Vulnerable Adults Policy

Speak Street CIC

Speak Street C.I.C is committed to ensuring that vulnerable people who use our services are not abused and that working practices minimise the risk of such abuse.

1. Definition

Vulnerable adults are people who are over 18 years of age and are getting or may need help and services to live in the community. Vulnerable adults may be unable to take care of themselves and unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation by other people.

Abuse can include: physical, financial, material, sexual, psychological, discriminatory, emotional abuse and neglect. Abuse can take place in any setting, public or private, and can be perpetuated by anyone.

Volunteers, staff and trustees have a duty to identify abuse and report it.

    2. Support to volunteers and staff

The volunteers and staff reporting of incidents of suspected or potential abuse may find that the victim and/or the other responsible adult concerned i.e. are upset or angry. The Coordinator will support you. Other support may take the form of support provided by work colleagues or support or counselling provided by an outside body if required.

Volunteers and staff themselves may also be the subject of an allegation of abuse. While support will be offered, Speak Street C.I.C will ensure that Social Services are given all assistance pursuing any investigation. Suspension and/or discipline may be implemented.

   3. Suspect of abuse by a member of Speak Street C.I.C volunteers and staff

Where a member of volunteers and staff is suspected of abuse the following action should be taken:

1. • The Coordinator should interview the member of volunteers and staff with a witness present.
   • The Coordinator should make arrangements for interviewing the suspected victim. This should be done with a Speak Street C.I.C volunteers or staff member and a support for the victim present.
   • The purpose of the meeting is not to investigate but to establish whether there are grounds for the allegation
   • The procedure in 4 above should then be followed.

4. Confidentiality

Confidentiality is crucial to all our work and relationships and the Speak Street C.I.C confidentiality policy should be adhered to except that the welfare of vulnerable adults is paramount and takes precedence over it. Do not keep concerns relating to potential abuse of vulnerable adults to yourself.

Confidentiality may NOT be maintained if the withholding of information will prejudice the welfare of the adult.

5. Contact information

Allegation of the alleged abuse which occurred when the person is over 18 years old falls under the Protection of Vulnerable Adults and needs to be reported to the Social Services Adult Care Duty Officer,