Vulnerable adult: Is a person 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 against significant harm or exploitation (see Note 1 below). Vulnerable adults are entitled to: privacy; be treated with dignity; lead an independent life and to be enabled to do so; be able to choose how they lead their lives; the protection of the law; have their rights upheld regardless of ethical origin, gender, sexuality, impairment or disability, age, religion, or cultural background. Child: Describes a child aged 0-17 years. 

As Bexhill Homeless Unity Group, we want to restore dignity and revive hope to people from all walks of life. We are concerned with the individuals and their circumstances and actively encourage an inclusive environment throughout all our activities and projects. We seek to ensure that all our staff and volunteers are aware of what is required of them under the vulnerable adult and child protection policy and make sure that it is practised at all times. It is the responsibility of each one of us to prevent the physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults and children. We commit ourselves to co-operate fully with the appropriate statutory authorities when they are conducting official investigation into physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and Note 1 March 2000. ‘No secrets: guidance on developing and implementing multi-agency policies and procedures to protect vulnerable adults from abuse’, Department of Health. (The broad definition of a ‘vulnerable adult’ referred to in the 1997 Consultation Paper Who decides? issued by the Lord Chancellor’s Department.) neglect of vulnerable adults and children or young people (by an adult or young person). This statement is to be brought to the attention of all staff and volunteers when they join, as part of their induction programme. Any amendments will be brought to the attention of all HUG workers.

BEXHILL HOMELESS UNITY GROUP SHALL: Plan its work so as to minimise situations where abuse of vulnerable adults and children might occur. Although the number of people who actively seek to abuse vulnerable adults and children is very small, Bexhill Homeless Unity Group Project can reduce opportunities for abuse in various ways. WE will, for instance: • Ensure that there is adequate supervision for all vulnerable adults and children. • Ensure that any vulnerable adult or child working with the project is aware who they can talk to if they have concerns. • Ensure that all staff and volunteers know where the nearest telephone is in case of emergencies and that phones are clearly labelled with directions for making external calls. • Arrange that, as far as possible, an adult is not left alone with a child where there is little or no opportunity of the activity being observed by others. This good practice can be of as much benefit to the adult as to the child. • Make sure the designated person has correct and up to date training. • Ensure staff and volunteers supervising vulnerable adults or children are suitably trained.

Bexhill Homeless Unity Group has a designated person who is responsible for dealing with any concerns about the protection of vulnerable adults or children. The designated person is......(insert Name). The designated person will be available for vulnerable adults and children to speak with should they feel the need to talk with someone about an incident which has happened working for or receiving assistance from Bexhill Homeless Unity Group, particularly if they feel they have been physically, sexually, or emotionally abused or neglected by an adult or young person.
RECORDING The designated person will make notes and keep confidential records of any disclosure or concerns they or another staff member/volunteer has and seek advice from the Social Services Department or the Police. Staff and volunteers must ensure that their recording of facts, incidents, assessments, referrals, case discussion, are all sufficient, accurate, concise, factual, up-to-date, legible and dated. Opinions should be kept to a minimum and backed up with factual evidence. Any supporting evidence should be preserved and clearly labelled. These records must be stored in an individual file and stored securely in a manner that safeguards the individual’s right to privacy and security. These records are available to individuals on request (not third party information) and may be used in disciplinary proceedings or in civil or criminal prosecutions. 

WHISTLE-BLOWING

Staff and volunteers are encouraged to take action when suspicious that abuse is occurring at work – no matter what the setting, who the suspected perpetrator is, or who the victim is. Bexhill Homeless Unity Group will respect and not penalise those who stand up for anyone who is suspected of being abused. Staff and volunteers have a responsibility to report any occurrences or suspicions of adult abuse. Those who report abuse are protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. REMEMBER It is important that everyone in Bexhill Homeless Unity Group is aware that the person who first encounters a case of alleged or suspected abuse is not responsible for deciding whether or not abuse has occurred. That is a task for the professional vulnerable adult and child protection agencies once a concern about someone has been referred to them. 

Display the name of the designated person. Ensure all workers in Bexhill Homeless Unity Group know the name of the designated person and how they might be contacted. 

It is possible to be lulled into a false sense of security, believing that those who work alongside vulnerable adults and children in Bexhill Homeless Unity Group will never be guilty of abuse because they are part of a Christian organisation. It is not safe to assume that all others are automatically safe to be with vulnerable adults or children. For this reason all procedures set in place to protect vulnerable adults and children should apply to all those in contact with them. This is not the same as treating each person who relates to vulnerable adults and children as being under suspicion, but a matter of taking sensible measures to protect vulnerable adults and children, which are then observed by everyone. This will involve thought and planning within each group to minimise the risk. If any member of staff or volunteer has concerns they should be raised with the designated person. If concerns are brought to the attention of the designated person and not adequately dealt with the next step is to talk to the Chairman for advice, or to contact Social Services/the Police as a private citizen to discuss your concerns 

There is a difference between confidentiality and secrecy. All personal and delicate information disclosed to us is confidential, but may not always be secret. Personal and delicate information staff and volunteers will be: • Confidential to Bexhill Homeless Unity Group and can be shared with staff/volunteers on a ‘need to know’ basis and • Can be shared with another agency when; - Permission is given by the person about whom the information is held. - There is an overriding justification to share information without the person’s consent. - The law requires it. 

Abuse of vulnerable adults and children is most easily concealed where there is confusion among adults about roles and responsibilities. Included therefore in all job descriptions, both for employees and supervising volunteers, will be a clear description of roles and responsibilities. Also, the Volunteer’s Induction Pack will include a ‘Code of Conduct’ setting out the behaviour and values expected from all who serve in Bexhill Homeless Unity Group. Over and above the written word, expected behaviour towards vulnerable adults and children when working with Bexhill Homeless Unity Group will be explained to new workers as part of their induction. It is Bexhill Homeless Unity Group’s policy not to engage in regulated activities (close or personal tasks such as washing, dressing, massaging, or accompanying to the toilet) with vulnerable adults: members of staff and volunteers are therefore ineligible for DBS checks.
Supervision as a means of protection Regular staff meetings should be held where team leaders meet together to raise issues about their areas of work and discuss them. When receiving feedback about the work, particular attention should be paid to any situation or suggestion that a vulnerable adult or child is being either highly favoured or harshly treated as these are signs of abuse. Within Bexhill Homeless Unity Group our main area of concern about protecting people lies with the welfare of any vulnerable adult supported volunteers. Where possible, line managers should take opportunities to observe those vulnerable adults and children for whom they are responsible. In all recruitment decisions concerning volunteers: a) A detailed application form should be completed b) 2 references should be taken about the suitability of the application for the post being considered c) An informal interview will provide an extended conversation to allow an opportunity to explore in more detail the applicant’s experience and motivation for volunteering. 

All volunteers must complete a volunteer application form before commencing work at Bexhill Homeless Unity Group. Details of criminal convictions (except those ‘spent’ under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) must be provided so an adequate risk assessment can be undertaken. (Bexhill Homeless Unity Group reserves the right to dismiss a volunteer and/or ban them from the premises should they feel it is necessary). 

Training in the prevention of abuse, and the action to be taken if abuse occurs should be included as part of the training programme for Bexhill Homeless Unity Group and can normally be accessed free of charge via the local authority. Further guidelines concerning the safeguarding policies of your local council can also be obtained free of charge and a copy should be kept available as a reference. It should be noted that it is insufficient to give workers guidelines without equipping them with the skills and knowledge to carry them out. 

All workers driving any vehicle which transports vulnerable adults and/or children must hold a valid road fund licence, be appropriately insured for business use, have a valid MOT certificate and comply with all appropriate legislation and regulations. Seat sharing is not permitted and seat belts must be worn. 

This policy and its implementation will be reviewed at least annually and whenever there are any legislative changes or amendments to guidance issued by relevant statutory bodies. Bexhill Homeless Unity Group Policy adopted October 2018 for immediate implementation and periodic review.