CareConfidential Child and Vulnerable Adult Policy and Practice Guidelines

1. Introduction

CareConfidential takes seriously the care of those seeking help with regard to a pregnancy crisis and/or post abortion issues. We recognize the requirements of the Children Act 1989 and 2004 as legislation for the protection and safeguarding the welfare of children in England and Wales and the Care Standards Act 2000 and similar legislation for the protection of vulnerable adults. We also abide by Government guidance for Safeguarding Children ‘Working Together’ 2006 (DOH) and “No Secrets” (DOH 2000) for the protection of vulnerable adults. CareConfidential is concerned with emotional, sexual and physical abuse of children as well as neglect of children and failing to ensure the safety of a child. We are particularly concerned to avoid the exploitation of the young and vulnerable who are unable to protect themselves.

CareConfidential has therefore adopted the procedures set out in this document (hereafter “the policy”). It also recognises the need to build constructive links with statutory and voluntary child protection agencies. The policy and attached practice guidelines are based on a model published by the Churches Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) and prepared in consultation with them. CareConfidential undertakes to file a copy of the policy and practice guidelines with CCPAS and any amendments subsequently published.

CareConfidential agrees not to allow the document to be copied by any other organisation

CareConfidential is committed to on-going child protection training for all advisors and will regularly review the operation guidelines attached

CareConfidential undertakes to follow the principles found within ‘Caring for the Young and the Vulnerable? Guidance for preventing abuse of trust’ issued by the Home Office and it is therefore unacceptable for those in a position of trust to engage in behaviour which might allow a sexual relationship to develop for as long as the relationship of trust continues.

2. Scope

For the purposes of this policy the term staff applies to any person employed by CareConfidential in a full, part time or casual capacity and any volunteer who is acting as an Advisor for the Helpline and/or Online Advisor. The term child/children refers to any person under the age of 18 and any vulnerable adult of any age, as defined in section 5 below.

For staff the policy applies whenever they are undertaking work on behalf of
CareConfidential or when representing CareConfidential

3. Expectations

All staff will be expected to operate within

The Law
General policies and procedures as outlined in the Advisor Manual and posted on our website

4. Policy Statement

CareConfidential recognises the importance of the welfare of children and their right to protection from all forms of abuse as set out in section 1 above
CareConfidential recognises a duty of care to children by its staff
CareConfidential will take all allegations of abusive behaviour and/or practice in all forms seriously and will respond to such allegations quickly
CareConfidential considers that the emotional well being of all clients is of paramount importance
Staff will treat all children with dignity and respect in attitude, language and actions, listening and responding appropriately
Consideration will be given as to whether a male and/or female worker should be involved or more than one worker
The privacy of children should be respected, avoiding any questionable activity such as making sexually proactive comments
Staff will not arrange to meet with a child whose first point of contact is either the helpline or online service, but will refer the child to the nearest pregnancy crisis centre if face-to-face support is required
Where a child lives in an area not served by a pregnancy crisis centre online support can be offered, but parental consent should be encouraged wherever possible.
All staff will abide by our confidentiality policy. Details of the extent and limitations of this policy can be found on our website.
CareConfidential will not employ, in any capacity, staff under the age of 16
CareConfidential is committed to safe recruitment, supervision and training for all staff working on the Helpline and Online Advisor

5. Definitions of Abuse (Working Together 2006)

What is Abuse and Neglect?

Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting; by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. They may be abused by an adult or adults or another child or children.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. Physical harm may also be caused when a parent or carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness in a child.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only insofar as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. These may include interactions that are beyond the child’s developmental capability, as well as overprotection and limitation of exploration and learning, or preventing the child participating in normal social interaction. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another. It may involve serious bullying causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children. Some level of emotional abuse is involved in all types of maltreatment of a child, though it may occur alone.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative (e.g. rape, buggery or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. Once a child is born, neglect may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food and clothing, shelter including exclusion from home or abandonment, failing to protect a child from physical and emotional harm or danger, failure to ensure adequate supervision including the use of inadequate care-takers, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

Spiritual abuse

Linked with emotional abuse, spiritual abuse could be defined as an abuse of power, often done in the name of God or religion, which involves manipulating or coercing someone into thinking, saying or doing things without respecting an individual’s right to choose for themselves. Some indicators of spiritual abuse might be a leader who is intimidating and imposes his/her will on other people, perhaps threatening dire consequences or the wrath of God if disobeyed. He or she may say that God has revealed certain things to them and so they know what is right. Those under their leadership are fearful to challenge or disagree, believing they will lose the leader’s (or more seriously God’s) acceptance and approval.

Definition of a vulnerable adult

For the purposes of Helpline and Online advisors a vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 or over who has:

A learning or physical disability
A physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise including an addiction to alcohol or drugs
A reduction in physical or mental capacity
A dependency upon others in the performance of, or a requirement for assistance in the performance of physical functions
Severe impairment in the ability to communicate with others
Impairment in a person’s ability to protect him or herself from assault, abuse or neglect
And requires
- Accommodation and nursing or personal care in a care home
- Personal care or support to live independently in his or her home
- Any services provided by an independent hospital, clinic, medical agency or NHS body
- Social care services
- Any services provided in an establishment catering for a person with learning difficulties