Safeguarding Adults Information sheet
This information sheet is aimed at any organisations that work with or have
any contact with vulnerable adults.
Safeguarding Adults
Safeguarding adults means protecting vulnerable adults from abuse and harm.
Everyone is responsible for helping to keep vulnerable adults safe. Vulnerable adults
are defined as;
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People aged 18 or over
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Who are receiving or may need community care services because of
learning, physical or mental disability, age, or illness
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Who are or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to
protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.
(No Secrets, Department of Health, 2000)
Your organisation should work to create a safeguarding culture. The following
suggestions can help you to do this.
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All organisations should have their own safeguarding adults policy and
procedure. It is important to have the policy and procedures in place so
that staff, volunteers, service users and carers, and management
committee can work to prevent abuse and know what to do in the event of
abuse.
Promoting safeguarding adults awareness within your organisation
Responding to concerns of abuse in an appropriate and timely manner by
following the Newcastle Safeguarding Adults Board Inter-Agency Policies
and Procedures.
Adopting safe procedures for recruiting staff members and volunteers and
committee members.
Providing support, supervision, guidance and training for staff, volunteers
and committee members.
6 Key principles of Safeguarding Adults
In 2011 the Government outlined 6 key principles which seek to increase the
protection for vulnerable adults, and sets out the key issues which must inform local
arrangements. These 6 Key Principles are;
 Empowerment - Victims should be supported in making their own decisions
and choices, including those related to risk and their own perceived
vulnerability. If decisions are made without taking account of the victims views
this may infringe their human rights and jeopardise other qualities of life.
 Protection - support and representation for those in greatest need.
 Prevention - it is better to take action before harm occurs.
 Proportionality - safeguarding must be built on proportionality and a
consideration of people’s human rights.
 Partnership - local solutions through services working with their communities.
 Accountability – safeguarding practice and arrangements should be
accountable and transparent.
Safeguarding Adults policy and procedures
Policy
All organisation need to have their own safeguarding adults policy and procedure.
Effective safeguarding adults practice protects the vulnerable adults you have
contact with as well as the staff, volunteers and management committee members.
All staff and volunteers (including management committee members) must
understand the policy and procedures.
Procedures
It is important that everybody understands their roles and responsibilities, the aim of
the procedures should be to ensure that all managers, trustees, management
committee members, staff and volunteers act appropriately in response to any
safeguarding adults concern. The procedures should cover how your organisation
will demonstrate;
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Commitment to safeguarding adults
Recognising the signs and symptoms of abuse
Designated Named Person for safeguarding adults
Responding to people who have experienced or are experiencing abuse
Managing allegation made against member of staff or volunteer
Recording and managing confidential information
Disseminating/Reviewing policy and procedures
Support
We have produced a template that will help you to create a policy and procedure for
your organisation. You can download a copy of the template as well as a guidance
document on writing a policy and procedure by visiting our website.
www.newcastle.gov.uk/care-and-wellbeing/adult-social-care/community-andvoluntary-sector-support
Training
It is important that everybody understands their responsibility to safeguard
vulnerable adults. All learning and development opportunities provided by the
Newcastle Safeguarding by the Newcastle Safeguarding Adults Board multi-agency
partnership are free of charge. Please see our Learning and Development webpage
for more information on what we have available.
www.newcastle.gov.uk/care-and-wellbeing/adult-social-care/safeguarding-adultslearning-and-development-training
Criminal Records Bureau Checks
CRB checks are carried out to help prevent unsuitable people from working or
volunteering with children and vulnerable adults. CRB checks are required by any
organisation who undertakes paid or unpaid work in regulated activity with children
and vulnerable adults. Newcastle CVS have produced a range of useful information
sheets, including one on CRB checks. You can find the information sheets on the
Newcastle CVS website www.cvsnewcastle.org.uk > publications > information
sheets, or contact them for copy.
If you are concerned that a vulnerable adult has been the victim of abuse
In an emergency situation please call 999
Otherwise please contact the Adult Social Care Direct Team, Monday – Friday 9am
– 5pm.
Phone:
0191 278 8377
Fax:
0191 278 8312
Textphone: 0191 278 8359
Email:
scd@newcastle.gov.uk
In an emergency situation outside of these times you can contact the Out of Hours
Service on 0191 232 8520.