CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION CHILD AND VULNERABLE

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION DO I HAVE A ROLE IN PROTECTING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS? All RD&E staff have a responsibility to protect children and vulnerable adults and to promote their welfare. Even those who do not work directly with children and their families

CHILD PROTECTION CHILD ABUSE CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE? In poor and affluent homes · In rural areas, suburbs and the cities · By those known to the child, or more rarely, by a stranger. DID YOU KNOW THAT: · 26, 400 children on the child protection register in 2006 (Now CP Plans) · Each week 2 children die because of abuse or neglect in the UK. IT HAPPENS MORE THAN WE THINK!

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults • Around 5% of all people over 65 suffer some form of abuse or neglect. • 10% of people with learning disability suffer sexual or physical abuse. • In 2007/08 Devon recorded 448 vulnerable adults who had been abused Of these: • 239 older people • 57 learning disabled people • 66 older people with mental health disorders • 65 people with a physical disability • 20 people with mental health issues • 1 Substance abuse

Definition of Abuse • Abuse is a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by another person or persons. • Abuse can occur in any relationship, and may result in significant harm to or exploitation of the person subjected to it. (No Secrets 2000) • Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. (Working Together to Safeguard Children 2006)

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT ABUSE CAN BE: SEX UA L P AL/ N O I T EMO OGICAL OL SYCH NEGLECT ABUSE L A I C N A N FI INSTITUTION AL ORY NAT I M I CR DIS PHY SICA L A CHILD OR A VULNERABLE ADULT CAN BE ABUSED IN MORE THAN ONE WAY.

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES AND WHAT DO IF I AM CONCERNED? TRAINING AND POLICIES SHARE – your concerns with your line manager or the Trust’s child protection professionals. REFER – to the children and young people service (social services) RECORD – your findings and action taken

Responding to a disclosure- the do’s • Listen very carefully to what you are being told • Remain calm and try not to show shock or disbelief • Reassure the child or adult that they have done the right thing by sharing the information with you • Tell them what you are going to do and what will happen next • Inform your line manager • Make a written record of what you have been told using their language where possible.

Mental Capacity Act 2005 Implications for Practice • • • A person is assumed to have capacity unless otherwise proved An unwise decision is NOT to be taken as a lack of capacity Any action should be the least restrictive option to the person in terms of rights and freedom Any decision taken MUST be in person’s best interest All practicable steps to help decision making should be taken before treating as lack of capacity • Failure to comply with these aspects will constitute neglect and will become a criminal offence from October 07 • Refer to Independent Mental Capacity Advocate IMCA service when necessary Comply with Advance decisions as required New court of protection Office of Public Guardian Introduction of Deprivation of Liberties safeguards in April 2009 • •

CHILD PROTECTION WHO ARE THE TRUST’S CHILD PROTECTION PROFESSIONALS? DOCTOR NURSE DR xxxx HONEYLANDS xxxxx CHILD HEALTH EXT: xxxx MIDWIFE xxxxx MATERNITY EXT: xxxx

SAFEGUARDING VULNERABLE ADULTS WHO ARE THE TRUST’S ADULT PROTECTION PROFESSIONALS? xxxx CARE OF THE ELDERLY CONSULTANT EXT: xxxx SAFEGUARDING ADULTS COORDINATOR EXT: xxxx

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION PROTECTING CHILDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULTS IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY? YOUR PIECE OF INFORMATION, HOWEVER SMALL, MAY BE THE…. PLEASE REPORT IT DON’T EXPECT SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT!

CHILD PROTECTION AND VULNERABLE ADULTS Children SOCIAL SERVICES TEL NUMBER: 01392 384444 0845 600 0388 (OUT OF HOURS) Adults CARE DIRECT 0845 1551007 ON CALL SOCIAL WORKER (OUT OF HOURS) VIA HOSPITAL OPERATOR

CHILD AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION ANY QUESTIONS