Single assessment framework
Safeguarding
Quality statement
We expect providers, commissioners and system leaders live up to this statement:
We work with people to understand what being safe means to them as well as with our partners on the best way to achieve this. We concentrate on improving people’s lives while protecting their right to live in safety, free from bullying, harassment, abuse, discrimination, avoidable harm and neglect. We make sure we share concerns quickly and appropriately.
What this quality statement means
- There is a strong understanding of safeguarding and how to take appropriate action.
- People are supported to understand safeguarding, what being safe means to them, and how to raise concerns when they don’t feel safe, or they have concerns about the safety of other people.
- There are effective systems, processes and practices to make sure people are protected from abuse and neglect.
- There is a commitment to taking immediate action to keep people safe from abuse and neglect. This includes working with partners in a collaborative way.
- People are appropriately supported when they feel unsafe or experience abuse or neglect.
- Where applicable, there is a clear understanding of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) and this is only used when it is in the best interest of the person.
- Safeguarding systems, processes and practices mean that people’s human rights are upheld and they are protected from discrimination.
- People are supported to understand their rights, including their human rights, rights under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and their rights under the Equality Act 2010.
I statements
I statements reflect what people have said matters to them.
- I feel safe and am supported to understand and manage any risks.
Subtopics this quality statement covers
- Safeguarding requirements (including children/young people)
- Mental Capacity
- People’s human rights
- Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) (Liberty Protection Safeguards)
- Closed cultures
- Harassment and abuse (and in the community)
- Sexual safety and empowerment
Also consider
- Duty of Candour
We expect providers to be aware of and follow the following best practice guidance.
Safeguarding requirements
Adult Safeguarding: Roles and Competencies for Health Care Staff (Royal College of Nursing)
Controlling or coercive behaviour: statutory guidance framework (Home Office)
Domestic Abuse Statutory Guidance (Home Office)
Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM (Department of Health and Social Care)
FGM: mandatory reporting in healthcare (Department of Health and Social Care)
Domestic violence and abuse: multi-agency working (NICE guidance [PH50])
Child abuse concerns: guide for practitioners (Department for Education)
Working together to safeguard children statutory guidance (Department for Education)
Child abuse and neglect (NICE guidance [NG67])
Child abuse and neglect (NICE guidance [QS179])
Social and emotional wellbeing: early years (NICE guidance [PH40])
Harmful sexual behaviour among children and young people (NICE guidance [NG55])
Looked-after children and young people (NICE guidance [NG205])
Social work with adults experiencing complex needs (NICE guidance [NG216])
Bipolar disorder: assessment and management (NICE guidance [CG185])
Self-harm: assessment, management and preventing recurrence (NICE guidance [NG225])
People’s human rights
Public Sector Equality Duty (Equality and Human Rights Commission
The Human Rights Act (The British Institute of Human Rights Guidance)
Equally outstanding: Equality and human rights - good practice resource (CQC)
Culturally appropriate care (CQC)
Using surveillance in your care service (CQC)
Mental Capacity
Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (Office of the Public Guardian)
Closed Cultures
Using cameras or other recording equipment to check somebody’s care (CQC)
Local authority assessments
We consider this quality statement, safeguarding, under theme 3: how the local authority ensures safety within the system.