Describe where to get information and advice about your role and responsibilities in preventing and protecting individuals from harm and abuse.

Your role is to prevent individuals from harm and abuse and to protect them.  

If you are suspicious – always take action!

So you can respond appropriately where abuse or neglect may be suspected or taking place, you must understand your own role and responsibility and have access to practical and legal guidance, advice and support. This will include understanding your local inter-agency policies and procedures.

Your organisation will have policies and procedures that will give you guidance to follow if and when abuse or neglect has happened or is suspected.eYour manager or an experienced staff member should always be your point of contact for any questions or concerns you might have. You may be required to undertake additional safeguarding learning or training that will help to raise awareness, explain signs and symptoms, and understand how to report abuse and neglect in your local area.

There are a wide range of organisations and resources where you can obtain further information and advice. Here are some examples;Skills for Care is the sector skills council for care. It supports care organisations to raise the quality and standards of care. They have information and resources about Safeguarding. 

Professional bodies/trades unions: for example, Royal College of Nursing, British Association of Occupational Therapists, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Of these examples, some information might only be available to their members.

Local Authority safeguarding lead: this is likely to sit within an adults’ services department of your local authority. The local authority will have a lead person who will be able to provide advice and support on safeguarding and protecting vulnerable individuals.