Keeping people safe

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Who are we

FAQ's

​Welcome to the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Safeguarding Adults Board (BCPSAB)

​On our website you can find out what to do if you suspect abuse, how to report abuse and who to contact if you are concerned about an adult or your own well-being. You can also find out about who we are and what we do to make a difference in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

If you have any questions, comments or useful information you think we could share, contact us and help us update and improve our information for you.

Please remember - safeguarding is everybody's business.

FAQ's

Below are the most frequently asked questions. 
If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact us directly.

​Q. What does adult safeguarding mean?

If you believe that someone is being abused contact Adult Social Care or the Police. Adult Social Care and the Police will then coordinate investigations into alleged abuse.

Contact as soon as possible:
Out of Hours Service
  • Tel. 01202 657279 Evenings and weekends, including Bank Holidays

Q. Who is a vulnerable adult – or adult at risk of harm or abuse?

An adult at risk of harm or abuse is any person who:
  • has needs for care and support and;
  • is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect; and
  • as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect.
  • organisations continue to have a duty of care to adults who purchase their own care independently i.e. self funders.

Q. What happens next if I contact Adult Social Care or the Police because I think an adult is at risk or being harmed?

If you contact Adult Social Care, you will be asked for relevant information about the person you are concerned for. You will be asked what you heard or saw. Information will then be shared on a “need to know” basis, but you will be kept informed about who has to be told - for example, the Police if a crime may have been committed.

Together all the relevant agencies will work with the person who may be being abused, to establish what has happened, and what action the person would like to be taken next. Work will also be done with the alleged abuser, and different options will be explored which will prevent, reduce or stop further abuse from happening.

If you report abuse to us we: 
  • take your concerns seriously 
  • deal with the matter sensitively 
  • make sure the person is safe
  • investigate the situation fully

Break the silence. Contact Adult Social Care or the Police; you will be listened to and given advice about what to do.

Q. How do I recognise abuse?

Abuse can take many forms:
  • Physical
  • Being hit or injured on purpose.
  • Restraining someone inappropriately
  • Emotional
  • Intimidation, threats, humiliation, extortion, racial, verbal or psychological abuse
  • Exploitation, coercion, harassment
  • Sexual
  • Involvement in a sexual activity which is unwanted or not understood
  • Unwanted sexual attention
  • Neglect / Deprivation
  • Not providing food, clothing, attention or care. Withholding of aids or equipment (continence, walking, hearing, glasses). Putting someone at risk of infection
  • Failure to provide access to appropriate health or social care
  • Misuse of medication by inappropriately giving medication, overdosing or withholding it
  • Imposed Isolation/Confinement
  • Being refused the company of others either at home or outside
  • Financial
  • The theft or misuse of money, property or personal possessions
  • Pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance
  • Discriminatory
  • Treating people less favourably and unfairly on the grounds of race, ethnicity, religion or belief, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation
  • Self-inflicted injury may be a sign that abuse is taking place, e.g. because someone feels disturbed
  • Domestic Violence
  • Domestic violence is any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between adults who are or have been in a relationship together, or between family members, regardless of gender or sexuality
  • Modern Slavery
  • Organisational Abuse 

More information can be found on pages 7 and 8 of the Multi-Agency Procedures below:
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Procedures
​Multi-Agency Self-Neglect and Hoarding Guidance

Q. Where do I find the Annual Report or the Business Plan of the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Safeguarding Adult Board?

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Safeguarding Adult Board (BCPSAB) have produced the following documents
BPSAB Annual Report 2018-19
BPDSAB Business Plan 2018-2021
BCPDSAB Joint Business Plan 2019-2020

Q. What can you do if you think or know that someone over 18 years old is being abused or harmed? Who should you contact?

If you believe that someone is being abused contact Adult Social Care or the Police. Adult Social Care and the Police will then coordinate investigations into alleged abuse.

Contact as soon as possible:
Out of Hours Service
  • Tel. 01202 657279 Evenings and weekends, including Bank Holidays

Q. Where do I find the multi-agency procedure about safeguarding? Is there a summary?

Multi agency guidelines for organisations and practitioners have been agreed by the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Safeguarding Adults Board (BCPSAB). The BCPSAB represents the key Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole organisations, which includes Adult Social Care, the Police and health. The BCPSAB is committed to safeguarding adults and ensures that organisations work in partnership.

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Procedures
​Multi-Agency Self-Neglect and Hoarding Guidance

Q. I am worried about my neighbour. I think he or she is at risk. Who should I contact?

If you believe that someone is being abused contact Adult Social Care or the Police. Adult Social Care and the Police will then coordinate investigations into alleged abuse.

Contact as soon as possible:
Out of Hours Service
  • Tel. 01202 657279 Evenings and weekends, including Bank Holidays

Q. I am worried that a vulnerable adult is being harmed where I work and no one is doing anything about it. What can I do? Will I lose my job if I tell anyone?

If you see harm or abuse happening when you are an employee or a visitor, you must report it. If you don’t, no one else may and the harm may continue.

The well-being of the adult comes first and every employee has a common law ‘duty of care’ which means they have a responsibility to:
  • Draw attention to any matter they consider to be damaging to the interests of an adult, carer or colleague.
  • Report any identified omissions.
  • Put forward proposals that may improve a service.
  • Prevent malpractice

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy
Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Procedures
​Multi-Agency Self-Neglect and Hoarding Guidance

If you are worried action may be taken against you by your employer, you are protected so long as you are making the disclosure in good faith, reasonably believe that the information is substantially true, not acting for personal gain and you are acting reasonably taking into account the circumstances.