POLICY

1. Designated Safeguarding Personnel

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Yvonne Oliver – 07770 874315 

Deputy Safeguarding Lead: Shane Ingham – 07500 302021 

DBS & Safer Recruitment Lead: Carl Flanagan – 07887 673978

These contacts are available Monday–Friday during working hours. In emergencies, staff must contact Gateway to Care or the Emergency Duty Team.

2. Policy Statement

Alpha House Calderdale is committed to safeguarding adults at risk and ensuring all staff, volunteers, trustees and students understand their responsibilities. We work with male offenders with addiction, trauma histories, mental‑health needs and neurodiversity, and recognise their increased vulnerability to abuse, coercion and exploitation.

We follow the Calderdale Safeguarding Adults Board procedures and act promptly on any allegation, suspicion or disclosure of abuse.

3. Definition of an Adult at Risk

An adult aged 18+ who:

• requires community care services due to disability, mental‑health needs, illness or vulnerability, and
• may be unable to protect themselves from harm, abuse or exploitation.

4. Types of Abuse

Alpha House recognises all forms of abuse including physical, sexual, emotional/psychological, financial, neglect, discriminatory abuse, domestic abuse, institutional abuse, modern slavery, honour‑based violence, forced marriage, hate crime and exploitation.

5. Signs and Indicators of Abuse

Indicators may include:

• unexplained injuries, bruising or burns
• fearfulness, withdrawal, anxiety or sudden behaviour change
• poor hygiene, malnutrition or untreated medical needs
• missing medication or deterioration in health
• unexplained financial loss or changes in banking patterns
• isolation, control by another person, or restricted movement
• reluctance to speak in front of certain individuals
• inconsistent explanations or disclosures

Staff must report concerns immediately.

6. Safer Recruitment

We apply safer recruitment to all roles, including:

• paid staff
• trustees
• volunteers
• freelancers
• sessional workers
• agency workers
• students

Checks include:

• Enhanced DBS
• DBS Update Service checks
• two references
• identity verification
• right‑to‑work checks

No individual begins work until checks are completed.

7. Training Requirements

All staff, trustees, volunteers and students must complete safeguarding adults training on induction. Refresher training is required every 2 years. Safeguarding leads complete advanced training annually.

8. Roles and Responsibilities

The Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy:

• ensure staff know how to report concerns
• record and refer concerns appropriately
• liaise with Gateway to Care, Police and partner agencies
• ensure confidentiality and secure storage of records
• support staff dealing with safeguarding cases

All staff must:

• report concerns immediately
• never promise confidentiality
• record factual information only
• follow escalation procedures

9. Responding to Abuse or Allegations

When a disclosure is made:

• reassure the person
• listen without judgement
• avoid leading questions
• record the disclosure immediately
• inform the Safeguarding Lead
• preserve evidence if relevant
• call emergency services if needed

10. Reporting and Escalation

Gateway to Care: 01422 393000 (Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) Safeguarding Adults Team: 01422 393804 (advice only) Emergency Duty Team: 01422 288000 (out of hours) West Yorkshire Police Safeguarding Unit: 01422 337041

If the Safeguarding Lead or Deputy is unavailable or implicated, staff must contact Gateway to Care directly.

Consent is sought where possible, but referrals may be made without consent if:

• the person lacks capacity
• others are at risk
• a crime has been committed

11. Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers

Alpha House will:

• conduct immediate risk assessment
• remove staff from duties if required
• inform Police where a crime is suspected
• liaise with Gateway to Care
• follow disciplinary procedures
• support whistleblowers under the Whistleblowing Policy

12. Confidentiality and Record‑Keeping

All safeguarding records are stored securely in the Clinical Director’s office. Access is restricted to the Safeguarding Lead and Deputy. Records must be factual, dated and signed.

13. Policy Review and Communication

This policy is reviewed annually by the Management Committee. Updates are communicated to all staff, volunteers, trustees and residents. Service users may be involved in policy review where appropriate.