Good safeguarding practice

Access to adults suspected to be at risk or abuse or neglect

This guide aims to clarify the different types of legal powers that can be called upon when access to an adult who is suspected to be at risk of neglect or abuse is required but, for whatever reason, is being denied or restricted.

Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures

The purpose of the Berkshire Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures is to support staff to respond appropriately to all concerns of abuse or neglect they may encounter, providing a consistent response across the county. They are updated regularly and practitioners are encouraged to refer to the online version rather than download and retain a copy.

Domestic abuse

A considerable proportion of safeguarding adults work relates to the abuse or neglect of people with care and support needs who are living in their own homes. Domestic abuse can take many other forms and be perpetrated by a range of people. Adult Safeguarding and Domestic Abuse This guide sets out the overlaps between safeguarding and domestic abuse and the approaches and legal frameworks for domestic abuse that can be used in the safeguarding context.

Female Genital Mutilation

FGM is illegal in the UK. It is also illegal to take a British national or permanent resident abroad for FGM or to help someone trying to do this. The Berkshire Child Protection Procedures includes a clear pathway on what to do if you suspect FGM.

Indicators of Abuse

Some adults at risk may reveal abuse themselves by talking about or drawing attention to physical signs, or – where verbal communication is limited or absent – displaying certain actions or gestures. Practitioners and carers need to be aware of these signs and understand what they may mean. This Good practice guide by SCIE lists possible indicators and examples of behaviour to help practitioners identify abuse.

Making Safeguarding Personal

Adult safeguarding arrangements are there to protect individuals. Making safeguarding personal means it should be person-led and outcome-focused. It engages the person in a conversation about how best to respond to their safeguarding situation in a way that enhances involvement, choice and control as well as improving quality of life, wellbeing and safety. The Making Safeguarding Personal Toolkit sets out models, theories and approaches that safeguarding practitioners need to be aware of. It can be used as a practitioner guide for pointers on how to respond to individual cases, or as a starting point resource for service development. It has been designed as a resource that will develop over time and allow updates and amendments to be made as development takes place or innovative and effective practice comes to light.

Mental Capacity Act

The Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is designed to protect and empower individuals who may lack the mental capacity to make their own decisions about their care and treatment. It is a law that applies to individuals aged 16 and over. There is a Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice 2005.

Modern slavery and human trafficking

Modern slavery is a serious crime. It encompasses slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. Modern slavery victims can often face more than one type of abuse and slavery, for example if they are sold to another trafficker and then forced into another form of exploitation. A person is trafficked if they are brought to (or moved around) a country by others who threaten, frighten, hurt and force them to do work or other things they don’t want to do. Specified public authorities have a duty to notify the Home Office about any potential victims of modern slavery they encounter in England and Wales.

Useful links:

Modern Slavery Helpline. Call 08000 121 700 to get help, report a suspicion or get advice.

How to report modern slavery