Keeping People Safe

Safeguarding Is Everyone's Responsibility

Access24 Care Services Ltd is committed to protecting adults from abuse, neglect, exploitation and avoidable harm. We promote a culture in which concerns are recognised, reported and acted upon promptly, with the individual's safety, wishes, rights and wellbeing at the centre.

Safe, respectful and person-centred care We expect safeguarding to be embedded into everyday care practice and not treated as a separate activity.

Our Safeguarding Commitment

Protecting People's Rights & Wellbeing

Everyone has the right to live safely and free from abuse and neglect. Access24 Care Services Ltd takes safeguarding concerns seriously and expects all staff to recognise possible indicators of abuse, respond appropriately and report concerns without delay.

Our safeguarding approach reflects the principles of the Care Act 2014 and is supported by clear procedures for reporting, escalation, recording, information sharing and partnership working.

Where concerns arise, we consider the person's immediate safety alongside their wishes, mental capacity, communication needs and desired outcomes.

Prompt reporting of concerns

Person-centred safeguarding

Clear escalation processes

Partnership working

Recognising Concerns

Types of Abuse & Neglect

Safeguarding concerns can take many forms. Staff are expected to remain alert to signs, disclosures, changes in behaviour and circumstances that may indicate a person is at risk.

Physical Abuse

Including hitting, inappropriate restraint, rough handling or other deliberate physical harm.

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Threats, humiliation, intimidation, controlling behaviour, isolation or verbal abuse.

Sexual Abuse

Any sexual activity or contact without valid consent, including inappropriate touching.

Financial Abuse

Theft, fraud, coercion, misuse of money, possessions, property or financial arrangements.

Discriminatory Abuse

Abuse or harassment linked to a person's protected characteristics, identity or background.

Domestic Abuse

Controlling, coercive, threatening or abusive behaviour within intimate or family relationships.

Neglect

Failure to meet essential care, health, medication, nutrition, hygiene or safety needs.

Organisational Abuse

Poor or unsafe practices within a service that compromise people's rights, dignity or safety.

Our Response

What Happens When a Concern Is Raised?

Every concern is taken seriously. Our response focuses first on immediate safety, followed by appropriate reporting, recording and partnership action.

Make the Person Safe

Immediate risks are considered and proportionate action is taken to protect the individual from further harm.

Listen & Record

Staff listen carefully, avoid leading questions and record the concern factually and accurately.

Report & Escalate

Concerns are reported promptly through the appropriate safeguarding and management channels.

Work With Partners

Where appropriate, we work with the local authority, police, health professionals and other agencies.

Speak Up

Report a Safeguarding Concern

If you are receiving support from Access24, are a family member, professional, member of staff or member of the public and you are worried about someone's safety, please raise your concern.

You do not need to prove that abuse has occurred before reporting a concern. Information that appears small in isolation can sometimes form part of a wider safeguarding picture.

Is someone in immediate danger?

If there is an immediate risk to life or serious harm, contact the emergency services by calling 999. Do not delay emergency action while waiting to contact Access24.

Contact Access24 Contact our team directly if you have a concern relating to care or support provided by Access24 Care Services Ltd.

Local Authority Safeguarding Team Safeguarding concerns can also be reported directly to the relevant local authority Adult Social Care safeguarding service.

Emergency Services Call 999 where somebody is in immediate danger or where urgent police or medical intervention is required.

Contact Us Online You can also contact Access24 using our website enquiry page for non-emergency safeguarding queries.

Care Act Principles

The Six Principles of Adult Safeguarding

Our approach reflects the six safeguarding principles underpinning adult safeguarding practice in England.

Empowerment

Supporting people to make their own decisions and providing informed consent wherever possible.

Prevention

Taking action before harm occurs and supporting people to understand and manage risks.

Proportionality

Using the least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.

Protection

Providing appropriate support and representation for people at greatest risk.

Partnership

Working with individuals, families, communities and professional agencies to prevent and respond to abuse.

Accountability

Maintaining transparency, clear responsibilities and accountability in safeguarding practice.

Concerned About Someone's Safety?

Please speak up. If you have a safeguarding concern relating to Access24 Care Services Ltd, contact our team so that appropriate action can be considered without unnecessary delay.