Enderby Bowls Club

SAFEGUARDING ADULTS AT RISK POLICY

Enderby Bowls Club affiliates to the National Governing Body and the Club recognises the policies of their Governing Body, as set in out in the “Safeguarding Bowls Guidelines”.

Policy Aims

1. The purpose of this policy is to outline the duty and responsibility of staff/ volunteers working on behalf of the Enderby Bowls Club in relation to Safeguarding Adults at risk.

2. All adults have the right to be safe from harm and must be able to live free from fear of abuse, neglet and exploitation.

Objectives

1. Everyone who participates in bowls is entitled to do so in a safe and enjoyable environment.

2. The Club is committed to helping everyone in bowls accept their responsibility to safeguard adults at risk, from harm and abuse.

3. All suspicions and allegations of abuse and poor practice will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

4. Staff and volunteers working with adults at risk in bowls have a responsibility to report concerns to their Club Welfare Officer.

Definition of an Adult at Risk?

1. An Adult (a person aged 18 or over) who “is or may be in need of community care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation”. (Definition from Department of Health 2002)

2. This could include people with learning disabilities, mental health problems, older people and people with a physical disability or impairment. It may also include victims of domestic abuse, hate crime and anti- social behaviour. The persons’ need for additional support to protect themselves may be increased when complicated by additional factors, such as, physical frailty or chronic illness, sensory impairment, challenging behaviour, drug or alcohol problems, social or emotional problems, poverty or homelessness.

Types of Abuse

The Department of Health in its ‘No Secrets’ 2000 report suggests the following as the main types of abuse;

a) Physical abuse – including hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions.

b) Sexual abuse – including rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting.

c) Psychological abuse – including emotional abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.