Safeguarding Adults – NAFA Policy and Procedures
We all have a responsibility to safeguard adults who are experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse and neglect.
This policy and procedures outlines what adult safeguarding is and what to do if you have a concern. The safeguarding children and young people policy, for those under the age of 18, is covered in a separate document, Child Safeguarding Policy and Statement, 2018. Policy statement
This Association is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment for all people involved in the fishing and social activity. It accepts its responsibility to assist in the welfare of all people and to safeguard them from poor practice, abuse and bullying.
All individuals within this Association - members/volunteers/coaches - have a role and responsibility to help ensure the safety and welfare of adults.
This Association accepts that we are required to fulfil our duty of care, which means that we must do everything that can be reasonably expected of us to help safeguard and protect people from harm, and to act when we suspect that someone is being harmed, or is at risk of harm.
What is adult safeguarding?
The official definition of “Adult safeguarding” is working with adults with care and support needs to keep them safe from abuse or neglect. It is an important part of what many public services do, and a key responsibility of local authorities (Care Act 2014).
The safeguarding duties apply to an adult who:
has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs)
is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect, as a result of those care and support needs Adults who fulfil this criterion are ‘adults at risk’.
People can have a need for care and support for a variety of reasons – for example they may have a learning disability, a physical disability, a chronic health condition or have a mental health issue. Such conditions may bring with them additional vulnerabilities, however having care and support needs does not mean that people are automatically adults at risk and need safeguarding.
Safeguarding adults is underpinned by:
The Care Act 2014
Mental Capacity Act (MCA) 2005
Types of abuse suffered by adults identified in the Care Act 2014 are:
Physical
Sexual
Psychological/Emotional/Mental
Financial and material
Neglect and act of omission
Discriminatory
Organisational
Modern Day Slavery
Domestic Violence
Self Neglect – including hoarding
Other types of harm that adults may experience include:
Cyber Bullying
Forced Marriage
Female Genital Mutilation
Hate Crime
Radicalisation
Safe recruitment and safeguarding training
We want to make sure that all of our coaches and contracted coaches have the right skills and qualities to create a safe environment. All staff and volunteers will be subject to safe recruitment procedures and will also be updated with any relevant legislation, policies and procedural changes. Appropriate training will also be identified and offered, including safeguarding adults training.
Communication
This Association will make available its Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures to all volunteers, members and partner organisations via our website. What to do if you have concerns about an adult member.
Association volunteers are not expected to be an expert in recognition of a safeguarding concern; however, all adults working, volunteering and participating have a duty of care to be vigilant and respond appropriately to suspicions of poor practice, abuse or bullying. They should also respond to any indication of abuse that may be occurring outside of the organisation setting.
This does not mean that it is your responsibility to decide if a situation is poor practice, abuse or bullying, but it is your responsibility to report your concerns to the Safeguarding Officer
If you cannot contact someone within the Association or feel that your concerns are not being dealt with properly you can contact the Devon Adult Safeguarding Board, 0345 155 1015, or ACT, the national safeguarding adults organisation www.anncrafttrust.org
Addopted NAFA October 2018
Review every 12 months
Child Safeguarding Policy and Statement
Newton Abbot Fishing Association acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, (under 18 years of age), and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.
The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. It aims to ensure that regardless of age, ability or disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation, socio-economic background, all children
have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport at Newton Abbot Fishing Association in a safe and child centred environment.
are protected from abuse whilst participating in Newton Abbot Fishing Association Junior section or outside of the activity.
Newton Abbot Fishing Association acknowledges that some children, including disabled children and young people or those from ethnic minority communities, can be particularly vulnerable to abuse and we accept the responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.
As part of our safeguarding policy Newton Abbot Fishing Association will:
promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and young people
ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of safeguarding and is provided with appropriate learning opportunities to recognise, identify and respond to signs of abuse, neglect and other safeguarding concerns relating to children and young people.
ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern.
ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns are maintained and securely stored.
prevent the deployment of unsuitable individuals
ensure robust safeguarding arrangements and procedures are in operation.
Newton Abbot Fishing Association will support Junior Officers with appropriate training to Level 2
Coaching that will also require them to complete a DBS check. The policy and procedures will be widely promoted and are mandatory for everyone involved Newton Abbot Fishing Association Junior Section. Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and investigated by the safeguarding lead officer, any required action will be taken by the committee.
Monitoring
The policy will be reviewed a year after development and then every three years, or in the following circumstances:
changes in legislation and/or government guidance
as required by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, Sport England or the Angling Trust as a result of any other significant change or event.
Safeguarding Officer to report any incidents to the Committee Chair, and to the wider committee that an event has happened but not full disclosure of that event.
Newton Abbot Fishing Association officers
Chris Gray - Safeguarding Lead
Barry Madicott - Junior Officer
Best Practice, Disclosure from a minor. In the event of a minor disclosing any safeguarding issue to a member of the association they should make notes at the earliest opportunity, this should only include that which is disclosed.
Good practice should be to listen to the individual, (remember a criminal act may have taken place), not to offer solutions, (these may blur your account of the conversation later). It should also be made clear that confidentiality cannot be promised, if what is disclosed indicates a minor is at risk of further harm we as an association have a duty to report what has been disclosed to the appropriate Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub, (MASH), and the police.
Once an incident is reported it should be left to the professionals to assess and take appropriate action. Remember we all as adults have a duty of care towards safeguarding children.
Adopted by Newton Abbot Fishing Association on 30/10/2018.
Next review Oct 2019