Safeguarding Flashcards
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined under
Children Acts 1989 and 2004
Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
Protecting children from maltreatment;
Preventing impairment of children’s health or development;
Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care
Undertaking that role so as to enable those children to have optimum life chances and to enter adulthood successfully.
What is ‘safeguarding’? definition that related to adults
protecting an adults right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect
people and organisations working together to prevent or stop the risk of abuse
promoting the adults wellbeing and listening to their views
Who is at increased risk of abuse? - children
With disabilities
In the care of substance misusers
In the care of parents/carers with mental health problems
Born prematurely or have low birthweight
Living in households with domestic violence issues
Looked after children (e.g. foster children, in local authority care)
Unaccompanied asylum seekers and refugees
Who is at increased risk of abuse?- adults
With physical, sensory or learning difficulties or mental health problems including dementia
Elderly people particularly those who are frail or isolated
With a severe physical illness
Unpaid carers who are overburdened, isolated or under severe stress
Homeless people
Anyone living with someone who abuses alcohol or drugs
Asylum seekers
Possible signs of abuse or neglect
PHYSICAL ABUSE
Neglect
Emotional abuse
Financial Abuse
Parent/carer/perpetrator signs
What are the 6 principles of safeguarding (just name them)
EMPOWERMENT
PREVENTION
PROPORTIONALITY
PROTECTION
PARTNERSHIP
ACCOUNTABILITY
The 5 R’s of safeguarding
Recognise.
Respond.
Report.
Record.
Refer.
What examples of abuse might you see as a pharmacist in a care home?
Medicines - Medicines given in overdose or just for no reason, excessive requests for repeat medicines
Non-administration of medication
Excessive uses of medicines given out in a care home- sedatives/laxatives?
Sexual activity in children what age is too young to consent for sexual activity
Children under the age of 13 are legally too young to consent to any sexual activity.
Sexual activity with children under the age of 16 is also an offence but may be consensual.
What is the Fraser criteria?
criteria we use for giving out contraception when the child is under 16
can give if the criteria is met
They have sufficient maturity and intelligence to understand the nature and implications of the proposed treatment
They cannot be persuaded to tell her parents or to allow the practitioner to tell them
They are very likely to begin or continue having sexual intercourse with or without contraceptive treatment
Their physical or mental health is likely to suffer unless they receive the advice or treatment
The advice or treatment is in the young person’s best interests.
Children of problem substance misusers
Parental substance misuse is often associated with some child neglect and emotional abuse
Pharmacy team are often the first people to observe abuse
Information should be shared between the HCP’s involved
The risk of harm may arise from:
The use of family resources e.g. money to fund the addiction
Exposing the children to unsuitable visitors
Inappropriate aggressive and/or sexual behaviour
Irritable, irrational behaviour
Drug withdrawal and mood changes
Unsafe storage of drugs and/or injecting equipment
Growth and development abnormalities to unborn child
Responsibilities of the pharmacy team
HCP’s should:
Be aware of local safeguarding protocols
Be aware that a criminal investigation may follow an allegation of abuse and therefore take care as to not ask leading questions or investigate allegations which may hinder a police investigation
Ensure that concerns of abuse are referred to social services or the police
Ensure that any concerns are discussed with the designated named HCP
What should you do if you are dealing with suspected abuse and neglect
What should I do?
Take the person into your consultation room along with a chaperone if necessary
Allow the person to explain their concerns in their own words
Ask open questions to avoid leading the conversation
Document the meeting using the person’s own words and record the date and time
Reassure the person that they were right to tell you and you will seek advice to get them the best support. Sometimes you may need to report the issue even if they decline
Seek consent if the person is a vulnerable adult
Tell the patient that you will be reporting this to safeguarding unless this poses a safety risk to yourself
Deal with their initial needs and medical concerns. Send them home if safe to do so
Seek explanation if concerning features are noticed. Exclude abuse if the explanations are plausible
Dealing with suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult - where are referrals are made to under which act
Under care act 2014
REFERRALS MADE TO CARE ACT 2014
When you call the information usually required is:
Your name and address
The name and address of the person you are concerned about
Their DOB (if known)
What your concerns are
Recording your concerns - how long does it take to hear back from them approximately
so what should we do and what do we write
After reporting your concerns to social services, it may take up to 4 weeks to hear anything back from them, so it is important that you record everything
Record everything at the time
Document only the facts, not opinions
Document who you have spoken to and what action you have taken
Make sure your notes are clear and easy to understand
Put your name and date on all records
Ensure all documents are stored and sent confidentially
What does the mental Capacity Act 2005 say
hat a person is unable to make a particular decision if they cannot do one or more of the following four things
Understand information given to them
Retain that information long enough to be able to make the decision
Weigh up the information available to make the decision
Communicate their decision - this could be by talking, using sign language or even simple muscle movements such as blinking an eye or squeezing a hand
5 key principles of the Mental Capacity Act
A presumption of capacity in every adult
A right for support for individuals to make their own decisions
Individuals retain the right to make what might be seen as eccentric or unwise decisions
Anything done for or on behalf of people without capacity must be in their best interests (not yours or the organisation)
Interventions for people without capacity must be the least restrictive of their rights possible
