General Safeguarding information and guidance

It is a legal requirement of all the Charity Commissions that all u3as (and other charities) must have a safeguarding policy in place to protect their members. Non-charity u3as in Scotland effectively govern as charities and must therefore also have a safeguarding policy in place. A template policy and procedure is provided in Section 2.

SECTION 1: Safeguarding information and overview

1.    What is safeguarding?

“Safeguarding” refers to measures designed to protect the health, wellbeing and human rights of individuals.

• All u3a members have a responsibility to report any safeguarding concerns to their committee.
• All u3a committee members have an obligation to follow their safeguarding policy and procedure if they suspect that a member is at risk of abuse.

2.    What are some examples of where safeguarding procedures may be activated?

• A member controlling the finances of a visually impaired member.
• A member arriving at an outdoor-based group without appropriate clothing and seemingly confused.
• A member making advances towards another member with dementia.

3.    What is the responsibility of members in safeguarding?

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and members must bring any safeguarding concerns they have to their committee (this can be via their group leader). Members should follow their code of conduct and not keep any concerns they have to themselves.

4.    What is the responsibility of the committee in safeguarding?

All trustees must take reasonable steps to protect anyone who comes in contact with u3a from harm. Every trustee should have clear oversight of how safeguarding and protecting people from harm are managed within the u3a. Trustees must report all safeguarding concerns to the relevant safeguarding authorities promptly. Trustees should support those involved in safeguarding incidents but should not lead safeguarding investigations- this must be left to the authority it is referred to (e.g., social services).

Once a safeguarding concern has been raised , it should be referred onto the appropriate authority. Usually, this would be the local authority or social services in England, Scotland and Wales and the HSC Trust in Northern Ireland. In cases where the individuals involved are in immediate danger you should call 999. Additionally, Hourglass (previously Action on Elder Abuse)https://www.wearehourglass.org is a confidential support and advice for older people who have been abused or people who know an older person who may be suffering abuse. Available weekdays 9am - 5pm on freephone 0808 808 8141.

5.    What are thesigns and indicators of abuse and neglect?

Abuse may be inflicted by anyone that the member comes into contact with. There are many signs and indicators that may suggest abuse or neglect including:

• Unexplained bruises or injuries – or lack of medical attention for an injury
• Non attendance at interest groups without reason and no response to reminders from group leaders or other members.
• Significant loss or gain of weight and/or an unkempt appearance.
• A change in the behaviour or confidence of a member, where they become quiet and withdrawn, or lash out in anger.
• A member showing fear of a particular group or individual.
• A member who sends unwanted sexually explicit text messages to a vulnerable member
• Threats of physical harm and bullying, or intentional striking of another member.

Additionally, a member may report they are being abused – i.e., a disclosure.

6.    How do you deal with a disclosed safeguarding concern?

If someone discloses a safeguarding concern to you:

Do:

• Stay calm and try not to show shock or disbelief.
• Listen carefully to what they are saying.
• Be sympathetic (“I’m sorry that this has happened to you”).
• Be aware of the possibility that medical evidence might be needed.
• Tell the person that:
  • They did the right thing to tell you.
  • You are treating the information seriously. It was not their fault.
  • You are going to inform the appropriate person.
  • You/ will take steps to protect and support them.
• Record and report the disclosure in line with your safeguarding policy and procedure.

Do not:

• Press the person for more details if they are not comfortable sharing.
• Stop someone who is freely recalling significant events (Don’t say ‘hold on, we’ll come back to that later’; they may not tell you or anybody else again).
• Promise to keep secrets; you have a duty of care to raise safeguarding concerns.
• Make promises you cannot keep such as “this will never happen to you again”.
• Contact the alleged abuser unless they are also au3a member and it is necessary to do so to safeguard other members.
• Be judgemental.