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You should know what to do if you suspect abuse or if abuse is disclosed or made known to you.
All suspicions of abuse have to be followed up formally. It is your responsibility to respond to allegations or suspicions in line with your workplace safeguarding policies and procedures.
You must be familiar with the following:
You will need to refer to your employers’ policies and procedures or speak to your manager to make sure you know what you should do in each of these circumstances.
In an emergency situation, you must take action to protect the safety and well-being of the person being abused. If they need medical assistance you should call for a suitably qualified colleague, this will be different in a hospital than it is in the community, where you would call 999 for an ambulance. If you suspect that injuries are not accidental, make sure they are aware of this, so they can preserve evidence that could be used in a criminal case. You should speak to your manager about the next steps to take. If an offence has been committed it may be necessary to contact the police and a safeguarding investigation may need to be started immediately.
If an individual tells you that they have been, or are being been abused you must:
You should record what the person tells you. Where available you should use the locally agreed form and use their own words to ensure that it is non-biased and you do not forget any details. The report should be factual and not contain your views. Sign and date the report and make sure that the disclosure is reported to your manager.