Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults in FE

Introduction

While safeguarding systems often focus on under-18s, a significant part of the FE and Skills sector serves adults. Providers have a clear duty of care to all learners, and this includes protecting 'adults at risk' from harm, abuse, and neglect. According to the Care Act 2014, an adult at risk is someone over 18 who has needs for care and support, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and is unable to protect themselves. This requires a nuanced approach that respects autonomy while ensuring safety.

Identifying Adults at Risk

A learner's vulnerability is not always obvious and can be temporary or permanent. It goes beyond those with declared learning difficulties or disabilities. Staff must be vigilant to changes in any learner's circumstances.

• Broaden your definition: Vulnerability can stem from mental ill health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, social isolation, financial hardship, or being a recent care leaver.
• Recognise different risk types: Adults may face specific risks like financial scams, coercive control, 'cuckooing' (where their home is taken over), and self-neglect.
• Use IAG effectively: Your initial advice, guidance, and enrolment processes are the first opportunity to sensitively identify potential support needs, without making assumptions or labelling individuals.
• Listen to learners: Create an environment where learners feel safe to disclose concerns about themselves or their peers. The learner voice is a critical source of intelligence.

Understanding Consent and Capacity

Unlike with children, the principle of adult autonomy is paramount. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 is the guiding legislation here, and all staff should understand its core tenets.

• Assume capacity: Every adult has the right to make their own decisions. You must assume they have the capacity to do so unless it is established that they lack capacity.
• Provide all practical help: Before concluding someone lacks capacity, you must show you have made every effort to help them make the decision for themselves.
• Respect 'unwise' decisions: A person is not to be treated as unable to make a decision merely because they make a decision that you consider unwise. This is a crucial distinction.
• Act in 'best interests': If a learner is assessed as lacking capacity to make a specific decision, any action taken must be in their best interests.

Signs of Abuse and Neglect in Adults

Indicators of harm in adults can be subtle and easily missed. A culture of professional curiosity, where staff notice and question changes, is essential for identifying these signs.

• Financial abuse: Unexplained debt, sudden inability to afford essentials, or a new person taking an unusual interest in their finances.
• Self-neglect: A significant decline in personal hygiene, nutrition, or the condition of their living environment that is a change from their norm.
• Psychological abuse: Becoming withdrawn, anxious, or fearful, particularly around a specific individual; a noticeable loss of confidence.
• Coercive control: Being isolated from friends or family, having their movements monitored, or seeming to have their choices dictated by someone else.
• Cuckooing: Mentioning new or unwelcome people staying in their home, an increase in anti-social behaviour at their property, or signs of drug paraphernalia.

Your Referral and Reporting Process

When a concern is raised about a vulnerable adult, your internal processes must be robust, clear, and acted upon swiftly. This ensures a safe and compliant response.

• Know your internal lead: All staff must know who the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is and how to report a concern to them without delay.
• Refer to Adult Social Care: The DSL is responsible for making referrals to the local authority's Adult Social Care team when an adult with care and support needs is at risk of abuse or neglect.
• Involve the Police: If you believe a criminal offence has been committed, the police should be contacted immediately.
• Document with precision: Keep meticulous, factual, and chronological records. Clearly separate what was said or seen from your own professional opinion or interpretation. This is vital for any subsequent investigation.

Where this fits in QualityHero

Effectively safeguarding vulnerable adults relies on robust systems for recording, tracking, and reviewing concerns. The QualityHero Safeguarding module provides a secure platform for logging all concerns, including those related to adults. It enables DSLs to manage referrals to Adult Social Care, track multi-agency actions, and analyse anonymised trend data. This gives leaders and governors the oversight needed to ensure safeguarding arrangements are effective for all learners and helps evidence that the 'Met' standard for safeguarding is being achieved.