Safeguarding and Protection

1.3 Describe factors that may contribute to an individual being more vulnerable to abuse
There are certain factors that have the potential to make individuals more vulnerable to abuse. These include:
Not enough trained staff
Staff being under stress/personal issues
Mental awareness of individual i.e. dementia
Greed of the carer
If the carer was abused themselves; may make it more likely for them to become an abuser
Communication difficulties
Individuals that do not have good support networks i.e. family/friends/social workers etc.

Outcome 2
Know how to respond to suspected or alleged abuse

2.1 Explain the actions to take if there are suspicions that an individual is being abused 2.2 Explain the actions to take if an individual alleges that they are being abused
If suspicions arose that an individual being cared for was being abused or if the individual made an allegation that they were being abused, there are several actions that must be taken as a “duty of care” to that individual. These are as follows:
Listen to the individual; do not encourage them to say anything either minimizing the allegation or exaggerating the allegation. Avoid leading questions.
Do not judge the individual making the allegation
Record the facts immediately on appropriate paperwork; time may cause important details to be forgotten
Report the incident to a manager/someone in authority – may need to consult the police
Do not assume that the individual is lying
Do not confront the alleged abuser; may give them time to cover their tracks if the allegation is true
Do not tamper with any evidence that may support the allegation
Explain to the individual that staff have a responsibility to pass on the allegation to those in authority; do not promise to keep the allegation a secret.
Follow the policies and procedures in place for such situations.

2.3 Identify ways to ensure that evidence of abuse is preserved
It is important that any evidence that abuse has occurred is preserved to ensure action can be taken. Ways to do this are as follows:
Take photographs/use body maps if the evidence is physical such as bruises, scratches
Record abuse immediately with dates, times and signatures; once documentation is signed it becomes a legal document
Ensure that no individual, where possible, has access to the alleged crime scene so that nothing is tampered with either accidentally or deliberately
If the abuse is sexual in nature, ensure that the individual and any clothing is not washed
Ensure that the alleged abuser does not have any contact with the victim. They may attempt to threaten or intimidate the victim into keeping quiet

Outcome 3
Understand the national and local context of safeguarding and protection from abuse

3.1.4 Identify national policies and local systems that relate to safeguarding and protection from abuse 3.2 Explain the roles of different agencies in safeguarding and protecting individuals from abuse

National Policies in place relating to safeguarding include:
Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Act 2006
CRB checks – Criminal Records Bureau – ensure criminals and abusers are not allowed to work with vulnerable individuals
Human Rights Act 1998 - ensures protection is balanced with choice and control

Local systems relating to safeguarding include:
Safeguarding Adults Boards – a group of agencies set up to provide information on how to report abuse and how to safeguard against it
Safeguarding policies and procedures
Social services

The police are a point of contact for reporting and investigating abuse and upholding the rights of the individual. They can ensure the perpetrator of the abuse is prosecuted.

CQC – Provide information on how to safeguard vulnerable adults from abuse and the policies and procedures in place to do so. They also inspect care providers and establishments to ensure that vulnerable individuals are being well cared for and protected from all forms of abuse.

3.3 Identify reports into serious failures to protect individuals from abuse

Winterbourne View –
The Winterbourne View hospital abuse occurred at Winterbourne View, a private hospital owned and operated by Castlebeck. A Panorama investigation broadcast on television in 2011, exposed the physical and psychological abuse suffered by people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour at the hospital. This abuse was inflicted by the staff; people with a “duty of care” to protect individuals from harm and abuse. Castlebeck Care Ltd failed to notify the Care Quality Commission of these incidents, injuries to individuals and of occasions when individuals had gone missing. People who had no background in care services had been recruited, references were not always checked and staff were not trained or supervised properly. Some staff were too ready to use methods of restraint without considering alternatives.

Baby P –
Baby P (Peter Connelly) was a 17-month-old boy who died at the hands of his mother and mother’s boyfriend after months of systemic abuse and neglect. G.Ps and Social services were involved in the child’s life but failed to protect Baby P from the abuse he endured. The toddler's GP failed to report suspicious bruises, police failed to fully investigate his injuries and a meeting between lawyers and social workers to decide whether he should be put into care was delayed.

3.2.4 Identify sources of information and advice about own role in safeguarding and protecting individuals from abuse

Sources of safeguarding information that can be accessed are as follows:

Managers
Policies and Procedures
CQC
Deprivation Of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS)
Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA)

Outcome 4
Understand ways to reduce the likelihood of abuse

4.1 Explain how the likelihood of abuse may be reduced by:

Working with person centred values
Encouraging active participation
Promoting choice and rights

4.2 Explain the importance of an accessible complaints procedure for reducing the likelihood of abuse

A complaints procedure can help reduce the likelihood of abuse occurring as it is a format to challenge abusers on their behaviour. This may make them less likely to abuse or any abuse identified and dealt with sooner. It also helps vulnerable individuals to feel more in control and empowered and less likely to accept abuse if it were to be inflicted upon them. However, in order for a complaints procedure to be effective, it must be easily accessible and easy to understand by all vulnerable individuals. In care setting a complaints procedure is a legal requirement and one of the many policies and procedures that must be implemented.
Outcome 5
Know how to recognise and report unsafe practices

5.1 Describe unsafe practices that may affect the well-being of individuals

Unsafe practices affecting the well-being of individuals are as follows:

Lack of staff
Staff too tired to do their job properly due to being overworked
Agency staff not understanding individuals needs
Staff cutting corners in care of individuals due to lack of time

Lack of training
Staff not correctly trained in their job role

Lack of equipment
No PPE available such as gloves affecting hygiene leading to illness

Not keeping track of medications
By failing to record when an individual has taken their medication (MAR sheet), staff could potentially administer more than necessary or fail to do so at all

5.2 Explain the actions to take if unsafe practices have been identified

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