From this point, the Dementia Disco- a non profit, community enterprise- will be referred to as DD throughout all policies.

1. RESPONSIBILITIES

Designated Safeguarding Lead:  Philippa Bostock- DBS, Safeguarding Level 3 Trained

Email: pea.bostock1986@outlook.com, Phone: 0300 102 7042

Designated Safeguarding Co-lead: Nicholas Shaw, DBS

Email: nick.shaw@dementiadisco.org, Phone: 0300 102 7042

2. INTRODUCTION

2.1 This document outlines guidance and procedures to ensure all persons, particularly vulnerable adults, are safeguarded whilst working with, and or, participating in Dementia Disco events and planning.

2.2 This document should also be read in conjunction with:

• Equality and Diversity Policy
• Data Protection Policy
• Complaints Procedure
• Dementia Disco Constitution 2019

3. AIMS OF THE POLICY

3.1 To provide all volunteers with the necessary information to enable them to meet their legal responsibilities and secure the welfare of DD members.

3.2 To ensure consistent good practice in accordance with current legislation.

3.3 To use the policy as a working document and source of information when dealing with safeguarding and or welfare issues, and for promoting the welfare of all involved in DD.

4. WHO THE POLICY APPLIES TO

4.1 The policy applies to the founders, additional volunteers and any outside agencies who may collaborate with DD events.

4.2 DD members and carers/family members are also made aware of the arrangements set out in the policy.

5. PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

5.1   We believe that the welfare of all involved in DD is paramount, and we endeavour to provide a safe and welcoming environment where all are respected and valued, and where their health and well-being is secured.

5.2 We believe that safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all is everyone’s responsibility.  

5.3   We believe in treating all equally, and that they have the right to protection from abuse without exception, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs.

5.4 We believe in doing our best to provide the right help for DD members and families at an early stage to prevent any future risks.

6. LEGISLATION

6.1   This policy sets out how DD will fulfil this function and has regard to the following safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance:

• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Protection of Freedoms Act 2012
• Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015
• Equality Act 2010
• Race Relations Act 2000

7. TERMINOLOGY

7.1 Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of vulnerable adults and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means: protecting vulnerable adults from abuse and maltreatment; preventing harm to vulnerable adult’s health or development.

7.2    Founders refers to Nicholas Shaw, Kate Derby and Philippa Bostock who are responsible for the concept and facilitation of DD events and promotion.

7.3    Vulnerable adult may refer to an attendee who is living with or caring for someone with dementia.

7.4 Family members may refer to attendees who are not living with or caring for someone with dementia but are present as support.

7.5 Outside agencies may refer to additional charities, businesses or entertainment providers who may be present when facilitating DD events and planning.

7.6 Volunteers may refer to regular attendees who also help to facilitate DD events but are not present as someone living with or caring for someone with dementia.

8. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

8.1 The Designated Safeguarding Lead takes lead responsibility for safeguarding.

Their main areas of responsibility can be summarised as:

• Managing referrals: refer cases of suspected abuse to the local        authority and /or the police and support other staff who make such        referrals. This also includes referrals to Channel where there is a        concern about radicalisation or referrals to the Disclosure and        Barring Service.
• Working with others: liaise with the founders, volunteers and outside agencies to inform of all cases of safeguarding issues and to act as a source of support, advice and expertise for staff.
• Training: undergo training that will support them to stay up to date and to develop the required knowledge, skills and expertise so that they can contribute to the safeguarding process effectively.
• Raising awareness: review this policy annually and ensure that it is widely available and understood by founders, volunteers and outside agencies.

8.2 The role of founders, volunteers and outside agencies

      Ensure that:

• They fulfil their responsibility to ensure the safety of DD members and family members and promote their welfare and provide a safe environment.
• They are aware of the role they play in identifying concerns early, sharing information and taking prompt action to avoid escalation of concerns.
• They follow the DD procedures for raising concerns.
• They retain an appropriate level of confidentiality with regard to any safeguarding matters, whilst liaising with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Co-lead.
• They conduct themselves in a professional and appropriate way, adhering to the expectations set out in the Code of Conduct (appendix 2) and within this policy.

9.     RECORD KEEPING AND INFORMATION SHARING

1. The DSL keeps an up to date and accurate record of all concerns raised by any person concerned.
2. Any conversations and actions arising are recorded and dated and to be kept as a confidential electronic file.
3. In the event where information has to be shared with external agencies, such as the local authority, police or are providers, evidence of this communication will be recorded, dated and kept as a confidential electronic file.
4. The Data Protection Act 1998 and human rights law The General Data Protection Regulation and Data Protection Act 2018 are not barriers to justified information sharing, but provide a framework to ensure that personal information about living individuals is shared appropriately.
5. Founders and volunteers will be open and honest with the members (and/or their family where appropriate) from the outset about why, what, how and with whom information will, or could be shared, and seek their agreement, unless it is unsafe or inappropriate to do so.
6. Founders and volunteers will seek advice from other practitioners if there are in any doubt about sharing the information concerned, without disclosing the identity of the individual where possible.
7. Founders and volunteers will consider safety and well-being: Base our information sharing decisions on considerations of the safety and well-being of the individual and others who may be affected by their actions.

10.         PREVENTING ABUSE

• Preventing abuse is a key element of the safeguarding work of DD. Our founders and volunteers aim to ensure that all staff are fully alert to any kind of abuse, and know what to look for and listen out for.

• Founders and volunteers will provide a point of information for DD members and family members where they can take information relating to health, well-being and safeguarding issues. They can also speak with any member of staff who will refer any concerns to the Safeguarding Team.

• Founders and volunteers will be active in signposting where appropriate materials on further support and advice about specific safeguarding issues can be accessed.

11.     TYPES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND SPECIFIC SAFEGUARDING   ISSUES

• DD endeavour to ensure that founders and volunteers know the different kinds of abuse they should be alert to, and pupils are aware of the different kinds of abuse they could be subject to. We are aware that abuse, neglect and safeguarding issues are rarely stand-alone events that can be covered by one definition or label. In most cases, multiple issues will overlap with one another.

• Founders and volunteers have a responsibility to pass on any concerns they may have and if they are not happy with the action taken to raise such a concern with the DSL.

• Definition of abuse: a form of maltreatment of a vulnerable person. Somebody may abuse or neglect by inflicting harm or by failing to act to prevent harm. Vulnerable persons may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or, more rarely, by others (e.g. via the internet).

• Physical abuse: a form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm. Physical harm may also be caused when a family member or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces, illness.

• Emotional abuse: the persistent maltreatment of a person such as to cause severe and adverse effects on the person’s emotional wellbeing. It may involve conveying to a vulnerable person that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may include not giving the vulnerable person opportunities to express their views, deliberately silencing them or ‘making fun’ of what they say or how they communicate. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on the vulnerable person. These may include interactions that are beyond a vulnerable person’s capability as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration or preventing the vulnerable person participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying (including cyberbullying), causing a vulnerable person frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.

• Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a vulnerable person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the vulnerable person is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include noncontact activities, such as involving vulnerable persons in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging vulnerable persons to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse.

• Neglect: the persistent failure to meet a vulnerable person’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the vulnerable person’s health or development. Neglect may involve a family member or carer failing to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter (including exclusion from home or abandonment); protect a vulnerable person from physical and emotional harm or danger; ensure adequate supervision (including the use of inadequate care-givers); or ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a vulnerable person’s basic emotional needs.

• Indicators of abuse include the following but are not exhaustive. Training will include more detailed indicators of each category. Although these signs do not necessarily indicate that a child has been abused, they may help adults recognise that something is wrong. If a vulnerable person shows a number of these symptoms, or any of them to a marked degree, they should immediately inform the DSL:

• Recurrent or multiple injuries or burns at one time
  • Delayed presentation of or reporting of an injury
  • Admission of excessive punishment from carers and family members
  • Associated family factors such as substance misuse, mental health problems, and domestic violence and abuse
  • Other associated features of concern e.g. signs of neglect such as inadequate supervision, poor clothing, hygiene and / or nutrition
  • Significant or sudden behaviour change
  • Poor attendance
  • Unable to contact family members or carers
  • Fear of physical contact or flinching
  • Suicide attempts, self-harming or risk taking behaviour not attributed to dementia
  • Being overly affectionate or knowledgeable in a sexual way
  • Medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals, sexually transmitted infections
  • Being isolated or withdrawn

• Sexual violence and sexual harassment guidance

• Sexual violence and sexual harassment can occur between two persons of any sex or group assaulting a single person or group. It can occur online or offline, both physically and verbally.

• DD make clear that:
  • Sexual violence and harassment is never tolerated and not an inevitable part of growing up
    • We will not accept sexual violence or harassment being ‘played down’ or dismissed as ‘banter’, ‘having a laugh’ or ‘boys being boys’.
    • We will not tolerate physical sexual gestures such as grabbing bottoms, breasts or genitals, or making sexually provocative comments.

• Sexual Violence refers to sexual offences under Sexual Offenders Act 2003 and includes rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault.
  • Consent is to penetration only if s/he agrees by choice. S/he may consent to one act but not another.

• Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature and can include sexual comments, jokes, physical behaviour or online harassment.

• How we deal with manage a report of sexual violence or sexual harassment

• All victims are re-assured that their report will be taken seriously and that they will be supported and kept safe.
  • The victim will never be made to feel ashamed for making a report.
  • The wishes of the victim on how to proceed are taking into consideration
  • Family members and carers of both parties are informed and support for the victim put in place immediately, together with restorative justice to ensure reconciliation.
  • We will take in to account the element of cognisance of the victim and alleged perpetrator, historical behaviour, likelihood of future risk and advice from police or other external organisations if necessary when concluding on action taken.

• Domestic abuse

• Definition

Domestic violence and abuse rarely exists in isolation. The impact of living with violence has detrimental emotional and psychological effects on vulnerable persons and it is also a potential indicator for other forms of harm. It is closely associated with substance misuse, homelessness, and mental health.

• The Home Office defines Domestic Violence and Abuse as: Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to:

• Psychological
  • Physical
  • Sexual
  • Financial
  • Emotional

• Indicators of domestic abuse

The following may be indicators that a child is living in an abusive environment:

• Taking part in dangerous or harmful behaviours
  • Getting into trouble
  • Are unhappy or worried
  • Are angry and have violent outbursts
  • Find it difficult to control emotions
  • Have sleep difficulties
  • Are afraid of getting hurt or are afraid of someone else getting hurt.

• If you suspect a vulnerable person may be living with domestic abuse.

Refer to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Co-Lead who will review the referral and, if necessary, pass the information on to the local authority or the police.

• Preventing radicalization and extremism.

• Statutory Duty

The Counter-Terrorism and Security Act 2015, places a duty on community groups, in the exercise of their functions, to have ‘due regard to the need to prevent people from being drawn into terrorism’. This duty is known as the Prevent duty.

Safeguarding vulnerable persons from all risks of harm is an important part of our work and protecting them from extremism is one aspect of that. Manchester is a Prevent priority area, to ensure that DD fulfils the Prevent duty, we will:

• Risk assess

We will assess the risk at a local level and we will use our existing safeguarding mechanisms to identify and support those who are vulnerable to radicalisation and extremism. This will include monitoring the use of our social media platforms and online group forums by our founders, volunteers, family members and carers.

• Recognising Radicalisation and Extremism

Early indicators of radicalization or extremism may include:

• Showing sympathy for extremist causes.
  • Glorifying violence, especially to other faiths or cultures.
  • Making remarks or comments about being at extremist events or rallies.
  • Evidence of possessing illegal or extremist literature.
  • Advocating messages similar to illegal organisations or other extremist       groups.
  • Online searches or sharing extremist messages or social profiles.
  • Intolerance of difference, including faith, culture, gender, race or sexuality.
  • Attempts to impose extremist views or practices on others.
  • Verbalising anti-Western or anti-British views.
  • Advocating violence towards others.

• If there is a concern a person may be at risk

All concerns should be made to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Co-Lead who will then inform  Manchester City Council Contact Centre. Referrals may lead to contact with Channel for further support.

In the event of an emergency ring 999

12.     SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES

12.1. What should you do if you have concerns about a vulnerable person.

The process for dealing with safeguarding conerns are:

• Recognise
• Respond
• Record and refer
• Support

12.2. Founders and volunteers should always act in the interests of the vulnerable person when concerned about his/ her welfare and raise any concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Co-Lead without delay.

12.3. In the exceptional case where this is not possible, or the referring person disagrees with the DSL’s decision not to refer, or action is not taken swiftly enough by the DSL, then refer the concern directly to:

• The Local Authority
• The Alzheimer’s Association
• If a person is not in immediate risk, 101
• If a person is at immediate risk, call 999

13.     Expected standards of staff

13.1. Expected standards for all founders, volunteers or outside agencies are outlined in the Dementia Disco Constitution 2019

13.2. Founders and volunteers are expected to identify persons who may require extra help, or who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm. All have a duty to take appropriate action in accordance with this policy.

13.3. Founders and volunteers are expected to follow the Dementia Disco Constitution 2019 and conduct themselves professionally and appropriately at all times, always maintaining professional boundaries.

13.4. Founders and volunteers are aware that inappropriate behaviour towards pupils is unacceptable and that their conduct towards vulnerable persons, family members and carers must be professional at all times and beyond reproach, maintaining professional boundaries.

14.     PHOTOGRAPHY AND IMAGES

To protect vulnerable persons and family members and carers, DD will

• Seek their consent by carers for photographs to be taken or published e.g. on our social media platforms or in newspapers or publications.
• Seek consent for names and surnames being used
• Only take and use images that are appropriate and are considered to not be open to misuse.
• All will be given the option to not have their image used if they are the sole focus of the picture.

15.     SAFER RECRUITMENT

Founders understand the responsibility to verify the credibility of volunteers and the use of outside agencies when planning and facilitating events. Those other than the founders will have to be personally known the to the founders, and/or have a noted reputation for their cause. Any new volunteers or outside agencies will be ‘vetted’ by the founders based on the aforementioned and, for long term collaboration, will be expected to agree and abide by the Dementia Disco Constitution 2019 and policies.

16.     OFF-SITE ARRANGEMENTS

Where DD arranges events with vulnerable adults, family members and carers the following process will be followed:

• Clear communication of times, dates and venues
• Information on travel arrangements
• Contact information of all parties shared for the purposes of safeguarding
• Medical information will be shared with the founders
• A qualified first aider will be present
• Public Liability Insurance will be up-to-date
• The values of the Dementia Disco Constitution will be upheld in outside venues

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