Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy
Moder Dy works to increase awareness of Shetland’s eroding coastal maritime heritage by engaging with and supporting our communities through coastal archaeology research projects.
Our inclusive community engagement work means that we have members of staff and volunteers who will be engaged in community projects in which vulnerable adults will be participating.
The purpose of this policy statement is:
• to protect vulnerable adults, defined as people aged 16 years or over (18 in the rest of the UK) from harm who take part in Moder Dy’s community heritage activities. A vulnerable adult is someone who is unable to care for themself, and/or is unable to protect themselves against harm or exploitation.
• to provide staff and volunteers, as well vulnerable adults, their carers and families with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding.
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Moder Dy, including senior managers, paid staff, volunteers, sessional workers, and students.
Legal framework
This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect vulnerable adults in Scotland in accordance with the Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007.
Supporting documents
This policy statement should be read alongside our organisational policies, procedures, guidance and other related documents.
• Role description for the designated safeguarding officer
• Dealing with disclosures and concerns about a vulnerable adult
• Managing allegations against staff and volunteers
• Recording concerns and information sharing
• Code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• Codes of behaviour
• Photography and sharing images guidance
We believe that:
• Vulnerable adults should never experience abuse of any kind
• We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all the people who engage in our activities, to keep them safe and to practise in a way that protects them.
We recognise that:
• the welfare of people is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take all vulnerable adults, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• some vulnerable adults are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• working in partnership with vulnerable adults their families, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting people’s welfare.
We will seek to keep vulnerable adults safe by:
• valuing, listening to and respecting them
• appointing a nominated safeguarding lead for vulnerable adults, and a deputy lead.
• adopting safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
• developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures
• providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently
• recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
• recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance
• sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with vulnerable adults and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions
• making sure that vulnerable adults and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern using our safeguarding and vulnerable adult procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers appropriately
• using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
• creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
• ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
• ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for vulnerable adults, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
Contact details
Safeguarding lead Name: Esther Renwick
Phone/email: 07399 405519 esther@moderdy.org
Deputy safeguarding lead Name: Marc Chivers
Phone/email: 07824 996506 marc@moderdy.org
Duty Social Worker
9am-5pm: 01595 744468
Out of hours: 01595 695611
In an emergency contact the police: 999
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
Policy approved by: Dr Esther Renwick, Dr Marc Chivers
This policy was last reviewed on: 18.11.24
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