Safeguarding is not a policy in a folder. It is what happens in the ten minutes after someone notices a bruise that does not fit the explanation, a bank card that has gone missing, or a person who has become quiet and watchful when a particular relative visits. Everyone at Novaedge is trained to notice those things and required to report them the same day.
If someone is in immediate danger call 999. Otherwise call Kirklees Council adult social care on 0300 304 5555, or us on 07934 583993.
The Care Act 2014 sets out the categories safeguarding covers. They are not a checklist and they overlap in real life.
Hitting, pushing, rough handling, misuse of medication, restraint
Controlling or coercive behaviour, threats or violence within a family or intimate relationship, including so-called honour based abuse
Any sexual act the person has not consented to or could not consent to
Threats, humiliation, intimidation, isolation, control through fear
Theft, fraud, pressure over wills or property, misuse of benefits, scams
Forced labour, servitude, human trafficking
Ill treatment because of race, faith, gender, disability or age
Poor care caused by how a service is run, including rushed visits and ignored complaints
Ignoring care or medical needs, or failing to provide food, heating, medication or personal care
Neglecting your own health, hygiene or home, including hoarding
You do not need proof and you do not need to be certain. It is not your job to investigate, only to pass on what you have seen and let the people with the legal powers decide. Raising a concern that turns out to be nothing has never harmed anybody. Staying quiet has.
Kirklees Council leads adult safeguarding enquiries under section 42 of the Care Act 2014, working to the multi agency procedures of the Kirklees Safeguarding Adults Board alongside the police and NHS partners. Wherever we can we act on what the adult themselves wants, which is the principle of making safeguarding personal.
Our Registered Manager is the Designated Safeguarding Lead and our Director and Nominated Individual is the deputy. Every member of staff completes safeguarding training at induction and refreshes it annually, and safeguarding is a standing item at supervision and at the monthly provider meeting. Every care worker is recruited under Schedule 3 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014: an enhanced DBS check including the adult barred list before deployment, a full employment history, verified references and right to work checks. We do not use restraint, and nobody here is trained in or authorised to use it.
Where a concern is about one of our own staff we follow the Person in a Position of Trust process: we report it to Kirklees Council, cooperate with any enquiry, consider suspension as a neutral act, notify the Care Quality Commission where the threshold is met, and refer to the Disclosure and Barring Service where the duty applies. The person who reported it is protected, not investigated.
