Tara Centre Safeguarding Policy for Adults
Version 6 – Adopted September 2025. Date of review 29 September 2026
Tara Centre is committed to creating safe, welcoming and inclusive environments where people are treated with dignity, respect and compassion. We recognise that many people who access our services may have experienced trauma, adversity, displacement, loss or other difficult life circumstances.
We have both a legal and moral responsibility to safeguard adults at risk and to take appropriate action where concerns about abuse, neglect or harm arise. This policy sets out how Tara Centre seeks to safeguard adults at risk and outlines the responsibilities of employees, volunteers and visiting teachers in recognising, responding to and reporting safeguarding concerns.
Who do we mean by adults at risk?
“Adult at risk’ is someone who is 18 years or over and:
- Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and;
- Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect; and;
- As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.
This may include, but is not limited to, people experiencing physical or mental ill health, disability, homelessness, substance misuse, domestic abuse, displacement or other circumstances that increase vulnerability.
Safeguarding is about protecting people who may be in vulnerable circumstances. People may be at risk of abuse or neglect due to the actions (or lack of action) of another person.
What do we mean by abuse?
Physical abuse
Examples include: Slapping, pushing, kicking, rough handling, twisting of limbs/ extremities, misuse of medication, or inappropriate sanctions or restraint.
Sexual abuse
Examples include: Rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult at risk has not consented, could not consent or was pressured into consenting. Non-contact abuse such as voyeurism, involvement in pornography.
Psychological / Emotional abuse
Examples include: verbal assault or intimidation, emotional abuse, deprivation of contact verbal abuse, threats of harm or abandonment, humiliation or blaming, overriding of consent, choices or wishes, feeling worthless, frightened or unloved.
NB: Psychological/emotional abuse will usually occur in conjunction with other forms of abuse.
Financial abuse
Examples include: theft, fraud, exploitation, and pressure in connections with wills, property, possessions or benefits.
Neglect and acts of omission
Examples include: ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
Discriminatory abuse
This abuse is usually motivated by discriminatory and oppressive attitudes towards race gender, culture background, religion physical and/ or sensory impairment, sexual orientation and age.
Institutional abuse, neglect and poor practice
This may take the form of isolated incidents of poor or unsatisfactory professional practice at one end of the spectrum, through to persuasive ill treatment or gross misconduct.
Safe Recruitment
We take reasonable steps to ensure unsuitable individuals are prevented from working with adults at risk.
Depending on the role, recruitment and selection processes may include an application form, interview, references, verification of qualifications or professional memberships, evidence of appropriate insurance, DBS checks where required, induction, training and ongoing supervision.
All employees, volunteers and visiting teachers are expected to work within their competence and follow Tara Centre’s safeguarding policies and procedures.
Creating a Safe and Caring Environment:
- The majority of direct work with clients is done in the context of open-access drop-ins where there are at least two people present, or in group workshops and meetings.
- Risk Assessments should be undertaken prior to any offsite visits or new types of activities.
- Employees/volunteers/visiting teachers should be appropriately trained and qualified to ensure the safe provision of services, use of equipment and activities undertaken.
- Employees/volunteers/visiting teachers should carefully plan activity sessions with the care and safety of individuals as their main concern including the use of activities at an appropriate age/ability level.
- Wherever possible we will encourage an ‘open environment’ e.g. avoiding private or unobserved situations and discouraging the keeping of secrets.
- Employees/volunteers/visiting teachers must treat all with respect.
- Employees/volunteers/visiting teachers must not make racist, sexist or any other remarks which upset or humiliate.
- Employees/volunteers/visiting teachers must take care to avoid showing any favouritism.
Professional Boundaries
- We recognise that supportive relationships are at the heart of many of our activities and that people may form meaningful connections through their involvement with Tara Centre.
- Employees, volunteers and visiting teachers are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and to act in the best interests of the people they support. Whilst we aim to create warm, welcoming and compassionate environments, staff and volunteers should take care not to become solely responsible for an individual’s wellbeing, provide support beyond their competence, or enter into relationships that may create a conflict of interest or risk of harm.
- Where concerns arise about an individual’s safety, wellbeing or support needs, advice should be sought from the Designated Safeguarding Lead and, where appropriate, individuals should be supported to access more appropriate sources of help.
- The welfare and safety of everyone involved in the Tara Centre remains our primary concern.
Responsibilities of Employees, Volunteers and Visiting Teachers
All employees, volunteers and visiting teachers share responsibility for helping to create a safe environment.
They are expected to:
- Follow this policy and any related safeguarding procedures.
- Prioritise the safety and wellbeing of those using our services.
- Work within their competence and seek advice when needed.
- Report safeguarding concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Record accidents, incidents and safeguarding concerns appropriately.
- Familiarise themselves with relevant health and safety procedures.
- Behave professionally and treat others with dignity and respect.
Gifts should not normally be given to or accepted from people using Tara Centre services. Any concerns should be discussed with the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
Roles and responsibilities of the Designated Safeguarding Lead
The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for:
- Acting as the main point of contact for safeguarding concerns.
- Receiving, recording and responding to safeguarding concerns and referrals.
- Liaising with external agencies where appropriate.
- Supporting staff, volunteers and visiting teachers to understand their safeguarding responsibilities.
- Ensuring safeguarding policies and procedures are reviewed and updated.
- Promoting a person-centred approach to safeguarding.
- Maintaining their own safeguarding knowledge and training.
Responding to Safeguarding Concerns
If an employee, volunteer or visiting teacher becomes concerned about the safety or wellbeing of an adult at risk, they should:
- Assess the situation and seek emergency assistance if required.
- Ensure the immediate safety and wellbeing of the individual.
- Remain calm and listen carefully and respectfully.
- Avoid making promises of confidentiality that cannot be kept.
- Explain that safeguarding concerns may need to be shared and why.
- Establish, wherever possible, the individual’s views and wishes regarding the concern.
- Maintain any evidence.
- Make a written record of what has been seen, heard or disclosed, using the person’s own words where possible.
- Report concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
It is not the responsibility of employees, volunteers or visiting teachers to investigate safeguarding concerns themselves.
Information sharing should always be necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure.
Confidentiality and Information Sharing
Tara Centre respects the privacy and confidentiality of the people who use our services. Information shared with staff, volunteers or visiting teachers will be treated sensitively and shared only on a need-to-know basis.
However, confidentiality is not absolute. Where there are concerns about a person’s safety or wellbeing, or the safety of others, information may need to be shared with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and, where appropriate, with relevant statutory agencies.
Where safeguarding concerns arise, employees, volunteers and visiting teachers have a duty to share information appropriately. Information should be shared only with those who need to know and should be necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure.
We work to the Seven Golden Rules:
1. GDPR is not a barrier to sharing information
2. Be open and honest
3. Seek advice , if in doubt
4. Share with consent where appropriate
5. Consider safety and wellbeing
6. Necessary, proportionate, relevant , accurate , timely and secure
7. Keep a record of your decision and reasons for sharing
Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
Any employee, volunteer or visiting teacher who has concerns about the safety or wellbeing of an adult at risk must report those concerns as soon as possible to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Dr Elham Kashefi
Email: elham@taracentrelancaster.org.uk
Tel: 07830 107008
Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Robin Eyre
Email: robinrubyeyre@googlemail.com
Tel: 07778 589666
The DSL will assess the concern, make an appropriate record, seek advice where necessary and take any action required, including referral to relevant safeguarding agencies, police or emergency services.
Where possible, the wishes and views of the adult at risk will be taken into account and they will be kept informed throughout the process.
If an individual is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical assistance, emergency services should be contacted immediately by calling 999.
Whistleblowing and Escalation of Concerns
If any member of staff, volunteer or visiting teacher feels that a safeguarding concern has not been appropriately addressed, or believes that the Designated Safeguarding Lead may be implicated or has a conflict of interest, they should raise their concerns with another Director or seek advice directly from Lancashire Adult Social Care or the Police.
Employees, volunteers and visiting teachers should never ignore safeguarding concerns because they feel unable to challenge a decision. The welfare and safety of the adult at risk must remain the primary consideration.
- Adult Safeguarding & Social Care: 0300 123 6721 (To report abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult over 18).
- Out-of-Hours/Emergency: 0300 123 6722 (Available 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM, weekends, and bank holidays).
- For non-urgent, routine reporting, you can also submit details electronically using the Lancashire County Council Report a Concern Online Form.
This policy should be read alongside Tara Centre’s Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Policy, Complaints Policy and Privacy Notice.