Introduction

Some adult patients may be at an increased risk of harm because their health condition, or disability, makes them more dependent upon others.
At Smart Rehabilitation we recognise that safeguarding adults at risk is everybody’s business.

All the team at Smart Rehabilitation will have completed relevant training about safeguarding adults relevant to their role and are responsible for alerting the appropriate safeguarding adults’ team if they have concerns about abuse, or suspected abuse, of an adult at risk. This training must be renewed every 3 years.

This policy is in line with best practice as set out in the following:

1. The Care Act (2014)
2. Safeguarding Adults. A National Framework for Standards for good practice and outcomes in adult protection work (2005)
3. Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (2005)

Scope

This policy applies to the directors of Smart Rehabilitation and to clinicians working as associates for Smart Rehabilitation.

Accountability and Responsibilities

Overall accountability for ensuring that there are systems and processes to effectively safeguard adults at risk lies with the company directors. 

Safeguarding Adults

A vulnerable adult is any person aged 18 or over ‘who is’ or ‘maybe’ in need of care because of disability, age or physical or mental illness and is unable to protect themselves against significant harm and / or exploitation. In line with this definition:

• Abuse may consist of a single or repeated act
• May be physical, verbal or psychological
• Can be an act of neglect or omission to act
• Abuse can occur in any relationship

Consideration of capacity is crucial at all stages of Safeguarding Adults Procedures. All adults are deemed to have capacity unless there has been a formal capacity assessment to indicate otherwise in line with the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards Policy.

Procedure

Any concerns relating to the Safeguarding of Adults should be referred to the Safeguarding Adults Unit on the same day. The clinician will adhere to local policy with respect to referral documentation and additional information sharing as required. Smart Rehabilitation provides all its associates with the contact information for Safeguarding Units appropriate to the location in which they are deployed.