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Safeguarding policy

Purpose

The Mental Health Practice is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all clients and employees. This policy sets out the principles and procedures to safeguard individuals, particularly vulnerable clients including children and young people, and ensure the well-being of employees.  This practice deals exclusively with clients who are considered to have a mental disorder and so may be considered vulnerable, but even within this group of clients it is recognised that there may be a particular need for vigilance.  It is recognised, however, that someone’s age or the presence of a disability such as a mental disorder, does not automatically make someone a vulnerable person and no one should be treated as such by rote.  In addition, due to the nature of the work the practice does there will often be safeguarding issues which have clearly already been recognised.  Where this is clearly the case, this policy does trigger a separate duty to report.

 

Definitions

Safeguarding: Protecting the health, well-being, and rights of individuals to ensure they are free from harm, abuse, or neglect.

 

Vulnerable Clients: Clients who may be unable to protect themselves due to age, disability, mental health issues, or circumstances that leave them at risk of harm or exploitation.  It is acknowledged that, just because someone is young or disabled, they are not automatically vulnerable but a need to investigate is triggered.

 

Employees: All staff, including solicitors, administrative personnel and anyone providing services to the practice.

 

Scope of the policy

This policy applies to:

 

All employees of the practice.

All clients, particularly those identified as potentially vulnerable.

Third-party suppliers and partners working with the practice.

 

Principles of safeguarding

Safeguarding is the actions taken to protect certain groups of vulnerable people who may not be able to protect themselves.  This may mean setting aside other policies such as confidentiality in order to keep someone safe.

 

A safeguarding concern is when a vulnerable person is in a situation where they are being caused harm or they are exposed to exploitation or harmful behaviour.  Almost all of our clients potentially qualify as vulnerable and whilst they may already be in an environment where they are being safeguarding, risk can arise in any situation.  The vulnerable person may not know they are being exploited or exposed to harm or may be sure that they are not.

 

The six principles of safeguarding are as follows which are broadly similar to the principles in the Mental Health Act Code of Practice:

Empowerment

A person who has been abused, neglected or mistreated should feel that they have control over their situation.  Support and encouragement are key.

Prevention

It is better to take action before harm occurs.

Proportionality

A safeguarding disclosure should be reported in a way that is proportional to the risk.

Protection

Safeguarding is meant to protect everyone from harm, no matter their situation.

Partnership

It is appropriate to other individuals or agencies where there is a safeguarding disclosure.

Accountability

You must be clear with the vulnerable person when they make a safeguarding disclosure that it may need to be reported.  It does not matter if you lose a client: that Is not the important thing here.

 

Types of abuse

Abuse can take many forms, for example physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or neglect. These can be in many forms, coercion, bullying, or discrimination, for example.   Safeguarding is not about finding someone to blame but about ensuring the safety of a vulnerable person – indeed the vulnerable person may need safeguarding from themselves.

 

Whenever you have a concern it should be discussed with the Designated Safeguarding Officer if there is time to do so, or acted on by raising the concern with carers, staff or even the police if the matter is time-sensitive and you are acting to prevent harm occurring or continue to occur.

 

Rights of clients

Safe access to services

Clients have the right to access legal services in a safe and supportive environment, free from harm, exploitation, or discrimination.

 

Dignity and respect

Clients will be treated with dignity, respect, and sensitivity, especially if they disclose vulnerabilities or safeguarding concerns.

 

Confidentiality

Clients have the right to confidentiality, with information shared only on a need-to-know basis or when required by law to prevent harm.

 

Support for vulnerable clients

The Practice will:

  • Identify and respond to signs of vulnerability or safeguarding concerns.

  • Offer appropriate adjustments, such as accessible communication methods or extra support during legal processes.

Refer clients to relevant support services when necessary.

 

Rights of employees

Safe Working Environment

Employees are entitled to a safe workplace, free from harassment, bullying, or other forms of harm.

 

Training and awareness

Employees will receive safeguarding training to identify and respond to concerns involving clients or colleagues.

 

Tammy Groves volunteers for Shout, a charity that provides text support for people suffering with their mental health.  As part of this she has received targeted online safeguarding training in relation to vulnerable people and especially children and young people.  She has used the training as the basis for the principles set out above, which forms the fundamentals of the basic training.

 

Additional training will be sought for individuals as needed.

 

Reporting concerns

Employees have the right to report safeguarding concerns without fear of retaliation or discrimination.

 

Responsibilities

All employees

Be vigilant for signs of harm, abuse, or exploitation among clients and colleagues.

Report safeguarding concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO).

 

Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)

The DSO is responsible for:

 

Leading on safeguarding matters within the Practice.

Providing guidance and support to employees.

Ensuring compliance with safeguarding laws and best practices.

Liaising with external agencies (e.g., local authorities or law enforcement) where necessary.

 

Contact details

Tammy Groves,

Designated Safeguarding Officer

The Mental Health Practice

Oxford Point, 19 Oxford Road, Bournemouth BH8 8GS

07961 053639

TMHPractice@Outlook.com

 

Reporting and responding to concerns

Identifying safeguarding concerns

Concerns may include but are not limited to:

  • Signs of physical, emotional, or financial abuse.

  • Neglect or self-neglect.

  • Exploitation or coercion.

  • Disclosures made by clients or employees.

How to report a concern

For Clients: Report concerns to the solicitor handling your case or directly to the DSO.

For Employees: Report concerns to the DSO.

Confidentiality and data protection

Reports will be handled confidentially, with information shared only as necessary to resolve the issue or protect individuals.

Taking action

The Practice will:

Investigate safeguarding concerns thoroughly and sensitively.

Work with external agencies, such as social services or law enforcement, when required.

Support affected individuals, including referrals to appropriate services.

 

Preventative measures

Training and awareness

All employees will receive safeguarding training as required, including recognizing signs of vulnerability and responding to concerns appropriately.  Tammy Groves has received training and has trained Sean Waters in the principles of safeguarding.

 

Policies and procedures

The Practice maintains clear procedures for managing safeguarding concerns, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.

 

Safe recruitment

The Practice conducts background checks where necessary on new employees to ensure they are suitable to work in a role with safeguarding responsibilities.

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