Staff Handbook
This guidance booklet has been produced to help people working directly with vulnerable adults to understand how to raise concerns they may have about abuse. This booklet supplements the Safeguarding Adult Guidelines. ] It is the responsibility of everyone to recognise suspected or actual abuse and to take appropriate action in line with the procedures in this document. IGNORING ABUSE IS NOT AN OPTION ] All individuals regardless of age, ability, race, gender, sexual orientation, faith or beliefs should have the greatest possible control over their lives. ] People should be able to live as independently as possible and to make informed decisions about their own lifestyles, including the opportunity to takes risks if they choose to do so, without fear of harm or abuse from others. Your understanding of adult safeguarding and your actions can make a positive difference to vulnerable people
The key message is that we have a responsibility to safeguard vulnerable adults from abuse. It is recommended that you should read and understand this practice guidance as it sets out the responsibilities you have to promote the safety of vulnerable adults. Many people find it hard to understand why another person (or persons) would want to abuse and cause harm to a vulnerable person. However someone who is vulnerable can often be the perfect target. Why? Because often: ] They can’t defend themselves ] They may not be able to get away ] Even if they can tell, often they are not believed ] Sometimes our staff and organisation do not believe that it can happen ] It may be forgotten that vulnerable people have a human right to be safe (as we do) Abuse of vulnerable people does not have to be deliberate, malicious or planned. It sometimes happens when people are trying to do their best but do not know the right thing to do. Sometimes the person who causes harm does so because of