Contribute and implement procedures for the protection of vulnerable participants
Overview
This standard is about dealing safely and effectively with concerns about possible safeguarding issues with regard to children and vulnerable adults (participants).
The standard covers three main outcomes:
1. identify signs of possible abuse
2. respond to a participant's disclosure of abuse
- follow policies and procedures for recording and reporting possible abuse
The standard is aimed at staff who work directly with children and or vulnerable adults. It is mandatory that you should have training in safeguarding and have a clear understanding of your organisation's regulations and procedures for dealing with safeguarding issues, including possible abuse.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Identify signs of possible abuse
identify the key legislative requirements and organisational policies and procedures relative to safeguarding.
recognise any signs and indicators of possible abuse,* *offering opportunties for participants to disclose and be heard
take action in accordance with the significance of the signs and indicators and the requirements and procedures of your organisation
follow policies and procedures for recording and reporting possible abuse including whistleblowing to keep yourself safe from possible allegations
Respond to a participant's disclosure of abuse
respond to the participant's disclosure of abuse according to organisational regulations and procedures
support the individual to understand when and why you may need to share information with others.
provide reassurance and support to the participant
8. communicate in a manner and pace appropriate to the participant's needs
Follow policies and procedures for reporting possible abuse
record all information concerning possible abuse factually, in the indivdual's own words and in accordance with organisational regulations and procedures ensuring that it is signed and dated by the individual
ensure your information is accurate
follow your organisation's procedures when responding to requests for reports on incidents, disclosure or suspicions of abuse
provide distinction in your reports between directly observed evidence and information from others
present your reports accordingly to the designated safeguarding lead and/or appropriate agency
intervene as appropriate when policies and procedures are not being followed by having an awareness of the whistle-blowing procedure and following if necessary
ensure outcomes are recorded effectively
encourage others to report any suspicions they have about possible abuse in line with your organisation's policies and procedures
support others to adhere to organisational regulations and procedures without colluding with that person
make sure staff involved in cases of suspected abuse receive the recommended support
gather feedback from others on how well procedures are working
use this feedback to improve procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Identify signs of possible abuse
the current legislation, guidelines, policies, procedures and protocols which are relevant to your work practice and to which you must adhere
the definitions of the categories of abuse as defined by relevant agencies
how to make sure your observation of the participant's physical condition and behaviour is sensitive to the participant and the circumstances
the common signs and indicators of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect
how to take action in accordance with the significance of the signs and indicators
**
Respond to a participants disclosure of abuse**
**6. the importance of responding promptly and calmly to a disclosure of abuse and appropriate techniques of doing so
7. how to ensure participants are not asked leading questions or staff do not use suggestive language
why it is important to make it clear that others must be informed of any possible abuse
why it is important to provide reassurance and support during a disclosure of abuse and how to do so
10. why it is important to communicate at the child's or vulnerable adult's pace and not exert pressure on the child or vulnerable adult to disclose more than they wish
Follow policies and procedures for reporting possible abuse
the importance of recording and presenting all information concerning possible abuse factually and in accordance with organisational regulations and procedures
the importance of following your organisational regulations and procedures when responding to requests for reports on incidents, disclosure or suspicions of abuse
how to provide distinction in your reports between directly observed evidence and information from others hearsay
the support that is available to staff
methods of gathering feedback from stakeholders on how effective procedures are working
how to use feedback to improve procedures and why it is important to do so
Scope/range
Scope Performance