Safeguarding and protection from abuse: good

S1. How do systems, processes and practices safeguard people from abuse?

Characteristics of services we would rate as good in this area

People are consistently safe and protected from bullying, harassment, avoidable harm, neglect, abuse and discrimination.

The service has effective safeguarding systems, policies and procedures and manages safeguarding concerns promptly, using local safeguarding procedures whenever necessary.

Where required, investigations are thorough. There is a consistent approach to safeguarding and matters are always dealt with in an open, transparent and objective way.

Where the service is used by children, staff take a preventative approach to safeguarding and are aware of relevant risk factors and triggers. They discuss any concerns with managers and colleagues, and the service works with people, their families and external agencies to promote children's safety and prevent abuse. Child protection practice and arrangements are aligned with local safeguarding arrangements. The service's culture, staff induction, training and supervision arrangements successfully promote a child-centred approach to safeguarding.

The service's proactive approach ensures that human rights are not breached or violated. Where there needs to be a decision to balance rights, for example a person's right to freedom and the rights of that person or others to be free from harm, decisions are taken in people's best interests.

All staff have a comprehensive awareness and understanding of abuse and know what to do to make sure that people who lack voice are protected, including when experiencing harassment or abuse in the community.

People know about the service's safeguarding policy. They know what to do and feel comfortable raising concerns about their own or other people's safety. People who raise concerns receive sympathetic support and appropriate information. There are no recriminations; it is seen as a normal and desirable part of day-to-day practice.