Safeguarding policy

Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

This Policy sets out the statements and procedures which are in place to address safeguarding issues.

Policy statement

This policy and procedure is written to enable the committee to address issues where there are safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding includes incidents between members, concerns regarding abuse or neglect that a u3a member may be experiencing outside of the u3a, health-related issues or previous or pending criminal convictions.

Minehead and District u3a committee has a duty of care to its members, but does not hold any statutory authority. Matters of concern will be reported to the relevant safeguarding authorities and charity regulatory authorities, as appropriate.

Minehead and District u3a recognises that some people are potentially at risk of abuse and neglect. Where abuse or neglect is suspected, Minehead and District u3a will aim to respond in a prompt and efficient manner to any situation where there is a risk of or perceived risk of harm. Minehead and District u3a recognises that there are various forms of abuse which can be perpetrated by volunteers, members, relatives, friends and neighbours. Minehead and District u3a will neither condone nor tolerate any form of abuse or neglect and believes that all people should be able and – where necessary – enabled to live in an environment which is safe and free from harm.

It is not appropriate for Minehead and District u3a to take the lead role in any Safeguarding Enquiry under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014. Where there are serious concerns regarding abuse or neglect, Minehead and District u3a committee will seek advice and support from the Third Age Trust (the ‘Trust’) where possible, and will contact the relevant statutory authorities, as needed.

Minehead and District u3a will monitor the implementation of this policy and procedure annually through its committee.

In following the safeguarding procedure, Minehead and District u3a will strive to uphold the principles that those involved in incidents are entitled to:

  • privacy
  • be treated with dignity and respect
  • lead an independent life and to be enabled to do so
  • choose how they live their lives
  • the protection of the law
  • have their human and civil rights upheld regardless of ethnic origin, gender, sexuality, impairment or disability, age, religious or cultural background.

Minehead and District u3a will also follow the principles enshrined within the Care Act 2014:

  • Principle 1 – Empowerment – whereby the approach is focused on the individual making their own decision and gaining informed consent, where possible.
  • Principle 2 – Prevention – seeking to take steps to prevent issues from arising or escalating.
  • Principle 3 – Proportionality – responding in a proportionate way to the issue/s being presented.
  • Principle 4 – Protection – seeking to keep the membership safe and protection for those deemed to be at risk.
  • Principle 5 – Partnership – reporting incidents to the relevant statutory bodies and liaising with the Trust.
  • Principle 6 – Accountability – accurate recording of incidents. Reporting incidents, as required, to the Trust and relevant regulatory authorities.

Procedure

Minehead and District u3a has a responsibility to ensure that its committee members and group leaders understand their safeguarding responsibilities.

Depending on the nature of the allegation and the identified risk, Minehead and District u3a will support the alleged victims and the alleged perpetrators of any abuse, as well as any volunteer who becomes aware of an allegation, in so far as this does not compromise any safeguarding enquiry or investigation into the allegation or place other adults at risk.

Minehead and District u3a will make every effort to respect the confidentiality of any information that is disclosed under this policy and procedure; however, owing to the seriousness of allegations, confidentiality is not absolute. Information will be recorded and stored securely in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, but information may have to be shared – on a ‘need-to-know’ basis only – to prevent:

  • danger to a person’s life
  • danger to a person’s health
  • danger to others
  • danger to the community
  • the perpetration of a serious crime, or to facilitate the investigation of such a crime.

Courses of action

Minehead and District u3a’s approach to safeguarding will include members who exhibit health concerns that could put themselves or others at risk, convictions (previous or pending) that include offences of a sexual or violent nature, inappropriate behaviour exhibited by a member including sexual advances, bullying, aggression or violent behaviour, harassment and/or discrimination. This can include behaviour exhibited face to face as well as electronic communications or via social media platforms.

Where the committee becomes aware of a safeguarding concern, steps will be taken as needed to ensure the safety of adult/s at risk as a first priority. The steps to take to address this will be discussed and agreed between the Executive Officers of the committee in the first instance. No committee member will act in isolation when dealing with a safeguarding concern.

Where Minehead and District u3a committee becomes aware of a safeguarding concern, the first step will be to gather as much information as possible to assist with the decision as to the next steps. A risk assessment will be developed and recorded as soon as possible after the concern comes to the attention of the committee. Where it is deemed that the risk is high and immediate action needs to be taken, the committee will contact the relevant local authorities and – where possible – the Trust for advice and support.

As far as possible, the adult-at-risk’s wishes will be respected as to whether to refer any concerns to the local authority as a Safeguarding Enquiry under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014. However, it may be necessary to override their wishes in the best interests of other adults at risk.

In developing the risk assessment, the committee will consider the level of risk and the action that needs to be taken accordingly. Assessment of risk will include:

  • risk to the individual member
  • risk to other members of the u3a
  • reputational risk for this u3a and the u3a movement as a whole.

Where the risk is not deemed to be high, yet support is needed, Minehead and District u3a will contact the Trust to discuss the concerns and seek additional assistance in developing the risk assessment. Assistance will always be sought before moving to exclude any member from the u3a because of a safeguarding risk assessment.

Once the risk assessment is completed, the committee will decide on the most appropriate course of action. This could include excluding members from certain groups, such as those held in people’s homes, requesting that a member attend the u3a with a carer or excluding a member from a group run by a particular group leader.

Depending on the nature of the allegation, it may be necessary to pursue the incident following Minehead and District u3a’s complaints, disciplinary or grievance procedure. Where it is decided that this is the best course of action, the matter will not be investigated by any party that was privy to the initial reporting of the incident.

All actions taken will be recorded. Any records will remain confidential to the committee unless a prior decision has been taken to share the record with the relevant statutory bodies.

 

 

 

Adoption and policy review dates

Date of adoption: October 2021

Next policy review date: July 2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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