Effective Date: 08/04/2025

Aroha Care – Safeguarding Statement

1. Policy Purpose and Scope

This policy applies to:

All Aroha Care staff, volunteers, contractors, and partners.
All individuals supported through our services — including candidates, care staff, clients, and care recipients.
All environments where Aroha Care staff may come into contact with children or adults at risk.

This policy aims to:

Provide a clear framework for identifying, reporting, and responding to safeguarding concerns.
Promote safe recruitment, training, and practice.
Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation and statutory guidance.

2. Our Commitment

We are committed to:

Preventing abuse or harm through early identification and appropriate response.
Creating a culture of safety, trust, and accountability.
Working in partnership with families, local authorities, safeguarding boards, and regulatory bodies.
Ensuring all concerns are handled sensitively, professionally, and in accordance with the law.

3. Definitions

Adults at Risk

Defined by the Care Act 2014 as individuals aged 18 or over who:

Have care and support needs,
Are experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect,
And are unable to protect themselves due to those needs.

Children

A child is defined as anyone under the age of 18, as per the Children Act 1989.

Types of Abuse

Applicable to both children and adults, and includes:

Physical abuse
Emotional/psychological abuse
Sexual abuse
Neglect and acts of omission
Financial or material abuse (adults)
Domestic abuse
Discriminatory abuse
Modern slavery
Organisational abuse
Self-neglect
Online abuse / exploitation

4. Safeguarding Responsibilities

All Staff Must:

Be familiar with this policy and follow safeguarding procedures.
Complete mandatory safeguarding training relevant to their role.
Act immediately if they witness or suspect abuse.
Report concerns without delay to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Aroha Care Will:

Ensure robust safer recruitment practices, including enhanced DBS checks.
Provide ongoing safeguarding training and supervision.
Respond swiftly and appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
Keep clear, secure records of all safeguarding matters.
Support whistleblowing and reporting in a safe environment.

5. Reporting Concerns

If you are concerned about a child or adult at risk:

Report to Aroha Care’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) immediately.
If a person is in immediate danger, contact emergency services: 999
Concerns about staff behaviour will be handled under our disciplinary procedures and may be referred to safeguarding authorities.

DSL Contact Details:

Name: Sophie Careem
Phone: 07375 019 544
Email: sophie@arohacare.co.uk

We treat all reports seriously and confidentially. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis in line with GDPR and safeguarding protocols.

6. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy complies with:

The Care Act 2014
Children Act 1989 and 2004
Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
Keeping Children Safe in Education (2023)
The Equality Act 2010
The Human Rights Act 1998
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) regulations

7. Safer Recruitment

Aroha Care implements safer recruitment by:

Conducting enhanced DBS checks on all staff
Verifying identity, work history, and references
Conducting right to work and professional qualification checks
Embedding safeguarding into induction and performance processes

8. Training and Culture

All staff receive mandatory safeguarding training during induction and at regular intervals.
Safeguarding responsibilities are built into job roles, supervision, and team discussions.
Managers and safeguarding leads receive additional training tailored to their responsibilities.

9. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

We respect the confidentiality of all individuals.
Information will only be shared where necessary for safeguarding purposes, in accordance with data protection legislation.
Records of safeguarding concerns are stored securely and in line with our data retention policy.

10. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

There are significant changes to legislation or guidance,
A safeguarding incident occurs that prompts review,
Organisational changes impact safeguarding procedures.

If you have any questions about safeguarding at Aroha Care, please contact our Safeguarding Lead at:

📧 sophie@arohacare.co.uk
📞 07375 019 544

Safeguarding statement