What action to take if abuse is suspected or disclosed​?

• Action 1 - Communicate with the individual ​

  No leading questions, non-verbal vs. verbal, not probing​

  Respecting confidentiality balanced with assessing risk​

  Ensure a record of any disclosure is recorded word for word(for example using safeguarding disclosure form/safeguarding incident report form) ​
• When does confidentiality need to be broken?​

  When it is a concern to the patient and others around them

  When it a child.
• Action 2 - Reporting​

  Knowledge of the reporting procedure and report line (what could this look like?)​

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  Report instance but don’t intervene unless immediate or imminent threat to safety ​

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  Understand the next point of escalation if suspected abuse not investigated ​
• Action 3 – Your rights: ability to challenge authority ​

  • Fairness​
  • Abuse of power​
  • Accountability​
  • Democratic society​
  • Improve decision making​
  • Prevention.
  • Procedures.
• Action 4 – Preserving evidence​

  Documentation of facts – what do we NOT document?​

  ​No names use nicknames.

  Observation charts​

  ​Your opinions.

  Clinical photography ​
• What wouldn’t/shouldn’t you do?​

  Shout at them.

  Dismiss it/shove under rug.

  Be opinionated, values, beliefs.

  Patronising.

  Belittle their emotions.

  Post online?tell anybody not concerned in the case. (need to know basis)

  Politeness/punctuality/professionalism.

  Compare/ make assumptions.

  No interrogate- free flowing conversation.

  Offer support.

  NEVER confront perpetrator.

  Keep it a secret.

  Don't go against their will.
• Consequences of not taking correct actions:

  Service user becomes distressed further.

  Concern/situation could get worse.

  Wrongful accusation.

  Work ethic reduces- malpractice.

  Becomes more serious.

  Part of the problem.

  Overall health (emotional, financial, physical.)

  Victim could retaliate.

  Lose your job/ license.

  Ruined reputation.- rated a service is.