Safeguarding is Everyone's Responsibility
At OliveCross Healthcare, the protection of every individual in our care is our absolute, non-negotiable priority. Safeguarding is not just a policy or a training requirement; it is a fundamental value that runs through every aspect of our service.
We follow the principles set out in the Care Act 2014 and work in accordance with the City of West Midlands Safeguarding Adults Board multi-agency safeguarding procedures. Our approach is guided by the six key safeguarding principles: empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability.
The right to live in safety.
Safeguarding means protecting an adult's right to live in safety, free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It involves individuals and organisations working together to prevent harm, respond to concerns, and ensure that the adult's wellbeing, wishes, and rights are at the centre of every decision.
Abuse can take many forms, and it is important to recognise them all
Hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, restraint, inappropriate use of medication, force-feeding, or any other form of physical harm
Threats, intimidation, humiliation, verbal abuse, coercive control, isolation, gaslighting, or withdrawal of communication
Any sexual act or behaviour to which the person has not consented, or could not consent due to lack of capacity
Theft, fraud, scamming, misuse of money, property or assets, coercion in relation to wills or financial documents, or exploitation
Failure to provide adequate food, warmth, shelter, medical care, or personal care, or ignoring the person's needs
Abuse motivated by someone's age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristic
Poor care practices, rigid routines, or a culture within an organisation that fails to put individuals first
A person failing to care for their own personal hygiene, health, or environment, including hoarding
Physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse by a partner, ex-partner, or family member
Human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation
Seven layers of protection.
Enhanced DBS checks with barred list verification, thorough reference checks, values-based interviewing, and full employment history analysis for every member of staff
All staff receive comprehensive safeguarding training during induction, with annual refresher training and additional specialist modules as needed
Our safeguarding policy is robust, up to date, and aligned with local multi-agency procedures
We create an environment where staff, individuals, and families feel safe to raise concerns, ask questions, and report anything that worries them, without fear of reprisal
Our whistleblowing policy protects anyone who reports a concern in good faith, and we actively encourage staff to speak up when something does not feel right
Our Registered Manager provides clinical supervision that includes safeguarding awareness, risk assessment review, and early identification of vulnerability
We work closely with the City of West Midlands Council safeguarding team, West Midlands Police, the CQC, and other agencies to ensure a coordinated response to any safeguarding concern
How to Report a Safeguarding Concern
If you are concerned that you or someone you know may be experiencing abuse or neglect, please make the following contacts.
You do not need to be certain that abuse is happening to raise a concern. If something does not feel right, please speak up. It is always better to report a concern and have it investigated than to stay silent when someone may be at risk.