Ampthill & District Good Neighbours Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy

 

The Dacorum Talking Newspaper (DTN) is committed to ensuring that vulnerable people who use our services are not abused and that working practices minimise the risk of such abuse.  Although DTN’s service rarely involves direct contact with listeners, where the Trustees of DTN become aware of abuse they have a duty to report it.

 

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 can take place in any setting, public or private, and can be perpetuated by anyone.

 

Rights & Responsibilities

 

Responsibilities of DTN trustees:  

 

  • .To ensure volunteers are aware of a vulnerable adult’s need for protection  

  • .To notify the appropriate agencies if abuse is identified or suspected 

  • .To support and where possible secure the safety of individuals and ensure that all referrals to services have full information in relation to identified risk and vulnerability 

 

Responsibilities of DTN’s volunteers:

 

  • .To be familiar with the vulnerable adult protection policy 

  • .To take appropriate action in line with the policy of DTN which requires that a Trustee be informed as soon as practicable 

  • .To declare any existing or subsequent convictions 

 

Appointment of the Safeguarding Officer

 

  • .Trustees and volunteers shall report any suspected or identified abuse to the Safeguarding Officer who will be responsible for taking any necessary action 

  • .The Safeguarding Officer shall be the Secretary who may be contacted by phone or email (secretary@dtnhemel.org.uk). 

  • .If the Safeguarding Officer is unavailable, the Chairman, Vice Chairman or Treasurer should be contacted.   

  • .Contact details are circulated with annual rotas and are available in the studio. 

 

 

Support for those who report abuse

 

All those making a complaint or allegation or expressing concern, whether they are volunteers &/or service users &/or carers &/or members of the general public should be reassured that:

 

  • .They will be taken seriously 

  • .Their comments will usually be treated confidentially, but their concerns may be shared with the appropriate authorities if they or others are at significant risk 

 

The Vulnerable Adult has the right:

 

  • .To be made aware of this policy 

  • .To have alleged incidents recognised and taken seriously 

  • .To receive fair and respectful treatment throughout 

  • .To be involved in any process as appropriate 

  • .To receive information about the outcome 

 

 

This policy was approved by the Trustees of The Dacorum Talking Newspaper on 20th May 2015 and was reviewed in February 2018 and the amendments approved by the Trustees on 10th May 2018.  The policy was reviewed by the Officers in December 2019 and approved by the Trustees in January 2020.  It will be reviewed again in  2023.