Guide 4: Safeguarding and managing risk (adults) - Mind

1 Guide 4: Safeguarding and managing risk (adults)Sport and physical activity for people with mental health problems: a toolkit for the sports sectorGuide 4: Safeguarding and managing risk (adults)This Guide covers: What Safeguarding is Adults at risk Top tips for Safeguarding risk management Boundaries, and when and how to break confidentiality managing conversations about mental health Looking after staff and volunteers mental wellbeing Further info & FAQsThis Guide is for organisations providing physical activity programmes or sessions for adults (18+) with mental health problems.

2 It will support you to promote Safeguarding , prevent abuse, and protect staff members and adults at risk. This Guide was written with support of The Ann Craft Trust (ACT). The ACT believe that every disabled child and every adult at risk deserves to be treated with the same respect and dignity as everyone else in society. They are a leading provider of Safeguarding training, consultations and Safeguarding adult reviews working closely with organisations and individuals across the UK to raise awareness and improve is Safeguarding ? Safeguarding means protecting people s health, wellbeing and human rights.

3 It s fundamental to high-quality health and social care and is about keeping everyone safe and taking care of their wellbeing. Find out more on the Quality Care Commission s find out about the differences beween Safeguarding adults and children, please see Annex find out about the principles of Safeguarding , see Annex at riskAre all people with mental health problems adults at risk ?1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. Just as our bodies can become unwell, so can our minds. Mental health is fluid and can change day to day, week to week and year to year.

4 Many people with mental health problems do not receive support services and when well would consider themselves able to 23take care of themselves independently. However, some of your participants, staff or volunteers may be receiving support from services, or may be eligible for services but are not receiving them and may be at a greater risk of experiencing abuse or Care Act 2014 makes it clear that abuse of adults is linked to circumstances rather than the characteristics of the people experiencing the harm. So, someone may have a mental health problem and have care and support needs , but they are not experiencing abuse or neglect.

5 In that case they are not an adult at risk .An adult at risk is someone who: has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs), and is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or out more about adults at risk in Annex and neglect of adultsWhat types of harm can adults experience?The Statutory Guidance to the Care Act 2014 identifies 10 categories of harm:Self-neglectThis covers a wide range of behaviour: neglecting to care for one s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as SlaveryThis encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic AbuseThis includes psychological, physical, sexual , financial and emotional abuse perpetrated by anyone within a person s family.

6 It also includes so called honour based is abuse which centres on a difference or perceived difference particularly with respect to race, gender or disability or any of the protected characteristics of the Equality includes neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care 4setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one s own home. This may range from one off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes and practices within an includes hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate includes rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment , inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts.

7 Indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into or materialThis includes theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or of omissionThis includes ignoring medical or physical care needs, failing to provide access to appropriate health social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and or psychologicalThis includes threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment , verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive information on issues which are not included in the Statutory Guidance to the Care Act 2014 but are also relevant to Safeguarding adults.

8 Please see Annex of abuse or neglectWhat are the indicators that someone may be at risk of, or experiencing harm?Things to look out for include: Changes to someone s appearance, behaviour or routines Weight gain or loss5 Appearing frightened in the presence of certain people Unexplained lack of money or inability to maintain lifestyle Appearing withdrawn and isolated Unexplained marks/ bruising to the bodyTo find out about who might abuse adults, see Annex should I do if I am concerned about an adult?It is important that you familiarise yourself with your organisation s Safeguarding policy and procedures.

9 We recommend reviewing them in light of any new sports or physical activity programmes or services you are planning, and in relation to mental health problems. You may feel that it includes sufficient procedures for supporting people with mental health problems in your organisation, however if you believe it to be lacking in provision we hope this guidance will support you to develop your now to see what you have in place. If there is not a clear process for dealing with concerns then you can access a sample policy and procedures that you can adapt to fit your setting from the Ann Craft Trust you are concerned about someone, don t keep it to yourself.

10 Wherever possible speak to the adult involved about your concerns and find out their views. Let them know what you are going to do next. Share the issue with the person in your organisation with responsibility for Safeguarding (often your line manager). Discuss what you need to do next, depending on the information that you you are not sure of what to do you can call your local authority Safeguarding adults team for advice, you do not have to give people s personal details, just the issues. The workers there will be able to help to Guide your actions.