School of Health, Community and Education Studies Practice Placements POLICY & PROCEDURE FOR THE PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS (POVA) IN RELATION TO STUDENTS ATTENDING PRACTICE PLACEMENT Everyone has the right to live his or her life free from fear, violence or harm. All adults have the right to be protected from harm or abuse Everyone has the right to an independent lifestyle and the right to make choices, some of which may involve a degree of risk No Secrets, Department of Health, 2000 Please Note This documentation applies to students on health related programmes only 1. Introduction People are vulnerable whenever their health or normal function is compromised, they are unable to take care of themselves or are unable to protect themselves against harm or exploitation. An individual s vulnerability may increase when their normal lifestyle or situation changes. One such situation could be illness or disability and this can occur at any age and not just to those who are elderly. For example, it could include those who are physically frail, have mental health problems or a learning disability. People who find themselves in altered surroundings may find their vulnerability increases. Every student has the responsibility to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, regardless of the setting in which care takes place. and The University staff will supply provide support to students, should they voice any concerns. The purpose of this policy and procedure is to raise awareness as to the nature and possible signs of abuse, advise students and lecturers what to do if abuse is suspected and ensure that appropriate action is taken, in order to safeguard the vulnerable adult from further harm, in partnership with relevant organisations. 2. Definition A vulnerable adult is anyone who is 18 years of age or over, who cannot protect themselves from abuse because of age, illness, disability or a mental health problem. One of the lead documents is No Secrets, issued by the Department of Health in 2000, which states that everyone has the right:- To live his or her life free from fear, violence or harm To be protected from harm or abuse To live an independent lifestyle and the right to make choices, some of which may involve a degree of risk There are many types of abuse, which may include:- physical abuse psychological abuse financial abuse neglect discriminatory action sexual abuse Page 1 of 6
Of the perpetrators of sexual abuse, these can vary significantly, and may include:- a partner, child or relative a family friend, neighbour or someone from the community network a paid or volunteer care worker a health, social or other worker another vulnerable adult a non-carer or stranger As a student, you may witness abuse and it is your responsibility to report such cases. Even if you are not completely sure that you have witnessed abuse as an advocate of that vulnerable adult, you should refer the matter on to an experienced person. You will find guidelines about how to report such incidences within this Policy and Procedure, and the Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure. All policies and procedures are available via the Practice Placements website at:- http://nuweb.northumbria.ac.uk/hces/placements/academic/home.htm 3. Signs of Potential Abuse Studies have indicated that there are warning signs, which we should be aware of, which may help us indicate that abuse has occurred, however, these signs do not necessarily mean that abuse has taken place, but it does alert us to a potentially serious situation. Physical/Sexual abuse A history of the following: unexplained falls physical injuries bruises or burns bruises on the upper arms cluster of bruises on the chest the presence of old and new bruises at the same time burns in unusual places changes to personal hygiene habits excessive repeat prescription or under use of medication frequent consultation with GP changes in behaviour change in mood/mental state presenting a self-injurious behaviour withdrawal/reluctance to engage with others Psychological Abuse The client may present as: anxious, withdrawn and/ or reluctant to engage or may be agitated isolated in one room changes in mood/mental state presenting self-injurious behaviours unkempt change in behaviour professionals and other visitors experiencing difficulty gaining access where previously there had been none. carers or relatives insisting on being present during interviews with the clients. Exploitation reluctance to discuss financial circumstances recent poverty unexplained inability to pay bills, buy food or other essentials missing belongings or money. Page 2 of 6
Page 3 of 6
4. What to do if you suspect Abuse Witnessing and/or Suspecting Abuse 4.1 As a student you may: Directly witness an incident where a vulnerable adult has been abused Be told that abuse has occurred either by the person who has been subject of abuse or another person See evidence or signs of abuse 4.2 As a student, you should report this incident immediately to the placement manager and your Guidance Facilitator. If however you feel unable to do to do so, you must follow the Procedure for Raising a Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) Alert by Students see Appendix 1. 4.3 If the adult is in immediate danger or has sustained a serious physical injury, you may be required to immediately contact the emergency services, such as the police and/or an ambulance. You should then immediately inform the Manager of the placement area, or another person available, and seek immediate support from your Guidance Facilitator. If your concerns continue, you should utilise the Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure. Giving an Account of the Incident 4.5 As a witness, you will be required to give an account of the incident. You must therefore be very clear about:- What has happened When it happened Who it happened to and which persons were involved Page 4 of 6
School of Health, Community and Education Studies Practice Placements PROCEDURE FOR RAISING A PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS (POVA) ALERT BY STUDENTS 1. A student who believes that a vulnerable adult is at risk, should alert their placement manager or another responsible person. 2. If the alert raised by the student is resolved immediately no further action need be taken by the student. 3. If the student feels that they do not have a responsible person on placement to raise the alert with, they must inform the Director of Practice Placements immediately, (contact details below). If the Director of Practice Placements is not available, contact should be made with the Associate Dean for Student and Staff Affairs (contact details below) or your local/regional POVA representative (see * below). 4. The Director of Practice Placements/Associate Dean for Student and Staff Affairs, will then arrange to see the student/s and take any further action necessary. 5. The Director of Practice Placements will inform the student s Guidance/Personal Tutor, Programme Manager and Associate Dean of the relevant programme area. The Director of Practice Placements will also inform the Associate Dean for Student and Staff Affairs. 6. If the student has to be interviewed by a representative of POVA, the Director of Practice Placements will ensure that a member of the University Staff is appointed to support the student. 7. The Director of Practice Placements will keep the student, Guidance/Personal Tutor, Programme Manager, and Associate Deans fully informed of any subsequent action. 8. Records will be maintained by the Director of Practice Placements until the case is closed, when they will be transferred to the student s records. These records will be retained within the student s file, regardless of the outcome of any resulting investigation. Director of Practice Placements The Director of Practice Placements Room M005, Manor House School of Health, Community & Education Studies Northumbria University Coach Lane Campus (West ) Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA Telephone: c/o Senior Administrator for Practice Placements: 0191 2156167 Associate Dean of Student and Staff Affairs: Barry Chalk Room B107 School of Health, Community & Education Studies Northumbria University Coach Lane Campus (West ) Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA Telephone: 0191 215 6021 barry.chalk@northumbria.ac.uk * For information on POVA contacts, please contact The Manager, Safeguarding Operations Unit [POVA], DfES, Area GF E, Mowden Hall, Darlington, DL3 9BG. Telephone 01325 391328). Page 5 of 6
School of Health, Community and Education Studies Practice Placements PROCEDURE FOR RAISING A PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS (POVA) ALERT BY LECTURERS 1. If a student seeks your advice regarding a potential POVA alert, please refer the student to the Director of Practice Placements immediately. If the Director of Practice Placements is not available, please refer the matter to the Associate Dean for Students and Staff Affairs. 2. The Director of Practice Placements will keep you informed. 3. In most cases you will be asked to support the student throughout the potential investigation. 4. The Director of Practice Placements will be responsible for monitoring progress of the case but may seek your support in so doing. Page 6 of 6
School of Health, Community and Education Studies Practice Placements PROCEDURE FOR RAISING A PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS (POVA) ALERT BY THE DIRECTOR OF PRACTICE PLACEMENTS 1. If a student raises a potential alert, they must be seen by the Director of Practice Placements, or Associate Dean for Student for Student and Staff Affairs, within one working day. 2. Should the Director of Practice Placements deem there is a cause for concern, they will take a statement from the student. 3. Should the Director of Practice Placements deem the cause for concern to fall into the category related to POVA, they will alert the lead officer for the appropriate organisation. (The Lead Officer belongs to an external organisation and has responsibility for initiating POVA regulations - please contact the POVA unit for details of Lead Officers (see below) 4. Following discussion with the Lead Officer, the Director of Practice Placements will inform the student if an investigation is to follow. 5. The Director of Practice Placements will ensure the student receives support from University staff, as appropriate 6. The Director of Practice Placements will inform Personal Tutors, Programme Managers and the relevant Associate Deans. 7. The Director of Practice Placements will maintain written records via a Case File. On closure of the case, the case file will be transferred to the student s personal file where they will remain on that file, regardless of the outcome of any resulting investigation. For information on POVA contacts/lead Officers, please contact The Manager, Safeguarding Operations Unit [POVA], DfES, Area GF E, Mowden Hall, Darlington, DL3 9BG. Telephone 01325 391328). Page 7 of 6
Page 8 of 6