Multi-agency Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure

1 CHESHIRE EAST Safeguarding Adults BOARD. Multi-agency Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure This Multi-agency Policy and Procedure has been produced by Cheshire East Safeguarding Adults Board, in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Care Act 2014 and accompanying Statutory Guidance. April 2015. 0. Cheshire East Safeguarding Adults Board All members and partner agencies accept responsibility for protecting vulnerable Adults from abuse, endorse this Policy and associated procedures and are committed to the values and principles that underpin them. Purpose and scope of this Policy This Multi-agency Policy and Procedure has been produced by Cheshire East Safeguarding Adults Board, in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Care Act 2014 and accompanying Statutory Guidance.

2 This Policy is to apply to all Adults who may be experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect. The Care Act 2014 provides that a local authority must make enquiries or ensure others do so, if it believes an adult is at risk of abuse or This duty applies to anyone aged over 18 who has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and as a result of those needs is unable to protect him / herself against abuse, neglect or the risk of it. The aim of this Policy is to improve practice among employees of all partner agencies in regard to the recognition, reporting and investigation of abuse of Adults at risk.. Values and Principles The work of the Board is based on the following vision : People in Cheshire East have the right to live a life free from harm, where communities: have a culture that does not tolerate abuse work together to prevent abuse know what to do when abuse happens 1.

3 The values of the Policy are based on understanding and promoting peoples' right to make decisions, the importance of maintaining dignity and respect and the and celebration of diversity. Cheshire East Safeguarding Adults Board believes that: People have the right to live their lives free from neglect and abuse Safeguarding Adults is a shared responsibility of all organisations and agencies commit to holding each other to account The individual, family and community should be at the heart of Safeguarding practice High quality Multi-agency working is essential to good Safeguarding We respect that Adults have a right to take risks and that this will sometimes restrict our ability to act There must be a commitment to continuous improvement and learning across the partnership Principles All Safeguarding work is underpinned by the following principles.

4 Empowerment Personalisation and the presumption of person-led decisions and informed consent. In practice this means: Safeguarding Adults is central to ensuring people receive a positive experience of the services offered by the organisation. There are clear and accessible systems for individuals, users and carers voices/views to be heard and influence change The organisation gives individuals relevant information and support around recognising and reporting abuse and the choices available to them to ensure their own safety 2. The organisation ensures that the public are clear about the roles, responsibilities and ways to contact those who work in Safeguarding vulnerable Adults People should be able to say: I am asked what I want as the outcomes from the Safeguarding process and these directly inform what happens.

5 Prevention It is better to take action before harm occurs. Although agencies must work together to respond to potential abuse and provide protection to individuals, it is important to emphasise that prevention must always be the primary objective. In practice this means: Organisations raise public awareness about Safeguarding Adults and how to avoid, identify and report it Robust procedures are followed to ensure that all staff and volunteers are safely recruited so that unsuitable people are prevented from working with Adults at risk There is a system of leadership and accountability that monitors Safeguarding systems. All staff are clear about roles and responsibilities in respect of job requirements in relation to Safeguarding Adults at risk.

6 All staff have access to an appropriate Whistle Blowing Policy that enables concerns to be raised without fear of retribution. Lead responsibility for Safeguarding Adults is delegated to an appropriate member of staff. Safeguarding Adults is integrated into all the organisation's contractual processes with clear expectations and reporting requirements to prevent harm, neglect and abuse of Adults at risk The organisation has performance management systems that record and indicate the effectiveness and potential for interventions to prevent harm, neglect and abuse 3. The organisation has Safeguarding Adults procedures in place that staff understand and implement People should be able to say: I receive clear and simple information about what abuse is, how to recognise the signs and what I can do to seek help.

7 Proportionality Proportionate and least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented. In practice this means: The adult at risk is at the centre of all responses to allegations or disclosures of harm and all activity is based on their preferred outcomes or best interests The organisation has an approach of positive risk taking and defensible decision making in which the adult at risk is fully involved People should be able to say: I am sure that the professionals will work for my best interests, as I see them and they will only get involved as much as needed.. Protection Support and representation for those in greatest need. In practice this means: The organisation has effective processes to enable it to identify and respond to concerns or emerging risks relating to Adults at risk The organisation has processes for quality assuring decisions relating to concerns, alerts and referrals 4.

8 The organisation can demonstrate that consideration of mental capacity is part of the Safeguarding Adults process and where people lack capacity decisions are always made in their best interests Safeguarding Awareness training delivered to all staff and volunteers and opportunities are available to develop enhanced skills for those with specific role/responsibilities. People should be able to say I get help and support to report abuse. I get help to take part in the Safeguarding process to the extent to which I want and to which I am able.. Partnership Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse. In practice this means: Information is shared between organisations in a way that reflects its personal and sensitive nature.

9 There are local information sharing agreements in place and staff understand and use them The organisation works with others in a one team' approach that that places the welfare of Adults at risk above organisational boundaries The organisation's representatives on SAB are senior level, strategic officers and are accountable for Safeguarding activity and for updating and sharing Policy , procedures and information throughout the organisation People should be able to say: 5. I know that staff treat any personal and sensitive information in confidence, only sharing what is helpful and necessary. I am confident that professionals will work together to get the best result for me.. Accountability Accountability and transparency in delivering Safeguarding .

10 In practice this means: The roles, responsibilities and lines of accountability of the organisation are clear so that staff understand what is expected of them and others The organisation recognises and acts upon its responsibilities to the Board and partner agencies for Safeguarding arrangements People should be able to say: I understand the role of everyone involved in my life.. Policy into Practice Cheshire East Safeguarding Adults Board recognises that the demands and governance of each partner organisation are different, and that organisations may achieve common outcomes in different ways. The Board will seek assurance that all partner organisations are fully committed to working together effectively to prevent abuse and neglect and to protect and provide support to Adults who are at risk.