Vulnerable adults protection
HCS is committed to ensuring that vulnerable people who use our services are not abused and that working practices minimise the risk of such abuse. All staff, volunteers and Steering Group members have a duty to identify abuse and report it.
Definition
Vulnerable adults are people who are over 18 years of age and are getting or may need help and services to live in the community. Vulnerable adults may be unable to take care of themselves and unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation by other people.
Abuse can include:
Abuse can take place in any setting, public or private, and can be perpetrated by anyone.
Responsibilities of HCS
Support for those who report abuse
All those making a complaint or allegation or expressing concern, whether they are staff, volunteers, carers or members of the public, should be reassured that:
The vulnerable adult has the right:
We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
Definition
Vulnerable adults are people who are over 18 years of age and are getting or may need help and services to live in the community. Vulnerable adults may be unable to take care of themselves and unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation by other people.
Abuse can include:
- physical,
- financial,
- material,
- sexual,
- psychological,
- discriminatory,
- emotional abuse
- neglect.
Abuse can take place in any setting, public or private, and can be perpetrated by anyone.
Responsibilities of HCS
- To ensure volunteers are aware of vulnerable adults’ need for protection
- To notify the appropriate agencies if abuse is identified or suspected
- To support and where possible secure the safety of individuals and ensure that all referrals to services have full information in relation to identified risk and vulnerability
- To do all disclosure and barring checks (DBS) for volunteers who have access to or work with vulnerable adults
- To be familiar with the vulnerable adult protection policy
- To take appropriate action in line with the policy of HCS
- To declare any existing or subsequent convictions.
Support for those who report abuse
All those making a complaint or allegation or expressing concern, whether they are staff, volunteers, carers or members of the public, should be reassured that:
- They will be taken seriously
- Their comments will usually be treated confidentially, but their concerns may be shared with the appropriate authorities if they or others are at significant risk
The vulnerable adult has the right:
- To be made aware of this policy
- To have alleged incidents recognised and taken seriously
- To receive fair and respectful treatment throughout
- To be involved in any process as appropriate
- To receive information about the outcome
We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.