Our Safeguarding Policy

This policy is part of our governance and compliance framework, which ensures every aspect of our care meets the highest standards.

Our Carers Are Trained to Recognise 10 Types of Abuse

Abuse is not always obvious. It does not always leave bruises. 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 or institution
• 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 — a change in behaviour, unexplained marks, reluctance around certain people — 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 Stacey Cole, our Registered Manager
3. If the concern meets the threshold, it is referred to Gloucestershire County Council 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.” We use a three-question test to determine whether an event meets the threshold for notification. This includes serious injuries, abuse allegations and events that could indicate a systemic failure in care.

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 of pressure damage and to follow medication procedures precisely. When incidents do occur, we investigate thoroughly and put measures in place to prevent them happening again.

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

Safeguarding in 2026 goes beyond traditional forms of abuse. Our care workers are trained to recognise the signs of radicalisation under the government’s Prevent programme, which is part of the Counter Terrorism Act 2015.

They also learn about County Lines and cuckooing — where criminal gangs exploit vulnerable people by taking over their homes to store or deal drugs. 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.

Modern slavery awareness is also covered, in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. This includes recognising signs of forced labour, servitude and human trafficking.

Allegations Against Staff Are Handled Through Our PiPoT Protocol

If a safeguarding concern involves one of our own 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 that the investigation is fair, thorough and independent.

The person at the centre of the concern is protected while the investigation takes place, and the member of staff 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:

• CQC Regulation 13 — requires providers to have systems to prevent abuse and act on concerns
• Care Act 2014 — defines safeguarding duties for adults with care and support needs
• Mental Capacity Act 2005 — protects people who may lack capacity to make certain decisions
• Modern Slavery Act 2015 — addresses forced labour, trafficking and exploitation
• Counter Terrorism Act 2015 — establishes the Prevent duty for care providers

Our safeguarding policies are managed by QCS (Quality Compliance Systems) and are updated whenever legislation or national guidance changes. Gurpreet Saggu, our Nominated Individual, has overall accountability for safeguarding within the organisation.

What This Means for Your Family

When SW Care 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 Gloucestershire County Council’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 — from us or from anyone else — please contact Stacey Cole directly. We will listen, and we will act.

Read about all of our governance policies or view our CQC rating.

Browse our full governance and compliance policies to understand how we maintain high standards across every area of our service.