Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Proverbs 31:8-9

First issued: September 2018

SCHEDULE OF REVISIONS

• January 2022
• September 2024

1. 1 Introduction

1.1   Carey Baptist Church is committed to encouraging an environment where all people, and especially those who may be at risk for any reason, are able to be involved in church activities in safety.

1.2   The Trustees of Carey Baptist Church take seriously their safeguarding obligations and responsibilities and are committed to:

• Promoting the wellbeing of all adults who have some involvement with the ministries and activities of the Church
• Safeguarding vulnerable adults
• Preventing abuse of vulnerable adults and reporting any abuse that we discover or suspect
• Equipping church workers and members to be alert to the abuse of adults and aware of their duty to report any suspected abuse or neglect
• Promoting safe practice by those in positions of trust
• Recruiting with care all church workers involved in any pastoral role and using the enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for all pastoral staff and church members who have regular contact with vulnerable adults
• Supporting, resourcing, training and regularly reviewing those who interact with vulnerable adults
• Adhering to the guidance and principles of the Care Act 2014 on the Safeguarding of adults and the Mental Capacity Act 2005 when appropriate
• Recognising our duty to work together with the local authority and police and other agencies to seek their advice when necessary
• Supporting anyone who has suffered abuse by offering or arranging sensitive and informed pastoral care, including support to make a complaint if so desired

1.3   The Church has a designated Safeguarding Co-Ordinator and a Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator to ensure that safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable adults entering or using our Church premises who may be at risk of abuse or neglect, and to ensure the implementation of this policy.

1.4   This policy was agreed by the Trustees of Carey Baptist Church on 16 October 2018.

1.5   This policy will be reviewed, as necessary and annually by the Trustees of Carey Baptist Church.

1.6   All people within the church who work with adults who may be at risk of abuse or neglect will read and agree to abide by this Safeguarding Policy.

1.7   All leaders and helpers will undertake recognised safeguarding training on a 3 yearly basis.

1.8   The elder with particular responsibility for adult safeguarding is Andrew Barnett (referred to in the policy as the safeguarding elder).

2.         Adults at Risk

2.1   Safeguarding means protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It requires individuals and organisations to work together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse or neglect, while at the same time making sure that the person’s wellbeing is promoted including, where appropriate, having regard to their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. We recognise that people sometimes have complex interpersonal relationships and may be ambivalent, unclear or unrealistic about their personal circumstances.

2.2   The Care Act (2014) puts Adult Safeguarding on a statutory basis. Its key principles are:

• Empowerment – people being supported and encouraged to make their own decision 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 (including the church) have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.

• Accountability – accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

2.3   We recognize that there are different levels of vulnerability and that everyone may be regarded as vulnerable at some time in their lives. However, for the purposes of this document, a vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who needs care and support (whether that is being provided or not by others) and who is not able to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

2.4   Adults at risk may be:

• A person whose health or usual function is compromised;
• A person with a physical disability, a learning difficulty or a sensory impairment;
• Someone with mental health needs, including dementia or a personality disorder;
• A person with a long-term health condition;
• Someone who misuses substances or alcohol to the extent that it affects their ability to manage day-to-day living; or
• A person with reduced independence including those who do not speak English as their first language.

2.5   We have a responsibility to safeguard individuals in a way that supports them to make their own choices. Issues of capacity and consent are key elements in the safeguarding of vulnerable adults. Capacity refers to the ability to make and understand a decision, act, or transaction. However, there remains a fundamental duty to balance the person’s right to autonomy with their need for protection.  The law assumes that adults are able to make their own decisions unless proved otherwise.

2.6   Decisions concerning mental capacity should follow the guidance provided in the the Mental Capacity Act (2005). The five key principles of the Mental Capacity Act are:

 

• A presumption of capacity: Every adult has the right to make his or her own decisions and must be assumed to have capacity to do so unless it is proved otherwise. We cannot assume that someone cannot make a decision for themselves just because they have a particular medical condition or disability.

• Individuals being supported to make their own decisions: Every effort must be made to encourage and support people to make the decision for themselves.

• Unwise decisions: People have the right to make what others might regard as an unwise or eccentric decision. We cannot treat them as lacking capacity for that reason.

• Best interests: Any action taken, or any decision made for, or on behalf of that person, must be made in his or her best interests.

• Least restrictive option: Before any decisions are made or actions taken on behalf of the person, consideration must be given as to whether there is another way to effectively achieve the same purpose that is less restrictive of the person’s rights and freedom of action.

2.7     A lack of mental capacity could be due to:

• a stroke or brain injury
• a mental health problem
• dementia
• a learning disability
• confusion, drowsiness or unconsciousness because of an illness of the treatment for it
• substance misuse

2.7     The Mental Capacity Act states that a person is unable to make their own decision if they cannot do one or more of the following four things:

• understand information given to them
• retain that information long enough to be able to make the decision
• weigh up the information available to make the decision
• communicate their decision – this could be by talking, using sign language or even simple muscle movements such as blinking an eye or squeezing a hand.

2.8   It is important to remember that capacity changes over time and assessment of capacity is required for each individual decision made.

3. Abuse of Adults

3.1   There are many ways in which adults can be abused: The Care Act 2014 defines 10 categories of abuse:

• Physical abuse – including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.

• Domestic violence – including psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse for those in family or close relationships, as well as so called ‘honour’ based violence.

• Sexual abuse – including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.

• Psychological abuse – including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.

• Financial or material abuse – including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.

• Modern slavery – encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and slave masters use whatever means they have at their disposal to coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment. 

• Discriminatory abuse – including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment; because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.

• Organisational abuse – including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example, or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one-off incidents to on-going ill-treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice.

• Neglect or acts of omission – including ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.

• Self-neglect – this covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding

3.2     Other types of abuse include:

• Spiritual Abuse – misuse of authority within a church setting; intrusive healing and deliverance ministries; the denial of the expression of their Christian faith.

• Radicalisation – exploitation and pressure to be involved in terrorism for religious or political purposes e.g. far-right, Islamist

3.3   People who abuse may be relatives or other family members; neighbours; friends; carers; professional staff; volunteers; other service users; care practitioners; strangers; and people who deliberately exploit adults they perceive to be vulnerable. Within the church they may include church workers and members and others attending church activities.

3.4   Abuse may be inflicted by an individual, by a group of individuals working together or within an institution (institutional abuse).

4.         Procedures if abuse of an adult is suspected or disclosed

4.1   If a church member or worker suspects that an adult is being, or is at risk of being, abused or neglected, they must take responsibility to act on their concerns. Not responding may be seen as act of abuse in itself.

4.2   Adults may find it difficult to disclose abuse and need support to tell their story. They should be listened to without leading questions or suggestions that may influence or confuse the story. The listener should not show shock or judgment.

4.3   If the person fulfils the criteria for being an adult at risk of abuse or neglect, or if they express suicidal thoughts, they should be informed that the information will have to be passed on as part of our duty of care, preferably with their consent (unless they lack the capacity to give this).

4.4   Careful notes must be kept, recording factual information and direct quotes where possible. Notes should be signed and dated and kept securely. Copies should be forwarded to the Safeguarding co-ordinator/Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator

4.5   Under no circumstances should a worker carry out their own investigation into an allegation or suspicion of abuse.

4.5   If the person is at immediate risk of harm or danger, the police and/or the local authority Adult Social Services team must be contacted. The Safeguarding Co-Ordinator or, in their absence the Deputy Safeguarding Co-Ordinator should be informed as soon as possible.

4.6   If the person is not at immediate risk, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator should be informed in the first instance. They may make a referral to the Adults Social Services Team of the relevant local authority. If a criminal offence has occurred the police will be informed.

4.7   Where the concern is about the quality of care provided by a nursing home, residential home, or domiciliary provider, the Safeguarding Co-ordinator will inform the Local Authority and the Care Quality Commission.

4.8   If the vulnerable adult has capacity their consent should be obtained before family members are informed of an allegation of abuse and the action being taken. If the adult does not have capacity to decide whether their family should be informed a best interest decision should be made by the Safeguarding Co-ordinator and the Trustee with particular responsibility for adult safeguarding. If the alleged perpetrator is a family member, or where a police investigation is likely and the rules of evidence apply family members must not be informed.

4.9   Pastoral care and support will be offered to the person who has disclosed the abuse or is at risk of abuse and neglect.

5. Good Practice

5.1   An assessment of need should be carried out by the leaders and helpers for any vulnerable adults regularly attending services or other church activities.  Support should be provided to enable the vulnerable adult to participate in the activities as fully as possible and in safety.

5.2   Welcome Team leaders and ministry team leaders should be made aware of vulnerable adults regularly attending church services or other meetings/activities so that they can inform other team members to ensure any necessary care and support is provided.

5.3   Contact details for particularly vulnerable adults will not be generally made available to the whole membership but rather will be kept by the Church Office. This information will be released to individuals only on the agreement of the Safeguarding Co-Ordinator or Pastors.

5.4   Unless appointed by a Power of Attorney agreement (the agreement should be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian), where a church member is involved in any aspect of personal finance for a vulnerable adult connected to the church, they should ensure there is accountability. Another church member must be involved to ensure informed consent and to be aware of the decisions and actions taken on behalf of the vulnerable adult.

5.5   Those regularly providing transport to vulnerable adults will require an enhanced DBS check and should be physically able to provide any required assistance to the vulnerable adult.

5.6   The Safeguarding Co-ordinators and Safeguarding Elders will use the NHS Safeguarding App for contact details of Adults Social Care should a referral be required.

6. Roles and Responsibilities

Safeguarding Co-ordinator

• Prepare the safeguarding policy and implement its review
• Ensure safeguarding policies and procedures are followed
• Work with the Deputy Safeguarding-Co-ordinator and Safeguarding Elder when safeguarding concerns are raised
• Act as an advocate on behalf of adults in need of protection.
• Arrange and ensures workers and leaders attend relevant training
• Keep accurate records relating to safeguarding concerns.
• Regularly inform the Leadership on good practice issues
• Work in partnership with statutory and other agencies

Deputy Safeguarding Co-ordinator

• To cover in the absence of the Safeguarding Co-ordinator e.g. when on holiday,
• To provide administrative support to the Safeguarding Co-ordinator
• Manage any accusation against the Co-ordinator or someone close to them making it inappropriate for them to deal with the issue

Safeguarding Elder

• Provide a clear link between the Safeguarding Co-ordinator and the Leadership of the church.
• Work with the Safeguarding-Co-ordinator and Deputy Safeguarding-Co-ordinator when safeguarding concerns are raised
• Meet with the Safeguarding co-ordinator and their deputy regularly (at least bimonthly) to discuss any safeguarding concerns, review policies and procedures and complete any actions following audits. The meeting will provide opportunity for mutual support in fulfilling safeguarding duties and an opportunity to pray for safeguarding within the church.
• Offer pastoral support to abuse victims in collaboration with others from the church and/or outside agencies
• Review DBS checks if any concerns are identified

7. Useful Contacts

Carey Baptist Church Safeguarding Co-Ordinator

Name: Paula Gibbs

Telephone: 07803 293792

Email: paula@careybaptistchurch.org.uk

Carey Baptist Church Safeguarding Deputy Co-Ordinator

Name: Hannah Swanepoel

Telephone: 07545 614872

Email: hannah@careybaptistchurch.org.uk

Safeguarding Elder

Name: Andrew Barnet

Telephone: 0749 854 9578

Email: andrewbarnet1975@icloud.com

Thirtyone:eight (formerly CCPAS)

Website: https://thirtyoneeight.org/

Telephone: 0303 003 1111

Safeguarding Adults Board: Reading, West Berkshire & Wokingham

Website: www.sabberkshirewest.co.uk

Care Quality Commission

Website: www.cqc.org.uk

Telephone: 0333 405 3333

Thames Valley Police

Telephone: 101

Age UK

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk

Telephone: 0800 678 1174

Prevent Advice Line

To report a vulnerable person who may be being exploited by extremists

Telephone: 0800 011 3764