Safeguarding Adults

Safeguarding means protecting vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and harm. Every member of the Amari Care Services team in Lowestoft is trained to spot the warning signs and knows exactly what to do if they have a concern. This policy explains how we keep your loved one safe.

Our Carers Are Trained to Recognise All Forms of Abuse

Abuse is not always obvious. Our care workers are trained to identify and respond to all 10 categories of abuse recognised under the Care Act 2014:

• Physical abuse — hitting, restraining, misuse of medication
• Sexual abuse — any sexual activity without informed consent
• Emotional or psychological abuse — threats, intimidation, isolation, humiliation
• Financial abuse — theft, fraud, pressure around wills or property
• Neglect — failing to provide food, warmth, medication, or personal care
• Discriminatory abuse — mistreatment based on age, race, disability, or gender
• Organisational abuse — poor care practices within a service
• Self-neglect — a person failing to care for their own health or wellbeing
• Domestic abuse — harm from a partner, family member, or someone in the household
• Modern slavery — forced labour, human trafficking, or servitude

Training on these categories is part of every carer’s induction and is refreshed regularly. We want our team to notice the small signs and know exactly what to do next.

There Is a Clear Reporting Chain for Every Concern

When a carer has a safeguarding concern, they do not have to figure out what to do alone. We have a clear reporting chain that every member of staff knows:

1. The care worker reports the concern immediately to the person on duty
2. The concern is escalated to Stef Clark RMN, our Registered Manager
3. If the concern meets the threshold, it is referred to the local authority Safeguarding Adults Team

This chain exists so that no concern gets lost or delayed. Every report is taken seriously, every time. Our carers are told clearly: if in doubt, report it. We would rather investigate a concern that turns out to be nothing than miss something that matters.

Notifiable Safety Incidents Are Reported to CQC

Certain incidents must be reported to the Care Quality Commission as “notifiable safety incidents.” This includes serious injuries, abuse allegations, and events that could indicate a systemic failure in care. We use a structured test to determine whether an event meets the threshold for notification.

Specific safeguarding guidance applies to pressure ulcers and medication errors, which are among the most common safety concerns in home care. Our care workers are trained to identify early warning signs and to follow procedures precisely. When incidents occur, we investigate thoroughly and put measures in place to prevent recurrence.

Prevent, County Lines, and Modern Slavery Are Part of Our Training

Safeguarding today goes beyond traditional forms of abuse. Our care workers are trained to recognise the signs of radicalisation under the government’s Prevent programme (Counter Terrorism Act 2015), County Lines exploitation, and modern slavery (Modern Slavery Act 2015).

They learn about cuckooing — where criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people by taking over their homes. Older people and those with disabilities can be targeted precisely because they are isolated. Our carers visit homes regularly, which means they are often the first to notice if something feels wrong.

Allegations Against Staff Are Handled Fairly and Thoroughly

If a safeguarding concern involves one of our staff, we follow the PiPoT (Persons in Positions of Trust) protocol. This is a structured process for investigating allegations against people who work with vulnerable adults. It ensures the investigation is fair, thorough, and independent.

The person at the centre of the concern is protected while the investigation takes place, and the staff member is treated fairly throughout. If the investigation finds that the staff member poses a risk, we take immediate action — including referral to the DBS barred list where required.

The Legal Framework Behind Our Safeguarding Policy

Our safeguarding approach is built on a strong legal foundation including CQC Regulation 13, the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and the Counter Terrorism Act 2015. All of our policies are managed through QCS (Quality Compliance Systems) and updated regularly to reflect changes in legislation and best practice.

What This Means for Your Family

When Amari Care Services supports your family member, safeguarding is active from day one. Every carer is trained to spot the signs of abuse and neglect. Every concern is reported, investigated, and acted on. We work closely with the local authority’s Safeguarding Adults Team whenever a concern reaches the threshold for referral.

If you ever have a safeguarding concern about the care your family member is receiving, please contact Stef Clark RMN directly. We will listen, and we will act. Read more about our governance and compliance policies.