Adult Safeguarding Policy for NeuroFriends

Last updated: 11/04/2025

Introduction

NeuroFriends believes in protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. This policy sets out the roles and responsibilities of NeuroFriends in working together in promoting the adult’s welfare and safeguarding them from abuse and neglect. Employees, trustees and volunteers should be made aware of how this policy can be accessed.

Definitions

The Care Act 2014 definition of an adult at risk of abuse:

• Where a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in its area (whether or not ordinarily resident there)
• (a) has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs),
• (b) is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
• (c) as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

Key Principles of Adult Safeguarding

In the safeguarding of adults, NeuroFriends are guided by the six key principles set out in The Care Act 2014 and Making Safeguarding Personal. NeuroFriends aims to demonstrate and promote these six principles in our work:

• Empowerment – People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent
• Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.
• Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
• Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.
• Partnership – Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.
• Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

Recognising the signs of abuse

Volunteers are well-placed to identify abuse. The adult may say or do things that let you know something is wrong. It may come in the form of a disclosure, complaint, or an expression of concern. Everyone within the organisation should understand what to do, and where to go to get help, support and advice.

Types of Abuse

The Care Act 2014 defines the following ten areas of abuse. Wigan borough also includes self-neglect as an additional category. These are not exhaustive but are a guide to behaviour that may lead to a safeguarding enquiry. This includes:

• Physical abuse - Including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.
• Domestic violence/ Domestic abuse - Abuse by someone in a close family or intimate relationship.
• Sexual abuse - Including rape, harassment, sexual photography, and acts without consent.
• Psychological or emotional abuse - Including threats, humiliation, isolation, and verbal abuse.
• Financial or material abuse - Including theft, fraud, coercion around financial matters.
• Modern slavery - Including slavery, trafficking, forced labour, and servitude.
• Discriminatory abuse - Including harassment or slurs based on personal characteristics.
• Organisational or institutional abuse - Including poor care in institutional settings or at home.
• Neglect or acts of omission - Ignoring care needs or withholding necessities of life.
• Self-neglect - Neglecting personal hygiene, health, or surroundings, including hoarding.

Radicalisation to Terrorism

The Government through its PREVENT programme has highlighted how some adults may be vulnerable to exploitation and radicalisation and involvement in terrorism. Signs and indicators of radicalisation may include:

• Being in contact with extremist recruiters.
• Articulating support for violent extremist causes or leaders.
• Accessing violent extremist websites.
• Possessing extremist literature.
• Using extremist narratives to explain personal disadvantage.
• Justifying violence for societal issues.
• Joining extremist organisations.
• Significant changes to appearance and/or behaviour.

Reporting Concerns

Any Volunteer who becomes aware that an adult is, or is at risk of being abused or radicalised must raise the matter immediately with the organisation’s designated safeguarding person.

NeuroFriends will:

• Inform the adult of the action we propose to take.
• Seek their agreement for any referral.
• Ensure they are informed about what will happen next.
• Ensure they are safe and supported before taking further action.
• Inform the adult if NeuroFriends is seeking advice or reporting concerns to an external agency.

If the adult requires immediate protection from harm, contact the emergency services.

Safe Recruitment & Selection

NeuroFriends is committed to safe employment and recruitment practices to reduce the risk of harm to adults with care and support needs.

Policies and procedures cover recruitment of all Trustees, employees and volunteers.

Social Media

All employees and volunteers should follow NeuroFriends social media policy, procedures and code of conduct in their behavior towards the adults we support.

Person in a Position of Trust (PiPoT)

In safeguarding situations, consider if the allegation is against someone in a position of trust and who may pose a risk to others.

Training and Awareness

NeuroFriends ensures all relevant individuals receive appropriate safeguarding training.

• Understand safeguarding and their role.
• Recognise adults in need of safeguarding.
• Know how to report a concern.
• Work with dignity and respect.
• Know the Safeguarding Adults Policy.

Mental Capacity

The Mental Capacity Act addresses if a person can make a specific decision at a specific time. This includes:

• Understanding information about the decision.
• Retaining the information long enough to decide.
• Weighing up the information.
• Communicating the decision.

Refer to the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice. NeuroFriends will involve an advocate if a person lacks capacity regarding a safeguarding concern.

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Volunteers must maintain confidentiality. Information is only shared under GDPR/Data Protection. Share information with the Local Authority or police if an adult is at risk or poses a risk to others.

Recording and Record Keeping

A written, signed, and dated record must be kept of any adult safeguarding concern. Store records securely and confidentially, following GDPR.

Whistleblowing

NeuroFriends supports volunteers who whistle-blow in good faith and in the public interest.

Important Contacts

• Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding
  Name: Richard Howell
  Email: [email protected]
  Telephone number: 07856 979 463
• Shropshire Council Safeguarding Adults Team
  Phone: 0345 678 9044
  Submit a safeguarding concern
• Police
  Emergency – 999
  Non-emergency – 101