(draft, subject to ratification 2025)

Policy Statement

This Policy and Procedure is written to enable the Trustees of Matlock Civic Association to act appropriately whenever possible or where instances, or allegations of, actual abuse or neglect comes to their attention.

Matlock Civic Association recognises that some people are potentially at risk of abuse and neglect.  Abuse and neglect can take place in a person’s own home, in the home of a carer, family member or friend, and within any form of institution e.g. hospitals, residential care or nursing home.  Some definitions of types of abuse are listed in Appendix 3

Where abuse or neglect is suspected, Matlock Civic Association will aim to respond to the situation in a way which is caring, effective and enabling.  Matlock Civic Association also recognises that abuse and neglect can be perpetrated by volunteers, other users of services, relatives, friends and neighbours.  Matlock Civic Association acknowledges that the reasons for abuse and neglect occurring may not be fully understood and vary with each incident, often dependant on risk factors.

Matlock Civic Association will neither condone nor tolerate any form of abuse or neglect and believes that all people should be able and, where necessary enabled, to live in an environment which is safe.

In all situations, Matlock Civic Association believes that everyone is entitled to:

• privacy
• be treated with dignity and respect
• lead an independent life and to be enabled to do so
• choose how they live their lives
• the protection of the law
• have their human and civil rights upheld regardless of ethnic origin, gender, sexuality, impairment or disability, age, religious or cultural background.

It is not appropriate for Matlock Civic Association to take the lead role in any Safeguarding Enquiry under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014, but the Trustees should refer this to an appropriate authority as set out in Appendix 3 (Recommended Agencies).

Matlock Civic Association will review this policy and procedure every three years.

Procedures

1. Matlock Civic Association recognises that it has a responsibility to ensure that its Trustees and Members understand this policy.
2. Matlock Civic Association will support the alleged victims and the alleged perpetrators of any abuse as well as any Member who becomes aware of the abuse in so far as this does not compromise any Safeguarding Enquiry or investigation into the allegation or place other adults at risk.
3. While Matlock Civic Association will make every effort to respect the confidentiality of any information that is disclosed under this Policy and Procedure, this cannot be guaranteed.  Information will be recorded and stored securely in accordance with its Data Protection Policy but confidentiality is not absolute and information may have to be shared, on a ‘need-to-know’ basis only, to prevent:
4. Danger to a person’s life
5. Danger to a person’s health
6. Danger to others
7. Danger to the community or
8. To prevent or to facilitate the investigation of a serious crime.
9. This Policy, Procedure and Appendices will be reviewed every 3 years from their date of adoption. The names and details should be amended when any change of Trustee takes place.

Courses of Action

• If the Trustees become aware of possible or actual abuse or neglect, they should ensure that the safety of the adult at risk is secured as a first priority.
• Advice to Trustees and Members on how to react if someone reports possible abuse is given in Appendix 2.  This also gives advice on how to record details of the abuse.
• Any Trustee who becomes aware of possible or actual abuse should, as soon as possible, record the details of the abuse using the form in Appendix 1.  They should advise the other Trustees and they should decide together whether to refer the matter to the appropriate authority (usually the local authority and/or the Police).  When a crime may have been committed, the Police must be contacted as soon as possible. If the decision is to not refer, the reasons for this must be recorded on form (Appendix 1)
• As far as possible, the adult at risk’s wishes will be respected as to whether or not to refer any concerns to the local authority as a Safeguarding Enquiry under Section 42 of the Care Act 2014.  However, it may be necessary to override these in the best interests of other adults at risk.
• The Trustees, having been advised of the possible or actual abuse, should satisfy themselves that the adult at risk is safe, and that the alleged perpetrator, if known, does not pose a threat to any other adult at risk.
• Confidentiality is adhered at all times, therefore the contents of the form will not be provided to any third parties.
• The Trustees then complete the form (Appendix 1).
• Completed forms will be held in a designated file for a minimum of 2 years from the date of the last completed form on the adult at risk.

Recommended Agencies

1. The Local Authority, Social Services, GP Surgery, Police, etc.
2. Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) is a confidential support and advice for older people who have been abused or people who know an older person who may be suffering abuse. Action on Elder Abuse is now called Hourglass.

      Available 24/7 on freephone 0808 808 8141.

• Voice UK is a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable people who have experienced crime or abuse. They also support their families, carers and professional workers.

      Voice UK runs a helpline 0808 802 8686.

---

---

The above Policy, Procedure and Appendices were adopted by Matlock Civic Association

On:__________________________________ (date)

Signed: ______________________________   Position: ________________

Review of the above undertaken three years from the above date:

On:__________________________________ (date)

Signed: ______________________________ Committee role___________

Review of the above undertaken three years from the above date:

On:__________________________________ (date)

Signed: ______________________________ Committee role___________