Safeguarding Adults Policy

Mission Statement

We deliver unique, fully tailored retreats for adults impacted by cancer. Our team of specialists in oncology and clinical psychology have developed a multi-modal approach to cancer survivorship, driven by feedback from cancer survivors, rigorous participant outcome monitoring and oncology research. The retreats combine surf therapy, yoga, skills-based and immersive workshops. Led by specialist facilitators and supported by a dedicated team of volunteers, the activities enable participants to overcome anxieties, challenge their perceived physical limitations and focus on wellbeing. Group talking sessions facilitated by a Clinical Psychologist promote deep self-reflection and the sharing of experiences. It is the only project of its kind, bringing together psychological and physical wellbeing in a fully immersive experience for participants.

Our mission is for every adult impacted by cancer to live happier, healthier and longer lives, through access to evidence-based interventions that support their psychological and physical wellbeing; focus on them as whole people; and build their connections with others who share similar experiences.

Policy statement

SeaChange Retreats believe that everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status. All elements of our work are underpinned by respect and kindness.

Scope

This policy sets out our safeguarding commitment to our staff, volunteers and participants who attend a SeaChange Retreat.

Purpose

This policy aims to cover:

  • The legislation, our commitment and procedures for safeguarding adults.
  • Our role and responsibility for safeguarding adults.
  • What to do or who to speak to if someone has a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult within the business.

Implementation

SeaChange Retreats consider safeguarding adults in all elements of our work. This includes:

  • using safe recruitment practices
  • having a designated safeguarding lead
  • communicating the policy to staff, volunteers, and participants via our website
  • having a code of conduct when delivering our retreats
  • attending Safeguarding in Surfing specific training offered by Surfing England
  • having a commitment to ensuring that adult safety is included in all risk assessments

Legislation – what is adult safeguarding?

Safeguarding Adults in all home nations is compliant with United Nations directives on the rights of disabled people and commitments to the rights of older people. It is covered by:

  • The Human Rights Act 1998
  • The Data Protection Act 2018
  • General Data Protection Regulations 2018

The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the relevant legislation and government guidance.

  • England – The Care Act 2014
  • Care and Support Statutory Guidance (especially chapter 14) 2014
  • Wales – Social Services and Well Being Act 2014
  • Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019
  • Scotland – Adult Support and Protection Act 2007
  • Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 Code of Practice 2014
  • Northern Ireland – Adult Safeguarding Prevention and Protection in Partnership 2015

Many other pieces of UK and home nation legislation also affect adult safeguarding. These include legislation about different forms of abuse and those that govern information sharing. For example, legislation dealing with

  • Murder/attempted murder
  • Physical Assault
  • Sexual Offences
  • Domestic Abuse/Coercive control
  • Forced Marriage
  • Female Genital Mutilation
  • Theft and Fraud
  • Modern slavery and Human exploitation
  • Hate crime
  • Harassment
  • Listing and Barring of those unsuitable to work with adults with care and support needs

Each home nation also has legislation about the circumstances in which decisions can be made on behalf of an adult who is unable to make decisions for themselves:

  • England and Wales – Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • Scotland – Adults with Incapacity Act 2000
  • Mental Capacity (Northern Ireland) 2016
  • There are specific offences applying to the mistreatment of and sexual offences against adults who do not have Mental Capacity and specific offences where mistreatment is carried out by a person who is employed as a carer: e.g. wilful neglect and wilful mistreatment.

England (Care Act 2014)

An adult at risk is an individual aged 18 years and over who:

  • has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) AND;
  • is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, AND;
  • as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.

Procedures

Key Contact Details

Any safeguarding concerns to be reported to the Lead Safeguarding Officer:
Dr Helen Reynolds, Chief Executive Officer & Clinical Psychologist
helen@seachangeretreats.org 

Raising and Managing a Concern

Concerns can be raised in person, via email or telephone on the above contact details.

If an adult is believed to be in immediate danger, contact the police on 999.

When a concern is raised, this will be documented using an Incident Report form.

Concerns will be discussed with the Cornwall Council Safeguarding Team via telephoning 0300 1234 131 and any recommended actions will be followed and documented.

Whistleblowing

If anyone has concerns regarding SeaChange Retreats and our business, or ability to safeguard their staff, volunteers or participants, this should be shared with us in the first instance if this is possible, to enable us to respond to any concerns.

If individuals do not feel able to discuss concerns directly with us we would request them to contact Cornwall Council and report their concerns utilising the ‘Persons in a Position of Trust’ safeguarding referral either via calling 0300 1234 131 or completing an online safeguarding referral at https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/adult-social-care/safeguarding-adults/.

Recording and Information Sharing

All information will be stored and retained in accordance with our GDPR and Data protection guidelines.

Sources of Information and Support

CIOS Safeguarding Adults

Adult Social Care
https://ciossafeguarding.org.uk/sab
0300 1234 131
01872 326433 – for use by professionals / practitioners only (Adult Safeguarding Triage Team)

Action on Elder Abuse

A national organisation based in London. It aims to prevent the abuse of older people by raising awareness, encouraging education, promoting research and collecting and disseminating information.
Tel: 020 8765 7000
Email: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
www.elderabuse.org.uk

Ann Craft Trust

A national organisation providing information and advice about adult safeguarding. The Ann Craft Trust has a specialist Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity team to support the sector
Tel: 0115 951 5400
Email: Ann-Craft-Trust@nottingham.ac.uk
www.anncrafttrust.org

Men’s Advice Line

For male domestic abuse survivors
Tel: 0808 801 0327

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline

Tel: 0800 999 5428

National 24Hour Freephone Domestic Abuse Helplines

England
Tel: 0808 2000 247
www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us

Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 802 1414
www.dsahelpline.org
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dsahelpline
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dsahelpline

Scotland
Tel: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Web chat: sdafmh.org.uk

Wales
Llinell Gymorth Byw HebOfn/ Live free from fear helpline
Tel: 0808 8010 800
Type Talk: 18001 0808 801 0800
Text: 078600 77 333

Rape Crisis Federation of England and Wales

Rape Crisis was launched in 1996 and exists to provide a range of facilities and resources to enable the continuance and development of Rape Crisis Groups throughout Wales and England.
Email: info@rapecrisis.co.uk
www.rapecrisis.co.uk

Respond

Respond provides a range of services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities, and training and support to those working with them.
Tel: 020 7383 0700 or
0808 808 0700 (Helpline)
Email: services@respond.org.uk
www.respond.org.uk

Stop Hate Crime

Works to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. Stop Hate UK provides independent, confidential and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.
24 hours service:
Telephone: 0800 138 1625
Web Chat: www.stophateuk.org/talk-to-us/
E mail: talk@stophateuk.org
Text: 07717 989 025
Text relay: 18001 0800 138 1625
By post: PO Box 851, Leeds LS1 9QS

Susy Lamplugh Trust

The Trust is a leading authority on personal safety. Its role is to minimise the damage caused to individuals and to society by aggression in all its forms – physical, verbal and psychological.
Tel: 020 83921839
Fax: 020 8392 1830
Email: info@suzylamplugh.org
www.suzylamplugh.org

Victim Support

Provides practical advice and help, emotional support and reassurance to those who have suffered the effects of a crime.
Tel: 0808 168 9111
www.victimsupport.com

Women’s Aid Federation of England and Wales

Women’s Aid is a national domestic violence charity. It also runs a domestic violence online help service.
www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support

Everyone has a right to be treated with respect and dignity.
Everyone deserves to be safe.