Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

The Maidenhead Stroke Club recognises Vulnerable Adults as:

 

• a person "who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness,

• a person who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself,

• a person who is unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation

 

We continually monitor best practice and guidance around vulnerable adults and as such these definitions may be extended at any point to ensure full inclusions and appropriate protections.

 

Whilst the primary carer / next of kin remains entirely responsible and accountable for any individuals who may be classified as vulnerable and / or disabled whilst they attend Maidenhead Stroke Club meetings and / or events, we have a clear policy on Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults which has been agreed by the Committee. By attending a Maidenhead Stroke Club meeting and / or event, all individuals agree to abide by this policy.

 

The Maidenhead Stroke Club will, at all meetings and events, seek to:

 

• work in a preventative manner to protect vulnerable adults from being abused

• respond sensitively and coherently to reported incidents of self-neglect and abuse 

• share information to ensure the safety and well-being of members

 

Confidential matters relating to the safeguarding of members may be discussed at Committee meetings. If the Committee believe that it is in the best interests of a member that they work in a preventative manner to protect vulnerable adults from being abused, they will first approach the member to discuss the issue and offer support. The Committee may, at its discretion, contact third parties (such as support organisations – for example Care Direct, The Stroke Association, the local authorities, police etc) if they believe this is necessary. They may do this without the consent of the individual if the Committee believe it is in the best interest of the member.

 

The objective of the policy is to ensure members do not receive any ‘Abuse’.  Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons. Abuse may consist of a single act or repeated acts. It may be physical, verbal or psychological, it may be an act of neglect or an omission to act, or it may occur when a vulnerable person is persuaded to enter a financial or sexual transaction to which he is she has not consented or cannot consent.

 

Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the person subjected to it. Some types of abuse will constitute a criminal offence, in which case adults who lack capacity are entitled to the protection of the law in the same way as any member of the public.  Whenever a criminal offence is suspected the Committee will make a referral to the police.  It may be necessary to make an urgent referral for the public safety of the vulnerable person and/or to protect or preserve evidence.  

 

Vulnerable adults may be abused by a wide range of people including relatives and family members, professional staff, paid care workers, other vulnerable adults, volunteers, other service users, neighbours, friends, associates, people who deliberately exploit vulnerable people, strangers and opportunistic people. 

 

There is often particular concern when abuse is perpetrated by someone in a position of power or authority who uses his or her position to the detriment of a vulnerable adult. 

 

It may be the case that a member of Committee or a volunteer is suspected of abuse against a member. 

If anyone suspects a member of staff of abuse, they need to report this immediately to the Chairman by writing to Chairman, Maidenhead Stroke Club or to a member of the Committee by whatever means most immediate and comfortable.

 

The Committee will welcome any external official bodies as necessary to investigate complaints as per current government legislation.

 

The Committee commits to:

 

• Listen to, value, encourage and support those we work with

• Provide clear internal procedures for identifying and dealing with concerns about possible abuse, and ensure their implementation as stated earlier in this policy

• Ensure that volunteers are aware of this policy 

• Demand that every volunteer has a DBS / CRB check if required, irrespective of whether the law requires this

• Share information about possible vulnerable adults who are or may be suffering from ‘abuse’ as listed above with the appropriate external bodies

 

Whilst the Committee will do all it can in line with the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults Policy, no committee member nor volunteer can take the role of ‘friend’, ‘family member’, ‘carer’, ‘next of kin’, ‘power of attorney’ or similar for any member nor attendee.

 

No committee member nor volunteer are permitted to undertake any of the following activities or actions. If a committee member or volunteer does any of the following, they are doing it at their own personal risk and will take full and complete accountability for any issues that arise because of their advice or actions. For complete clarity, this includes paying their own legal costs, damages, settling any agreements, paying back losses. They will also be found in contravention of this policy and may be asked to leave the club.

 

The committee and club take absolutely no accountability should a committee member or volunteer:
 

• Give out medication, advise on medication / treatments, collect and distribute medication (including painkillers such as paracetamol) 

• Giving first aid – first aid is provided by committee members / volunteers at their own risk and must only be given when in possession of a valid and up to date UK government recognised first aid qualification

• Do shopping or arrange shopping for members

• Give lifts / provide transport

• Provide financial advice, loans or support

• Provide legal advice or suggestions

• Spend members money on their behalf (e.g. buying shopping and being paid back)

• Loan money to members 

• Visit a member’s house or home on a 1:1 basis without (1) an invitation AND (2) another committee member OR family / friend / carer / responsible adult present. If no family / friend / carer / responsible adult is present, the committee member should make best endeavors to inform the registered next of kin that they will be visiting under an invitation.

• Give advice on any decisions that members may need to make (e.g. medical treatment, mental health, legal matters, family or domestic matters)

 

Committee members & volunteers are prohibited from doing anything from the above list at meetings and ‘in private’ / ‘as a friend’. There is no ‘as a friend’ escape clause at any time under any circumstance. Whilst on the committee or volunteering, a committee member / volunteer is in a position of authority and accountability and therefore is always bound by this policy, both in and out of meetings.

 

If a committee member or volunteer is found to have broken this policy, they may be asked to leave the Stroke Club. 

 

If in any doubt whatsoever, the committee member / volunteer should raise a query at a committee meeting