Safeguarding Policy

1. Overview

Safeguarding is a term used to describe the actions and considerations taken to protect the
welfare, wellbeing, and human rights of and individual. We, as a Community Interest
Company (CIC) have a duty of care for those people that interact with, or are affected by,
Mandem Meetup, particularly those that might be at risk of abuse, neglect or exploitation
or harm. Safeguarding refers to any responsibility or measure undertaken to protect a
person from this harm.

The purpose of this policy is to help protect members of the Mandem Meetup.

The policy lays out the commitments made by Mandem Meetup, and informs trustees,
directors and associated personnel of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.
The policy is primarily focused on safeguarding vulnerable adults as we regularly come into
contact with this group in the course of our work.

2. Roles & Responsibilities

This policy and related procedures are applicable to the directors, trustees and volunteers of
Mandem Meetup. Failure to comply with the policy and related procedures will be
addressed without delay and may ultimately result in dismissal/exclusion from the
organisation.

3. Terms & Definitions

Key terms and phrases used within this document.

• Policy - A statement of instruction that sets out the guiding principles.
• Procedure - A statement or instruction that sets out how our policies will be
  implemented and by whom.
• Vulnerable adults – This is defined as: any person aged 18 years and over, and who is
  or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental health issues,
  learning or physical disability, sensory impairment, or unable to protect themselves
  due to age or illness, and/or persons we suspect are at risk of suicide through
  available information at hand; and/or persons who may be unable to take care of
  themselves or unable to protect themselves against significant harm or serious
  exploitation.
• Child – A person who is under the age of 18.
• Abuse, neglect or exploitation - All forms of physical and mental abuse, exploitation,
  coercion or ill-treatment.
  This might include, for example: sexual harassment; bullying or abuse; sexual
  criminal offences and serious sexual criminal offences; threats of, or actual violence,
  verbal; emotional or social abuse; Financial abuse; Cultural or identity abuse, such asracial, sexual or gender-based discrimination or hate crime; Coercion and
  exploitation; Abuse of power.
• Reasonable grounds to suspect - a situation where a person has some information
  that leads them believe that abuse, neglect or exploitation has taken place, is taking
  place, or may take place. Reasonable grounds requires a low burden of proof, based
  on how the reasonable person would evaluate the situation.  Whether they have
  ‘reasonable grounds to suspect’ might include: Could you explain to another person
  why you suspect something? This helps to make sure that your suspicion is based on
  information, even if you have no proof. Would another objective person, with the
  same information, come to the same conclusion? This helps to make sure that your
  suspicion is objective and satisfies the reasonable grounds standard.

4. Key Principle of Adult Safeguarding

In the safeguarding of adults, Mandem Meetup are guided by the six key principles set out in
The Care Act 2014 and Making Safeguarding Personal. Mandem Meetup aims to
demonstrate and promote these six principles in our work:

• Empowerment – People being supported and encouraged to make their own
  decisions and informed consent
• Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.
• Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
• Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.
• Partnership – Local solutions through services working with their communities.
  Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect
  and abuse.
• Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

5. Types & Signs of Abuse

Directors, trustees and members are well-placed to identify abuse. An adult may say or do
things that let you know something is wrong. It may come in the form of a disclosure,
complaint, or an expression of concern. Everyone within the organisation should understand
what to do, and where to go to get help, support and advice.
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The Care Act 2014 defines the following ten areas of abuse. Wigan borough also includes
self-neglect as an additional category. These are not exhaustive but are a guide to behaviour
that may lead to a safeguarding enquiry. This includes:

• Physical abuse - Including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication,
  restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.
• Domestic Violence/ Domestic Abuse - Including psychological, physical, sexual,
  financial, emotional abuse; so called ‘honour’ based violence.
• Exploitation- Including sexual and/or criminal exploitation
• Sexual abuse - Including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate
  looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection topornography. Witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual
  acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.
• Psychological abuse - Including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment,
  deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion,
  harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified
  withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
• Financial or material abuse - Including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in
  relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with
  wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse of
  misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
• Modern slavery - Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and
  domestic servitude. Traffickers and those who coerce, deceive and force individuals
  into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.
• Discriminatory abuse - Including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment
  because you are, or are perceived to be different due to race, gender and gender
  identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
• Organisational abuse - Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution
  or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example or in relation to
  care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to long-
  term ill treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result
  of the structure, policies, processes or practices within an organisation.
• Neglect and acts of omission - Including ignoring medical, emotional or physical care
  needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or
  educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication,
  adequate nutrition and heating.
• Self-neglect - This covers a wide range of behaviour neglecting to care for one’s
  personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.

6. Radicalisaiton & Terror

The Government through its PREVENT programme has highlighted how some adults may be
vulnerable to exploitation and radicalisation and involvement in terrorism. Signs and
indicators of radicalisation may include:

• Being in contact with extremist recruiters.
• Articulating support for violent extremist causes or leaders.
• Accessing violent extremist websites, especially those with a social networking
  element.
• Possessing violent extremist literature.
• Using extremist narratives to explain personal disadvantage.
• Justifying the use of violence to solve societal issues.
• Joining extremist organisations.
• Significant changes to appearance and/or behaviour.

7. Children & Young People

Mandem Meetup is a CIC accessible only by adults (age 18+). In any interaction with children
and young people (CYP) such as work with organisations like schools, will fall under the
safeguarding policy of that organisation, meaning Mandem Meetup will adhere to and
follow those organisations safeguarding policy.

8. Managing Safeguarding Incidents

Any cases of harassment, abuse, neglect and exploitation are all serious misconduct and
Mandem Meetup reserves the right to:

• Take disciplinary action against those it believes are responsible, which may include
  dismissal;
• Take civil legal action; and/or
• Report the matter to law enforcement.

All members must, as soon as practicable, report any suspicion that an incident has taken
place, may be taking place, or could take place.
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They may do this through direct reporting to:

• A Trustee
• A Director

If a person believes that another person is at risk of immediate harm or the victim of a
criminal offence, they must dial contact emergency services (999) or contact the
Manchester Contact Centre safeguarding team if you feel somebody is at risk of harm or
being abused (0161 234 5001).

• Trust your instinct – if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
• Don’t ignore it.
• Don’t assume that someone else is doing something about the situation. Tell
  someone about it so that they can help.

9. Privacy, Data Protection and Confidentiality

All personal information considered or recorded will respect the privacy and confidentiality
of the individuals involved unless there is a risk to someone’s safety. Mandem Meetup
reserves the right to pass on relevant information to safeguarding services of emergency
services where they is deemed a safeguarding risk.