Completed
Completed
Completed
1 Explain relevant legislation, principles, national policies and framework and local
systems that relate to safeguarding and protection from abuse and neglect.
Protecting and preventing abuse and neglect is an essential aspect of health and social
care. There are important laws, principles polices and frameworks to govern all protection
concerns and ensure the protection of vulnerable people.
Care Act of 2014: This is one of the most important pieces of legislation governing
protections, and imposes a general duty on local authorities to promote the welfare of
individuals by providing care and support. Local authorities have a safeguarding duty to
protect vulnerable adults. This includes leading a multi-agency system to prevent abuse
and risk.
Asking when an adult in need of care is at risk Establishment of the Adult Protection
Committe Conduct, adult protection checks when someone in their care dies from abuse
or neglect or abuse. Arrange for independent sponsors and provide information to the
Adult Protection Committee.
Protection of vulnerable Groups Act 2006: This Act was created to ensure that employers
appropriately screen all employees or volunteers who work with children or at-risk adult. In
UK, these are Disclosure and Limitation Checks Service (DBS). The DBS also provides
information on criminal records and prohibition orders.
Health and the Social Care Act 2012: The legislation contains provisions to protect
adults. In particular, through Regulation 13, which prevents the misuse of restraint and
unlawful restriction of freedom or freedom.
Mental Capacity Act 2005: This law protects people who are incapacitated by assuming
they are competent. Get them involved in decision making. Help ensure that decisions
made for people with disabilities are in their best, and ensuring the least restrictive
intervention.
Equality Act 2010: This law protects individual from discrimination in procedure. It
presents that all individual be treated discriminated against harassed and victimized
equally regardless of age, race, religion, belief, sexual orientation, disabilities, gender,
gender transition and marital status.
Human Rights Act 1998: This law guarantees the fundamental right of individuals,
including the right to life, freedom from degrading treatment security of freedom and right
to private and family life.
There are six key principles related to protection and protection from abuse and neglect
that are set out in the Care Act and apply to all health care facilities. They are as follows
Empowerment: An important component of prevention is enabling individuals to make
decisions about themselves. It gives consent and choice. Empowerment requires support,
confidence and information.
Prevention: The main purpose of prevention is to prevent abuse, harm, and neglect.
Prevention involves foresight and planning, identifying risk, taking actions and notifying
appropriate authorities before harm occurs.
Opportunity: Helps ensure that each case is handled carefully and does not interfere too
much with all the facts. This is especially true when dealing with friends and family,
especially in care settings where overreacting can be dangerous.
Cooperation; Protection must be a community process .it involves the entire community
and a multi-agency approach, building partnerships with vulnerable elderly people and
other care workers. it is very important for effective service.
1.2 The role of different agencies in safeguarding and protection of individuals right.
There are multiple agencies that have a role in safeguarding and protecting individuals, the
local authorities' inquiries about abuse and the police work to investigate any abuse to
maintain safety of an individuals. Care workers have policies and procedures implemented
in their workplace and health care service reports signs of abuse. The safeguarding Adults
Board communicate with these agencies to provide appropriate safeguarding for all
vulnerable adults.
1.3 Outline when and how you would report serious failures in upholding individuals
right to live free from abuse and neglect and how influence current practice.
Whenever there is serious failure in upholding an individual's right to live free from abuse
and neglects, it should be reported straight to the authorities. This means following the
company’s policies and procedures and reporting to a manager. By reporting, this allows a
proper investigation to be conduct and also allow for policies and training to be updated
and prevention from future or further reoccurrence.
1.4 Describe where to find source of information and advice about own role in
safeguarding, including whistle blowing and accountability for decision making and
information sharing.
Every source of information and advice about one's role in safeguarding can be found in
the company’s policies and procedures, these identify all relevant protocols and own
responsibilities at work. Care Quality commission and other professional service can
provide support and guidance. Alternatively training in safeguarding is significant for
understanding roles and responsibilities.
2.1 Define the term
1.Safeguarding is the practice of protecting an individual's wellbeing and rights. its
purpose is to maintain individuals live freely from abuse or neglect and ensure their safety
is be promote.
2.Abuse is the act of causing harm and suffering to an individual intentionally or
deliberately. There are multiple types of abuse including; verbal, physical, psychological,
financial, emotional, and sexual can take place in any setting by an individual, community
group or institution.
Factors that increase the like hood of abuse include isolation, lack of social support,
physical or learning disabilities, mental health needs dependency on caregiver. Individual
with complex needs or cognitive impairment such as dementia are particularly at risk.
Individuals with a learning disability are four time more likely to experience sexual abuse
than those without a disability. Depression is also strong risk factor for physical abuse.
These terms describe various forms abuse or mistreatment that can mostly individuals
physically, emotionally, emotionally, or in other significant areas. Here’s an explanation of
each:
Physical Abuse: Intentional use of force that results in pain, injury, or harm. Examples
include hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, or misusing drugs or restraints.
Domestic Abuse: Abuse occurs in close relationships or within the family or care setting.
This may include physical, emotional, mental, financial or sexual abuse, including
controlling or coercive behavior. And it can affect both children and adults.
Sexual Abuse: It may also include rape, sexual harassment unwanted contact coercion to
participate in or witness sexual acts and exploitation of persons unable to provide
informed consent.
Mental Abuse: Behavior that causes emotional harm or distress to a person. This may
include intimidation, humiliation, manipulation, and isolation. Or damage to the
confidence or self-esteem of others.
Financial/Material Abuse: Using money, property, or any assets illegal or inappropriate.
Examples include theft, fraud, financial coercion. Or denying another person access to
their own money.
Modern Slavery: This includes practices such as human trafficking. Forced labor,
domestic slavery, and debt bondage. They are often exploited under duress, deception, or
intimidation. And were deprived of their down freedom.
Self-neglect: When a person fails to take care of their basic needs. May put health or
safety at risk. This may include neglecting hygiene, nutrition, or living in unsafe or
unhygienic conditions.
Sexual Abuse
Bruising or injuries around sensitive areas.
Avoidance of physical contact or fear of intimacy.
Unexplained sexually transmitted infections or pregnancies.
Behavioral signs such as aggression, self-harm, or sexualized behavior inappropriate for
their age.
Financial Abuse
Unexplained loss of money or possessions.
Lack of funds for essentials like food or clothing despite having sufficient income.
Unexplained changes to wills, deeds, or financial documents.
Neglect
Malnutrition or dehydration.
Poor hygiene, including unwashed clothing or lack of personal care.
Untreated medical conditions or missed healthcare appointments.
Living in unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
Domestic Abuse
Isolation from friends and family.
Frequent absences from work or social activities without explanation.
Visible injuries coupled with implausible explanations.
Fearful or submissive behavior toward a partner or family member.
Controlling Behavior
Exploitation
Taking advantage of an individual’s vulnerabilities for personal gain, such as financial
exploitation or coercion.
Manipulating the individual into feeling guilty or responsible for the abuse.
Managing Risk
A proactive practice of risk control helps identify potential concerns and mitigate them
before harm. The fierce approach includes assessing the risk and the need to implement
measures to minimize the dangers, provide an efficient environment, and train staff for
future prevention. The ability to manage these risks will prevent further abuse and also
ensure individuals are safe and protected (Health and Safety Executive [HSE], 2021).
Focusing on Prevention
In prevention, it is essential to understand the primary cause. For instance, in the case of
abuse, it is necessary to be educated and trained and apply policies that will help identify
the root cause to put necessary prevention in place. Raising safeguarding awareness in the
staff environment and ensuring policy compliance is essential and will help reduce risks.
Updated staff training is essential, and regular check-ins and meetings with staff help
foresee concerns that need to be prevented (Care Quality Commission [CQC], 2022).
Accountability and Transparency: Accessing the complaint desk and following up helps
promote involvement and clarify the organizational commitment to Intervening in
concerns.
Early Intervention: An organizational Platform offering swift action upon complaints and
escalation to action will enable people to report concerns while understanding that action
will be taken.
Empowerment: A simplified approach to reporting concerns is essential to enable
individuals to raise their concerns without being bothered with the approaches and not a
complicated approach that may discourage them from reporting their concerns.
Observe and Record: Note specific signs or behavior's that raise suspicion. Ensure these
observations are factual and objective, avoiding assumptions.
Report Concerns: Follow your organization's safeguarding policies to report the concerns
to a line manager or designated safeguarding lead (DSL).
Maintain Confidentiality: Share information only with those involved in the safeguarding
process.
Take Immediate Action: If the individual is at immediate risk, contact emergency services
or appropriate authorities (e.g., local safeguarding boards).
4.2 Explain how to respond if an individual discloses that they are being
abused or neglected.
When someone discloses abuse or neglect:
Listen Actively: Allow the individual to speak without interruption or judgment. Reassure
them they have done the right thing by speaking up.
Remain Calm: Avoid showing shock or disbelief, as this may discourage further
disclosure.
Do Not Promise Confidentiality: Inform them that the information may need to be shared
with appropriate authorities to ensure their safety.
Record the Disclosure: Write down the details as soon as possible, using the individual’s
words.
Report Immediately: Inform your DSL or line manager and follow organizational
procedures.
Lack of Consent: When an individual refuses to share information, it can create ethical
challenges, as their right to privacy must be respected.
Legal Obligations: In certain cases, information must be shared without consent, such as
when there is a serious risk to the individual or others. Safeguarding laws allow this to
protect those at risk.
Data Protection: Sharing information must comply with data protection regulations like
GDPR.
Balancing Rights: You must weigh an individual’s right to privacy against the need to
protect them or others from harm.
4.4 Explain how to share information about suspicions or disclosures of
abuse or neglect.
When sharing information:
Follow Policies: Organization policies must be adhered to and these policies helps guide
reporting and safeguarding concerns sharing.
Document the Process: Record what information was shared, with whom, and why.
4.5 Explain how to keep the individual, and others informed and involved
about their safeguarding concern in line with policies and procedures.
Updating individuals about their concerns: Inform individuals about the progress of their
safeguarding concerns, which will help promote transparency and trust.
Involve Individuals in Decision Making: Involve individuals in deciding with their care and
respect their autonomy.
Follow Organizational Policies: Ensure all communication and actions comply with
safeguarding protocols and legal requirements to maintain consistency and
accountability.
Respect Privacy: Share only necessary information and avoid discussing the case with
those not directly involved.
4.6 Explain ways to ensure that you can preserve evidence of abuse or
neglect.
To preserve evidence:
1. Do Not Disturb the Scene: Leave the area untouched if the abuse occurred in a
physical space.
2. Secure Physical Evidence: It's important to keep some items, like clothing or other
items essential to the investigations.
3. Document Observations: Record details about the situation, including times,
dates, and descriptions.
4. Avoid Contamination: Handle evidence minimally and only when necessary, using
gloves if applicable.
5. Store Evidence Safely: Keep items in secure, labeled containers to maintain
integrity.
4.7 Explain when and how you would seek advice and support on how to
respond to safeguarding concerns.
When:
1. Stay Calm and Listen: Allow the child to speak without interrupting or leading the
conversation.
2. Provide Reassurance: Let the child know they are doing the right thing by speaking
up and that it is not their fault.
3. Do Not Promise Secrecy: Explain that the information must be shared with those
who can help.
4. Record the Disclosure: Write down the child's words, using their exact words,
where possible.
5. Report Immediately: Inform the DSL or safeguarding officer and follow local
safeguarding protocols.
6. Take Immediate Action if Necessary: Contact emergency services if the child is in
immediate danger.
5.1 Describing the unsafe practices that may affect individual wellbeing.
Unsafe practices in healthcare environments can enormously impact a person’s physical,
emotional, and mental health. These issues often stem from neglect, inadequate training,
or not following professional guidelines. Examples include:
Inadequate Infection Control: Hygiene standards are essential, and failure to maintain
them may lead to severe infectious conditions like MRSA and COVID-19. To avoid this,
washing hands and adequate cleaning has been shown to help reduce infections (World
Health Organization [WHO], 2020).
Identify and Document: Unsafe practices must be documented clearly with definite
details. For instance, if a colleague repeatedly administers the wrong medication, note
specific incidents and their outcomes (CQC, 2022).
2. Collaborate with Regulatory Bodies: For serious risks or legal breaches, escalate
concerns to external authorities like the CQC or safeguarding boards.
3. Promote Training and Awareness: Unsafe practices often reveal gaps in knowledge or
skills. Encouraging training helps improve care quality over the long term.
For instance, a colleague may overlook infection control protocols, it is important to
remind them to be hygienic and further relate the incident to the supervisor/manager.
Follow-Up with Management: When unsafe practices are reported in the organization,
and no visible action is taken, it is essential to follow up with the supervisor or the line
manager. You may need to provide evidence and escalate the situation further to
demonstrate the need to attend to it and prevent the residents from further risk and harm.
Escalate Internally: If the immediate manager or supervisor does not act, escalate the
matter to higher authorities within your organization, such as the safeguarding officer,
head of the department, or board members.
Involve External Authorities: If internal escalation fails to resolve the issue, report it to
external regulatory bodies, such as the Local Safeguarding Boards, Care Quality
Commission (CQC), or Adult and Child Protection Services. These organizations can
independently investigate concerns and enforce necessary corrective actions.
Whistleblowing: Individuals who raise concerns about unsafe or dangerous practices are
protected through the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998, which. If necessary, use
whistleblowing channels to ensure the issue is addressed correctly.
Maintain Detailed Records: A detailed record, such as dates, times, and names (if
known), is essential when reporting concerns, and sometimes, the name of the responding
worker may be essential for follow-up. This information is important as evidence to prove
concern(s) are reported and for follow-up.
Support the Individual(s) at Risk: When concerns are reported, the well-being of the
resident/patient must be protected at all costs. The involved individual may also require
emotional support when appropriate and adhere to safeguarding principles to prevent
further harm.
Example: As a support worker, it is essential to follow up with the line manager when a
situation of neglect is reported, and no action is seen taken to highlight the risk further and
ensure the organization puts future prevention in place. s. If the issue remained
unresolved, I would escalate the matter to the safeguarding officer and, if needed, report
the concern to the CQC or the Local Authority Safeguarding Board. I ensure my actions
comply with workplace policies while maintaining detailed records of my attempts to
address the issue.
The ability to use online systems has been shown to have several advantages, including
being connected to the rest of the world to stay informed, assessing available information,
and learning new ideas and information independently. While being able to assess and
utilize these measures, cyber safety is essential to avoid bullying, fraud, and any breach in
data.
Benefits of Online Access
Social Interaction: Enables connections with family and friends, especially for those with
mobility or geographical barriers.
Independence: Allows individuals to manage tasks like banking, shopping, and learning,
promoting autonomy.
Balance in Rights and Safety
Education: It is important for people to be educated about online risks such as privacy
invasion, threats, and pushing so that they can make safer decisions without
compromising their freedom.
Proportional Measures: There have been safety measures put in place to protect online
users, like firewalls and parental control, without restricting access to the available and
essential information
Example: Adults can be educated on scams and ways to avoid them. Educating while
preserving the independence of online banking.
6.2 Risks and Ways to Reduce Them
Electronic Communication Devices
Risks: online harassment and Cyberbullying: Individuals may face harmful or abusive
messages through online platforms.
Loss of Privacy: Unauthorized access to devices can data and personal information.
Overuse: Excessive device use can cause anxiety, dependency, or other mental health
issues.
Solutions:
Privacy Awareness: Teach individuals how to use privacy settings and avoid sharing
sensitive information online and offline.
Address Harmful Content: Show individuals how to report or block abusive users and
inappropriate content.
Encourage Positive Engagement: Recommend the following accounts that promote
positivity and support mental health.
Online Money/Financial Trades
Risks:
Always use secured payment channels and be careful using public Wi-Fi for transactions.
References
Department of Health and Social Care. (2014). Care and Support Statutory Guidance.
Retrieved [ December 4, 2024] from www.gov.uk
Protection of Vulnerable Groups Act 2016
Equality and Human Rights Commission. (2010). Guidance on the Equality Act. Retrieved
[December 4, 2024], from www.legislation.gov.uk
NSPCC. (2022). Recognizing and Preventing Abuse. Retrieved [December 4, 2024], from
www.nspcc.org.uk
HSE. (2021). Managing Risks in Health and Social Care. Retrieved [December 4, 2024],
fromwww.hse.gov.uk
CQC. (2022). Safeguarding in Health and social Care Settings. Retrieved [December 5,
2024], from www.cqc.org.uk
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) (2021) Safe manual Handling practices.
World Health Organization (WHO) (2020) Infection prevention and control during health
care.
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (2018) Guidance on confidentiality and data
sharing in safeguarding.
Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) (2024) Code of conduct and safeguarding
obligations.