A11 - Safeguarding

• What is the meaning of safeguarding?

  Protection of health, wellbeing and rights of individuals
• How does the Mental Capacity Act (2005) plus Amendment (2019) support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Provides a framework for the implement of the principles and provisions to empower and protect individuals

  Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) are used to protect individuals who lack capacity to consent to their care arrangements
• How does the Care Act (2014) support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Outlines the general responsibilities of local authorities including:

  • Safeguarding Adults Boards
  • Safeguarding Adult Reviews
  • implements a multi-agency local adult safeguarding system
  • arranges independent advocates
• How does the Health and Care Act (2022) support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Establishes Integrated Care Systems (ICS), Integrated Care Boards (ICB), Integrated Care Partnership (ICP)

  Promotes collaborative and partnership working to integrate services including social care to improve patient care and safeguard individuals
• How does the Safeguard Vulnerable Groups Act (2006) support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Establishes Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to prevent individuals deemed unsuitable to work with children or vulnerable adults from gaining access to them through their work
• How does the Mental Health Act 2007 support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Sets out when someone can be detained and treated for a mental health disorder
• How does the Equality Act 2010 support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Provides legal protection for individuals from discrimination within society
• How does the Human Rights Act 1998 support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Sets out the fundamental rights and freedoms that individuals are entitled to
• How does the Domestic Abuse Act (2021) support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Provides a framework designed to support organisations to identify and respond to domestic abuse and promote best practice
• How do the NICE guidance and quality standards support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Defines guidance and quality standards in relation to safeguarding adults, children and young people with different conditions in a variety of settings
• How does the NHS England guide support the safeguarding of individuals?

  Defines guidance in relation to safeguarding requirements to comply with legislation and regulations within health and social care services and settings
• What are the factors that may contribute to an individual being vulnerable to harm or abuse?

  Age

  Individuals with health issues

  Being physically dependent on others

  Lack of mental capacity

  Previous history of abuse

  Social isolation

  Drug/alcohol abuse

  Finance

  Religion
• What are the vulnerable groups that require protection?

  Children and young people

  Elderly people

  Adults receiving care in their homes

  Individuals with physical, mental or sensory impairments

  Individuals with learning disabilities

  Ethnic minorities and ethnic groups

  Socio-economically disadvantaged individuals
• What are examples of physical abuse and harm?

  Hitting

  Burning

  Genital mutilation
• What is modern day slavery?

  Exploitation of individuals for work using threats and violence
• What is sexual abuse?

  Forcing someone to take part in or watch sexual activities
• What are some examples of emotional abuse?

  Belittling

  Bullying

  Verbal abuse

  Gaslighting
• What are some examples of coercion/control?

  Assaults

  Threats and intimidation

  Humiliation
• What are some examples of organisational/institutional abuse?

  Regimented (strictly organised/controlled) mealtimes

  Removing personal choices
• What is an example of financial abuse?

  Withholding/taking of money
• What are some examples of neglect?

  Self-neglect

  Neglect by others
• What is domestic abuse?

  Abuse that takes place in the home of a family member
• What is professional abuse?

  Abuse by someone in a position of power over a victim or a position of trust
• What are the possible signs of physical abuse or harm in an individual?

  Bruising

  Unexplained bleeding
• What are the possible signs of emotional abuse or harm in an individual?

  Depression

  Low self-esteem
• What are the possible signs of organisational abuse or harm in an individual?

  Restricted visiting times

  Patient complaints
• What are the possible signs of financial abuse or harm in an individual?

  Lack of money and/or belongings

  Debt
• What are the possible signs of sexual abuse or harm in an individual?

  Unwanted pregnancy

  Sexually transmitted infections/diseases

  Sexual promiscuity
• What are the possible signs of neglect in an individual?

  Unkempt appearance

  Malnutrition
• What action should be taken if abuse is suspected or disclosed?

  Communicate with the individual:

  • respect confidentiality balanced with assessing risk
  • ensure a record of disclosure is recorded word for word

  Reporting:

  • know the reporting procedure and reporting line
  • report instance but don't intervene unless immediate/imminent threat to safety
  • understand the next point of escalation if suspected abuse is not investigated

  Ability to challenge authority

  Preserving evidence:

  • documentation of facts
  • observation charts
  • clinical photography
• What are actions that can be taken by individuals and organisations to reduce the chances of abuse?

  Raising awareness and educating

  Staff training

  Whistleblowing procedure

  Effective complaints procedure

  Risk management procedure

  Risk assessment for each individual case

  Working with person-centred values

  Multi-agency working

  Implementing holistic approaches

  Accessing and promotion of advocacy
• What is the meaning of patient safety?

  The avoidance of accidental or unintended injury or harm during a period of receiving healthcare
• What is the meaning of clinical effectiveness?

  The application of healthcare, taking into consideration the individual's wishes, healthcare professional's experience, and evidence-based research in the approach
• Why is patient safety and clinical effectiveness important?

  Raises the standard of care improving the patient's experience and quality

  Avoids negative outcomes for the provision of care
• What is the meaning of radicalisation?

  The action or process of someone to adopt or support terrorism, or radical extremist beliefs connected with terrorism or terrorist groups
• How can you identify signs of radicalisation?

  Detachment from family and friends

  Raised levels of anger

  Failure or avoidance in discussing own views

  Increased interest in privacy or secretive behaviours
• What is the purpose of the prevent strategy?

  To work with communities to support vulnerable people at risk of becoming radicalised
• What is the importance of positive behaviour?

  Key to safeguarding individuals

  Failure to comply with behavioural standards could result in noncompliance and deregistration

  Improves quality service provision for positive outcomes
• What is the range of positive behaviours expected of a health professional?

  Promotion of choice, dignity, inclusion, independence, individuality, identity, privacy and confidentiality of information

  People first approach (e.g. don't make assumptions, acknowledge and accept diversity and choice)

  Effective practiced clinical competence (e.g. communicate effectively, share best practice, work cooperatively)

  Maintain safety (e.g. observe and report on individual's condition and escalate any issues where necessary as soon as possible)

  Encourage professionalism and trust
• What are the types of support for managing positive behaviour?

  Behavioural frameworks (e.g. guidance on expected employee behaviour in a trust or workplace)

  Workplace policies (e.g. whistleblowing and social media policies setting out what employees should and shouldn't do)

  Performance management (e.g. for example performance improvement plans to support employees to succeed)