Protection and Safeguarding in Health and Social Care

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

1.1: Key responsibilities, for example:

• safeguarding 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

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

2.1: How health and social care services use workplace protocols, policies and guidelines to keep service users safe, for example:

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

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

2.2 Practice of specific health and social care professionals, for example:

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

Describe different forms of abuse.

3.1: Forms of abuse, for example:

• physical abuse
• domestic abuse
• sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation
• emotional abuse, including bullying and cyberbullying
• financial abuse
• modern slavery
• neglect/self-neglect

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

3.2: Common signs or symptoms, for example:

• physical abuse:

1. physical harm to an individual, for example, untreated or unexplained injuries

• domestic abuse:

1. threats, violence and abuse between family members or people in an intimate relationship

• sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation:

1. unexplained pregnancy
2. unexplained gifts

• emotional abuse including bully and cyber bullying:

1. threats
2. humiliation
3. controlling behaviour
4. harassment

• financial abuse:

1. missing money/possessions
2. not having enough money for bills or food

• modern slavery:

1. always in the company of others with no or very few personal possessions
2. unable to interact with others

• neglect/self-neglect:

1. malnutrition
2. dehydration
3. dirty clothes
4. poor hygiene

Describe what factors might make someone more vulnerable to abuse.

3.3: Factors, for example:

• physical disability
• learning disability
• mental illness
• family conflict
• dependency
• poorly trained staff

Outline procedures for reporting disclosure or suspicion of abuse.

4.1: Procedures, for example:

• discussing concerns with a line manager, who will refer the matter to social care services if needed
• accurately recording, including using body charts to document any marks or injuries
• if the concern involves the manager, reporting should be made to the Care Quality Commission (CQC)
• in emergencies, informing the police immediately and calling 999 if urgent medical attention is needed
• following whistleblowing procedures to report poor or unsafe practices confidentially and safely

Describe how to respond to an individual disclosing abuse.

4.2: How to respond, for example:

• listen and talk with the person
• do 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, for example, the named person in the centre

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

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.

5.2: Support available, for example:

• internet sites/phone lines
• leaflets from charities
• support networks
• networks for specific groups, for example, male survivors of abuse, partners of survivors of abuse