VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY

Created 01st JULY 2012

Hidden Fist Martial Arts Club Protection of Vulnerable Adults.

 

This policy defines the arrangements and procedures in place within Hidden Fist Martial Arts that ensures the protection of Vulnerable Adults from abuse.

 

POLICY PRINCIPLES

 

Hidden Fist Martial Arts Foundation will develop and implement procedures and strategies, which are designated to protect vulnerable adults from abuse.  These strategies will include:

 

• Identify who is at risk.

• Define what is meant by abuse and identify the types of abuse that can occur.

• Promote staff/helper & volunteer policy as well as student equality , awareness of the common indicators associated with each type of abuse and ensure that at least one named officer undergoes specific training.

• Specify the procedures to be followed in the event of alleged or suspected abuse.

   

ABUSE OF VUNERABLE ADULTS – INDICATORS AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

 

The Definition of a Vulnerable Adult (Department of Health Guidance “NO SECRETS” March 2000)

 

• Someone who is over of age of 18 and who maybe in need ofcommunity care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness and who is or may be unable to protect themselves from significant harm or exploitation.

• Hidden Fist Martial Arts Foundation also applies this policy to those not receving community care services but that are considered to be vulnerable abuse.

   

  Definitions of Abuse:

   

• Abuse is a violation of trust.

• Abuse is a violation of an individual’s Right to live their own life.

• Abuse is a violation of an individual’s civil and human rights by any other persons or person.For Vulnerable Adults this will focus upon other who have influence over them.

• These violations may be intentional or unintentional.

• These violations maybe part of a single act or a repetition of acts over a period of time.

   

  Definitions of significant harm:

   

  Significant harm refers to:

   

  “ill treatment (including sexual abuse and forms of ill treatment that are not physical) : The impairment of or an avoidable deterioration in physical or mental health and the impairment of physical, emotional, social or behavioural development”.

 

Categories of Abuse:

 

For purposes of this Policy, abuse is classified into the categories:

 

• PHYSICAL – Can include: hitting, splitting, slapping, punching, kicking, missus of medication restraints or inappropriate sanctions.

• ABUSE IN CARE SETTINGS – Care settings include: residential and nursing homes hospitals, day centres, sheltered housing schemes group or supported housing projects.

• SEXUAL – Can include: rape, sexual assault, sexual acts to which a person has not consented to, or could not consent to or was pressured into consenting to.

• EMOTIONAL – includes: threats of harm or abandonment, deprived or contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.

• FINANCIAL/MATERIAL – Can include: theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possession’s or benefits.

• NELGECT/ACT OF OMISSION – includes: Ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life such as medication, adequate nutrition or heating.

• DISCRIMINATION – includes: rascism, sexism, abuse based on a persons disability and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.

 

Symptoms/Indicators of Abuse:

 

Staff Volunteers and Helpers will receive appropriate training/policies in the detection of abuse through symptoms, indicators and behaviour.  These indicators are summarised as follows:

 

PHYSICAL ABUSE:

 

• Unexplained bruising.

• History of unexplained fall or minor injuries.

• Unexplained Slap, Kick, pinch, fist or finger marks on Vulnerable Adults body.

• Unexplained Burns of Scalds in unusual location or of an unusual type.

• Injury mark similar to an object.

• Untreated medical problems.

• Weight loss/complaints of hunger.

• Nervous/fearful watchfulness; fear of physical contact.

 

ABUSE IN CARE SETTINGS:

 

• No flexibility in bed time/ deliberate waking.

• Left on toilet or commode for a long time.

• Inappropriate restraint or restriction.

• Lack of personal clothing or possessions.

• People referred to or spoken to disrespectfully.

• Deprived or stank environment and lack of stimulation.

 

Staff Volunteers and Helpers will receive appropriate training/policies in the detection of abuse through symptoms, indicators and behaviour.  These indicators are summarised as follows:

 

SEXUAL ABUSE:

 

• Pain, itching, bruising or bleeding in the genital area.

• Stained/Blood stained underclothes.

• Bruised on Thighs and upper arms.

• Bruised or imprinted of hands around neck or on upper back.

• Change in usual behaviour for no apparent or obvious reason.

• Discomfort when sitting or walking.

• Frequent infections.

• Severe upset or agitation when being bathed, dressed, undressed or medically examined.

• Pregnancy when unable to consent.

 

PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL ABUSE:

 

• Excessive fears.

• Ambivalence about carer.

• Fearful of the carer /avoiding eye contact or flinching on approach.

• Unusual weight gain or loss/changes in appetite.

• Low self-esteem.

• isomnia or need for excessive sleep.

• Emotional withdrawal.

• High Levels of anxiety, agitation or paranoia.

 

FINANCIAL OR MATERIAL ABUSE:

 

• Unexplained or sudden withdrawal of money from accounts.

• Unexplained or sudden in ability to pay bills.

• Person lacks belongings or services which they should be able to afford.

• Missing personal property (jewellery, cash ect)

• Purchase of items the person does not require or use.

• Recent changes of deed or title to property.

• Extraordinary interest by family members or others in the vulnerable persons assets.

 

NEGLECT (NOT SELF NEGLECT OR REFUSAL OF HELP)

 

• Neglect of accommodation.

• Inadequate heat or light.

• Poor physical condition e.g. malnourished, pressure sores, ulcers.

• Inadequate or unclean clothing.

• Failure to ensure privacy and dignity.

 

DISCRIMINATION:

 

• Slurs and offensive remarks regarding ethnic origin (racism) relgion, culture, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age.

• Discriminatory practices in service delivery.

 

Action to be taken in the event of alleged/suspected Abuse:

 

• The Vulnerable Adult Officer is designated as the key contact person with Hidden Fist Martial Arts Foundation with direct authority for deciding on the appropriate action to be taken as directed by local policies any alleged or subjected incidences of abuse.Any staff member/volunteer or helper with concerns regarding the possible abuse of a Vulnerable adult will report the matter directly to the Vulnerable adults Officer in accordance to the Whistle blowing policy.

 

N.B If an allegation or suspicion relates to the named Vulnerable Adult Officer then any member of the management committee or senior member of staff should be approached.

 

• Students should report all incidents to Chief Instructor Mitch Gooch.

• Reporting such matters to agencies outside of the Hidden Fist Martial Arts Foundation, will take into account the balance which needs to maintained for the confidentiality of the vulnerable person’s capacity affairs, the vulnerable person capacity to consent to the matter being taken further and the duty of care to report suspected abuse.

• The Vulnerable Adult Officer will assess the Allegations/suspicions anddecide upon the appropriate action to be taken:

• If the incident is not considered to fit the criteria of abuse the Vulnerable Adult Officer can deal with the situation directly.

• If the incident is considered to fit the criteria of abuse the Vulnerable Adult Officer or other senior person within the organisation should refer the matter to the Vulnerable Adult Protection Panel, or furthermore if the matter cannot be sorted out by club members the organisation will refer the matter to Social Services in accordance with the process outlined in the Multi agency Policy, Procedures and Practices Guidelines for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults in Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.

• In all cases, the Vulnerable Adults Officer is responsible for maintaining complete records of the allegations made, including dates, times and persons involved and action to be taken.This action maybe of two types.

CORRECTIVE ACTION: - Action to be taken against alleged or confirmed perpetrators (as set out in disciplinary procedure) involved in incidents of abuse, and the discreet and sensitive handling of abused person.

PREVENTIVE ACTION: - Action to be implanted with the objective of halting further abuse/or limiting the opportunities for potentially abusive practices.

 

 

end of the

VULNERABLE ADULTS POLICY

as of 1st July 2012