Adult Safeguarding
Safeguarding adults is another critical aspect of our professional duties.
The Royal College of Nursing defines adult safeguarding as:
“In the context of this document adult safeguarding means to work with an individual to protect their right to live in safety, free from abuse, harm and neglect. This can include both proactive and reactive interventions to support health and wellbeing with the engagement of the individual and their wider community. The aim is to enable the individual to live free from fear and harm and have their rights and choices respected.”
It goes on to define what is meant by the term ‘an adult at risk’:
“In the context of this UK wide document to aid inclusion and brevity the composite definition has been used – ‘an adult at risk is any person who is aged 18 years or over and at risk of abuse, harm or neglect because of their needs for care and/or support and are unable to safeguard themselves.’”
You can find their full guidance on adult safeguarding below:
The Care Act 2014 sets out in legislation what is meant by adult safeguarding claiming that it “means protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.”
This is based on six key principles which are clearly outlined in the Act:
Empowerment – Personalisation and the presumption of person-led decisions and informed consent.
“I am asked what I want as the outcomes from the safeguarding process and these directly inform what happens.”
Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.
“I receive clear and simple information about what abuse is, how to recognise the signs and what I can do to seek help.”
Proportionality – Proportionate and least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
“I am sure that the professionals will work for my best interests, as I see them and they will only get involved as much as needed.”
Protection – Support and representation for those in greatest need.
“I get help and support to report abuse. I get help to take part in the safeguarding process to the extent to which I want and to which I am able.”
Partnership – Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.
“I know that staff treat any personal and sensitive information in confidence, only sharing what is helpful and necessary. I am confident that professionals will work together to get the best result for me.”
Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.
“I understand the role of everyone involved in my life.”
You can find complete summary guidance based on the Care Act 2014 below:
For the Complete piece of legislation click on the button below:
The CQC also offers regulation in terms of what is expected of us as clinicians to protect our patients:
“13.—
1. Service users must be protected from abuse and improper treatment in accordance with this regulation.
2. Systems and processes must be established and operated effectively to prevent abuse of service users.
3. Systems and processes must be established and operated effectively to investigate, immediately upon becoming aware of, any allegation or evidence of such abuse.
4. Care or treatment for service users must not be provided in a way that—
includes discrimination against a service user on grounds of any protected characteristic (as defined in section 4 of the Equality Act 2010) of the service user,
includes acts intended to control or restrain a service user that are not necessary to prevent, or not a proportionate response to, a risk of harm posed to the service user or another individual if the service user was not subject to control or restraint,
is degrading for the service user, or
significantly disregards the needs of the service user for care or treatment.
5. A service user must not be deprived of their liberty for the purpose of receiving care or treatment without lawful authority.
6. For the purposes of this regulation—'abuse' means—
any behaviour towards a service user that is an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003(a),
ill-treatment (whether of a physical or psychological nature) of a service user,
theft, misuse or misappropriation of money or property belonging to a service user, or
neglect of a service user.
7. For the purposes of this regulation, a person controls or restrains a service user if that person—
uses,”
Full Guidance below:
The NHS has also provided a safeguarding guidance document which sets out our responsibilities, as dental practitioners, in regards to safeguarding adults:
“ • Assess the situation i.e. are emergency services required?
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of the individual
• Establish what the individual’s views and wishes are about the safeguarding issue and procedure
• Maintain any evidence
• Follow local procedures for reporting incidents/risks
• Remain calm and try not to show any shock or disbelief
• Listen carefully and demonstrate understanding by acknowledging regret and concern that this has happened
• Inform the person that you are required to share the information, explaining what information will be shared and why
• Make a written record of what the person has told you, using their words, what you have seen and your actions.”
You can find the whole document by clicking on the link below: