The Beck Community Centre Vulnerable Adults Protection Policy

User Group Document

The Beck Community Centre is committed to ensuring that vulnerable people who use our services are not abused and that working practices minimise the risk of such abuse. The Management Committee and all User Groups of The Beck Community Centre have a duty to identify abuse and report it.

Definition

Vulnerable adults are people who are over 18 years of age and are getting or may need help and services to live in the community. Vulnerable adults may be unable to take care of themselves and unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation by other people.

Abuse can include:

• physical,

• financial,

• material,

• sexual,

• psychological,

• discriminatory,

• emotional abuse

• neglect.

Abuse can take place in any setting, public or private, and can be perpetuated by anyone.

Rights & Responsibilities

Responsibilities of The Beck Community Centre Management Committee:

• To ensure volunteers are aware of vulnerable adult's need for protection

• To notify the appropriate agencies if abuse is identified or suspected

• To support and where possible secure the safety of individuals and ensure that all referrals to services have full information in relation to identified risk and vulnerability

Responsibilities of The Beck Community Centre User Groups:

• To be familiar with this vulnerable adult protection policy and the groups own where applicable

• To take appropriate action in line with the policy of The Beck Community Centre

• User Groups obtain Disclosure and Barring Service checks (DBS formally known as CRB) in line with their own policies

Support for those who report abuse

All those making a complaint or allegation or expressing concern, whether they are volunteers, committee members or members of the general public should be reassured that:

• They will be taken seriously

• Their comments will usually be treated confidentially, but their concerns may be shared with the appropriate authorities if they or others are at significant risk

The Vulnerable Adult has the right:

• To be made aware of this policy

• To have alleged incidents recognised and taken seriously

• To receive fair and respectful treatment throughout

• To be involved in any process as appropriate

• To receive information about the outcome

We are also committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.

Chairman's Signature Helen Whittaker

User Group.............................................................................................

Representatives Signature.....................................................................

User Group has own Policy......................................................................