Safeguarding Policy

At ACPAS Limited , we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals who use our services, including children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We recognize the importance of safeguarding and our responsibility to protect the clients we serve from harm.

This policy outlines the principles and practices we adhere to in order to safeguard our clients and prevent any form of abuse or neglect within our services.

Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:

• Promote and protect the welfare of clients.

• Prevent any form of abuse or neglect.

• Provide clear guidance for staff members on how to act if abuse or harm is suspected.

• Ensure that appropriate action is taken when abuse or neglect is identified.

Scope
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, volunteers, and any other individuals who may come into contact with clients within the company, whether directly or indirectly.

Safeguarding Principles

• Prevention: We will ensure that all staff members receive regular safeguarding training and are aware of the signs of abuse and neglect.

• Protection: We will take all necessary steps to protect clients from harm, including ensuring that our premises are safe and that all interactions with clients are appropriate and respectful.

• Responsibility: Staff have a duty to report any suspicions of abuse or neglect, whether it involves a client or another individual within the company.

• Confidentiality: We respect the privacy of our clients, but when safeguarding concerns arise, we will act to ensure the protection of the individual, in accordance with legal and ethical requirements.

Definitions of Abuse
Abuse can take many forms, including but not limited to:

• Physical Abuse: Any form of physical harm or injury.

• Emotional Abuse: Manipulative or damaging behaviour that harms an individual’s emotional well-being.

• Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual act or behaviour.

• Neglect: The failure to provide the basic needs (food, shelter, medical care) or appropriate care for a person’s well-being.

• Financial Abuse: Illegitimate or fraudulent access to or manipulation of a person’s finances.

Safeguarding Measures

• Staff Training: All staff must undergo safeguarding training, covering identification of abuse, reporting procedures, and appropriate intervention strategies.

• Safer Recruitment: All new staff members will undergo background checks (e.g., Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks or equivalent) and reference checks to ensure suitability for working with vulnerable individuals.

• Code of Conduct: All staff members are expected to adhere to a professional code of conduct when interacting with clients, ensuring that boundaries are maintained and respect is upheld at all times.

Reporting and Responding to Concerns

• Immediate Action: If a staff member suspects that abuse or neglect has occurred, they must immediately report it to the designated safeguarding lead or supervisor.

• Safeguarding Lead: Frank Furlong, who is responsible for ensuring that safeguarding concerns are addressed appropriately.

• External Reporting: If necessary, concerns will be reported to the relevant authorities (e.g., social services, police, etc.) in line with legal requirements.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing
While we respect the confidentiality of our clients, safeguarding concerns may require sharing information with external agencies in order to protect the individual. Any information shared will be done so in line with legal requirements and best practices.

Support for Affected Individuals

• We will ensure that any client who is a victim of abuse receives appropriate support, including therapeutic interventions and referrals to other services if needed.

• We will provide support to staff members who are dealing with safeguarding concerns to ensure they are supported and clear on the appropriate steps.

Review and Monitoring
This policy will be reviewed annually or in response to any significant incident to ensure its effectiveness. Feedback from staff, clients, and relevant stakeholders will be considered during the review process.

Conclusion

At ACPAS Limited, safeguarding is a priority, and we take all necessary steps to ensure that our clients are protected from harm. This policy will guide our actions, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards of care and integrity.

Safeguarding Lead Contact Information

Name: Frank Furlong
Position: Psychologist
Phone Number: 0121 358 1500
Email Address: frankfurlong@acpas.co.uk