, they have done the right thing.
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Inform the vulnerable adults that you must pass the information on, but that only
those that need to know about it will be told. Inform them of to whom you will
report the matter.
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Note the main points carefully.
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Make a detailed note of the date, time, place, what the vulnerable adults said using
the incident record form in appendix 1
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Staff should not investigate concerns or allegations themselves, but should report
them immediately to the Designated Person.
Support for those who report abuse
All those making a complaint or allegation or expressing concern, whether they are
staff &/or volunteers &/or service users &/or carers &/or members of the general
public should be reassured that:
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They will be taken seriously
Their comments will usually be treated confidentially, but their concerns may
be shared with the appropriate authorities if they or others are at significant
risk
The Vulnerable Adult has the right:
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To be made aware of this policy
To have alleged incidents recognised and taken seriously
To receive fair and respectful treatment throughout
To be involved in any process as appropriate
To receive information about the outcome
We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) (appendix 1)
Company:
Your Name:
Your Position:
Adults name:
Adults Age and Date of
Birth:
Is the adult expressing
their concern or someone
else’s? If someone else’s
give details
Details of allegation /
incident: continue on
separate sheet if necessary
Description of any visible
injuries: continue on
separate sheet if necessary
Description of any indirect
signs: continue on separate
sheet if necessary
Details of any witnesses:
Adults account of
incident/s continue on
separate sheet if necessary
If appropriate has the
Adults parents been
contacted? If so give
details
Has external agencies been
contacted? Is so give
details
Has anyone been alleged
to be the abuser? If so give
details
SIGNATURES:
Your Signature
Date:
Management Signature
Date:
Management Position
Held:
Date: