SAFEGUARDING
Safeguarding is EVERYBODY’S business
REPORT A CONCERN or speak to someone if you’re not sure:
North Lincolnshire
Concerned about an adult? Call the Safeguarding Adults Team on:
01724 297000
Concerned about a child: 01724 296500
North East Lincolnshire
Concerned about an adult? Call Focus on 01472 256256 (option 2)
Concerned about a child? Call the Integrated Front Door on 01472 326292 (option 2, option 2)
In all circumstances, if you are concerned that an adult or child is in immediate danger, call 999
The role of Carers in Safeguarding
Carers and the people they care for can sometimes find themselves in difficult situations – situations they didn’t choose to be in, with immense emotional and practical implications on their lives.
Across the UK today an estimated 10.6 million people are carers and increasing numbers of us have carer roles to a greater or lesser extent in our personal lives. Recognising that this is an everyday experience for many people is an important reminder that ‘carers’ are not to be stereotyped. Carers are from a diverse range of backgrounds. Carers may be parents, daughters, sons, partners, neighbours and friends. Carers may be adults or children, and at risk themselves. (Local.gov.uk)
You may be involved in situations where someone is at risk of abuse or neglect, that require a safeguarding response.
You may:
- Witness abuse or neglect
- Be the subject of abuse or neglect
- Whether unintentionally or deliberately, be the person causing harm or neglect
Safeguarding is everybody’s business, and as such, it is your responsibility to report a safeguarding concern where you believe someone is at risk of or experiencing harm or neglect. Familiarise yourself with the ‘types of abuse’ further down the page.
How can caring affect you?
The amount and type of support that carers provide varies considerably. It can range from a few hours a week, such as picking up prescriptions and preparing meals, to providing emotional or personal care day and night.
Carers can help with personal things like getting someone dressed, helping them to the loo, helping them move about or administering their medication, they can also help with things like shopping, laundry, cleaning, cooking, filling in forms or managing their money.
But without the right support caring can have a significant impact. Evidence shows that caring can cause ill health, poverty and social isolation.
Caring is something that will affect each and every one of us in our lifetime, whether we become a carer, or need care ourselves.
Carers Assessment
Timely and careful assessment can be the key to preventing or removing safeguarding risk.
You and the person you care for are entitled to have an assessment of your needs. The assessment must consider the wellbeing of the both of you. A Care Needs Assessment (for the person you care for) or Carers Needs Assessment (for yourself) is an important opportunity to explore your circumstances and consider whether it would be possible to provide information or support that prevents abuse or neglect from occurring, for example by providing you with training about the condition the person you care for has, or to support you to care more safely.
If you speak up about abuse or neglect, it is essential you are listened to and that where appropriate a safeguarding enquiry is undertaken and other agencies are involved as needed.
If you experience intentional or unintentional harm from the person you care for, or if you unintentionally or intentionally harm or neglect the person you care for, consideration should be given to:
- whether support can be provided that removes or reduces the risk of abuse
- whether other agencies should be involved. In some cases, where a criminal offence is suspected, this will include alerting the police, or in others primary healthcare may need to be involved in monitoring or supporting
Take a look at our Carers Needs Assessment page to find out more about accessing an assessment.
Carers and the law
Carers are not required to meet specific care standards. However, if wilful neglect or mistreatment has arisen, carers may be prosecuted under section 44 of the Mental capacity Act 2005. Other criminal law may apply to financial abuse, physical assault, domestic abuse and other types of abuse. Carers are not regulated or inspected for the quality of the care that they give, so it can be challenging for services and organisations to know how and when to intervene.
Carers may be hidden, not identify as carers, or their role may have built up slowly over time.
Carers are given equal weight to the person they care for in the Care Act 2014 and are entitled to an assessment of needs as a carer.
Risk to Carers
Research has found the risk of abuse to carers themselves increases when the following occurs:
- the carer is isolated
- the carer lacks access to sufficient practical and emotional support from family, friends, professionals etc.
Carers can be at increased risk of abuse from the person they care for when the person they care for:
- has health and care needs that exceed the carer’s ability to meet them
- does not consider the needs of the carer and other individuals
- is discourteous and disrespectful to the carer
- declines external support e.g. replacement care
- insists on being supported 24/7
- exerts control over finances, property and day to day living arrangements
- is aggressive and hostile towards the carer
- has a history of substance misuse, unusual or offensive behaviour
- does not understand their actions and their impact on the carer
- chastises and rejects others as a result of feeling anger at their situation
- does not meet the criteria for support, after reaching out to receive this.
Risk from Carers
There is a risk of intentional or unintentional harm, or neglect, that carers could pose to the person they care for. Some of the following could increase the risk of this happening:
- the carer has needs of their own, which have either not been identified or are unmet
- the carer has limited understanding of their cared for person’s needs and/or condition
- the carer has had to make unwanted changes to their life to look after the person
- the carer gets limited support (emotional or practical) from their family, friends etc.
- the carer feels isolated, unappreciated and stigmatised
- they juggle their caring role with other responsibilities e.g. employment
- the carer has little, or no life outside of caring e.g. no time to pursue another interest
- they consistently seek support and solutions to issues but don’t receive this
- the carer is experiencing abuse themselves, from the cared for and/or another source
- the carer feels unappreciated by the person they care for
- they feel exploited by family and/or services.
It is important for organisations and services who work with carers to use their professional curiosity to be aware of the fact that carers have a significant part to play in safeguarding and can be affected in many ways. They can be vulnerable to harm/abuse, can themselves be a perpetrator or can be the person who reports the concern.
Situations that might trigger a safeguarding response involving a carer could arise from:
- the carer witnessing or disclosing the existence of abuse or neglect
- when supporting their cared for, experiencing deliberate or unintended harm directly from them or from institutions and professionals they engage with
- independently, or with others, deliberately or accidentally harming or neglecting the person they care for
Preventing harm and neglect
- As a Carer, you should be encouraged to identify as carers and to then recognise your role and to talk about what you think you may be finding more difficult before you reach a crisis point.
- You should think about emergency plans ( e.g if you fall ill, what care would need replacing)
- If you feel at risk from the person you care for, have a safety plan in place. e.g what practical action you can take, is there a close neighbour you could go to, can you keep your mobile phone on you or exit the house quickly?
- Ask about having a carers assessment and what it can do for you, if you are not told about it or offered one.
- You may be fearful or feel shame, but don’t hide your feelings. It is OK to admit that you are struggling or can’t cope. Don’t be worried about the reaction of others or the person you care for. What is most important is your safety and the safety of the person you care for.
