Protection and Safeguarding in Health and Social Care

Know the responsibilities of health and social care organisations and practitioners in relation to protection and safeguarding.

Responsibilities of health and social care organisations may include:

• safe guarding practices
• relevant background checks and references
• induction programme to include information about safeguarding
• policies and procedures including whistleblowing
• provision of staff training on safeguarding awareness

Assessment Criteria

• 1.1

  Describe the key responsibilities of health and social care organisations and practitioners in relation to protection and safeguarding, including those required by law.

Know about good practice in keeping health and social care service users safe or at reduced risk of harm.

Examples of practice and protocols that can help maintain the safety of service users may include:

• provides protection for services users and workers
• provides a standard to adhere to
• giving expectations of care to the service user
• giving confidence to all concerned

Examples of practice may include:

• more than one worker caring for the personal needs of the service user
• respecting the individual by giving choice
• reporting any suspicious signs or symptoms

Assessment Criteria

• 2.1

  Explain how health and social care services use workplace protocols, policies and guidelines to keep service users safe or at reduced risk of harm.

• 2.2

  Describe the practice of specific health and social care professionals in keeping service users safe or at reduced risk of harm.

Know about different forms of abuse.

Abuse can happen in any type of setting including home, school, community and college. Abusers can be strangers, known to the person, carers, neighbours. Descriptions of different forms of abuse may include:

Examples of abuse and signs and symptoms should include:-

• physical abuse – physical harm to an individual e.g. untreated or unexplained injuries
• domestic abuse – threats, violence and abuse between family members or people in an intimate relationship
• sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation– sexual relationships or activities that an individual does not or cannot consent, being groomed or coerced. Signs could include: unexplained pregnancy unexplained gifts
• emotional abuse including bully and cyber bullying– threats, humiliation, controlling behaviour, harassment e.g. lack of sleep poor self confidence
• financial abuse – using an individuals money or possessions without consent, theft, fraud e.g. missing money/possessions, not having enough money for bills or food
• modern Slavery – Individuals being forced into a life of slavery such as domestic servitude or forced labour e.g. always in the company of others with no or very few personal possessions, unable to interact with others
• neglect/self neglect – not attending to own needs or needs not being met by others e.g. malnutrition, dehydration, dirty clothes, poor hygiene

Harm can be the result of a responsible person ( such as care worker or family member) doing something incorrectly or not doing something they should. This can be deliberate or unintentional. NB Learners should be able to identify unsafe practices and what a whistle blower policy is. 

The following factors might make someone more vulnerable to harm and abuse e.g. physical disability, learning disability, mental illness, family conflict, dependency, poorly trained staff.

Assessment Criteria

• 3.1

  Describe different forms of abuse.

• 3.2

  Describe common signs or symptoms associated with the different forms of abuse.

• 3.3

  Describe what factors might make someone more vulnerable to abuse.

Know how to respond to disclosure or suspicion of abuse.

Procedures for reporting suspected abuse may include:

• the welfare of the child is paramount (Children Act)
• For adults – Care Act Section 42
• following setting policies including having a named person with a clearly defined role and responsibilities relating to child protection/ adult safeguarding
• discussing concerns with line manager, who will refer it on to social care services
• record what was said accurately, this may include showing marks of body charts
• if it is the manager that is under suspicion then it may be reported to the Care Quality Commission
• if an emergency then the police should be informed immediately, if immediate medical attention is required to ring 999

Learners should be aware of whistle blowing procedures.

Responding to an individual disclosing abuse may include:

• listen and talk with the person
• not make judgments
• make the person feel safe and secure
• take notes and document what is said and preserve evidence
• involve relevant people as quickly as possible e.g. named person in centre

Assessment Criteria

• 4.1

  Outline procedures for reporting disclosure or suspicion of abuse.

• 4.2

  Describe how to respond to an individual disclosing abuse.

Know about information and support in relation to abuse.

Sources of information may include:

• statutory services e.g. social services
• charities e.g. NSPCC, Childline, Age UK, women's aid, advocacy services

Types of information and support available:

• internet sites/phone lines e.g. www.SCIE .org.uk
• leaflets from charities
• support networks
• networks for specific groups e.g. male survivors of abuse, partners of survivors of abuse

Assessment Criteria

• 5.1

  Identify different sources of information and support in relation to abuse.

• 5.2

  Outline the different types of information and support available, including those

  a) suitable for people who have been abused

  b) aimed at health and social care professionals.