Our Commitment to Safeguarding

 

Carelink takes its responsibilities regarding the protection of children and vulnerable adults extremely seriously. We are committed to embedding safeguarding practices throughout our organisation and responding appropriately to any concerns raised.

 

Whenever abuse is suspected or identified, we will work with the relevant local authority Safeguarding Teams and support their investigations, which may involve our customers, their families or friends, our staff, or our volunteers.

 

This policy does not override the safeguarding policies of local authorities where a child or vulnerable adult lives. Local authority policies remain the primary guidance in all cases.

 

Principles of Safeguarding

 

NEL Carelink embeds safeguarding into all aspects of our work by:

 

  • Ensuring safe recruitment and selection of staff and volunteers.

  • Providing ongoing management, support, and training.

  • Recognising, responding to, recording, and reporting concerns about abuse.

  • Reporting concerns to the relevant local authority Safeguarding Teams.

  • Reducing the risk of abuse through risk assessments of members and work practices.

 

Definitions

 

Safeguarding

 

Safeguarding involves proactive measures taken to prevent abuse and protect individuals from harm. It focuses on creating safe environments and systems.

 

Protection

 

Child and adult protection refers to the response taken once abuse or potential abuse is suspected. Each local authority’s Safeguarding Team is responsible for investigating and managing these cases.

 

Definition of Abuse

 

Abuse is defined as:

 

“The violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons.”
(No Secrets, DoH 2000)

 

Abuse may be deliberate or unintentional, and can involve actions, omissions, or situations where a person is coerced into something they cannot or have not consented to. It may be a one-off incident or repeated behaviour.

 

Abuse often occurs where there is an expectation of trust and may be carried out by individuals, groups, or organisations. Most commonly perpetrators are known to the victim (e.g., family, carers, staff, volunteers, friends, neighbours, or professionals).

 

Abuse can include:

 

  • Physical abuse

  • Emotional or psychological abuse

  • Sexual abuse

  • Neglect or acts of omission

  • Financial abuse

  • Discriminatory harassment or hate crime

  • Domestic abuse

  • Wilful neglect or mistreatment

  • Any behaviour causing harm, distress, exploitation, or infringement of rights

 

Many of these forms of abuse are also criminal offences.

 

Children and Safeguarding

 

Definition of a Child

 

A child is anyone under the age of 18, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

 

Capacity

 

Children are never considered to have the capacity to consent to abusive situations.
All concerns involving children must be reported immediately to the relevant local authority Child Protection Team.

 

Vulnerable Adults

 

Definition

 

A vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 or over who may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation. Vulnerability may arise from:

 

  • Age and frailty

  • Mental illness or dementia

  • Physical or sensory disability

  • Learning disability

  • Serious illness

  • Substance misuse

  • Homelessness

  • Language or communication barriers

 

A person does not need to be receiving social care services to be considered vulnerable.

 

Even adults who do not consider themselves vulnerable may still require safeguarding.

 

Mental Capacity and Safeguarding Adults

 

The Mental Capacity Act (2005) provides the framework for supporting adults who may lack decision-making capacity.

 

When abuse is reported or suspected:

 

  • We will presume capacity unless there is clear evidence otherwise.

  • Adults with capacity may still need help to recognise abusive behaviour and make informed decisions.

  • Alerts must always be raised, even if the individual has capacity.

  • The local authority may determine whether the concern meets their investigation criteria.

 

Six Principles of Safeguarding (Care Act 2014)

 

These principles guide our approach to safeguarding adults (and are also useful in safeguarding children):

 

  1. Empowerment – People are supported to make their own decisions and give informed consent.

  2. Prevention – Act before harm occurs.

  3. Proportionality – The least intrusive and most appropriate response.

  4. Protection – Support for those who are most at risk.

  5. Partnership – Working with local services and communities.

  6. Accountability – Clear roles, transparency, and responsible actions.

 

Roles and Responsibilities

 

Staff and Volunteers

 

  • Read and understand this safeguarding policy.

  • Attend required safeguarding training.

  • Raise alerts if they become aware of concerns involving a child or vulnerable adult.

  • Report incidents or suspicions immediately through the correct channels.

 

Team Leaders / Managers

 

  • Oversee all safeguarding alerts and follow up appropriately.

  • Support local authority safeguarding investigations.

  • Log and monitor all concerns and outcomes.

  • Ensure staff and volunteers comply with this policy.

  • Ensure safeguarding training is completed.

  • Ensure safeguarding checks are carried out prior to any staff or volunteer working with members.

  • Include safeguarding policy awareness in all staff/volunteer inductions.

 

Trustees

 

  • Ensure this policy is accessible, implemented, monitored, and reviewed regularly.

  • Ensure adequate resources are in place to manage safeguarding concerns effectively.

 

Training Requirements

 

  • All staff and volunteers must complete Safeguarding Awareness training for children and adults.

  • Managers must complete additional training on safeguarding awareness and reporting.

 

Managing Information

 

Safeguarding information must be recorded, stored, and shared according to the organisation’s Data Protection and Confidentiality Policy.

 

However:

 

  • Safeguarding needs may override confidentiality.

  • Information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis.

  • Staff must never promise a child, vulnerable adult, family member, or carer that they will keep information secret if it relates to safeguarding.