Operational Procedures
Section 4 (4.2.16)
Abuse Document Ver. 01 Date July ‘05
Abuse
1.0 Introduction:
Briarcare Ltd has a legal duty to protect employees and Service Users against
abuse or accusations of abuse to the best of its capabilities. There are a
number of ways in which elderly people can be abused, which may be through
physical violence or through psychological or emotional methods.
2.0 Objective:
The ensure that the Carer recognises that the abuse of older people does
happen in their own homes and employees and that they are always aware of
the dangers of abuse and take prompt action to deal with it.
3.0 Procedure:
General
Staff of Briarcare should always be aware of the dangers of abuse or
exploitation and take prompt actions to deal with it.
These include:
Ο Physical
Ο Financial
Ο Psychological
Ο Sexual
Ο Neglect
Ο Discrimination
Ο Self-harm
Ο Inhuman or degrading treatment
As a result of
Ο Deliberate intent
Ο Negligence
Ο Ignorance
Service Users shall be protected against all forms of abuse
Protection of Vulnerable Adults Act – 2004
Text, graphics and pictures published in this document are the intellectual property of
Briarcare Ltd. They may not be passed to other parties, either wholly or in part, except with
the express permission of Briarcare Ltd
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Operational Procedures
Section 4 (4.2.16)
Abuse Document Ver. 01 Date July ‘05
Abuse
If a Service User makes a complaint of abuse against any employee of
Briarcare Ltd, then the properly authorised personnel shall follow the
Complaints Procedure.
If the Service User is confused and unable to complain formally, the
Coordinator will be contacted for advice.
If the Service User is confused and unable to complain formally then an
advocate may be appointed to take up the complaint on behalf of the
Service user.
Where appropriate, the authorities shall be advised and brought in to
either assist or deal with the matter.
Any employee providing information regarding the alleged abuse of a
Service User shall be protected from any form of intimidation by other
employees.
Physical Abuse
The signs of physical violence may not be obvious, but they usually
include:
Ο Bruising
Ο History of so-called self inflicted injuries from falls or clumsiness.
An elderly person who has been physically abused is likely to be nervous
when a member of staff comes too near, and they may be prone to
depression or strike out.
Abuse occurs for many reasons and the causes are not fully understood.
Abuse is more likely to occur when staff are:
Ο Inadequately trained/informed
Ο Poorly supervised
Ο Lacking support
Ο Working in isolation
As well as the known risk factors a range of other factors may increase
the likelihood of abuse:
Text, graphics and pictures published in this document are the intellectual property of
Briarcare Ltd. They may not be passed to other parties, either wholly or in part, except with
the express permission of Briarcare Ltd
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Operational Procedures
Section 4 (4.2.16)
Abuse Document Ver. 01 Date July ‘05
Abuse
The Service User
Where a Service user has an illness, which may cause unpredictable
behaviour such as:
Ο Parkinson’s Disease
Ο Alzheimer’s Disease
Ο Dementia.
This may affect the Service User’s:
Ο Intellect
Ο Memory
Ο Physical functions
Where a Service User has communication difficulties.
Where a Service User exhibits challenging behaviour or shows major
changes in personality, wandering or aggression.
Where the Service User is demanding beyond the capacity of the Carer
to respond.
The Carer
Where a Carer has been forced to change their lifestyle for financial or
other reasons as a result of caring.
Where a Carer is isolated (when working alone with a Service User).
Where a Carer experiences challenging behaviour, aggression regularly
such as at night.
Where a Carer may have financial problems.
Where relationships are unstable or placed under pressure.
Financial Abuse
Money can be stolen from Service User in various ways and are all forms
of abuse
Money can be stolen from the Service User in various ways.
The illegal use of:
Text, graphics and pictures published in this document are the intellectual property of
Briarcare Ltd. They may not be passed to other parties, either wholly or in part, except with
the express permission of Briarcare Ltd
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Operational Procedures
Section 4 (4.2.16)
Abuse Document Ver. 01 Date July ‘05
Abuse
Ο Pension/bank book,
Ο Taking cash,
Ο Taking property,
Ο Taking valuables or other assets without authority are all forms of
abuse.
Psychological Abuse
Some of the worst forms of psychological abuse include:
Ο Restraining people to a chair
Ο Giving sedative drugs, which they have not been prescribed
Less extreme forms of abuse are:
Ο Personal neglect
Ο Lack of mental or physical stimulation
Ο Deprivation of food and drink
Ο Lack of privacy
Ο Being deprived of any personal possessions
Ο Being deprived of any personal medication
If any member of Staff employed by Briarcare Ltd suspects that any
Service User is suffering from any kind of abuse, they must ensure that
the following is carried out as a matter of urgency.
Ο Call in professional advice e.g. GP or Social Services Department.
Ο Consult guidelines offered by the Inter Agency policy operational
procedures and staff guidance
If the Service User is able to make a complaint then the Complaints
Procedure should be followed and the abuser will be confronted.
Procedure OP 4.5.1 Complaints
If the Service User is confused and unable to complain formally, the Co-
Ordinator will be contacted for advice who will appoint an advocate to
take up the complaint on behalf of the Service user.
Procedure OP 4.5.1 Complaints
Text, graphics and pictures published in this document are the intellectual property of
Briarcare Ltd. They may not be passed to other parties, either wholly or in part, except with
the express permission of Briarcare Ltd
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Operational Procedures
Section 4 (4.2.16)
Abuse Document Ver. 01 Date July ‘05
Abuse
Working Environment
No one of any age or sex including the Service User or the Carer is safe
from attack and the physical, psychological and financial costs of this
problem can escalate.
Many incidents can lead to serious injury.
The medical and legal costs can be huge for both the Carer and the
Service User and their families but can also lead to:
Ο Fear
Ο Anger
Ο Depression
Ο Reduced self esteem
Ο Lowered morale
Protect yourself and the Service user
What makes people angry?
What are the early signs?
Briarcare will endeavour to ensure that risks are minimised by giving
new/all Carers as much information regarding the situation they will walk
into and the ongoing risks that will be encountered during the
commencement of a visits/assignment.
Procedure 4.1.3 Health & Safety
Where training is necessary, relevant experts/Seminars and security
measures will be introduced to ensure staff have the best possible
awareness to deal with any personal situations.
Procedure OP 4.6.2 Training and Competency
Carers are required to undertake NVQ training in dealing with abuse.
Whistleblowing
Briarcare Ltd promotes a culture which values good practice and
encourages Whistleblowing.
Text, graphics and pictures published in this document are the intellectual property of
Briarcare Ltd. They may not be passed to other parties, either wholly or in part, except with
the express permission of Briarcare Ltd
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Operational Procedures
Section 4 (4.2.16)
Abuse Document Ver. 01 Date July ‘05
Abuse
All Care staff working with vulnerable adults have an individual
responsibility to raise concerns about bad practice and a right to know
that they will be supported by their employer if they are acting in good
faith.
A separate policy and procedure "Whistleblowing" is issued within this
Management System
Procedure OP 4.7.6 Whistleblowing
4.0 Persons Responsible:
Group Director
Care Director
Branch Manager
Quality Care Supervisor
Carers
The Group Director has overall responsibility for authorising this
procedure
The Care Director has responsibility for the approval of appropriate
training in this procedure.
The Branch Manager has responsibility for implementing this procedure
The Branch Manager has responsibility for the actioning of any reports
from Carers or other staff.
The Supervisor has responsibility for the supervision of Carers in the
implementation of this procedure
Carers have responsibility for complying with this procedure and for
contacting the Branch Manager, if required.
5.0 Associated Documentation and References:
Documents
QM 4.2.16 Abuse
OP 4.1.3 Health & Safety
OP 4.5.1 Complaints
OP 4.6.2 Training and Competency
OP 4.7.6 Whistleblowing
Legislation
Protection of Vulnerable Adults Act – 2004
Text, graphics and pictures published in this document are the intellectual property of
Briarcare Ltd. They may not be passed to other parties, either wholly or in part, except with
the express permission of Briarcare Ltd
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Operational Procedures
Section 4 (4.2.16)
Abuse Document Ver. 01 Date July ‘05
Abuse
6.0 Document History:
This section shows the approval and revisions of this document since its first
issue. A vertical line in the left margin opposite the change will usually
indicate changes from the previous version.
Version Comments Approved Date Date of
by approved next
review
01 First issue of document QM 08.07.05 08.07.06
Authorised:
K Stokeld 08.07.2005
Group Director Date:
Text, graphics and pictures published in this document are the intellectual property of
Briarcare Ltd. They may not be passed to other parties, either wholly or in part, except with
the express permission of Briarcare Ltd
Br-SM/OP 4.2.16 Issue 01 Authorised By K Stokeld Printed on 14/12/2011 Page 7 of 7