Safeguarding and Safer Working with Adults Policy

R2B Training & Consultancy

Safeguarding and Safer Working (Adults) Policy

1. Purpose

This policy sets out R2B Training & Consultancy’s approach to safeguarding adults at risk and promoting safer working practices in all our training and consultancy activities.

It explains our commitments, responsibilities, and the steps we take to protect adults who may be vulnerable, and how concerns can be raised.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

all R2B staff, associates and contractors
all training courses, workshops and consultancy work delivered by R2B
participants and clients in contact with R2B
work carried out in the UK

It covers safeguarding concerns involving adults with care and support needs who may be at risk of abuse or neglect, and sets out safer working practices for everyone delivering or supporting R2B services.

3. Our commitment

R2B Training & Consultancy is committed to:

safeguarding adults at risk from abuse and neglect
promoting the wellbeing, dignity and rights of all individuals we work with
creating a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment
following safer working practices that protect both participants and staff
responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns and working with relevant agencies where necessary

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

4. Legal framework and key definitions

This policy is informed by relevant UK law and guidance, including:

Care Act 2014 (England)
Mental Capacity Act 2005
Human Rights Act 1998
Equality Act 2010
Local Safeguarding Adults Board procedures (where relevant)

Adult at risk (also known as a vulnerable adult):

An adult (aged 18 or over) who:

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

Abuse and neglect can take many forms, including:

physical abuse
domestic violence or abuse
sexual abuse
psychological or emotional abuse
financial or material abuse
modern slavery
discriminatory abuse
organisational or institutional abuse
neglect and acts of omission
self‑neglect

This list is not exhaustive.

5. Safeguarding principles

R2B follows the six key principles of adult safeguarding:

Empowerment – supporting people to make their own decisions and give informed consent.
Prevention – taking action before harm occurs.
Proportionality – responding in the least intrusive way appropriate to the risk.
Protection – providing support and representation for those in greatest need.
Partnership – working with local services and communities.
Accountability – being open, transparent and responsible for our actions.

These principles guide our decisions and practice.

6. Safer working practices

All R2B staff, associates and contractors are expected to:

treat all participants, clients and colleagues with dignity, respect and professionalism
maintain appropriate professional boundaries in all interactions (face‑to‑face, online, telephone, email, social media)
avoid situations that could be misinterpreted or place an individual at risk
be mindful of power dynamics and avoid behaviour that could be seen as bullying, harassment or exploitation
maintain confidentiality and handle personal information in line with data protection law

When delivering training or consultancy, we will:

create a safe, inclusive and accessible environment
explain ground rules and expectations for respectful behaviour at the start of sessions
avoid unnecessary one‑to‑one situations in isolated settings; where unavoidable, ensure transparency (for example, inform a colleague, use visible spaces, keep doors open where practical)
avoid sharing personal contact details with participants unless there is a clear professional reason and appropriate boundaries are in place

7. Recognising possible signs of abuse or neglect

Staff, associates and contractors should be alert to possible indicators of abuse or neglect, which may include:

unexplained injuries, bruising or changes in appearance
a person appearing frightened, withdrawn, anxious or unusually quiet
sudden changes in behaviour, mood or confidence
reluctance to be alone with a particular person
disclosure (direct or indirect) of abuse, coercion or control
evidence of financial exploitation or unusual financial activity
poor living conditions, lack of appropriate care or self‑neglect
signs of modern slavery or exploitation

Indicators alone do not prove that abuse is taking place, but they should prompt concern and, where appropriate, a safeguarding response.

8. Responding to concerns or disclosures

If a participant, client or colleague discloses abuse or risk, or if you witness or suspect abuse or neglect, you should:

Immediate response

listen carefully, calmly and without judgement
allow the person to speak at their own pace
do not promise absolute confidentiality; explain you may need to share information with appropriate people to keep them or others safe
do not investigate or ask leading questions
reassure the person that they have done the right thing in speaking up
explain what you will do next

Record

make a written note as soon as possible after the conversation or incident
include date, time, location, who was present, and what was said or observed (using the person’s own words where possible)
keep the record factual and objective

Report

contact the R2B Safeguarding Lead (or nominated contact) as soon as possible
if there is immediate danger or a crime in progress, contact emergency services (999) and then inform the Safeguarding Lead

R2B Safeguarding Contact

Email: admin@r2b.uk

If the concern involves the safeguarding contact or business owner, report directly to the relevant local authority safeguarding adults team or the police.

9. Information sharing and confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns often require information to be shared to protect adults at risk.
R2B will:

share information on a need‑to‑know basis with appropriate agencies (for example, local authority adult social care, police, health services)
share information lawfully, fairly and proportionately
seek the person’s consent where appropriate, unless doing so would place them or others at greater risk or prejudice an investigation

The safety and wellbeing of the adult at risk is the primary consideration.
Information will be handled in line with our Data Protection Policy (GDPR).

10. Roles and responsibilities

Business owner / Safeguarding Lead

act as main point of contact for safeguarding concerns
decide, with appropriate advice where needed, whether to refer concerns to external agencies
maintain secure records of safeguarding concerns and actions taken
ensure this policy is implemented and reviewed

Staff, associates and contractors

follow this policy and safer working practices
attend safeguarding awareness training where requested
be alert to signs of abuse or neglect
report concerns promptly and do not ignore or dismiss them

External agencies

local authority safeguarding adults teams, police and other agencies may become involved in investigations and protection plans.
R2B will cooperate with statutory agencies where required.

11. Training and awareness

R2B will ensure that:

staff and associates are made aware of this policy and their responsibilities
appropriate safeguarding training is provided, proportionate to role and level of contact with adults at risk
safeguarding knowledge is refreshed periodically and updated in line with changes in law or local procedures

We will also signpost to external resources where useful.

12. Allegations against staff, associates or contractors

If an allegation of abuse, neglect or unsafe practice is made against an R2B staff member, associate or contractor, we will:

take the allegation seriously and respond promptly
ensure the immediate safety of any adult at risk
seek advice from, and make referrals to, the local authority adult safeguarding team and/or police where appropriate
consider suspending or removing the individual from their role while enquiries are ongoing, where proportionate
cooperate with any external investigation
take appropriate action if the allegation is substantiated (for example, ending a contract, ceasing to work with an associate, notifying other relevant bodies)

Support will be offered to those affected, including the person making the allegation and, where appropriate, the person subject to the allegation.

13. Links with other policies

This policy should be read alongside:

Safeguarding and Safer Working (Children and Young People) Policy (if applicable)
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Trans Inclusion and Gender Identity Policy
Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy
Code of Conduct Policy
Data Protection Policy (GDPR)
Complaints and Concerns Policy

Where a concern raises issues covered by more than one policy, we may apply several policies in parallel.

14. Monitoring and review

R2B will:

review this policy at least annually, or sooner if there are significant changes in law, guidance or our activities
keep records of safeguarding concerns and use them (in anonymised form where appropriate) to identify patterns and learning
update practice, training and materials in light of learning from cases and changes in best practice

15. Document information

Policy owner: R2B Training & Consultancy
Effective date: March 2026
Review date: March 2027
Safeguarding contact: admin@r2b.uk | 07935 837 937
Website: https://www.r2b.uk