Booklet on Safeguarding

Physical abuse -This is intentional and unwanted contact with you or something close to your body. It can include assault and inappropriate restraint.

Sexual abuse -This is unwanted or forced sexual activity this can be with someone known or unknown to the victim. Using force, threats and taking advantage of victims not giving their consent.

Emotional/psychological abuse - This can be verbal or non verbal. The aim is to take away confidence and independence of victims with the intention of making the victims less confident. Emotional can include verbal abuse such as shouting, name calling, trying to blame and shame. threats of violence and controlling behaviour.

Financial abuse - This is mis-use of a persons personal money and assets. Obtaining items without consent or taking from a person who is no longer competent to make these decisions.

Institutional abuse - This is maltreatment of a person in power. This could be treating all persons the same as equals regardless of each persons individual needs. This could include taking away each persons right to choose or restricting medication and personal care.

Self neglect - This is when a person neglects to attend to their own needs. Personal hygiene, changing clothes and not taking own medication.

Neglect by others - This is a form of abuse by which a person is responsible to provide care for another person who is unable to care for ones self but fails to provide adequate care.

Identify signs and symptoms of the different types of abuse –

Physical abuse -signs can be bruising, scratches, broken bones, burns.A person who is physically abused may show symptoms in the way they react when the abuser is in their company, fear, quietness, anxiety, upset and a change in behaviour.
Sexual abuse - Signs can be depression, withdrawal from people or regular activities. Fear, pain, anxiety and bruising around genital areas also possible bleeding.
Emotional/Psychological abuse - can include change in personality, tearful. avoiding eye contact, dependence on others, feeling of depression. Can become withdrawn, quiet, low self-esteem and blame themselves.
Financial abuse - Signs can be lack of finances, missing credit/debit cards,missing bank statements,unexplained withdrawals from bank accounts, unpaid bills, making excuses, physical appearance, no money or shortness of money. change in personality.
Institutional abuse - signs can sometimes be seen in hospitals/care homes/nursing homes, and can include everyone being treated as one,like going to bed at the same time, not allowed to make own choices. lack of adequate personal/physical care, lack of consideration for dietary needs.The person could become withdrawn, depressed and even wetting or soiling themselves.
Self neglect and neglect by others - The signs can be similar in both cases, personal hygiene, appearance, change of personality. When it is happening to another person, some of the signs can include malnutrition, untreated medical conditions, bed sores. If a person is purposely deprived of basic needs this may constitute wilful neglect.

Explain the correct actions to take if you suspect an individual is being abused –

Approach the subject sensitively, tell them you are concerned, and are they ok, listen to the person, be patient, never be critical, Do not put words into the persons head. Remember as much detail as possible, write it down, inform your manager immediately after the conversation. Follow the safeguarding policies.

Explain the correct actions to take if an individual tells you they are being abused –

Report your concerns to your manager stop what you're doing and listen carefully to them. All conversations should be treated with confidence and information only passed on to those who need to know. Even if the person speaks in the strictest of confidence, managers must still be informed and the