First Questions to ask
Suspected abuse of children or vulnerable adults
All people have the right to protection from abuse regardless of age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, intellectual ability, race or culture.
‘Abuse of a vulnerable adult may consist of a single act or repeated acts over time. It may occur as a result of failure to undertake action or appropriate care tasks. It may be physical, psychological or an act of neglect. It may occur where a vulnerable adult is persuaded to enter into a financial or sexual transaction to which they have not or cannot consent. Abuse can occur in any relationship and may result in significant harm or to exploitation of the individual’.
No Secrets – Protection of Vulnerable Adults – Department of Health |
The person to whom an allegation of abuse is first made has a crucial role to play in collecting the facts. It is important to
- listen carefully to the statements and do not use any leading questions
- record the disclosure in a factual manner as details may be required for subsequent legal or disciplinary proceedings
- assure the complainant they have done the right thing in disclosing the abuse
- do not promise to keep secrets
- explain what will happen next
- clarify if the complainant wishes to consent to a referral and abuse investigation
- inform your line manager
- take any steps necessary to ensure the safety of the vulnerable child or adult.
Immediate protection
In cases where the ICAS advocate knows or strongly suspects there to be a risk to the life of a child or vulnerable adult, or a likelihood of immediate harm, contact with the Police must be made immediately preferably after consulting with your line manager If your line manager is not available, however, then you should contact them yourself immediately.
Links for immediate action/ advice
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ICAS advocates guidelines and service policy on child and vulnerable adult protection – these could replace the above wording |
What to do if you're worried a child is being abused: Department of Health guidelines full report (external link)
Summary (external link)
No Secrets: Department of Health guidelines on protection of vulnerable adults (external link)
Referral to other organisations
The role of the National Patient Safety Agency (external link)
All NHS bodies are expected to report all patient related incidents to the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) for the purpose of learning lessons and to devise and implement safety solutions nationally where appropriate. All such reports are anonymous; it is not the role of the NPSA to investigate incidents, that is an issue for local management.
The public and patients can also report adverse incidents to the NPSA for the purpose of ensuring that learning can be achieved from such incidents. If a member of the public/patient contacts the NPSA to complain about an aspect of NHS care, then they will be referred to an appropriate organisation.
The Commission for Racial Equality (external link) is a publicly funded, non-governmental body set up under the Race Relations Act 1976 to tackle racial discrimination and promote racial equality.
The Disability Rights Commission (external link) is an independent body, established by Act of Parliament to eliminate discrimination against disabled people and promote equality of opportunity.
The Equal Opportunities Commission (external link) is the leading agency working to eliminate sex discrimination in 21st Century Britain. |
Next: Dealing with confrontation: dos and don’ts list
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