Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Adults Policy & Procedure

OCWJ Care Group Limited operates a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect, exploitation and improper treatment.

Safeguarding is embedded throughout the organisation’s governance and care delivery systems including:

• care planning

• recruitment and staff supervision

• risk assessment

• incident reporting

• governance monitoring

• staff training and competency assessment

Every person receiving care has the right to:

• live free from abuse and neglect

• be treated with dignity and respect

• be listened to and believed

• be involved in decisions affecting their safety

The organisation adopts the Making Safeguarding Personal approach, ensuring safeguarding responses focus on the outcomes that matter to the individual.

3. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

• employees

• agency workers

• volunteers

• apprentices

• managers and directors

• contractors working on behalf of the organisation

The policy applies to all personal care delivered within people’s own homes.

All staff have a legal and professional duty to safeguard adults and report concerns immediately.

4. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy supports compliance with:

• Regulation 13 – Safeguarding Service Users from Abuse and Improper Treatment

• Regulation 12 – Safe Care and Treatment

• Regulation 9 – Person-Centred Care

• Regulation 10 – Dignity and Respect

• Regulation 11 – Need for Consent

• Regulation 17 – Good Governance

Relevant legislation includes:

• Care Act 2014

• Mental Capacity Act 2005

• Human Rights Act 1998

• Equality Act 2010

Safeguarding procedures also follow the Kent Safeguarding Adults Board Multi-Agency Procedures.

5. Types of Abuse

OCWJ Care Group Limited recognises the ten categories of abuse defined within the Care Act 2014:

Physical abuse
Domestic abuse
Sexual abuse
Psychological or emotional abuse
Financial or material abuse
Modern slavery
Discriminatory abuse
Organisational abuse
Neglect or acts of omission
Self-neglect

Staff receive safeguarding training to recognise warning signs including:

• unexplained injuries

• sudden behavioural changes

• fear or withdrawal

• financial irregularities

• deterioration in wellbeing

• environmental neglect

6. Safeguarding Prevention

Preventative safeguarding measures include:

• safe recruitment procedures (Regulation 19)

• enhanced DBS checks

• safeguarding training at induction and annually

• supervision and competency monitoring

• medicines management audits

• risk assessments and care planning

• incident and safeguarding trend monitoring

• whistleblowing protections

The organisation promotes a culture where staff feel confident raising concerns without fear.

7. Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

Safeguarding concerns may arise through:

• direct disclosure by a person receiving care

• observation of injuries or behavioural changes

• concerns raised by relatives or professionals

• environmental or financial concerns

• concerns raised by staff or members of the public

All safeguarding concerns must be reported immediately.

8. Immediate Action When Abuse Is Suspected

If abuse or neglect is suspected, staff must:

• ensure the person is safe

• contact emergency services if required

• inform the Safeguarding Lead immediately

• record factual information

• preserve evidence

• not conduct their own investigation

Safeguarding concerns must be reported on the same working day.

Failure to report safeguarding concerns may result in disciplinary action.

9. Safeguarding Reporting Process

Safeguarding concerns follow this process:

Protect the person from immediate harm
Report the concern to the Safeguarding Lead
Record factual information
Refer concerns to Kent Adult Social Care where required
Notify regulatory bodies where statutory thresholds apply
Cooperate with safeguarding enquiries
Review risks and implement learning

All concerns are recorded within the Safeguarding Register.

10. Reporting Allegations Against the Registered Manager or Nominated Individual

The Registered Manager and Nominated Individual roles within OCWJ Care Group Limited are held by the same individual.

To ensure independence, transparency and fairness, any safeguarding allegation involving the Registered Manager or Nominated Individual must not be reported to them directly.

Instead, concerns must be reported through the following independent routes.

Independent Safeguarding Escalation Contact

Rita Kelsey

Independent Safeguarding & Complaints Contact

Email: kelsearite164@gmail.com
Telephone: 07474 901554

The independent contact will review the concern and ensure appropriate escalation to safeguarding authorities.

External Safeguarding Authorities

Kent Adult Safeguarding Team

03000 416161

Kent Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours)

03000 41 91 91

Care Quality Commission

03000 616161

Police
999 – emergency
101 – non-emergency

Staff are informed during induction that concerns involving senior management must be escalated externally where necessary.

11. Consent and Mental Capacity

Safeguarding responses follow the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Where a person has capacity, consent will normally be sought before making a safeguarding referral.

A referral may be made without consent where:

• serious crime is suspected

• there is risk to others

• coercion or undue influence is suspected

• there is overriding public interest

Where a person lacks capacity, decisions will be made in their best interests.

12. Duty of Candour

Where safeguarding incidents meet the threshold for a notifiable safety incident:

• the person or their representative will be informed

• a clear explanation will be provided

• a written apology will be issued

• support will be offered

Regulatory notifications will be submitted where required.

13. Whistleblowing

Staff may raise safeguarding concerns through the Whistleblowing Policy.

Concerns may be raised:

• internally

• with Kent Adult Safeguarding

• with the Care Quality Commission

• with the police

Staff raising concerns in good faith will be protected from victimisation.

14. Governance and Oversight

Safeguarding governance includes:

• safeguarding register

• incident review

• safeguarding audits

• staff supervision

• safeguarding trend analysis

Monthly governance monitoring reviews:

• number of safeguarding referrals

• category of abuse

• reporting timeliness

• investigation outcomes

Learning from safeguarding concerns is embedded within the organisation’s Regulation 17 Good Governance systems, ensuring incidents are analysed, lessons are identified and service improvements are implemented to prevent recurrence.

Learning is recorded within the Service Improvement Plan.

15. Partnership Working

OCWJ Care Group Limited works in partnership with:

• Kent Adult Social Care

• Kent Safeguarding Adults Board

• GPs and district nurses

• police

• Care Quality Commission

• advocacy services

Safeguarding is recognised as a multi-agency responsibility.

16. Records Management

Safeguarding records are:

• factual and contemporaneous

• stored securely

• access controlled

• retained in accordance with UK GDPR and the organisation’s data retention

schedule

17. Policy Approval

Signed:

Carole Obbard
Registered Manager & Nominated Individual

Date: March 2026

Next Review: March 2027