An Introduction to Safeguarding

Abuse can happen anywhere, in many different situations, and it can take many forms (which are not always physical or obvious). It can be intentional (i.e. deliberate actions taken to cause pain, harm, humiliation or suffering) or unintentional (i.e. action or inaction resulting from a lack of knowledge, information or training, where the abuser is not aware that they are actually harming someone). While safeguarding is most commonly used with reference to children and young people, it also includes vulnerable adults, such as the elderly, or people with mental health issues, learning needs or physical disabilities. It applies across all industry sectors, not only health, social care or education. For example, people who work in banks or other financial institutions should be aware of the signs of financial abuse of older people or vulnerable adults. Whether or not you come into contact with vulnerable people regularly, it’s still important that you can spot the signs of abuse and report any concerns quickly, so that appropriate action can be taken.

What Should I be Looking Out For?

In the UK, the Care Act 2014 sets out 10 categories of abuse and harm that may be experienced by vulnerable groups:

1. Discrimination: abuse that centers on perceived differences, particularly in respect of race, gender or disability.
2. Domestic abuse: this can include psychological, physical, sexual and emotional abuse carried out by anyone within a person’s family.
3. Organizational abuse: abuse carried out in an institutional setting, such as a care home, hospital or school, or in relation to care provided in an individual’s home. It can include neglect and poor professional practice.
4. Physical abuse: such as hitting, kicking, slapping, restraint, misuse of medication and inappropriate sanctions.
5. Emotional/psychological abuse: this can include threats of harm or abandonment, humiliation, blaming, controlling, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse and isolation. It can also involve deprivation of contact with others or withdrawal from services or support networks.
6. Sexual abuse: rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, innuendo, subjection to pornography and sexual assault.
7. Financial or material abuse: theft, fraud, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements (e.g. in relation to wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions), or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
8. Neglect and acts of omission: ignoring medical or physical care needs. Failing to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services. The withdrawal of the necessities of life, including medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
9. Self-neglect: for example, not caring about one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings.
10. Modern slavery: domestic servitude, human trafficking, forced labor and slavery.

There are also other types of harm not included in the Care Act, but which are also still relevant when it comes to safeguarding:

1. Cyberbullying: when someone repeatedly makes fun of another person online or picks on them via emails, social media or text messages. It can also include the use of online forums, with the intent to harm, damage, humiliate or isolate another person, and may involve racism, homophobia or bullying related to special needs or disabilities.
2. Mate crime: when someone befriends a vulnerable individual with the intention of exploiting or taking advantage of them.
3. Radicalization: the process through which someone supports or adopts extremist (e.g. political, social or religious) ideologies and tries to persuade vulnerable individuals to align to the same cause.
4. Forced marriage: where one or both parties are married without their consent or against their will.

Additionally, there are types of abuse and harm that relate mainly to children/young people, such as:

• Child Sexual Exploitation: abuse whereby a child or young person is given gifts (such as money, drugs, status, affection) in return for engaging in sexual acts. [2]
• Child Trafficking: child trafficking occurs when children or young people are tricked, forced or persuaded into leaving their homes and then transported elsewhere, where they are exploited, forced to work or sold. [3]
• Grooming: when someone builds a trusting emotional connection with a child or young person with the intention of manipulating, exploiting and abusing them. [4]

Spotting the Signs

Some of the most common indicators that someone is experiencing abuse, or is at risk of harm, include:

• withdrawal and isolation
• bruising or marks on the body
• a change in appearance (including weight gain or weight loss)
• a change in behavior or routine
• individuals appearing to be frightened or uncomfortable in the presence of certain people

What to Do if You Have Any Concerns

First and foremost, if you have any concerns, you have a responsibility to act. Begin by consulting your organization’s safeguarding policy to establish the steps you need to take. The following principles (known as the ‘Four Rs’) also set out a simple process for dealing with safeguarding issues in practice:

1. Recognize

The first step is being able to recognize the signs of abuse or harm, which can include any of the items listed above. You might observe something in a person’s behavior that could indicate something is making them worried or upset, or see physical signs (e.g. injuries or bruises, poor personal hygiene) that give you cause for concern.

2. Respond

Having an appropriate response is vital. If someone talks to you about their experiences, stay calm, listen carefully to what they are saying and allow them to speak at their own pace. Don’t interrupt – ask questions only for clarification and don’t ask leading questions. Reassure them that they have done the right thing in speaking to you, but explain to them that it is likely that you’ll have to share this information with others, particularly if their safety or wellbeing is at serious risk or if a crime is being committed. Tell them what you’re going to do next, but don’t make promises about what is likely to happen as a result. If someone is injured or in immediate danger, take action straight away and call the emergency services (police or ambulance) as appropriate.

3. Report

Share your concerns with the appropriate person or organization. This could be your line manager, a designated safeguarding officer in your organization, the police, a local authority or other statutory agencies or services in your area.

4. Record

Whenever there is a concern arising either from the disclosure of abuse or suspicion of abuse, it’s vital to make an accurate written record of all information relating to this concern as soon as possible. This includes dates, times, locations, names of all parties involved, exactly what was said (using the words and phrases the individual used), seen or done and by whom, details of consent to share, who was contacted and when, and the immediate actions taken. Also, record your own observations and your interpretation of the facts. If your organization has internal safeguarding forms, such as an incident reporting form, use this to record the details. The information should be clear, factual and kept securely by the person/organization you have reported your concerns to, who is then responsible for taking things further.

Tips to Improve Safeguarding in the Workplace

Even if your organization does not work with children or vulnerable adults, it’s still important to uphold basic safeguarding procedures in the workplace. It’s also important to review these regularly to ensure the safety of all employees, clients and customers.

• If you don’t have a safeguarding policy – create one! Involve as many people as possible in developing it (including employees and volunteers) to broaden awareness and understanding across the organization. And if you do have a policy in place, update it regularly in line with changes to legislation and best practice guidelines.
• Ensure everyone in the organization (including volunteers) has access to a copy of the policy and that they have read and understood it. This could form part of safeguarding training – which should be carried out regularly to keep safeguarding front of mind, as well as forming part of new staff or volunteer inductions. This will ensure everyone knows what is expected of them, and the actions to take if they experience anything that gives them cause for concern.
• Make external stakeholders, such as clients and visitors or the general public, aware of your safeguarding procedures. You could do this by publishing your policy on your website, or sending it to visitors in advance of any meetings. Doing so will demonstrate how your organization genuinely cares about the safety and wellbeing of others.

Useful Links

• The Ann Craft Trust
• Bond
• CARE International
• NSPCC
• NCVO
• Safeguarding Matters
• UNICEF – Child Safeguarding Toolkit for Business