StreetGames Protection of Adults at Risk Policy

Adult at risks are defined as:

A person aged 18 years or over “who is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take

care of him or herself, or protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation.

(The Lord Chancellors Department, 1997)

Thus, although StreetGames does not provide specific services to clients who might be considered ‘vulnerable’ under this definition, the spirit of the definition informs the organisations practice. In addition this policy is designed to dovetail with the StreetGames Safeguarding Children Policy so all young people in contact with the Project are given due care and attention.

Abuse, and the fear of abuse, has a significant impact on an individual’s ability to maintain and maximise their health and wellbeing. All individuals and agencies working with, and/or having contact with adults at risk, including the general public, have a key role to play in protecting vulnerable people from abuse, exploitation and/or mistreatment.

In addition all agencies responsible for the welfare and protection of adults at risk have a role in ensuring that all people have a right of expression, protection and redress regardless of: sex; race; colour; language; religion; political or other opinion; national or social origin; sexual orientation; disability; marital status; or age. Also, adults at risk may have additional and particular needs e.g. advocacy/ communication, in relation to the execution of these rights.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff and volunteers employed directly by StreetGames as well as those representing StreetGames as contractors, on a full or part-time basis.  It  will be applied consistently regardless of  race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, sex, marital status, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, religious belief, disability or age or any other condition or requirement which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

StreetGames’ Protection of Adults at Risk Policy represents best practice for partner and/or funded organisations that have not already developed such a policy.  The policy identifies minimum operating standards for agencies or individuals funded or commissioned by StreetGames to provide services that bring employees or others into contact with adults at risk.

Appendix 1 of this policy demonstrates the varying levels of the StreetGames delivery chain, and at each stage, where this policy comes into effect.

Attached to this policy are flow diagrams that clearly define the responsibilities of StreetGames staff in relation to safeguarding in the following 2 areas of StreetGames work:

• Direct Delivery – e.g StreetGames festivals and events
• Funded/Branded activity – Local delivery by the Network Organisation.

These flow diagrams are to be provided to all staff members through training during their induction to StreetGames.

Where StreetGames is directly responsible for delivery, these flow diagrams will be included in the relevant paperwork and be present in staff paperwork/briefings for the event, clarifying their Safeguarding responsibilities.

The expectations of any organisation holding StreetMark are explained in the guidance document for StreetMark.

Principles

StreetGames’s Protection of Adults at Risk policy is guided by the following principles:

• Promote the wellbeing, security and safety of vulnerable people consistent with his or her rights, capacity and personal responsibility, and prevent abuse occurring wherever possible;
• StreetGames aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socio-economic background, all;

• • Have a positive and enjoyable experience of sport , education and learning.
  • Are protected from abuse whilst participating in a sporting activity and training courses/workshops
• Ensure that the processes of investigation, assessment and prevention of abuse do not constitute an abusive or harmful series of events for the vulnerable person;
• Ensure that the promotion of adults at risk protection is integral to the development and delivery of services by StreetGames

Responsibilities

StreetGames acknowledges the duty of care to Adults at Risk and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice.

StreetGames recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the interests of Adults at Risk by actively promoting the following practices across the organisation and wider network;

• Identify the abuse of adults at risk where it is occurring
• Respond effectively to any circumstances giving grounds for concern or formal complaints or expressions of anxiety
• Ensure the active participation of individuals, families, groups and communities wherever possible and appropriate
• Raise awareness of the extent and impact of abuse on adults at risk;
• Promote and strengthen partnerships and actions designed to reduce abuse and the fear of abuse as experienced by adults at risk;
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the way in which policies, procedures and practices for the protection of adults at risk are working
• Regularly review and update policies, procedures and practices to reflect the current state of knowledge in relation to the protection of adults at risk, and learning gained from experience;
• Ensure that the law and statutory requirements are known and used appropriately where necessary so that adults at risk receive the protection of the law and access to the judicial process.

This Policy is supported by the Boundaries for Staff policy

Promoting Good Practice in working with Vulnerable Adults

Abuse can occur within many situations including the home, school and the sporting environment. There are individuals who actively seek employment or voluntary work with  Adults at Risk in order to harm or exploit them. More positively, a coach, instructor, official or volunteer having contact can play an important role in identifying cases where protection is needed.

All cases of poor practice should be reported to the appropriate person (see Appendix 6). All reports received will be reviewed by the relevant Designated Person within StreetGames, who will determine the appropriate course of action.

All StreetGames staff and volunteers are required to demonstrate exemplary behaviour in order to promote the welfare of Adults at Risk and reduce the likelihood of misinterpretation of their actions or allegations being made.

All StreetGames staff and volunteers are required to comply with the StreetGames Code of Conduct whilst working on behalf of the organisation.

StreetGames has a role to play in ensuring high standards and good practice in working with Adults at Risk is carried out across the youth and sport sectors.  StreetGames will work with partners in these sectors to share practice and learning in relation to working with Adults at Risk.

StreetGames will also ensure this good practice is shared throughout its network by regularly observing the practice of organisations and challenging their approach to Adults at Risk they are working with can enjoy activity in a safe and protected environment     

Lone Working

There are circumstances where StreetGames staff members will be in situation where they are working alone.  StreetGames has a lone working policy (Appendix 8 to this Safeguarding Policy).

Lone working in relation to safeguarding is when

• Staff members are in a working alone with an adult deemed as ‘At risk’
• The staff member may be put in a situation where they are isolated from others and hence alone with a young person

The details of the policy in the appendices outline the precautions and actions that staff members who find themselves in this situation should take.

Lone Working

There are circumstances where StreetGames staff members will be in situation where they are working alone.  StreetGames has a lone working policy (Appendix 8 to this Safeguarding Policy).

Lone working in relation to safeguarding is when

• Staff members are in a working alone with an adult deemed as ‘At risk’
• The staff member may be put in a situation where they are isolated from others and hence alone with a young person

The details of the policy in the appendices outline the precautions and actions that staff members who find themselves in this situation should take.

Lone Working

There are circumstances where StreetGames staff members will be in situation where they are working alone.  StreetGames has a lone working policy (Appendix 8 to this Safeguarding Policy).

Lone working in relation to safeguarding is when

• Staff members are in a working alone with an adult deemed as ‘At risk’
• The staff member may be put in a situation where they are isolated from others and hence alone with a young person

The details of the policy in the appendices outline the precautions and actions that staff members who find themselves in this situation should take.