{"id":4092,"date":"2022-04-12T16:54:09","date_gmt":"2022-04-12T15:54:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/?page_id=4092"},"modified":"2026-04-29T11:16:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T10:16:54","slug":"safeguarding-at-sense-professionals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/for-professionals\/safeguarding-at-sense-professionals\/","title":{"rendered":"Safeguarding at Sense: for professionals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box  ctaBox    is-style-textured-grey-tint-10  align-right\">\n    <div class=\"ctaBox__row\">\n      <div class=\"ctaBox__content\">\n        <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Raise a safeguarding issue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tell Sense if you are concerned about yourself or somebody else in one of our services.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"ctaBox__cta\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/safeguarding-and-keeping-safe\/raise-a-safeguarding-issue\/\" class=\"button  button--primary\">Raise an issue<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-intro\">This page gives an overview of Sense\u2019s policies and procedures relating to safeguarding for professionals, such as social workers and commissioners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It covers risk enablement, making safeguarding personal, what to do when things go wrong, reporting abuse, and guidance for Sense staff and volunteers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It also includes links to additional resources for professionals working with children, young people and adults at risk of abuse or neglect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"#commitment\">Sense&#8217;s commitment to safeguarding<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#personal\">Making safeguarding personal<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#riskenablement\">The guiding principles of risk enablement<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#informedrisks\">Supporting people to take informed risks<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#wrong\">What to do when things go wrong<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#furtherinformation\">Further information and support<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"commitment\">Sense&#8217;s commitment to safeguarding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At Sense, we believe every person has the right to live a life free from abuse and neglect, and take a zero tolerance approach to abuse and neglect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We work with individuals, families and carers, as well as healthcare professionals and agencies, to safeguard the children, young people and adults we support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have policies, procedures and training to keep people safe from abuse or neglect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sense has a Safeguarding Board to monitor safeguarding concerns throughout the organisation and to ensure that we always take appropriate action to keep people safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We always take action to follow up a concern about a person\u2019s safety and well-being and where there is an allegation of abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our full operational policies are in the&nbsp;<a href=\"#resources\">resources section<\/a>&nbsp;below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"personal\"><a><\/a>Making safeguarding personal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For adults with complex needs or learning difficulties, safeguarding is also about being independent and making their own choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This idea can be summed up as: no decision about me, without me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our goal is to support individuals to grow in confidence and skills, to make their own choices and to live as fully as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes supporting people to try new things and may include enabling them to take informed risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"riskenablement\"><a><\/a>The guiding principles of risk enablement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>At Sense, we follow these principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-secondary-bullets\">\n<li>Involve the adult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Involve the network around the adult.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Engage in multi-agency best practice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Assess risk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify risk management processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider risk to others.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider the mental capacity of the person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide advocacy if needed to support the person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complex situations are resolved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Share information with those who need it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Defensible decision-making.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"informedrisks\"><a><\/a>Supporting people to take informed risks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We aim to manage risk rather than avoid it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This includes considering the benefits of someone taking a risk, as well as what might happen if things go wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We work closely with people, putting them at the centre of decision-making for their safety and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We find out find out what is important to them, how they want to be supported and what they would like to do in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also look at what is working and what isn\u2019t in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We use a person-centred review process to make sure we consider these factors on a regular basis, so that people have:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li>Plans in place to ensure that they experience emotional and physical wellbeing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enough support to be independent, safe and engaged in all that they do.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The information and support to exercise choice and control in their lives, including with regard to the support that we provide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to their local and wider community so that they can be included and contribute.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Opportunities to be themselves, and to establish and maintain important relationships and friendships.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Opportunities to be creative, learn new skills, engage in activities they enjoy and contribute in a meaningful way \u2013 so that they can experience a sense of achievement, fulfilment, pleasure and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"wrong\"><a><\/a>What to do when things go wrong<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sometimes things go wrong or don\u2019t work out as expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This could range from someone having an accident when trying to ride a bike for the first time to suspected abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In either case, it is important to explore with the person what they would like to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They should take an active part in the process and not just be expected to accept the final outcome passively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In any case of suspected or alleged abuse, or other serious incident,&nbsp;<a href=\"#resources\">Sense\u2019s adult protection procedures<\/a> must be followed and managed correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The manager\/investigating officer must listen to the person and find out from them what they want to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where this is not possible, because of difficulties with communication, observing the person, and knowing them well, may help you to discover what the person wants to happen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where there is an allegation of abuse, we always take action to follow up a concern about a person\u2019s safety and wellbeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can find out more about making safeguarding personal, supporting risk enablement and managing reports of abuse by reading&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/get-support\/information-and-advice\/safeguarding-at-sense-for-professionals\/#MakingSafeGuardingPersonal\">Making Safeguarding Personal<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"furtherinformation\"><a><\/a>Further information and support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.anncrafttrust.org\/about\/\">Ann Craft Trust<\/a><br>A national charity that exists to minimise the risk of abuse of disabled children and adults at risk, offering training, research, resources, reviews and audits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bsab.org\/professionals\/\">Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board<br><\/a>Information for professionals, including guidance and toolkits for download.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/safeguarding-disabled-children-practice-guidance\">GOV.UK: Safeguarding disabled children<\/a><br>Departmental advice setting out how agencies and professionals should work together to safeguard the welfare of disabled children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/safeguarding-adults-the-role-of-health-services\">GOV.UK: Safeguarding Adults: The role of health services<\/a><br>Documents reminding health services of their duties to safeguard adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/safeguarding-women-and-girls-at-risk-of-fgm\">GOV.UK: Safeguarding women and girls at risk of FGM<\/a><br>Practical help to support NHS organisations developing new safeguarding policies and procedures for female genital mutilation (FGM).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>NHS England<\/strong><br><a href=\"https:\/\/www.england.nhs.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/adult-pocket-guide.pdf\">Download the PDF guidebook to safeguarding adults<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/saferinternet.org.uk\/professionals-online-safety-helpline\">UK Safer Internet Centre<br><\/a>Supporting professionals working with children and young people<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also find more safeguarding resources for disabled people with complex needs and learning disabilities, family members, friends and carers in our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/information-and-advice\/safeguarding-and-keeping-safe\/\">guide to safeguarding and keeping safe<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"resources\">Download our resources<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list is-style-primary-bullets\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/sense-safeguarding-guidance-v12.docx\">Sense safeguarding guidance 2021 226kb<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/sense-safeguarding-procedure-v11.docx\">Sense safeguarding procedure 2021 88kb<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Safeguarding-Procedure-Vulnerable-Adults.docx\">Sense operational policy: safeguarding vulnerable adults 87kb<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"wp-block  box  ctaBox    is-style-textured-primary-tint-10  size-medium\">\n    <div class=\"ctaBox__row\">\n      <div class=\"ctaBox__content\">\n        <div class=\"acf-innerblocks-container\">\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Make a complaint<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you wish to raise concerns about a person at Sense, we will take your complaint seriously.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"ctaBox__cta\">\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/contact-us\/complaints-about-a-service-or-shop\/\" class=\"button  button--secondary\">Make a complaint<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find out more information about our commitment to safeguarding at Sense.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":1579,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"content_label":[],"class_list":["post-4092","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4092"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4092\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1579"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"content_label","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sense.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_label?post=4092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}