Introduction
Find A Way: Psychological Services CIC is a Leeds-based community interest company that supports children, young people and their families in Leeds and across Yorkshire, through educational psychology assessments, Video Interaction Guidance, and parenting support and advocacy. Through this work, we engage regularly with vulnerable adults, including parents and carers who may be at risk due to mental ill-health, trauma, disability, learning needs, domestic abuse, social isolation or economic hardship.
We are committed to safeguarding the welfare, dignity and human rights of all adults we support. This policy outlines how we identify and respond to concerns about abuse, neglect or exploitation, in line with the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and the Leeds Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures of the Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB).
Our safeguarding children and young people policy covers our work with children.
Definitions and legal context
What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding adults means protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. It involves working together to prevent harm and to empower individuals to make informed decisions. At Find A Way, safeguarding is a shared responsibility across all levels of the organisation.
What is an adult with care and support needs, or an adult at risk?
Under the Care Act 2014, an adult at risk is someone who:
- Is aged 18 or over
- Has needs for care and support (whether or not these are being met)
- Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
- Is unable to protect themselves because of their care and support needs
These are the criteria for a safeguarding enquiry under section 42 of the Care Act 2014. Not everyone experiencing hardship or vulnerability meets them, but their concerns may still need appropriate support or a referral.
Vulnerable adults we work with may include:
- Individuals with mental health needs, learning difficulties or neurodivergence
- Adults experiencing domestic abuse or coercive control
- People living with disabilities, illness or substance misuse
- Those facing poverty, social exclusion or housing instability
Relevant legislation and local guidance
This policy is underpinned by:
- Care Act 2014
- Mental Capacity Act 2005
- Human Rights Act 1998
- Equality Act 2010
- Leeds Multi-Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures (Leeds Safeguarding Adults Board)
- HM Government’s information sharing advice for safeguarding practitioners
We embrace the Leeds “Talk to me, hear my voice” ethos, which places lived experience and individual choice at the heart of safeguarding.
We follow Making Safeguarding Personal, so the adult is involved in decisions about their safety. Under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, an adult is presumed to have capacity unless it is established otherwise, and capacity is assessed for each specific decision.
Safeguarding leads
These officers are responsible for overseeing safeguarding processes, responding to concerns, and liaising with statutory services such as Leeds City Council Adult Social Care and the police.
Recognising abuse and neglect
Staff and volunteers must be able to identify different types of abuse, including:
- Physical abuse — hitting, slapping, misuse of medication
- Emotional or psychological abuse — threats, coercion, gaslighting
- Sexual abuse — sexual acts without consent or capacity to consent
- Financial abuse — theft, fraud, misuse of property or benefits
- Neglect — ignoring medical needs, inadequate care, isolation
- Discriminatory abuse — racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia and other discrimination
- Domestic abuse — patterns of power, control and intimidation
- Organisational abuse — neglect or mistreatment in care settings
- Self-neglect — failure to care for personal needs or surroundings
- Modern slavery — forced labour, servitude, trafficking
Becoming aware of a safeguarding concern
Concerns may come to light through:
- Direct disclosures from the adult
- Observation of injuries, behaviour or neglect
- Reports from third parties (including children or partners)
- Patterns of minor concerns accumulating over time
- Involvement in a multi-agency meeting, such as a Team Around the Family (TAF), Child in Need (CIN) or Child Protection (CP) meeting
Responding to concerns
Stage 1: immediate response
If an adult discloses abuse or you suspect it:
- Stay calm and listen carefully.
- Avoid judgement or leading questions.
- Reassure the person and explain that their safety is the priority.
- Do not promise confidentiality. Explain that concerns must be shared.
- Record the concern immediately using the Safeguarding Concern Form.
- Report it promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Officer or the Deputy Safeguarding Officer.
- If the person is in immediate danger, contact the police straight away. Do not wait for the Designated Safeguarding Officer.
- If necessary, contact the adult safeguarding team directly, at the local authority where the adult lives.
Stage 2: Designated Safeguarding Officer action
The DSO will:
- Assess the level of risk and urgency
- Refer to Leeds City Council Adult Social Care if appropriate, or to the local authority where the adult lives
- Contact the emergency services if the person is in immediate danger
- Involve the adult, and consider their wishes and desired outcomes, their mental capacity, consent, any coercion and their immediate safety
- Consider domestic abuse, exploitation, self-neglect, organisational abuse and any risk to children
- Seek consent to refer, unless:
- The person lacks capacity to make the decision, or
- Others are at risk and seeking consent would increase the danger
- Document all actions and decisions taken, the reasons for any disclosure without consent, and the follow-up
Safe recruitment
To minimise risk:
- All staff and volunteers must complete an application and interview.
- Two written references must be obtained, one from a previous employer.
- Enhanced DBS checks are mandatory for all frontline staff.
- Identity and qualifications must be verified.
- Any gaps in employment, or disclosures, must be discussed.
- All new starters must complete safeguarding training before unsupervised contact with adults.
Staff supervision and training
- Regular supervision is provided to all staff and includes safeguarding as a standing agenda item.
- All staff and volunteers must complete adult safeguarding training at induction, and regular refreshers after that.
- Team meetings include safeguarding updates and reflective discussions.
- Managers are available for informal safeguarding advice between supervisions.
Allegations against staff or volunteers
If a staff member or volunteer is suspected of abuse:
- Report the concern to the Designated Safeguarding Officer or the Deputy Safeguarding Officer immediately.
- The individual may be suspended pending investigation.
- A referral will be made to Leeds City Council Adult Social Care and, if children are also affected, to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
- A referral to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) may be required.
- Internal HR processes may run alongside safeguarding procedures.
Recording and confidentiality
- All concerns must be recorded promptly on our Safeguarding Concern Form, including:
- The adult’s full name and date of birth
- Details of the concern or disclosure
- The time, date and location
- The actions taken, and by whom
- The decisions made, the reasons for any disclosure without consent, and the follow-up
- Records must be factual, signed and dated.
- Safeguarding records are stored securely and separately from general files.
- Confidentiality is upheld unless information must be shared to prevent harm.
Review and dissemination
- This policy is reviewed by the board of directors at least once a year.
- It is available on the organisation’s website, in staff and volunteer induction materials, and on public noticeboards at community venues.
- Staff must sign to confirm that they have read and understood the policy.
- Updates and learning are shared regularly across the team.
- This version was last updated on 4 November 2026.
Responsibility of the board of directors
The board of directors of Find A Way: Psychological Services CIC holds ultimate responsibility for:
- Ensuring that effective safeguarding procedures are in place
- Reviewing and approving this policy annually
- Monitoring implementation through reports and feedback
- Supporting a safeguarding culture rooted in openness, accountability and continuous learning