Safeguarding Policy

Policy Statement

AESN Care is committed to protecting people from abuse, neglect, exploitation and avoidable harm. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Concerns must be acted upon promptly, recorded appropriately and escalated through the correct safeguarding, emergency, professional and organisational routes.

1. Introduction

AESN Care supports adults who may have learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs, dementia, physical or sensory disabilities, complex needs, dual diagnosis or other circumstances that can increase vulnerability to abuse or neglect. Safeguarding practice must remain person-centred and proportionate.

2. Purpose

This policy establishes how AESN Care recognises, prevents, responds to and learns from safeguarding concerns.

3. Scope

The policy applies to all AESN Care staff, managers, contractors and other persons acting on behalf of AESN Care and covers people receiving care and support in supported living, domiciliary, community and other relevant settings.

4. Policy Objectives

• Prevent abuse and neglect.
• Recognise signs and respond promptly.
• Protect people at immediate risk.
• Support choice, control and informed participation.
• Make appropriate referrals and share information lawfully.
• Work with local authorities and other professionals.
• Learn from safeguarding concerns and improve practice.

5. Types of Abuse and Safeguarding Risks

• Physical abuse.
• Emotional or psychological abuse.
• Sexual abuse.
• Financial or material abuse.
• Neglect and acts of omission.
• Domestic abuse.
• Discriminatory abuse.
• Organisational abuse.
• Self-neglect.
• Modern slavery and trafficking.
• Exploitation, including online or digital exploitation where relevant.
• Abuse or neglect by people in positions of trust.
• Radicalisation or other exploitation where relevant.

6. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy reflects safeguarding principles under the Care Act 2014, relevant statutory guidance, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and its Code of Practice, applicable Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards arrangements, equality and human-rights requirements, and relevant CQC expectations. Local safeguarding procedures must also be followed where applicable.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

• Every staff member must recognise and report concerns.
• Managers must assess immediate risk, escalate concerns and ensure appropriate records.
• AESN Care Management must maintain safeguarding governance and learning.
• Staff must never investigate allegations beyond their competence where doing so could compromise safety or a formal investigation.
• People we support should be involved in safeguarding decisions wherever possible.

8. Preventative Safeguarding

• Safe recruitment and appropriate checks.
• Clear care plans and risk assessments.
• Staff training and supervision.
• Promoting dignity, choice and independence.
• Supporting safe relationships and community participation.
• Reducing isolation and financial vulnerability.
• Listening to complaints and feedback.
• Recognising changes in behaviour, presentation or circumstances.

9. Recognising Signs

Possible indicators include unexplained injuries, fearfulness, withdrawal, sudden changes in behaviour, unexplained financial problems, poor hygiene or nutrition, inappropriate sexual behaviour, unexplained medication issues, coercive relationships, controlling behaviour, unexplained absence, or information suggesting exploitation. A single indicator does not prove abuse, but concerns must not be ignored.

10. Immediate Action and Procedures

If someone is in immediate danger, staff should take reasonable steps to protect them and contact emergency services where necessary. Staff should listen, reassure the person, avoid leading questions, avoid promising secrecy and report the concern promptly through the appropriate safeguarding route.

Consent should be considered wherever possible. However, lack of consent does not automatically prevent information sharing where there is a lawful basis, serious risk, safeguarding necessity or another applicable legal requirement.

11. Mental Capacity, Consent and Advocacy

Safeguarding practice should respect the Mental Capacity Act principles. People should be supported to make their own decisions where possible. Where a person lacks capacity for a specific decision, decisions must be made in accordance with the Act and applicable safeguards. Independent advocacy should be considered where required or appropriate.

12. Reporting and Escalation

Concerns should be reported immediately to the appropriate AESN Care manager and relevant local authority safeguarding route. Emergency concerns should be referred to emergency services. Allegations involving staff or people in positions of trust must be managed impartially and escalated appropriately. Whistleblowing routes remain available.

13. Information Sharing

Information should be shared accurately, proportionately and lawfully with those who need it to protect the person or respond to the concern. Data protection must not be used as a blanket reason to withhold information needed for safeguarding.

14. Records and Documentation

Safeguarding records must be factual, timely, objective and secure. Staff should record what was seen, heard or disclosed, actions taken, who was informed and any advice received. Records should not contain unsupported conclusions.

15. Training and Competence

Staff must receive safeguarding training appropriate to their responsibilities and role. Training should cover recognition, reporting, mental capacity, information sharing, professional boundaries and person-centred safeguarding.

16. Monitoring and Compliance

Management will monitor safeguarding concerns, referrals, outcomes, training, themes and actions. Learning should be shared appropriately and incorporated into quality improvement.

17. Breaches / Non-Compliance

Failure to act on safeguarding concerns may expose people to harm and may result in management or disciplinary action. Deliberate concealment or interference with safeguarding processes will be treated seriously.

18. Equality, Diversity and Human Rights

Safeguarding must be inclusive and must respect dignity, culture, communication, disability, sexuality, religion or belief and individual choice. Protective action should be proportionate and person-centred.

19. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Confidentiality must be balanced with safeguarding responsibilities. Information may be shared without consent where lawful and necessary to protect a person or prevent serious harm.

20. Related Policies and Procedures

• Whistleblowing Policy
• Modern Slavery Policy
• Clinical Complaints Policy
• Data Protection Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Quality Assurance Policy
• Health & Safety Policy

21. Review and Continuous Improvement

Safeguarding incidents, referrals, complaints, audits, staff feedback and external learning will inform improvements in prevention, training, care planning and management oversight.

22. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed periodically and following significant changes in safeguarding legislation, statutory guidance or AESN Care's services.

Related Policies

• Whistleblowing Policy
• Modern Slavery Policy
• Clinical Complaints Policy
• Data Protection Policy
• Quality Assurance Policy

Review Arrangements

This policy will be reviewed by AESN Care Management at appropriate intervals and sooner where there is a significant change in legislation, regulation, service delivery, risk, guidance, learning from incidents or complaints, or organisational arrangements. Review findings and resulting actions will be documented.

Approval

Approved by: AESN Care Management