Safeguarding Adults Policy

Policy Owner: ClimbWell CIC

Date Policy approved: 06/12/24

Next review Date: 06/12/25

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Andy Cross

Mission Statement/Introduction

We are a mental health organisation dedicated to combining psychotherapy with climbing. We offer group courses and individual assistance for those experiencing mental health challenges or seeking to enhance their individual wellbeing. We invite participants to engage in this approach to foster personal growth and resilience using up to date and evidence based psychotherapeutic interventions.

Policy statement

At ClimbWell, we believe everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status.

A vulnerable adult is someone aged 18 or older who needs support, assistance, advice, or counselling due to specific needs related to age, physical or mental health, or refugee status.

We are committed to the six principles of safeguarding adults which includes:

• Empowerment
• Protection
• Prevention
• proportionality,
• partnership
• accountability

We are committed to Safeguarding Adults in line with national legislation and relevant local guidelines by ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe by creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution.

We recognise that health, well-being, ability, disability and need for care and support can affect a person’s resilience.We recognise that some people experience barriers, for example, to communication in raising concerns or seeking help.

We accept 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. ClimbWell is committed to creating a culture of zero-tolerance of harm to adults which necessitates: the recognition of adults who may be at risk and the circumstances which may increase risk and being willing to report safeguarding concerns.

Scope

This safeguarding adult policy and associated procedures apply to all individuals involved in ClimbWell, including Participants, and to all concerns about the safety of adults whilst taking part in our organisation, its activities within the wider community.

This policy covers people aged 18 and above; while we do not work with children, we do acknowledge the duty of care and our responsibilities in Safeguarding Children as stated within Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate the commitment of ClimbWell and its staff in safeguarding adults and to ensure that everyone involved in ClimbWell is aware of:

1. The legislation, policy and procedures for safeguarding adults.
2. Their role and responsibility for safeguarding adults.
3. What to do or who to speak to if they have a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult within the organisation.

Implementation

ClimbWell will aim to ensure that

1. Staff and volunteers are DBS checked
2. Staff have attend safeguarding adults training .
3. All activities include a dynamic and ongoing assessment of risk to the safety of all adults from abuse.
4. All staff follow a code of conduct in line with the expectations of their professional registered organisation i.e. Social Work England or the BACP.
5. All staff are aware of their role and responsibility and duty to report to the DSL any safeguarding adult concerns.

Legislation - what is adult safeguarding?

In its wider context, safeguarding adults applies to everyone over the age of 18 and is about:

1. protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.
2. people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse and neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted taking fully into account their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action.

Further information can be found on the Ann Craft Trust website Safeguarding Adults at Risk Key Legislation and Government Initiatives (anncrafttrust.org) (https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/safeguarding-adults-legislation/)

Procedures

Supporting the adult through the process

The DSL should:

1. Speak with the adultL concerned
2. Determine the wishes of the adult concerned to ensure the process is person led and outcome focused.
3. Seek external guidance and advice as appropriate (this could include the NGB, Centre Manager, Adults Safeguarding Team, Active Partnership or Ann Craft Trust)
4. Offer support and information for the adult concerned to make informed choices.
5. Put measures in place to keep the adult safe during the activity (if appropriate)
6. Ask for consent to report the concern to statutory agencies if appropriate. • Keep the adult informed and involved throughout the process

Key Contact Details
Andy Cross is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who responsible for ensuring that this policy is adhered to. They will be responsible for the monitoring and recording of any safeguarding concerns and for ensuring that all concerns are shared with the appropriate authorities. It is not the role of the DSP to investigate, only to gather and share information as appropriate. The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) person can be contacted on 07850 794 088. If the concern is regarding Andy Cross, contact Jess Eatwell or if you do not feel confident about the safety of an adult with staff from

ClimbWell, remain with the vulnerable adult and contact 101 or Cumberland Adult Social Care team.

Raising and Managing a Concern

Any safeguarding concerns can be reported via Jess or associated company who are working in partnership with ClimbWell, who will refer directly to the DSL.

1. Any concern that an adult is not safe is taken seriously, responded to promptly, and followed up.
2. The DSL will speak to the adult about the issue wherever possible, noting any views that the adult may have regarding how they wish the matter to be dealt and keeping them informed throughout the process.
3. The DSL may seek advice from external sources such as the local Safeguarding Adults Team, the Local Active Partnership, NGB, police or Ann Craft Trust.
4. The DSL will only share information with the people who need to know – such as the Safeguarding Adults Team, police or local Active Partnership. Any referrals or passing on of information will be done with the consent of the adult wherever possible. If consent is withheld, but information is still passed on, the DSO will clearly document this and the reasons why. They will also inform the adult of this action wherever possible.
5. The DSL will make a written record of the concern and store it safely in line with Data Protection requirements.

Note

1. If someone is injured or at immediate risk, immediate action should be taken. Seek help by dialling 999 for police or ambulance.
2. If someone does not give consent, you can still seek advice as to what you should do from either the police, Adults Safeguarding Team, Active Partnership or DSL, whilst keeping the name anonymous.

Whistleblowing

We strive to be fit of purpose, have and promote good safeguarding adults practice.To show that ClimbWell is committed to this, should someone wish to raise a safeguarding concern about the Safeguarding Lead or staff member or you think has a conflict of interest, then contact your Cumberland Local Authority Adult Safeguarding Team on 01228 526690, and if applicable the National Governing Body or Active Partnership.

Recording and Information Sharing

Jess Eatwell is ClimbWell’s GDPR Lead and is registered with the Information Commissioners Office. In regards to recording and Information Sharing, ClimbWell work to Seven Golden Rules

1. GDPR is not a barrier to sharing information
2. Be open and honest
3. Seek advice, if in doubt
4. Share with consent where appropriate
5. Consider safety and wellbeing
6. Necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure
7. Keep a record of your decision and reasons for sharing

Sources of Information and Support

Ann Craft Trust

A national organisation providing information and advice about adult safeguarding. The Ann Craft Trust has a specialist Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity team to support the sector

Tel: 0115 951 5400

Email: Ann-Craft-Trust@nottingham.ac.uk (mailto:Ann-Craft-Trust@nottingham.ac.uk)

www.anncrafttrust.org (http://www.anncrafttrust.org/)

Men’s Advice Line

For male domestic abuse survivors

Tel: 0808 801 0327

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Tel: 0800 999 5428

National Domestic Abuse Hotline

Tel: 0808 2000 247
www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us (http://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us)

Helpline for woman fleeing domestic abuse. Aimed at women needing to access specialist refuge accommodation. The Helpline can help you find a refuge vacancy for you and your children

Rape Crisis Federation of England and Wales

Rape Crisis was launched in 1996 and exists to provide a range of facilities and resources to enable the continuance and development of Rape Crisis Groups throughout Wales and England.

Email: info@rapecrisis.co.uk
(mailto:info@rapecrisis.co.uk)www.rapecrisis.co.uk (http://www.rapecrisis.co.uk/)

Respond

Respond provides a range of services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities, and training and support to those working with them.

Tel: 020 7383 0700 (tel:%20020%207383%200700) or 

0808 808 0700 (tel:%200808%20808%200700) (Helpline)
Email: services@respond.org.uk
(mailto:services@respond.org.uk)www.respond.org.uk (http://www.respond.org.uk/)

Stop Hate Crime

Works to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. Stop Hate UK provides independent, confidential and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.

24 hours service:

Telephone: 0800 138 1625

Web Chat: www.stophateuk.org/talk-to-us/ (http://www.stophateuk.org/talk-to-us/)

E mail: talk@stophateuk.org (mailto:talk@stophateuk.org)

Text: 07717 989 025
Text relay: 18001 0800 138 1625
By post: PO Box 851, Leeds LS1 9QS

Susy Lamplugh Trust

The Trust is a leading authority on personal safety. Its role is to minimise the damage caused to individuals and to society by aggression in all its forms – physical, verbal and psychological.

Tel: 020 83921839
(tel:%20020%2083921839)Fax: 020 8392 1830
(http://fax:%20020%208392%201830/)Email: info@suzylamplugh.org
(mailto:info@suzylamplugh.org)www.suzylamplugh.org (http://www.suzylamplugh.org/)

Victim Support

Provides practical advice and help, emotional support and reassurance to those who have suffered the effects of a crime.

Tel: 0808 168 9111

www.victimsupport.com (http://www.victimsupport.com/)

Women’s Aid Federation of England and Wales

Women’s Aid is a national domestic violence charity. It also runs a domestic violence online help service.

www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support (http://www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support/)

Everyone has a right to be treated with respect and dignity.

Everyone deserves to be safe.