Adults at Risk Policy
Category: Cross-College
Index
Statement of Policy Purpose ………………………………………………………….3
Applicability ………………………………………………………………………………..3
Dissemination ……………………………………………………………………………..3
Definition – General Policy Statement
1 Introduction ……………………………………… ……………………………………..3
2 Designated Staff With Responsibilities for Adults at Risk……. ………………….5
3 Other Designated Staff Members ………………………………………………… 5
4 Bournemouth & Poole College Corporation ……………………… …………….. .6
5 Related Policies and Documents ……………………………………………………..6
Appendices
1 Categories of Harm... …………………………………………………………………. 8
2 Dealing With Disclosure and Procedure for Reporting Incidents ……………….9
3 Designated Safeguarding Officers ……………………………………………………10
4 Protection Procedure Flowchart …………………………………………………. .. 12
5 BPC Safeguarding Referral Form ………………………………………………….. 1 3
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Category: Cross-College
BOURNEMOUTH & POOLE COLLEGE
ADULTS AT RISK POLICY & PROCEDURES
The Bournemouth & Poole College is committed to a whole organisation approach to Safeguarding.
Certain groups of people have key responsibilities (as outlined later in this document), but it is
everyone’s responsibility to keep students safe. The College has a duty to Safeguard all students
attending The College, this policy sets out how we identify, protect and support Adults at risk of
harm*. This policy should be read in conjunction with the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy.
Definition of Adult at Risk
An Adult at Risk is: an adult aged 18 years or over ‘who is or may be in need of community care
services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take
care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself from significant harm or exploitation’ (No
Secrets, DH, 2000).
Definition of Harm / Significant Harm in Appendix1
Purpose
The purpose of this policy/procedures is:
 To protect the needs, rights and interests of all adults at risk studying at/visiting College
premises
 To ensure all College Staff are aware of their responsibilities in respect of Adults at Risk and
know what actions to take in the event of a concern or disclosure.
 To acknowledge The Colleges’ duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or
suspicions of abuse.
 To ensure that all decisions and actions are taken in line with the Colleges’ Equality, Diversity &
Inclusion Statement.
*‘Adult at risk of harm’ or ‘Adults at Risk’ means the same as and replaces the term ‘Vulnerable
Adult’ used in ‘No Secrets’ 2000. Either of these will be used through this document.
APPLICABILITY
To whom: This policy applies to all students and staff enrolled/employed at Bournemouth & Poole
College, its campuses and any of its outreach centres, including franchises and work
placements, that offer qualifications on behalf of the College, regardless of race, gender, disability,
religion, age or sexual orientation.
Consequences of non-compliance: Any student found in breach of this policy will invoke the
Student Disciplinary Policy. Members of staff and host families will follow the procedure in Section 3
of the Adults at Risk Policy.
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Category: Cross-College
DISSEMINATION
The College Safeguarding Board will ensure that the policy is distributed to relevant College
Curriculum Areas and/or Departments. Dissemination within Curriculum Areas and Departments to
staff and/or students is the responsibility of the respective management teams.
General Policy Content
1
Introduction
1.1
Bournemouth & Poole College recognises that it has a statutory and moral duty to promote
and safeguard the welfare of Adults at Risk receiving education and training at the
College.
1.2
Whether or not a person is ‘at risk’ in these cases will depend upon the surrounding
circumstances and environment. Each case must be judged on its own merits.
1.3
It must be regarded that an Adult at Risk can be an offender as well as a victim. If a
crime has been committed, it must not be assumed that the offender does not know
the difference between right and wrong.
1.4
The procedure, as outlined in Appendix 2, must be followed whenever there is an allegation
that a student has been harmed or when there is a suspicion that a student has been
harmed, is at risk of harm or has caused harm.
1.5
The governing body is committed to ensuring that the College:
Provides a safe environment in which all students can learn and develop
Maintains clear procedures to identify and report suspected cases of abuse or
likely abuse
Raises awareness for all staff about Adults at Risk protection procedures
and trains staff in their use
Provides appropriate support to students who have been harmed
Practices the safe recruitment of staff, volunteers and host families
Provides services in a manner that respects the rights, dignity, privacy and beliefs of all
the individuals concerned and does not discriminate on the basis of race, culture,
religion, language, gender, disability, age or sexual orientation
The College is committed to working in accordance with the Dorset Multi-Agency
Safeguarding Adults Policy & Procedures (DMASAPP).
1.6
In pursuit of these aims, the governing body will approve and annually review policies and
procedures to ensure that the College is properly carrying out its functions.
1.7
The College Safeguarding Board and the Board of the Corporation will receive an annual
report which reviews how the duties have been discharged. The annual report will
include statistics by race, age, gender and disability.
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2
Designated Staff with Responsibility for Safeguarding/Adults at Risk
2.1
Senior Staff Member with Lead Responsibility
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) has responsibility for Safeguarding Adults at Risk;
he/she is a member of the Executive and is responsible for:
Raising awareness within the staff and student body of issues relating to the welfare of
Adults at Risk
Promotion of a safe environment for Adults at Risk learning within the
College
Overseeing the referral of cases of suspected abuse or allegations to the relevant
investigating agency, as detailed in the Dorset Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy
& Procedures (DMASAPP).
Providing advice and support to other staff on issues relating to Adults at Risk
Maintaining a proper record of any Adults at Risk referral, complaint or concern (even
where that concern does not lead to a referral)
Liaising with Adult Social Care Teams and other appropriate agencies
Liaising with employers and training organisations that receive Adults at Risk from the
College on long term placements to ensure that appropriate safeguards are put in place
Ensuring that staff receive appropriate training in Adults at Risk protection issues and
are aware of the College Adults at Risk protection procedures
2.2
3
3.1
3.2
The Senior Staff Member with Lead responsibility has received training in vulnerable adult
protection issues and inter-agency working as required by the DMASAPP and will receive
refresher training at least every two years.
Other Designated Staff Members
Other designated members of staff with responsibility for Adults at Risk protection issues
include the Designated Safeguarding Officers, Student Services Manager and Student
Services Welfare Team.
A list of names and contact details for the Designated
Safeguarding Officers can be found in Appendix 3.
These designated staff members:
Will know how to make an appropriate referral
Will be available to provide advice and support to other staff on issues relating to
Adults at Risk
Have particular responsibility to be available to listen to Adults at Risk studying at the
College
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Have received training in Adults at Risk protection issues and inter- agency working
as required by the DMASAPP and will receive refresher training at least every two
years
4
College Corporation
4.1
The Bournemouth & Poole College Board of the Corporation is responsible for liaising with
the College Safeguarding Board over matters regarding Adults at Risk protection, including:
Ensuring that the College has procedures and policies which are consistent
with the DMASAPP procedures
Ensuring that the governing body considers the College policy on Adults at
Risk protection each year
Ensuring that, each year, the governing body is informed of how the College and
its staff have complied with the policy including, but not limited to, a report on
the training that staff have undertaken
4.2
4.3
The Corporation is responsible for overseeing the liaison between agencies such as the
police and Social Services – as defined by the DMASAPP in connection with allegations
against the Principal. This will not involve undertaking any form of investigation, but will
ensure good communication between the parties and provide information to assist enquiries.
The Board of the Corporation has an appointed designated Safeguarding Member
Related College Policies and Documents
5
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Safeguarding and Child Protection
Staff Disciplinary
IT Acceptable Use
Whistle Blowing
Data Protection
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Statement
Safe Recruitment
Staff Code of Conduct
Student Disciplinary
Health & Safety
This list is not exhaustive
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Appendix 1
Definitions
Definition of Adult at Risk
An Adult at Risk is: an adult aged 18 years or over ‘who is or may be in need of community care
services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take
care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself from significant harm or exploitation’ (No
Secrets, DH, 2000).
Definition of the term ‘Harm’:
...a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons, which results in
significant harm (DH, 2000).
Harm may be:
 A single act or repeated acts.
 An act of neglect or a failure to act.
 Multiple acts, for example, an adult at risk may be neglected and also being financially harmed.
Harm is about the misuse of power and control that one person has over another. Where there is
dependency, there is a possibility of harm or neglect unless adequate safeguards are put in place.
Intent is not an issue at the point of deciding whether an act or a failure to act is harm; it is the impact
of the act on the person and the harm or risk of harm to that individual.
Definition of the term ‘Significant Harm’:
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Ill treatment (including sexual harm and forms of ill treatment which are not physical).
The impairment of, or an avoidable deterioration in physical or mental health and/ or
The impairment of physical, intellectual, emotional, social or behavioural development.
The importance of this definition is that in deciding what action to take, consideration must be given,
not only to the immediate impact on and risk to the person but also to the risk of future, longer-term
harm.
‘No Secrets’ puts forward the following factors to be taken into account when making an assessment
of the seriousness of the risk to the person:
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Vulnerability of the person.
Nature and extent of the harm or neglect.
Length of time the harm or neglect has been occurring.
Impact of the alleged harm on the adult at risk.
Risk of repeated or increasingly serious acts of harm or neglect.
Risk that serious harm could result if no action was taken.
Illegality of the act or acts.
Harm can be viewed in terms of the following categories:
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Physical
Sexual
Psychological/ emotional/verbal
Financial and material
Neglect and acts of omission
Discriminatory
Institutional
Any of the above, with the possible exception of Institutional Harm, may include domestic violence or
abuse.
Definitions of the types of abuse:
Physical Abuse is an act that causes harm, it may involve including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking,
misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions.
Sexual abuse includes rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not
consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting.
Psychological abuse occurs where there is persistent emotional ill treatment or rejection. It includes
emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming,
controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or
supportive networks.
Financial or material abuse could include theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with Wills,
property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property,
possessions or benefits.
Neglect and acts of omission is the persistent or severe failure to meet the basic physical and/or
psychological needs of the Adult at Risk – eg withholding food, drink or adequate heating resulting in
the impairment of their health or development. It can also include a failure to provide access to health,
social or education services.
Institutional abuse is the mistreatment or abuse caused by a regime or individuals within an
organisation that denies individuals the right to choose.
Discriminatory abuse, This may include insults, harassment and maltreatment because of someone’s
race, religion, impairment or illness.
Additional Definitions/information:
Domestic Violence and Abuse
Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or
abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate
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partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass but is not limited to
the following types of abuse:
 psychological
 physical
 sexual
 financial
 emotional
Hate Crime
Hate crime is defined by the Police as any incident that is perceived by the victim, or any other person,
to be racist, homophobic, transphobic or due to a person’s religion, belief, gender identity or disability.
It should be noted that this definition is based on the perception of the victim or anyone else and is
not reliant on evidence. In addition it includes incidents that do not constitute a criminal offence.
Honour based violence
Honour-based violence is a crime, and referral must always be made to the police. It has or may have
been committed when families feel that dishonour has been brought to the family. Women are
predominantly (but not exclusively) the victims and the violence is often committed with a degree of
collusion from family members and/ or the community.
Forced Marriage
Forced marriage is a term used to describe a marriage in which one or both of the parties is married
without their consent or against their will. A forced marriage differs from an arranged marriage, in
which both parties consent to the assistance of their parents or a third party in identifying a spouse.
Exploitation by radicalisers who promote violence
Individuals may be susceptible to exploitation into violent extremism by radicalisers. Violent extremists
often use a persuasive rationale and charismatic individuals to attract people to their cause. The aim is
to attract people to their reasoning, inspire new recruits and embed their extreme views and persuade
vulnerable individuals of the legitimacy of their cause.
The College DSOs have received training in PREVENT which forms part of The Home Office antiterrorism strategy.
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Appendix 2
Dealing with Disclosure and
Procedure for Reporting Concerns
The procedure will be determined primarily by the Adult Social Care Team which
establishes the locally agreed inter-agency procedures and will indicate to which agency
referrals should be made in the first instance.
If an Adult at Risk tells a member of staff about possible abuse:
Inform the adult that you must pass the information on, but that only those that
need to know about it will be told. Inform them to whom you will report the
matter
Listen carefully and stay calm
Do not „interview‟ the individual however you may seek to clarify details by using
open questions and without putting words into the students‟
mouth in order to be sure that you understand what the student is telling you
Reassure the adult that by telling you, they have done the right thing
Note the main points carefully
Make a detailed note of the date, time, place, what the adult said, did and your
questions etc.
REPORT the issue as a matter of urgency following The College Safeguarding procedures
Staff should not investigate concerns or allegations themselves but should report them
immediately to the relevant Site Safeguarding Contact (see appendix 3.). The designated
person will make a referral in accordance with DMASAPP guidelines.
Generally, staff other than the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Designated Safeguarding
Officers should not make referrals; however, if after discussion with the Designated
Safeguarding Lead/Officer a member of staff believes that a referral should be made but
the Designated Safeguarding Officer does not, he or she may make the referral.
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Appendix 3
Designated Staff responsible for
Safeguarding & Protection of Adults at Risk
If a staff member has concerns about an Adult at Risk they should contact
the safeguarding contact for the site at which they are located:
Safeguarding Site Contacts
North Road
Lansdowne
Fulcrum
LCH
07714 851103
07774 974781
07528 364120
07816 549536
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Sharon Collett – Vice Principal - Curriculum, Quality & Student Experience
Deputy Senior Person – Duty Executive Member
Designated Safeguarding Officers
Robin Coe – Student Services Manager
Safeguarding Mobile 07528 364124
Office 01202 205450
Room: L1
Naomi Mondino – Student Welfare Manager
Safeguarding Mobile 07710 533499
Office 01202 205974
Room: L3
Emma Buckingham – Student Welfare Officer
Safeguarding Mobile 07528 364130
Office 01202 205267
Room: P.Link
Duty Executive Member – 07528 364125
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Protection Procedure for Children/Adults at Risk - Flowchart
ACTION
Disclosure to staff member
Contact Site Safeguarding telephone
If possible take careful records at the
time of disclosure. If not, this MUST
be done ASAP afterwards on BPC
Safeguarding Referral Form (See
attached)
A DSO for the College must be
informed via Safeguarding Site contacts.
See Appendix 3 for contact names and
details
DSO will make relevant referral to
appropriate
internal
or
external
person/agency and update relevant staff
as appropriate
Original Incident Record Form to be
given to Designated Safeguarding
Officer dealing with the case
DO
Take it seriously and listen carefully
Appendix 4
DON’T
WHY
Don‟t promise that the information
will just remain with the member
of staff
Information will need to
be passed on to
“Someone who can do
something about it”
▪ Don’t ask leading questions
· Don‟t jump to conclusions
· Don‟t encourage student to
disclose
· Don‟t speculate or accuse
anyone
· Don‟t make promises you can‟t
keep
This may jeopardise the
evidence
Be accessible and receptive and reassure
the student that they are right to tell
Make an accurate record stating:
· Name, age, ID and address & phone
number
· Facts of the injury/cause for concern
· Date/s of abuse
· Times of abuse
· Explanations given
· Action taken and by whom
· Who else was present in the room at time
of disclosure
This must be done ASAP
The Welfare Team member or the
Duty Manager will make sure that
the following information about the
student is to hand when „phoning
Social Services (Name/Address
/DOB/ nature of disclosure)
The form should be completed
by the person originally raising
the concern and given in person
to the DSO – DO NOT COPY
Don‟t delay making contact
Don‟t inform the parents or
discuss with anyone other than
DSOs, Welfare Team or Social
Services
Don‟t make copies of the form
The notes may be used
as evidence in a court of
law
The student may be at risk
from further abuse
It is the responsibility of
Social Services to make
enquiries or to notify
authorities/parents when
abuse is suspected
This Form is a confidential
document
12
INITIAL INFORMATION RECORD (PART 1) and
REFERRAL FORM (PART 2)
relating to Safeguarding Young People and Adults at Risk
Part 1 must be completed immediately and delivered by hand, in a sealed envelope to the Designated
Safeguarding Officer. In the case of their absence the envelope should be delivered by hand to one of the
College Executive team.
______________________________________________________________________________________
PART 1 (to be completed by the member of staff who has a concern or to whom the disclosure is made)
This concern is regarding: Young Person / Adult at Risk / Child / Unborn (Delete as appropriate)
First Name: …………………………….…………
Address: ……………………………………………………..….
Surname: ……………………………………..…..
………………………………………………………………….…..
Date of Birth: ………………… Age ……….
…………………………………………………………….………..
Gender: …………………………………………….
Postcode: …………………………………………………..…
Current address if different from above:
Tel No: ………………………………………………..………..
……………………………………………..…………….
Faculty / Site: ………………………………………..………
……………………………………………..…………….
Course: …………………………………………………..…….
Postcode: …………………………………………..
Student ID No:……………………………………….……..
Tel No: …………………………………………….…
Family Information:
Parents: …………………………………….……….
Significant other persons:
………………………………………………………….………….
Siblings: ……………………………….…………….
………………………………………………….………………….
Record of Concern / Disclosure
Name of person reporting concerns: …………………………………………………………………………..………………………..
Details of concern / disclosure
Nature of concern / disclosure: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..………………..
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………..……………..
Description of any injuries observed: ………………………………………………………………………..…….…………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………..
Signed (reporting person) ………………..………………………………
Position ………………….………………………..
Date: ………………………
Contact No: …………………………………..…
Time: ………………………
Please hand this form, with additional sheets if used, in a sealed envelope, in person,
to a Designated Safeguarding Officer
- DO NOT PHOTOCOPY -
PART 2 (to be completed by the Designated Safeguarding Officer)
Designated Safeguarding Officer: ..………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Form Received: (Date / Time) ……………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………
External referral recommended:
Yes* / No
(delete as appropriate)
If Yes - Referral to: (External Agency) ……………………………………………………………………………………………..……….
If No - Other recommendation: ………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…….
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………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………….….
Reason: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………..
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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………….
Notes ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………….
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Signed: (Designated Safeguarding Officer) ………………………………………………………….………………………………………
Date: ………………………
Time: ………………………
Contact No: ……………………………..
12FOR DSO / CENTRAL RECORD HOLDER TO COMPLETE
College Staff involved:……………………………………………………………
External Agency referral: Y / N
Details:………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………Date Closed:………………
STATUS
Open
Closed
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