Sounddelivery Media

Safeguarding Adults Policy

1 Introduction

Sounddelivery Media’s work is focused on  amplifying lived experience stories and expertise to address social inequalities. We want to see individuals with lived experience of social injustice to influence change on that issue. 

We believe in a confident civil society able to develop and amplify lived experience to address social inequalities. We work alongside charities to develop the potential of the stories within their networks to change perceptions and influence change.

Safeguarding is a fundamental part of Sounddelivery Media’s work and this commitment is reflected in the values of our organisation, which inform and support all of our safeguarding activity; we believe in:

  • Trust – We listen, we learn and, together, we take action 
  • Collaboration – We work alongside people to reach their full potential
  • Connection – Connection with which stories need to be told, where and how they can be told to have a lasting impact
  • Commitment – To those we work with and the challenges they face in getting their voices heard. Our work is long term

2 Purpose and Policy Statement

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults with care and support needs, as defined under the Care Act 2014. of abuse, neglect or coercion. This policy does not cover children (i.e. those under 18 years of age) because Sounddelivery Media does not work with children.

This policy defines how Sounddelivery Media operates to safeguard Adults with Care and Support Needs of abuse, neglect or coercion with whom it works.

We have a duty of care and are committed to the protection and safety of any Adults with Care and Support Needs involved as participants or visitors in all our activities, wherever the events are held.  We also want to protect and support our staff.

Sounddelivery Media acknowledges its duty to act appropriately to any allegations, reports or suspicions of abuse of any kind whatever and wherever their engagement (i.e allows for online/email etc)

This Policy (and the associated Adult with care and support needs Safeguarding Procedure) has been drawn up in order to enable Sounddelivery Media to:

  • Promote good practice and work in a way that can prevent harm, abuse and coercion occurring;
  • Ensure that any allegations of abuse or suspicions are dealt with appropriately and the person experiencing abuse is supported appropriately.

3 Legal Framework

This policy is informed by the following legislation and guidance:

  • Care Act 2014
  • Care and Support Statutory Guidance (Chapter 14 – Safeguarding Adults)
  • Mental Capacity Act 2005
  • Domestic Abuse Act 2021
  • Human Rights Act 1998
  • Data Protection Act 2018 / UK GDPR
  • Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015 (Prevent Duty)

4 Implementation

Sounddelivery Media will:

  • Ensure all staff, volunteers and trustees are familiar with this policy and associated procedures
  • Ensure safeguarding concerns are reported and managed in line with the Safeguarding Adults Procedure
  • Work in partnership with relevant local authorities and statutory agencies
  • Ensure the Designated Safeguarding Lead is responsible for making referrals where appropriate
  • Provide safeguarding training and guidance to staff and volunteers
  • Where possible, consent should be sought before sharing information. However, information may be shared without consent where:
    • there is a risk of serious harm to the individual or others
    • a crime has been committed or may be committed
    • the individual lacks mental capacity
    • there is concern about coercion or undue influence
    • it is in the public interest to do so
  • All decisions must be proportionate and appropriately recorded.

 Where Sounddelivery Media is engaged to provide services for an external organisation, we will support that organisation to fulfill its requirements in relation to any adults participating in our projects who are also felt to be Adults with Care and Support Needs.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Sounddelivery Media is the Sounddelivery Media Chief Executive Officer Monica Tyler:

Name: Monica Tyler

Telephone: 01784 542341 

Email: monica@sounddelivery.org.uk

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is also the named lead for Prevent under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. They should be contacted for support and advice on implementing this policy and associated procedures.

This policy should be implemented through the associated procedure and we are in the process of developing a ‘duty of care’ statement, which will run alongside this policy.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead is responsible for managing safeguarding concerns, making referrals, liaising with statutory agencies, and providing guidance to staff.

5 Scope

Sounddelivery Media has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse. Sounddelivery Media recognises that, under the Care Act 2014, it has a duty for the care and protection of adults who are at risk of abuse.  It is committed to promoting wellbeing, harm prevention and to responding effectively if concerns are raised. Adults will be supported in swift and personalised safeguarding responses.  Should our work change and involve children, we will develop explicit procedures to support the welfare of children.

This policy applies to:

  • all staff (paid or volunteers) including the members of the board
  • all service users/participants
  • all visitors, contractors, or agency staff

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All those listed above are required to:

  • report any suspected abuse of Adults with Care and Support Needs and/or
  • signpost any adults affected by abuse/neglect for appropriate support

The Designated Safeguarding Lead(s) will discharge their safeguarding functions in a way that ensures that adults are safeguarded from harm and their welfare is promoted. They are responsible for following up with any suspected Adults with care and Support Needs of abuse and for informing the Police or other appropriate external bodies.

6 Safeguarding Principles

All safeguarding activity will be guided by the six safeguarding principles set out in the Care Act 2014:

Empowerment 

People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent. 

We will be person-centred and uphold individuals’ rights in all safeguarding work.

Prevention

It is better to take action before harm occurs. 

We will put sensible measures in place to prevent abuse, including the use of safe recruitment practices, promoting safe working practice and raising awareness of safeguarding.

Proportionality

The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented. 

We will respond in a way that is appropriate, necessary, and proportionate to the level of risk.

Protection

Support and representation for those in greatest need.

We will provide policy, procedures, information and training to enable all Sounddelivery media staff to identify and respond appropriately to concerns about abuse.

Partnership

Working with communities and other agencies.

We will work in partnership with partners and media outlets to ensure that safeguarding concerns are responded to appropriately.

Accountability 

Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

We aim to be transparent in our approaches and recognise the need for continuous learning and improvement.

6a. Making Safeguarding Personal (MSP)

Sounddelivery Media adopts a Making Safeguarding Personal approach, placing the individual at the centre of safeguarding.

  • We will ask: “What outcomes does the person want?”
  • We will respect individuals’ wishes, feelings, and choices wherever it is safe and appropriate to do so.
  • We recognise that safeguarding is not just about protection, but about working with individuals to achieve the outcomes that matter to them.

7 Definitions 

For the purposes of this policy, the following definitions are used:

Adults

An ‘adult’ refers to someone who is aged 18 years or over. 

Adults with Care and Support Needs 

An adult with care and support needs refers to a person aged 18 or over who:

  • has needs for care and support (whether or not these are being met)
  • is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
  • as a result of those needs, is unable to protect themselves (Care Act 2014, Section 42)

If someone has care and support needs but is not currently receiving care or support from a health or care service, they may still be classed as an ‘Adult with care and support needs’.

Abuse or neglect

As defined by the Statutory Guidance [Care and Support Statutory Guidance, updated Jan 2022], there are 13 different types of abuse, as follows:

A further category is being highlighted through a Government strategy (the ‘Prevent Strategy’) – that of ‘radicalisation’ which aims to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremism in all its forms. This can also be a safeguarding issue.

8 Other relevant policies and procedures

This policy should be read in conjunction with the following Sounddelivery Media policies and procedures;

Sounddelivery Media will monitor safeguarding activity and report relevant issues to the Board of Trustees to ensure oversight and continuous improvement.

Sounddelivery Media’s Safeguarding Policy is reviewed annually by Trustees.

Last review date: June 2026

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