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Safeguarding policy

In accordance with our values, we wish to protect our service users' rights to dignity and respect

1. Policy - Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility:

Safeguarding adults and young people at risk is a part of the wider role of safeguarding and promoting welfare. This refers to the activity which is undertaken to protect specific vulnerable adults who are suffering or are at risk of suffering significant harm.

As adults, professionals or volunteers, everyone has a responsibility to safeguard adults at risk and to promote their welfare.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults at risk - and in particular protecting them from significant harm - depends upon effective joint working between agencies and professionals that have different roles and expertise, as well as following guidelines and procedures within the charity. All homeless adults that we engage with are deemed by definition to be vulnerable or at risk.

In accordance with its values, Threshold wishes to protect our residents right to dignity and respect. We therefore aim to develop an environment in which there is a zero tolerance of abuse and neglect and radicalisation and where individuals are able to bring complaints without fear or embarrassment.

The aims of our policy are to:

  • Seek to ensure that adults at risk have fair access to our services irrespective of their race, ethnic origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion and that they have their needs recognised
  • Seek to work preventatively in order to protect and promote residents’ rights to dignity, privacy, confidentiality, choice and empowerment
  • Seek to ensure that adults at risk can fulfil their desire to lead as safe and independent a life as possible and to move freely and participate in the community as they choose to do so
  • Ensure that residents are protected from avoidable harm or injury as a result of our actions/activities and that they feel confident to make complaints
  • Ensure decisions which our staff make on behalf of individuals who lack mental capacity are made in the best interests of these individuals and the law
  • Respond promptly, sensitively, consistently and effectively to reports or allegations of abuse or neglect or radicalisation
  • Work in partnership and co-operate with statutory agencies and advocacy services in the implementation of their obligations under their statutory duties for protecting adults at risk
  • Ensure that staff and volunteers are given appropriate support and training


    • 2. Definitions

    Adult at risk

    Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 states that safeguarding duties apply to an adult who:

  • 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 as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it. (Section 42, the Care Act 2014).


    • Vulnerable adult

    This is defined as a person aged 18 or over, who has either a dependency on others in the performance of, or a requirement for assistance in the performance of basic functions, a severe impairment in the ability to communicate with others; or has a reduced ability to protect themselves from assault, abuse or neglect.

    This can be as a result of a learning or physical disability (not normally to include dyslexia), a physical or mental illness or otherwise (including an addiction to alcohol or drugs) or a reduction in physical or mental capacity. Within this policy both terms are used.

    3. Principles

    The six principles of safeguarding underpin all of the adult safeguarding work that Threshold and other professional partner agencies undertake.

    They are:

  • Empowerment - People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and give informed consent.
  • Prevention – It is better to take action before harm occurs.
  • Proportionality – The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
  • Protection – support and representation for those in greatest need
  • Partnership – Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.
  • Accountability – Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

    • These principles are intertwined into the procedures and services we offer.

    Threshold aims to ensure that residents and guests all are welcomed into a safe, caring environment within a happy and friendly atmosphere.

    Some of the most vulnerable adults and those at greatest risk of social exclusion, will need co-ordinated help from health, education, social care, and quite possibly the voluntary sector and other agencies, including justice services.

    Threshold will seek to signpost to and engage with where possible outside agencies to support and empower residents and guests. In order to facilitate this a list of support agencies is attached. (See Appendix 3)

    Residents should be offered information services advice in a format they can understand and use advocacy services as appropriate. Threshold does not discriminate in relation to age, disability reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

    Threshold seeks to serve the needs of vulnerable adults, promoting holistic development, particularly in relation to longer term residents at Threshold. We work in partnership with other services and agencies to promote this.

    Threshold is committed to maintaining good links with the statutory social services authorities.

    In doing so Threshold takes seriously the welfare of all adults who come onto its premises or who are involved in its activities.

    To recognise situations that may place a resident at risk, Threshold has produced an information resource describing types of abuse for staff, trustees and volunteers. (See Appendix 2)

    The charity recognises that it is the responsibility of each one of its staff, paid and unpaid, to prevent the neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse of vulnerable adults and to report any abuse discovered or suspected.

    For those vulnerable adults who are suffering, or at risk of suffering significant harm, partnership and joint working is essential, to safeguard and promote their welfare and - where necessary - to help bring to justice the perpetrators of crimes against them.

    All agencies and professionals and volunteers should:

  • be alert to potential indicators of abuse or neglect.
  • be alert to the risks which individual abusers, or potential abusers, may pose to vulnerable adults.
  • share and help to analyse information so that an assessment can be made of the individual's needs and circumstances.
  • contribute to whatever actions are needed to safeguard and promote the individual's welfare.
  • take part in regularly reviewing the outcomes for the individual against specific plans.
  • work co-operatively with others unless this is inconsistent with ensuring the individual's safety.


    • 4. Safeguarding Procedures at Threshold

    Threshold’s Designated Safeguarding Lead is Helen Edwards, Service Manager who is the lead for safeguarding issues within Threshold and coordinates policy and practice.

    Protecting residents from the risk of harm of people who work within the organisation.

    These are the measures we will take to protect our residents:

  • All members of staff (paid or unpaid) are required to have a basic DBS disclosure check, including Adults Barred List. The person to be responsible for checking and doing DBS checks and dealing with any concerns or issues which come up within the organisation is hiring manager of the role.
  • A DBS check will contain details of convictions and conditional cautions that are considered to be unspent under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Any concern arising from a check will go to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for a further decision with the Chair of Trustees and Safeguarding Trustee.
  • The organisation has a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who is Service Manager of the Charity. Deputy DSL is CEO.
  • New paid and voluntary staff are requested to provide two references before taking up the post.
  • Staff supervision sessions will be recorded, and such record will be kept of their training in vulnerable adult protection.
  • Staff/volunteers are expected to protect the professional integrity of themselves and the organisation. Personal relationships between staff and volunteers and residents are prohibited. It is also prohibited to enter into a personal relationship with a person who has been a resident or client during the previous twelve months.
  • The DSL, trustees and volunteers to have relevant vulnerable adult safeguarding and de-escalation training.
  • Threshold has a complaints policy and procedure, and residents will be made aware of them when they sign their licence agreement. The policy will be reviewed every year.


    • Protecting residents from harm from other residents

    The organisation interviews potential new residents and completes a risk and needs assessment to protect residents on the site and make a plan for support.

    The organisation has further procedures which ensure the safety of the people who are housed within Threshold. These are incorporated into the Licence Agreement in particular:

  • No alcohol or drugs are permitted either on site or to be ingested. The Landlord reserves the right to refuse admission of a Licensee back on site if they appear to be heavily under the influence of either alcohol or drugs.
  • The charity operates a zero-tolerance policy to the use of drugs. The possession of controlled substances or drug paraphernalia within the site or direct vicinity of the site, the use and/or supply of illegal or controlled drugs listed in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Drugs Act 2005, Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, including any substances intended to produce a legal high, hallucinogenic or similar effect will result in the immediate termination of the licence agreement and exclusion from the site.
  • A list of antisocial behaviour is listed in the licence agreement. This behaviour could be a danger to other residents and includes possession of firearms, weapons, brewing or making alcohol, gambling, use of heating equipment. It includes bullying, racist, anti-social behaviour as not being tolerated protecting residents from possible emotional abuse.


    • What to do if a breach of the licence agreement occurs.

    Report the incident to the relevant support worker or Service Manager If necessary, call the police on 999.

    Under the licence agreement the support worker with Service Manager approval can evict licensees immediately, with 7 days’ notice or 28 days’ notice depending on severity of breach. Residents are not allowed on site under the influence of the alcohol or drugs. However, where appropriate residents may be provided with a verbal warning, which will be, if necessary, followed by written warnings to the licensee in line with our licence breach procedure.

    Dealing with concerns which come up with regard to residents' personal life or circumstances.

    If a resident divulges, they are experiencing abuse - Listen carefully and sensitively to the person making the disclosure, assuring the person disclosing the abuse that they will be taken seriously. Follow the reporting flow chart (appendix 1) below.

    Do not be judgemental, express emotion or jump to conclusions. Explain that: you have a duty to report it, concerns raised will have to be shared with DSL and external agencies (including the Police where needed), you will listen to what they want to happen next and will try to incorporate this as best you can as the aim is to take steps to protect them from further abuse.

    Prior to sharing information with other agencies, the resident's consent should be requested. This will have been done at the point of the resident joining the service, when the resident signs a Consent Form.

    Where a person does not want to share information with other agencies and/or does not want action to be taken, consider:

  • if a serious crime has been committed or could be prevented.
  • the level of risk to the person and/or to others.
  • if there are concerns that a client does not have mental capacity, whether a Mental Capacity Assessment should be conducted.
  • the level of risk, whether it is too high not to share.
  • whether gaining consent would increase the risk to the client or others
  • that is there are concerns that the client may be under influence or under duress.


    • This decision would be made with the DSL as the staff have a duty to report abuse.

    5. Reporting Steps:

    For person observing the concern

    • Contact the emergency services if there is a threat to life serious injury or a crime has been committed.
    • Communicate your concerns to the DSL/Deputy DSL via email (safeguarding@threshold.charity) or relevant mobile phone number.
    • Seek medical attention for the vulnerable person if needed. Consent of the person should be sought.
    • Follow safeguarding procedure (appendix 1) and ensure you keep the situation confidential.
    • Follow advice of the investigating officer.

    For the Designated Safeguarding Lead

    • If appropriate, a referral to be made to Swindon Borough Council Safeguarding Team - Report a safeguarding concern about an adult at risk of, or experiencing, harm

    For any questions about safeguarding, call 01793 463555.
    For any questions relating to other Adult Social Care duties, call 01793 445500.
    SBC office hours are Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm, excluding public holidays.
    If you need to contact SBC safeguarding out of office hours, call on 01793 436699.
    If it is difficult to get through to the above contact the police on 999 and make it clear that this is a safeguarding situation and you want social services involved.

    A resident divulging that they have experienced abuse in the past.

    Listen carefully and sensitively to the person making the disclosure.

    If the person wants to take it further or if you think the abuser is a risk to other people, follow the reporting steps (appendix 1) to record the details of the abuse.

    A resident reporting abuse from a member of the Threshold team.

    If a resident makes an allegation about a member of staff, then the reporting steps would be as above being followed by the referrer and the Chair of the trustees.

    If the alleged perpetrator is a resident at Threshold

    In a case where someone is allegedly being abused by another resident at Threshold, the safety of the victim is paramount. The DSL will need to consider whether the project can manage the situation with both parties on site. If this is not feasible, it may be necessary to arrange the transfer of one resident while the situation is being investigated. The perpetrator may well need outside support to avoid a conflict of interests. Follow advice of the investigating officer.

    6. Further information

    Mental capacity and consent

    If it is felt that the person is unable to consent, then this information needs to be stressed when details of the allegation are passed on. The investigating officers can then make a decision of how to carry the situation forward.

    Sharing information with the alleged victim

    The person making the allegation will be updated as to the progress of the enquiry and the next steps this being done by the investigating officer. This should be done as soon as is reasonably possible so that they are reassured that action is being taken.

    Sharing information with the alleged perpetrator

    It is rare that information is shared with an alleged perpetrator. If this is done it would be done by the investigating officer.

    Formal communication with a person raising a concern external to Threshold service. Following the report of a safeguarding concern from a member of the public or external agency, the DSL will write to the person who has raised the concern, informing them generally of what action will be taken as a result, bearing in mind confidentiality. Once the investigation has concluded, write again to the person who raised the concern to advise them of the outcome, again providing general information only, within the limits of confidentiality.

    External events involving children

    Any safeguarding responsibility must be assumed by a parent/guardian/3rd party organisation (eg school)

    7. Conflict resolution and complaints

    Conflicts in respect of safety of vulnerable adults will be taken forward by DSL or the Chair of the Trustees

    8. Monitoring and review

    The operation of this policy and its associated procedures will be reviewed annually for effectiveness. This will include reviewing how any allegations have been handled and whether the policy is still compliant with Care Act guidelines and any updates to the Prevent strategy.

    Internal service procedures and security arrangements must be periodically reviewed in the light of allegations and from time to time to ensure there are robust controls to minimise the risk of abuse. Such reviews must be documented.

    Homelessness on our doorstep

    Homelessness is destroying lives in our community. A thousand people in Swindon do not have a home and many more households are at risk. Anyone can be affected by homelessness.

    Please help us to end homelessness in Swindon.

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