1. Purpose
This procedure has been developed to support the ‘Sounddelivery Media Safeguarding adults with care and support needs Policy’. It will enable Sounddelivery Media to:
- Promote good practice and work in a way that can limit harm, abuse and coercion occurring;
- Ensure that any allegations of or suspicions of abuse are dealt with competently and the person experiencing abuse is supported appropriately.
2. Introduction
Safeguarding adults with care and support needs in the United Kingdom is compliant with United Nations’ directives on the rights of disabled people and commitments to the rights of older people. It is covered by:
- The Human Rights Act 1998
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- The Data Protection Act 2018
- UK General Data Protection Regulations 2018
- Domestic Abuse Act 2021
Full list of relevant legislation contained in Appendix 1.
The practices within this procedure are based on the relevant legislation and government guidance, specifically the Care Act 2014, in England, and the Care and Support Statutory Guidance (especially chapter 14) 2014gislation and government guidance, specifically the Care Act 2014, in England, and the Care and Support Statutory Guidance (especially chapter 14) 2014
3. Scope
This procedure relates to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults with care and support needs of abuse or neglect. It does not cover children (i.e. those under 18 years of age.) Should our work change and involve children, we will develop explicit procedures to support the welfare of children.
It defines how Sounddelivery Media operates to safeguard adults with care and support needs of abuse or neglect with whom it works.
4. Definitions
Who is an ‘adult’?
- Someone who is aged 18 or over
Who is an ‘adult at risk’?
An ‘Adult with care and support needs’ refers to someone who, according to paragraph 42.1 of the Care Act 2014:
- is over 18 years old
- has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs),
- is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
- is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.
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’.
A person may be more or less at risk at different times in their life.A person may be more or less at risk at different times in their life.
What is ‘abuse’?
Abuse is an action or a lack of action that causes harm to a person.
Abuse can:
- happen once or many times;
- be an accident or it can be on purpose;
- be a crime, but it is not always.
What does ‘safeguarding adults’ cover?
Abuse can happen in different ways:
| Physical | Any act that causes physical harm or injury to a person. |
| Emotional | Any act that causes emotional harm to a person. |
| Sexual | Forcing, enticing or exploiting a person to take part in sexual activities which they could not, or did not, agree to. |
| Neglect | A failure to meet a person’s emotional, health or care needs. |
| Self-neglect | A person not being able to look after themself or their home which puts their health, wellbeing or safety at risk. |
| Financial | Stealing a person’s money or property. Using a person’s money or property without their agreement. It also includes being put under pressure in relation to money or other property. [Read more] |
| Discriminatory | Any form of abuse that is done because of a person’s race, religion, culture, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation. |
| Organisational | Abuse or neglect that is perpetrated by an organisation providing a service to adults with care and support needs. |
| Domestic abuse | Domestic abuse involves any single incident or pattern of conduct where someone’s behaviour towards another is abusive, and where the people involved are aged 16 or over and are, or have been, personally connected to each other. The abuse can involve, but is not limited to: psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional, violent, threatening, controlling, coercive behaviour. This also includes forced marriage, honour based violence and female genital mutilation. |
| Modern Slavery | Modern slavery is defined as the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of children, women or men through the use of force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means for the purpose of exploitation. [Read more] |
| Radicalisation | The process of a person being influenced or coerced into supporting violent extremism including terrorism. |
| Cyber / online abuse | The use of internet and/or mobile technology to harass, intimidate, or cause harm to another. [Read more] |
| Criminal exploitation (e.g. county lines, cuckooing) | County Lines are criminal operations where illegal drugs are moved from one area to another by people who have been coerced into criminal activity by gangs. Cuckooing involves criminals taking control of another person’s home in order to use it for criminal activity. [Read more] |
| Disability Hate/Mate crime | Disability hate crime is a criminal offence motivated by hatred or prejudice towards a person because of their actual or perceived disability. Mate crime is a form of disability hate crime in which the victim is abused and manipulated by someone they believed to be their friend. [Read more] |
Where there are concerns about an individual’s ability to make decisions, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 must be followed.
A two-stage test should be applied:
1. Does the person have an impairment of the mind or brain?
2. Can they understand, retain, weigh, and communicate decisions?
If the individual is assessed as lacking capacity, any decisions made must be in their best interests.
Where appropriate, consideration should be given to involving an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA).
5. Responsibilities
Any safeguarding action taken by Sounddelivery Media will be led by the six safeguarding principles set out in the Care Act 2014 and Care and Support Statutory Guidance, which underpin all safeguarding practice. These are outlined fully in Appendix 2 and provide the framework for our approach.
Fundamentally, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
These procedures apply to:
- all staff (paid or volunteers) including the members of the board
- all programme participants
- all visitors, contractors, or agency staff
All individuals listed above are required to:
- report any suspected abuse or neglect involving an adult with care and support needs,
- take appropriate action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of individuals,
- signpost adults affected by abuse or neglect to appropriate support services where required,
- follow the safeguarding procedures set out in this document.
The Designated Safeguarding Lead for Sounddelivery Media is the Sounddelivery Media Chief Executive:
Name: Monica Tyler
Telephone: 01784 542341
Email: monica@sounddelivery.org.uk
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is also the named lead for Prevent under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015. The roles of all staff and volunteers as well as the DSL is contained in Appendix 3.
They should be contacted for support and advice on implementing this policy and associated procedures.
If the Designated Safeguarding Lead is unavailable, concerns must be escalated immediately to an alternative senior staff member or Trustee.
If the Chief Executive is unavailable, safeguarding adults’ issues should be referred to:
Amanda Lee
chair@sounddelivery.org.uk
Chair of Sounddelivery Media
If neither Chief Executive or Chair are available then safeguarding adults’ issues should be referred to:
Sounddelivery Media Vice Chair
Rachael Mole
rachael@moleworkssolutions.com
If neither Chief Executive, Chair or Vice Chair are available then safeguarding adults’ issues should be referred to:
Chloe Morgan
Chloe@sounddelivery.org.uk
Sounddelivery Media Programme Manager
In situations of immediate risk:
- Contact emergency services (999)
- Contact the local authority safeguarding team directly
6. Recruitment of and engagement with programme participants
Sounddelivery Media has an appropriately trained Designated Safeguarding Lead and all members of staff who have contact with participants of our training programmes will have mandatory training in Safeguarding Awareness (see section Training, induction and supervision of staff below).
Participants of our programmes are able to access support via two different routes:
| Participants are directly recruited by Sounddelivery Media as a member of one of our programmes (e.g the Spokespersons Network) or | We have a DIRECT relationship with these individuals alone |
| Participants are indirectly recruited by both Sounddelivery Media and third party organisations, when Sounddelivery Media is contracted to complete project-work for that third party organisation. | We have a JOINT relationship with these individuals, together with the third party organisation concerned |
[A] When recruiting individuals directly to our programmes we will record the following:
- contact details, including home address (to allow local authority identification)
- details of the individual they identify as ‘next of kin’
- references will also be taken up in relation to their participation in the programme
[B] When contracting with third parties, Sounddelivery Media must be clear how that third party wishes to be notified of any potential issues where the individual concerned consents to their being involved.
The following will be in place for all programmes, to ensure appropriate safeguarding for programme participants. We will ensure:
- Clear criteria for programme participation to be set out at the start of any recruitment process.
- Involvement of an external consultant, with specialist experience and knowledge of safeguarding, during the recruitment process
- External references for programme participants are taken up and responded to.
- Any issues or concerns raised during recruitment are highlighted with the participant (and any third party organisation if appropriate).
- Programme participants have an appropriate support network (which may include a third party organisation if appropriate).
- Programme participants are supported to understand our Safeguarding adults with care and support needs Policy and interlocking policies including social media policy, Whistleblowing/Speak Up Policy and the steps they can take to ensure they are safe online and in the media.
7. When to Refer to the Local Authority
A safeguarding referral must be made where the following criteria are met (Care Act 2014, Section 42):
- The individual has care and support needs, and
- They are experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
- As a result of their needs, they are unable to protect themselves
Referrals should be made without delay to the relevant local authority safeguarding team, and certainly must be made ‘within 24 hours of the concern being identified.
If a crime is suspected, the police must also be contacted.
8. Raising and Managing a Concern
In the event of an adult presenting with a potential safeguarding issue:
CLARIFY:
- Are they an adult with care and support needs (as per Definitions above), noting that an individual’s levels of risk can change at different times in their life?
- Are they a member of staff, volunteer or agency staff?
- Are they a participant and, if so, how were they engaged on their programme?
| If they are identified as an adult [but NOT an Adult with care and support needs]: provide relevant signposting to other services [See examples in Appendix 4 for advice and support] |
| If they are identified as an Adult with care and support needs and: they are a member of staff, volunteer or agency staff or a participant that has been recruited directly ([A] above): i) Seek consent from the person concerned. (If you feel that they do not have capacity to consent, you will need to escalate it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead). ii) Staff must adopt a Making Safeguarding Personal approach, ensuring that the individual is asked what outcomes they want and is actively involved in decisions wherever possible. iii) Collect all available relevant facts and appropriate information. iv) Make a written record of the concern. v) Tell the person involved what you are going to do about the concern and note any views that they may have regarding how they wish the matter to be dealt with. vi) Tell only the people who need to know – for Sounddelivery Media, this should be the Designated Safeguarding Lead vii) The Designated Safeguarding Lead will consider the balance between listening to someone’s wishes and needing to pass on information where others may be at risk. 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 Decisions to share information without consent must be proportionate, justified, and clearly recorded. OR they are a participant that has been recruited jointly ([B] above): i) Seek consent from the person concerned. (If you feel that they do not have capacity to consent,you will need to escalate it to the Designated Safeguarding Lead). ii) Notify the third party organisation with which the individual was recruited and the Designated Safeguarding Lead iii) The Designated Safeguarding Lead will support that organisation with its legal responsibilities – e.g. by maintaining records of all relevant conversations, facts and appropriate information. iv) Discussions should take place only by exception and only between the Designated Safeguarding Leads of the two organisations. |
| If someone is in immediate danger or is at risk of serious significant harm, you must contact the Police (999) and refer to the relevant local authority, as required, as soon as possible. |
9. Recruitment of staff and volunteers
Sounddelivery Media is committed to safe employment and safe recruitment practices that reduce the risk of harm to adults with care and support needs from people unsuitable to work with them. To enable this:
- All staff and volunteers undertake rigorous shortlisting and interview procedures (in which safeguarding should be discussed at interview) which involve an external consultant with safeguarding specialist experience and knowledge
- All staff and volunteers are subject to two satisfactory references.
10. Training, induction and supervision of staff and volunteers
In addition, the Chair and the Designated Safeguarding Lead are required to have undertaken advanced safeguarding training.
All staff and volunteers should be aware of Sounddelivery Media’s social media policy and online safety policy.
11. Recording and Record Keeping:
Safeguarding issues will be discussed in an appropriately anonymised way at specific, dedicated meetings across the Sounddelivery Media team and will be escalated to the Board of Trustees as required. A written record will be kept about any concern regarding an adult with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions taken, decisions made and why they were made.
Team meetings will be a mix of internal ‘peer support’ discussions, held monthly, which will be further enhanced by quarterly-held meetings with an independent, external supervisor to discuss specific issues and approaches. Such discussions will be suitably anonymised to ensure full confidentiality, whilst also supporting staff.
Safeguarding is a standing item at Trustee board meetings alongside a report provided by the leadership to highlight any incidents or best practice.
Appendix 1: Adult Safeguarding Legislation
Safeguarding Adults in all home nations is compliant with United Nations directives on the rights of disabled people and commitments to the rights of older people. It is covered by:
- The Human Rights Act 1998
- The Data Protection Act 2018
- General Data Protection Regulations 2018
The practices and procedures within this policy are based on the relevant legislation and government guidance.
- England – The Care Act 2014
Care and Support Statutory Guidance (especially chapter 14) 2014 - Wales – Social Services and Well Being Act 2014
Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019 - Scotland – Adult Support and Protection Act 2007
Adult Support and Protection (Scotland) Act 2007 Code of Practice 2022 - Northern Ireland – Adult Safeguarding Prevention and Protection in Partnership 2015
Each home nation also has legislation about the circumstances in which decisions can be made on behalf of an adult who is unable to make decisions for themselves:
- England and Wales – Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Scotland – Adults with Incapacity Act 2000
- Mental Capacity (Northern Ireland) 2016
- There are specific offences applying to the mistreatment of and sexual offences against adults who do not have Mental Capacity and specific offences where mistreatment is carried out by a person who is employed as a carer: e.g. wilful neglect and wilful mistreatment.
The Charity Commission’s Safeguarding Strategy:
- Outlines safeguarding responsibilities for charities and stresses the importance of safeguarding as part of charity governance.
Appendix 2: Principles identified in the Care Act 2014
Any safeguarding action taken by Sounddelivery Media will be led by the six safeguarding principles set out in the Care Act 2014 and Care and Support Statutory Guidance, which underpin all safeguarding practice:
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.
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.
Appendix 3: Staff, Volunteers and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Role Outline
All staff and volunteers have a duty to safeguard and must:
- Recognise signs of abuse, neglect, or risk
- Respond appropriately to disclosures or concerns
- Report concerns immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Record concerns accurately, factually, and promptly
- Follow this safeguarding procedure at all times
- Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
- Participate in safeguarding training and updates
The designated person within the organisation has primary responsibility for putting into place procedures to safeguard adults with care and support needs, supporting other organisational welfare/safeguarding leads where relevant and for managing concerns about adults with care and support needs. They will have the appropriate Designated Safeguarding Lead training to support them in this work.
Duties and responsibilities include:
- Work with others within the organisation to create a positive inclusive environment.
- Play a lead role in developing and establishing the organisation’s approach to safeguarding adults and in maintaining and reviewing the organisation’s implementation plan for safeguarding adults in line with current legislation and best practice.
- Coordinate the dissemination of the safeguarding adult policy, procedures and resources throughout the organisation.
- Contribute to ensuring other policies and procedures are consistent with the organisation’s commitment to safeguarding adults.
- Advise on the organisation’s training needs and the development of its training strategy.
- Receive reports of and manage cases of poor practice and abuse reported to the organisation – including an appropriate recording system.
- Manage liaison with, and referrals to, external agencies, for example adult social-care services and the police.
- Create a central point of contact for internal and external individuals and agencies concerned about the safety of adults within the organisation.
- Represent the organisation at external meetings related to safeguarding.
Appendix 4: Sources of advice and support
Action on Elder Abuse
A national organisation based in London. It aims to prevent the abuse of older people by raising awareness, encouraging education, promoting research and collecting and disseminating information.
Tel: 020 8765 7000
Email: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
Ann Craft Trust (ACT)
A national organisation providing information and advice about adult safeguarding. ACT have a specialist Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity team to support the sector
Tel: 0115 951 5400
Email: Ann-Craft-Trust@nottingham.ac.uk
Men’s Advice Line
For male domestic abuse survivors
Tel: 0808 801 0327
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Tel: 0800 999 5428
National 24-Hour Freephone Domestic Abuse Helplines
| England | Northern Ireland |
| Tel: 0808 2000 247 www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us | Tel: 0808 802 1414 www.dsahelpline.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/dsahelpline Facebook: www.facebook.com/dsahelpline |
| Scotland | Wales |
| Tel: 0800 027 1234 Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk Web chat: sdafmh.org.uk | Llinell Gymorth Byw HebOfn/ Live free from fear helpline Tel: 0808 8010 800 Type Talk: 18001 0808 801 0800 Text: 078600 77 333 |
Rape Crisis Federation of England and Wales
Rape Crisis was launched in 1996 and exists to provide a range of facilities and resources to enable the continuance and development of Rape Crisis Groups throughout Wales and England.
Email: info@rapecrisis.co.uk
Respond
Respond provides a range of services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities, and training and support to those working with them.
Tel: 020 7383 0700 or
0808 808 0700 (Helpline)
Email: services@respond.org.uk
Stop Hate Crime
Works to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. Stop Hate UK provides independent, confidential and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.
24 hours service:
Telephone: 0800 138 1625
Web Chat: www.stophateuk.org/talk-to-us/
E mail: talk@stophateuk.org
Text: 07717 989 025
Text relay: 18001 0800 138 1625
By post: PO Box 851, Leeds LS1 9QS
Susy Lamplugh Trust
The Trust is a leading authority on personal safety. Its role is to minimise the damage caused to individuals and to society by aggression in all its forms – physical, verbal and psychological.
Tel: 020 83921839
Email: info@suzylamplugh.org
Victim Support
Provides practical advice and help, emotional support and reassurance to those who have suffered the effects of a crime.
Tel: 0808 168 9111
Women’s Aid Federation of England and Wales
Women’s Aid is a national domestic violence charity. It also runs a domestic violence online help service.
www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support
Human Trafficking Foundation
Works with the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner and ATLEU to map support services for survivors of trafficking in the UK. https://www.humantraffickingfoundation.org/support-services
Radicalisation
Sounddelivery Media’s Safeguarding Procedure is reviewed annually by Trustees.
Last review date: June 2026