Safeguarding Policy

BUSINESS NAME: WELLNESS CARE UK LTD
BUSINESS SECTOR: DOMICILIARY CARE
COUNTRY/REGION: ENGLAND
REGULATORY BODY: CARE QUALITY COMMISSION (CQC)
CONTACT NUMBER: 07999 354501
CONTACT EMAIL: [email protected]
POLICY LEAD: FATIMA DESAI
LAST REVIEW DATE: FEB 2026
NEXT REVIEW DATE: FEB 2027
REGISTERED MANAGER: FATIMA DESAI
REGISTERED MANAGER EMAIL: [email protected]
REGISTERED MANAGER NUMBER: 07999 354501
NOMINATED INDIVIDUAL: NAZIYA DESAI
LOCAL AUTHORITY: LANCASHIRE
LOCAL AUTHORITY SAFEGUARDING TEAM CONTACT DETAILS:
CONTACT NUMBER: 0300 123 6701
OUT-OF-HOURS EMERGENCY DUTY TEAM: 0300 123 6720
EMAIL: [email protected]

CONTENTS

  • Introduction
  • 1. Regulatory Framework
  • 2. Definitions and Types of Abuse
  • 3. Step-by-Step Safeguarding Procedures
  • 4. Practical Examples of Safeguarding in Action
  • 5. Monitoring and Auditing
  • 6. Feedback Mechanisms
  • 7. Continuous Improvement
  • 8. Roles and Responsibilities
  • 9. Review and Update Processes

INTRODUCTION

Wellness Care Uk Ltd is committed to safeguarding adults at risk from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Safeguarding is integral to the delivery of safe and high-quality care and support services. This policy sets out the procedures for identifying, reporting, and responding to concerns about abuse, neglect, or exploitation, ensuring that all adults at risk are protected in accordance with the law.

Safeguarding encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at preventing and responding to harm. Wellness Care Uk Ltd is dedicated to creating a safe environment for all its service users by promoting a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse. This policy aligns with the legislative framework set out by the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and CQC guidelines to protect adults at risk.

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, volunteers, and stakeholders involved in providing care services through Wellness Care Uk Ltd All staff are expected to follow the procedures outlined in this policy to ensure the safety and dignity of all service users.

Key Objectives of This Policy:

  • To safeguard adults at risk from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
  • To promote an organisational culture of safety and zero tolerance towards abuse.
  • To ensure staff are fully trained and capable of identifying and addressing safeguarding concerns.
  • To work in partnership with external agencies, including the local authority and the Safeguarding Adults Board, to ensure timely and effective responses to safeguarding concerns.

1. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Safeguarding adults is enshrined in law and supported by multiple statutory regulations and guidance documents. Wellness Care Uk Ltd’s Safeguarding Adults Policy is based on the following key pieces of legislation and sector-specific guidance:

Care Act 2014

The Care Act 2014 places a statutory duty on local authorities, care providers, and other agencies to protect adults at risk from abuse or neglect. This act provides a legal framework for making safeguarding personal by involving the adult at risk in decisions about their care and protection. It also establishes the roles and responsibilities of care providers in identifying, reporting, and responding to safeguarding concerns.

Key Sections:

  • Section 42: Duty to make enquiries when there is a safeguarding concern.
  • Section 43: Establishes Safeguarding Adults Boards (SABs) to oversee multi-agency safeguarding activities.
  • Section 44: Duty to conduct safeguarding adult reviews in cases of serious abuse or neglect.

Mental Capacity Act 2005

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides a framework for decision-making on behalf of individuals who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves. It ensures that any actions taken on behalf of an individual are in their best interests and that individuals are supported to make their own decisions wherever possible.

Key Sections:

  • Section 5: Protects carers and professionals from liability when acting in the best interests of someone who lacks capacity.
  • Section 6: Restricts the use of restraint unless it is necessary to prevent harm.
  • Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS): Safeguards individuals in care settings who may be deprived of their liberty to ensure their safety and well-being.

Human Rights Act 1998

The Human Rights Act 1998 ensures that all individuals, including adults at risk, are treated with dignity, respect, and without discrimination. Safeguarding practices within Wellness Care Uk Ltd are informed by the human rights enshrined in this act, particularly the right to life (Article 2), the right to freedom from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment (Article 3), and the right to respect for private and family life (Article 8).

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

This act establishes the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), which plays a critical role in preventing unsuitable individuals from working with vulnerable adults. Wellness Care Uk Ltd conducts enhanced DBS checks for all staff members to ensure they are suitable to provide care and support to adults at risk.

CQC Safeguarding Guidance

Wellness Care Uk Ltd follows the CQC’s Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) for safeguarding, which outline expectations for ensuring service users are protected from abuse and avoidable harm. The CQC inspects and monitors our safeguarding practices as part of its regulatory oversight of care services. Non-compliance with safeguarding standards can result in enforcement action, including fines or the suspension of services.

Active Hyperlinks to Key Regulatory Documents:

  • Care Act 2014
  • Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • CQC Safeguarding Guidance

2. DEFINITIONS AND TYPES OF ABUSE

Understanding the various types of abuse is crucial for identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns. Abuse can take many forms, and it can occur in any setting where adults at risk are cared for. Wellness Care Uk Ltd recognises that abuse may be deliberate or unintentional and that it is essential to respond to any concerns with urgency and sensitivity.

What is Abuse?

Abuse is defined as a violation of an individual’s human or civil rights by another person or persons. It can be a single act or repeated acts, and it can be intentional or the result of negligence or ignorance. Abuse can occur within relationships of trust and power, such as between a carer and a service user.

Types of Abuse:

  1. Physical Abuse: This includes hitting, slapping, pushing, or misuse of medication. Physical abuse often results in visible injuries, such as bruises, cuts, or fractures. However, it may also include less obvious forms, such as force-feeding or improper use of restraint.
  2. Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse involves forcing an individual to take part in sexual activities without their consent. This can include physical acts like rape or inappropriate touching, as well as non-physical acts, such as exposure to pornographic material or sexual harassment.
  3. Emotional or Psychological Abuse: Emotional abuse includes threats, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, and controlling behaviour. It can also involve withholding communication or affection to cause emotional distress. Emotional abuse can be more challenging to identify because it may not leave visible marks but can cause long-term harm to an individual’s mental health.
  4. Financial or Material Abuse: Financial abuse involves the illegal or improper use of a person’s money, property, or assets. This can include theft, fraud, coercion to sign over financial assets, or the exploitation of a person’s financial vulnerability.
  5. Neglect and Acts of Omission: Neglect occurs when a person’s basic needs—such as food, water, shelter, medical care, or hygiene—are not met. It can be intentional or due to a carer’s inability to provide adequate support. Neglect often leads to physical deterioration and emotional distress.
  6. Self-Neglect: Self-neglect occurs when an individual fails to care for their own personal health, hygiene, or environment. This may include refusing essential care or support, resulting in severe harm to their well-being.
  7. Discriminatory Abuse: Discriminatory abuse involves treating someone unfairly or unequally because of characteristics such as age, disability, race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. It may involve harassment, verbal abuse, or denial of services based on discriminatory attitudes.
  8. Institutional or Organisational Abuse: Institutional abuse arises from poor or inadequate care within care settings, including rigid routines, inadequate staffing levels, and a lack of personalisation in care plans. It often reflects systemic issues within an organisation.

3. STEP-BY-STEP SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES

Wellness Care Uk Ltd follows a clear, step-by-step process to ensure that safeguarding concerns are identified, reported, and addressed promptly. These procedures ensure that all staff understand their responsibilities and know how to act when a concern arises.

Identifying Concerns:

Staff at Wellness Care Uk Ltd are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Regular safeguarding training equips staff with the knowledge and skills needed to identify early warning signs and act swiftly.

Common Signs of Abuse Include:

  • Unexplained injuries such as bruises, cuts, or burns.
  • A sudden change in behaviour, such as becoming withdrawn or aggressive.
  • Poor personal hygiene or unexplained weight loss.
  • Fear or anxiety around particular individuals or situations.
  • Financial discrepancies, such as missing money or unauthorised withdrawals from a service user’s account.
  • Sudden withdrawal from social activities or reluctance to communicate.

Raising a Concern:

When a member of staff identifies a safeguarding concern, they must report it immediately to the designated Safeguarding Lead or Line Manager. All safeguarding concerns should be reported within 24 hours of identification, ensuring that swift action is taken to protect the adult at risk.

Internal Reporting Procedures:

  1. Documenting the Concern: The staff member completes a safeguarding report form, detailing the nature of the concern, the individuals involved, and any immediate actions taken.
  2. Initial Risk Assessment: The Safeguarding Lead conducts an initial risk assessment to determine the severity of the concern and whether immediate action is required to protect the individual.
  3. Decision to Escalate: If the concern warrants further investigation or immediate intervention, the Safeguarding Lead will escalate the case to the local authority safeguarding team.

Escalating to External Authorities:

If a safeguarding concern requires external investigation, the Safeguarding Lead will contact the local authority safeguarding team or other relevant authorities. External referrals should be made within 24 hours of the concern being identified, and staff should work closely with external agencies to ensure a coordinated response.

Contact Details for Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Team:

Emergency Situations: In situations where there is an immediate risk to life or serious harm, emergency services (e.g., the police or ambulance) should be contacted immediately. Staff should also inform the Safeguarding Lead or Line Manager as soon as possible after taking emergency action.

Recording the Concern:

Accurate and timely record-keeping is essential in safeguarding cases. Wellness Care Uk Ltd requires all safeguarding concerns to be documented thoroughly, including:

  • Date, time, and location of the incident.
  • Details of the individuals involved.
  • A description of the concern, including any evidence of abuse or neglect.
  • Actions taken to address the concern, including internal referrals and external reporting.
  • Any follow-up actions required or taken.

4. PRACTICAL EXAMPLES OF SAFEGUARDING IN ACTION

Example 1: Financial Abuse Identified by a Carer

A domiciliary care worker noticed that a service user, Mrs Smith, had become increasingly anxious about her finances during their visits. Mrs Smith mentioned that her grandson had started managing her bank account, but she was unsure why large sums of money were being withdrawn without her knowledge.

Actions Taken:

  • Step 1: The care worker completed a safeguarding report form and raised the concern with the Safeguarding Lead.
  • Step 2: The Safeguarding Lead assessed the situation and contacted the local authority safeguarding team for further investigation.
  • Step 3: An investigation revealed that Mrs Smith’s grandson had been misusing her funds. Legal measures were put in place to protect Mrs Smith’s finances, and she was offered additional support to regain control of her money.

Example 2: Neglect in Personal Care

A care worker visiting a service user’s home found that Mr Johnson had been left without access to food, heating, or his necessary medication for several days. Mr Johnson’s primary carer, his son, was struggling with his own mental health issues and was unable to provide the necessary care.

Actions Taken:

  • Step 1: The care worker immediately reported the concern to the Safeguarding Lead, who conducted a preliminary risk assessment.
  • Step 2: The Safeguarding Lead contacted the local authority safeguarding team to report the case of neglect.
  • Step 3: A multi-agency meeting was convened, and alternative care arrangements were made for Mr Johnson, ensuring that his needs were met while his son received support for his mental health.

5. MONITORING AND AUDITING

Monitoring and auditing are critical to ensuring that safeguarding procedures at Wellness Care Uk Ltd are effective and adhered to. These practices allow the organisation to continuously improve its safeguarding efforts by identifying gaps, assessing performance, and implementing changes where necessary.

Monitoring of Safeguarding Procedures:

Ongoing monitoring involves regular checks to ensure that safeguarding policies and procedures are being followed consistently across the organisation. The following mechanisms are in place to support effective monitoring:

  1. Monthly Spot-Checks: Line managers conduct unannounced spot-checks on staff to assess whether safeguarding practices are being upheld during care visits. This includes reviewing how staff are interacting with service users and whether any potential safeguarding issues are being identified and reported appropriately.
  2. Incident Tracking and Analysis: All safeguarding concerns are logged in an internal incident management system. This allows the organisation to track the frequency and nature of concerns, identify patterns, and take action to prevent future incidents.
  3. Service User Feedback: Feedback is actively sought from service users regarding their experience of care services. This includes specific questions on whether they feel safe and supported in their care arrangements. Service users are encouraged to report any concerns, and anonymous feedback can be provided if preferred.

Auditing of Safeguarding Practices:

Auditing plays a central role in evaluating the effectiveness of safeguarding procedures. Audits are conducted at regular intervals to ensure that safeguarding measures are functioning as intended and that staff remain compliant with both internal policies and external regulations.

  1. Quarterly Safeguarding Audits: The Safeguarding Lead conducts detailed audits every three months to assess how safeguarding concerns have been managed. These audits include:

    • Reviewing all reported safeguarding concerns to ensure proper procedures were followed.

    • Verifying that all incidents were appropriately escalated to external agencies (if required).

    • Ensuring that the outcomes of safeguarding investigations were documented clearly and led to appropriate actions.

    Audit Process:
    • Step 1: The Safeguarding Lead reviews the internal incident management system to compile a list of all safeguarding concerns raised in the previous quarter.
    • Step 2: The Safeguarding Lead assesses the thoroughness of the documentation for each case, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external safeguarding guidelines.
    • Step 3: The findings of the audit are presented in a report, with recommendations for improvement if needed. The report is reviewed by senior management, and corrective actions are implemented.

  2. Annual Safeguarding Audit: An annual audit provides a comprehensive overview of Wellness Care Uk Ltd’s safeguarding performance over the previous year. This includes:

    • Analysing trends in safeguarding concerns.

    • Evaluating the effectiveness of safeguarding training programmes.

    • Assessing feedback from staff and service users regarding the safeguarding culture within the organisation.


    External Audit: The annual audit may involve an external safeguarding consultant to provide an impartial evaluation of safeguarding processes. This external review ensures that Wellness Care Uk Ltd is maintaining industry best practices and complying with all regulatory requirements.
  3. Action Plans for Continuous Improvement: Following each audit, an action plan is created to address any identified gaps or weaknesses. Action plans include:
    • Targeted Staff Training: If audits reveal that staff require additional safeguarding training, sessions are organised to cover specific areas of concern.
    • Process Improvements: Where procedural issues are identified (e.g., delays in reporting or incomplete documentation), changes are implemented to streamline processes and ensure full compliance.
  4. Record Keeping of Audits: All audit reports are documented and stored securely to ensure transparency and accountability. These records may be reviewed during CQC inspections to demonstrate Wellness Care Uk Ltd’s commitment to safeguarding.

6. FEEDBACK MECHANISMS

Feedback is a critical tool for improving safeguarding practices and ensuring that the policy remains relevant and effective. Wellness Care Uk Ltd has established several mechanisms to collect feedback from staff, service users, and external stakeholders.

Staff Feedback:

Staff members play a vital role in identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns. Their feedback is essential for understanding how well safeguarding procedures are being implemented on the ground.


  1. Safeguarding Surveys: Regular surveys are conducted to gather staff feedback on safeguarding practices. These surveys include questions on:

    • The effectiveness of safeguarding training.

    • How confident staff feel about identifying and reporting concerns.

    • Any barriers staff may face in following safeguarding procedures.


    Survey Example: “In the past six months, have you encountered any situations where you were unsure whether a safeguarding concern should be reported? If yes, what additional support or training would help you feel more confident in these situations?”
  2. Team Meetings: Safeguarding is a regular agenda item during team meetings. This provides staff with the opportunity to discuss any safeguarding issues they have encountered and share best practices. Team meetings also allow for collective problem-solving when complex safeguarding situations arise.
  3. Anonymous Feedback: To ensure that staff feel comfortable raising concerns, an anonymous feedback system is available. Staff can submit concerns or suggestions anonymously, allowing them to speak freely about any issues they may be hesitant to discuss openly.

Service User Feedback:

Service user feedback is an invaluable source of information on the effectiveness of safeguarding practices. Wellness Care Uk Ltd uses several methods to gather feedback from service users, including:

  1. One-on-One Reviews: Service users are regularly asked for feedback during care reviews. These reviews include questions about how safe and supported the service user feels and whether they have any concerns about their care. Where safeguarding concerns are identified, they are addressed immediately.
  2. Satisfaction Surveys: Service users receive annual satisfaction surveys, which include specific questions related to safeguarding. This feedback is used to evaluate whether service users feel safe and whether they believe their carers are attentive to safeguarding issues.
  3. Complaints Procedure: If service users have concerns about their care or believe safeguarding procedures have not been followed, they are encouraged to use Wellness Care Uk Ltd’s formal complaints procedure. Complaints related to safeguarding are prioritised and investigated thoroughly to ensure the safety and well-being of the individual.

External Stakeholder Feedback:

External stakeholders, including the local authority safeguarding team and the CQC, provide valuable feedback during inspections, reviews, and safeguarding investigations.

  1. CQC Inspections: The CQC conducts regular inspections of Wellness Care Uk Ltd’s safeguarding practices as part of its regulatory role. Feedback from these inspections is used to ensure ongoing compliance with national safeguarding standards.
  2. Multi-Agency Safeguarding Meetings: Wellness Care Uk Ltd participates in multi-agency safeguarding meetings with external stakeholders. These meetings provide opportunities to discuss complex safeguarding cases, share information, and receive guidance on best practices.

7. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

Wellness Care Uk Ltd is dedicated to continuously improving its safeguarding policies and procedures. This commitment ensures that safeguarding practices evolve in response to changes in legislation, best practices, and feedback from staff and service users.

Benchmarking Against Industry Standards:

Wellness Care Uk Ltd benchmarks its safeguarding practices against those of other leading domiciliary care providers in the UK. This process ensures that Wellness Care Uk Ltd remains at the forefront of safeguarding practices and adheres to industry best practices.

  1. Comparative Audits: Periodic comparative audits are conducted to assess how Wellness Care Uk Ltd’s safeguarding practices compare with those of similar organisations. These audits focus on areas such as:
    • The speed and effectiveness of safeguarding responses.
    • The quality of safeguarding training.
    • The frequency and nature of safeguarding concerns raised.
  2. Learning from Case Studies: Wellness Care Uk Ltd reviews case studies from other organisations and sectors to identify best practices and apply them to its safeguarding policy. This may include reviewing safeguarding incidents in the health and social care sectors, as well as in other fields such as education or criminal justice.

Adapting to Legislative Changes:

Safeguarding legislation is constantly evolving, and Wellness Care Uk Ltd is committed to staying ahead of these changes.

  1. Monitoring Legislative Updates: The Safeguarding Lead regularly monitors updates to legislation and guidance from the CQC, local authorities, and the government. This ensures that Wellness Care Uk Ltd’s safeguarding policy is always compliant with the latest regulations.
  2. Policy Reviews and Updates: When new legislation is introduced, the safeguarding policy is reviewed and updated as necessary. All staff are informed of any changes, and additional training is provided if required.
  3. Staff Training Updates: Changes in legislation often necessitate updates to staff training. Wellness Care Uk Ltd ensures that all staff receive up-to-date training that reflects the latest legal and regulatory requirements.

Using Feedback for Policy Evolution:

Feedback gathered from staff, service users, and external stakeholders is a crucial driver of continuous improvement in safeguarding practices.

  1. Actionable Feedback: Feedback is reviewed on a quarterly basis by the Safeguarding Lead. Any actionable feedback is used to inform updates to the safeguarding policy, ensuring that it remains effective and responsive to the needs of service users and staff.
  2. Annual Policy Review: The Safeguarding Adults Policy is reviewed annually, with input from all stakeholders. This review process ensures that the policy reflects the latest best practices and incorporates lessons learned from safeguarding incidents over the previous year.

8. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The successful implementation of safeguarding procedures relies on clear roles and responsibilities. Wellness Care Uk Ltd has defined these roles to ensure that safeguarding is managed effectively and that all staff understand their duties.

Policy Lead (Person A):

Overall Responsibility: The Policy Lead has overall responsibility for safeguarding within Wellness Care Uk Ltd This includes ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed, leading audits, and liaising with external agencies such as the local authority safeguarding team.

Key Duties:

  • Oversee the investigation of all safeguarding concerns.
  • Ensure that all staff are trained in safeguarding and that their training is up to date.
  • Liaise with external agencies to ensure effective multi-agency responses to safeguarding concerns.
  • Conduct quarterly and annual safeguarding audits and implement improvements based on audit findings.

Line Managers:

Day-to-Day Monitoring: Line Managers are responsible for ensuring that safeguarding procedures are followed by their teams on a daily basis. This includes monitoring staff performance, conducting spot-checks, and reviewing safeguarding concerns as they arise.

Key Duties:

  • Support staff in identifying and reporting safeguarding concerns.
  • Conduct regular reviews of service user care plans to ensure that safeguarding issues are addressed.
  • Monitor staff performance and provide guidance where safeguarding procedures are not being followed correctly.

HR Department:

Recruitment and Vetting: The HR Department ensures that all new staff undergo the appropriate pre-employment checks, including DBS clearance, to confirm their suitability to work with vulnerable adults.

Key Duties:

  • Ensure that all new staff receive safeguarding training as part of their induction.
  • Maintain up-to-date records of staff training and DBS checks.
  • Support the investigation of safeguarding concerns involving staff members.

9. REVIEW AND UPDATE PROCESSES

The Safeguarding Adults Policy is a living document that is subject to regular reviews and updates to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.

Review Timeline:

  • Annual Review: The Policy Lead conducts an annual review of the safeguarding policy to ensure it remains aligned with current legislation, regulatory guidance, and best practices.
  • Interim Updates: If significant changes occur in safeguarding legislation or best practices, the policy is updated immediately. These updates are communicated to all staff, and any necessary training is provided to ensure continued compliance.

Communication of Updates:

  • Staff Briefings: All staff are briefed on any updates to the policy, either during team meetings or via dedicated safeguarding sessions. Staff are expected to familiarise themselves with the updates and apply any new procedures in their work.
  • Email Notifications: In cases where urgent updates are required, notifications are sent via email. These updates are followed by face-to-face training sessions to ensure staff fully understand the new procedures.