Safeguarding Policy
Safeguarding Adults Policy
- Introduction
(=TT volunteers), beneficiaries, or anyone acting on our behalf, come into contact during meetings, activities, benevolence,
or other activities.
The Tracy Trust recognises that it may be notified of safeguarding issues, and it has a procedure in place to report these concerns to the appropriate authority best placed to assist.
All people have a right to:
· live a life that is free from violence, fear, and abuse
· be protected from harm and exploitation
· independence which may involve a degree of risk
The Tracy Trust is committed to:
- Safeguarding and promoting the independence, wellbeing, and safety of its beneficiaries including those with care and support needs
- Ensuring that all who volunteer for the charity understand their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding
The Tracy Trust will:
· Ensure TT volunteers will receive information about how to raise concerns if they suspect or experience abuse in all
its forms including neglect
· Empower TT volunteers with knowledge and understanding so that they will be aware of what is appropriate or
inappropriate behaviour
· Enable TT volunteers to recognise abuse or neglect, and respond appropriately to a disclosure
2. Definitions
This policy relates to any adults who are beneficiaries of the TT regardless of their personal circumstances, care and support situation. The Tracy Trust recognises that anybody can become a victim of abuse, neglect or maltreatment.
Abuse is behaviour towards a person that either deliberately or unknowingly, causes him or her harm or endangers their life or their human or civil rights. Abuse can take place in any setting, public or private, and can be perpetuated by anyone. Abuse includes physical, sexual, psychological, financial, discriminatory abuse, organisational, modern slavery, domestic abuse, coercive control, self-neglect and acts of neglect and omission.
3. Being alert to signs of abuse and neglect and taking action All volunteers should be alert to the signs and triggers
of abuse, maltreatment, neglect, and harm. The impact of harm on a person is what is important, not who did it or what the intent was. Our aim is to protect people from abuse and avoidable harm, whether deliberate or not.
4. The Tracy Trust Designated Safeguarding Lead Persons: Helena Makowski & Vanessa Pilgerstorfer
The Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) should be notified immediately by any TT volunteers or beneficiaries who have concerns about a TT beneficiary if:
· abuse, maltreatment, or neglect are occurring or suspected
· someone has behaved towards a TT volunteer in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm
The DSLs will provide advice and support about how best to proceed with a particular case, and they will decide together whether and to whom to report.
The DSLs will ensure that The Tracy Trust is aware of key developments in safeguarding and make TT volunteers aware
of best practice.
5. How to raise concerns
· If someone is at immediate risk of harm, dial 999 for the police
· If not at immediate risk, contact one of the DSLs by phone or email as soon as possible. They will, if necessary, refer the matter to:
The Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Telephone: 0800 137 915
Email: [email protected]
6. Information sharing
For those raising concerns or reporting suspected or actual abuse:
· It is inappropriate to promise complete confidentiality to victims of abuse, maltreatment or neglect as The Tracy Trust may need to discuss the case with a professional safeguarding body (e.g. MASH) but can do so without names being given in the first instance
- It is essential that details of the case remain confidential between the person reporting, the DSLs and the professional safeguarding body
- may initially just seek advice from MASH
- will co-operate with MASH in the sharing of appropriate information in accordance with GDPR.
- will share information with TT volunteers on a need-to-know basis
The Tracy Trust will keep secure records of any work undertaken under this policy including all concerns received and all referrals made. A record of any decisions made will be kept – whether it is to share information or not - and the reasons for it.
Vanessa Pilgerstorfer
Chairperson
