Our safeguarding policy

There are certain situations and factors that put people at particular risk of abuse. If one or more of these factors are present, it does not mean that abuse will occur but it will increase the risk:

• Isolation
• Living in the same household as an abuser
• A previous history of abuse
• The existence of financial problems
• A member of the household experiences emotional or social isolation
• Inappropriate physical or emotional environment e.g. lack of privacy and/ or personal space
• Where there has been a change of lifestyle e.g. illness, unemployment or employment
• Dependence on others for personal and practical care
• Where a person is dependent on other people to administer money or where several people manage their money
• Where the vulnerable person exhibits difficult and challenging behaviour
• The carer has difficulties such as debt, alcohol or mental health problems
• Poor leadership in care services
• Unmonitored provision of care e.g. where reviews or inspections do not take place

Failure to comply with standard operating policies and procedures

Increased risks to children

There are many issues that may contribute to child abuse, but some factors increase the risk to children and make them more vulnerable to abuse. They can be found in the background of parents, in the environmental situation and in attributes of the child themselves.

Parental factors:

• Parent has a mental illness
• Parent is misusing drugs or alcohol
• Parent has already abused a child
• Parent has previously had children removed
• Unwanted pregnancy / terminations
• Parent has a background of abuse when growing up
• Parents have unrealistic expectations of the child and lack parenting knowledge
• Parent is isolated and has little support
• Parent has a learning difficulty/ disability
• Environmental factors:
• Overcrowding in the house
• Poverty or lack of opportunity to improve the family’s resources
• Domestic abuse is present
• A non-biological adult (i.e. unrelated) living in the house
• Family is experiencing multiple stresses

Child factors:

• Baby is sickly, colicky or unwanted
• Child has a physical or learning disability
• Lack of attachment between child and parent
• Child resides in care, particularly residential
• Child is excluded from mainstream school
• Child uses drugs/ alcohol
• Child goes missing
• Child is living in private fostering arrangements

It is possible to limit the situations where the abuse of children and adults at risk may occur by raising awareness and promoting good practice to all staff and elected members.

Children and adults at risk with a disability or special need

Children and adults at risk with a disability or special need are at increased risk of abuse and those with multiple disabilities are at even more significant risk both of abuse and neglect. Parents or carers of children or adults at risk with a disability may experience multiple stresses. Children and adults at risk with a disability may be particularly vulnerable to abuse for a number of reasons including:

• Having fewer social contacts than other children
• Receiving intimate personal care from a larger number of carers
• Having an impaired capacity to challenge abuse
• Having communication difficulties resulting in difficulties in telling people what is happening
• Being reluctant to complain for fear of losing services
• Being particularly vulnerable to bullying or intimidation
• Being more vulnerable to abuse by peers than other children

Our safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse and neglect procedure sets out:

• How to respond to someone who discloses abuse
• What to do if you have concerns about child or adult abuse
• How to make a referral

The procedure also includes guidance on training needs, safer recruitment, the use of contractors and the use of images.