Safeguarding

Safeguarding is all about protecting adults and children at risk from harm by promoting good practice and quality care through education and effective working processes, all within a multi-agency framework.

Hever Care (HCL) takes seriously its responsibilities to ensure that there are processes in place within the organisation to protect adults at risk from abuse and harm. HCL has policies in place that offer all staff clear guidance on how to respond if they have concerns. All staff are expected to attend training relevant to their role and responsibility within the organisation. Through the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board (KMSAB), we work in partnership with statutory agencies – local authorities, the police and wider health economy to prevent abuse and neglect and promote health and wellbeing of adults at risk.

Safeguarding adults

What is safeguarding?

  • Listening to service users’ views and wishes
  • Empowering service users at risk of harm and abuse
  • Protection from abuse or harm
  • Working with individuals and groups to identify and manage risks
  • Promoting best practice, respect and dignity
  • Providing professional training and education
  • Providing support with policy development
  • To help staff, service users and carers identify a person who may be at risk of harm.

Is there a situation you are involved in that makes you feel uncomfortable? Are you unsure if the information you have needs to be raised as an adult alert?

Safeguarding Adult Reviews

The Safeguarding Adults Board is responsible for arranging a Safeguarding Adult Review (SAR) when an adult at risk:

  • dies as a result of abuse or neglect, whether known or suspected, and there is concern that partner agencies could have worked more effectively to protect the adult,
  • the same circumstances apply where an adult is still alive but has experienced serious neglect or abuse.

SARs seek to determine what the relevant agencies and individuals involved in the case might have done differently that could have prevented harm or death and what lessons can be learned from the case.

The aim is to review:

  • the way all local professionals and agencies worked together,
  • the effectiveness of our safeguarding adults policy and protocols,
  • inform and improve local safeguarding practice for all agencies involved.

Find out more about SAR procedures and reviews on kent.gov.uk.

What can I do if I think someone is at risk?

For information and advice contact any of the following:

  • Social Services (Central Referral Unit): Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm 03000 416 161 social.services@kent.gov.uk. Out of hours 03000 419191
  • Kent Police 01622 690690 (24 hours)
  • National Domestic Violence helpline 0808 200 0247

If you reside in another county, you can find your local safeguarding authority here.

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