RGA Buckingham PROTECTION OF

VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY ( MENCAP CLASS )

 

RGA Buckingham is committed to ensuring that vulnerable people who use RGA Buckingham’s service are not exploited or abused and that working practices minimise the risks of such abuse.

 

If abuse is reported, or coaches feel concerned about a situation of potential abuse, the following policy and procedure should be implemented.

 

Coaches and club officers will be aware of and guard against possible discrimination because of assumptions about class, gender, sexuality, race, disability and age.

 

Definition

 

The term vulnerable adults refers to people of 18 and over “ who are or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability. Age or illness or lack of opportunity; and who is or maybe unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation”.

 

Adult protection concerns the violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons.

 

Abuse can include: verbal, physical, financial/material, sexual, psychological, discriminatory, emotional abuse and neglect. Abuse can take place in any setting, public or private, and can be perpetrated by anybody.

 

Awareness

 

As a coach or club official you are not responsible for diagnosing abuse. However, all staff involved in the provision of the service have a responsibility to be aware and alert to signs that all is not well with the vulnerable adult.

 

Not all concerns relate to abuse and there may well be another explanation. It is important while being vigilant to keep an open mind. If at all possible you should discuss your concerns discretely and in confidence with the Manager at Dacorum MENCAP –  R.O.A.R team, if you concerned about a client.

 

 

Further Action

 

 

Having raised the issue with the Manager at Dacurum MENCAP you should make a confidential personal note of the circumstances and if appropriate check whether there were any witnesses present

 

1. a)   As part of the counselling process, the person will be supported by a counsellor, to feel empowered to participate in appropriate protective action being taken in conjunction with RGA Buckingham and relevant agencies.

 

1. b)   The vulnerable adult should be informed that you will be discussing the matter with the manager of Dacorum MENCAP and the welfare officer of RGA Buckingham. If the person who says they are being abused asks you to do nothing at all, you should inform them that whilst respecting this you must share the information with the Manager at Dacorum MENCAP.

 

1. c)     You assure them that you are listening and that you will tell the Manager at Dacorum MENCAP and the Social Services that they want nothing more to happen.

 

1. d)   Do not carry out an investigation yourself. This must be left to the relevant agencies.  You should also inform them that the information might be passed to the appropriate agencies.

 

1. e)   If physical and/or sexual abuse/assault is reported the vulnerable adult and/or their representative should be asked to report it to the police and offered support to do so.

 

1. f)     The Manager at Dacorum MENCAP will seek urgent advice. This may involve discussing the situation with social services or with the police. Social services will instigate an assessment of the person’s needs under the community care legislation.

 

1. g)   Manager at Dacorum MENCAP will keep RGA Buckingham informed of action taken in writing.

 

1. h)   Manager at Dacorum MENCAP will keep the vulnerable adult informed at all times.

 

1. i)       The UKBJJA Head Office to be informed.

 

 

Support for coaches and club officials

 

The person reporting the incident may find that the vulnerable adult is very upset or angry. The RGA Buckingham chairman will offer support as appropriate. Other support for example may include counselling by an outside body if required or by request.

 

 

 

 

Suspected abuse by a coach or club official

 

Where a coach or club official is suspected of abuse the following action should be taken;

 

1. a)   The RGA Buckingham chairman will interview the coach or club official with a witness present of their choice.

 

1. b)   The RGA Buckingham chairman will make arrangement to interview the suspected victim with a witness present of their choice.

 

1. c)     The purpose of the meeting is NOT to investigate but to establish whether there are grounds for the allegation.

 

1. d)   The procedure outlined under FURTHER ACTION should then be followed.

 

1. e)   If the allegation is regarding the chairman then the Welfare Officer will be the lead officer.

 

 

Confidentiality

 

The RGA Buckingham confidentiality policy should be strictly adhered to, except that the welfare of the vulnerable adults is paramount and takes precedence over it. Do not keep concerns relating to potential abuse of a vulnerable adult to yourself.

 

Confidentiality may not be maintained if the withholding of information or evidence will prejudice the welfare of the adult.

 

Contact Information

 

Allegations of alleged abuse, which occurred when the person is over the age of 18 years old falls under the Protection of Vulnerable Adults.

 

 

The Old Telephone Exchange

Market Hill

Buckingham

MK18 1JT

 

07528637687  info@rgabuckingham.com

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DACORUM MENCAP

44B High Street
Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE

01442 247 675

www.dacorummencap.org.uk