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RemoteAbility CIC | Empowering ability, everywhere.

Safeguarding Policy

Last updated: 24 November 2025

Safeguarding Policy Statement

RemoteAbility CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all participants, particularly vulnerable adults who may be at risk of abuse, harm, or exploitation. We recognize that many of our participants have disabilities, health conditions, or face barriers that may make them vulnerable.

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, trustees, partners, and anyone working on behalf of RemoteAbility CIC.

2. Our Commitment

We are committed to:

  • Creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants
  • Preventing abuse, harm, and exploitation
  • Responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns
  • Working with statutory agencies when necessary
  • Supporting participants who have experienced abuse or harm
  • Ensuring staff and volunteers understand their safeguarding responsibilities
  • Reviewing and improving our safeguarding practices regularly

3. Who We Safeguard

Our safeguarding policy covers adults at risk, defined as individuals aged 18 or over who:

  • Have care and support needs (whether receiving care or not)
  • Are experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
  • Are unable to protect themselves because of their care needs

Many of our participants meet this definition due to disabilities, mental health conditions, or other vulnerabilities.

4. Types of Abuse

We recognize the following types of abuse and neglect:

Physical Abuse

Hitting, slapping, pushing, restraining, or causing physical harm.

Emotional/Psychological Abuse

Threats, intimidation, humiliation, coercion, harassment, or controlling behavior.

Financial Abuse

Theft, fraud, exploitation, misuse of benefits, pressure over wills or property.

Sexual Abuse

Non-consensual sexual acts, harassment, exploitation, or grooming.

Neglect

Failure to provide care, support, or assistance that someone needs.

Discriminatory Abuse

Discrimination based on disability, race, gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation.

Organizational Abuse

Poor care practices, neglect, or abuse within an institutional setting.

Modern Slavery

Forced labor, human trafficking, or exploitation.

Self-Neglect

Failure to care for oneself, refusal of services, hoarding, or lack of self-care.

5. Recognizing Signs of Abuse

Signs that someone may be experiencing abuse include:

  • Unexplained injuries, bruises, or marks
  • Changes in behavior, mood, or confidence
  • Withdrawal from activities or relationships
  • Fear of specific people or places
  • Unexplained financial difficulties or missing money
  • Poor hygiene or health deterioration
  • Disclosure of abuse or harm
  • Controlling or coercive relationships

6. How to Report a Concern

If You're a Participant

If you're experiencing abuse, or worried about another participant, you can:

All safeguarding concerns are treated seriously and confidentially.

If You're Staff, Volunteer, or Partner

If you have a safeguarding concern, you must:

  1. Report it immediately to the Safeguarding Lead
  2. Record the concern in writing within 24 hours
  3. Do not investigate yourself – leave this to professionals
  4. Maintain confidentiality (only share information with those who need to know)

Safeguarding Lead

Email: andrew@remoteability.org
Phone: Available during office hours (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm)

7. Responding to Disclosures

If someone tells you they're being abused:

  • Listen without judgment or interruption
  • Reassure them that they've done the right thing
  • Do not promise to keep it secret – explain you need to report it
  • Do not investigate or ask leading questions
  • Record what they said in their own words
  • Report to the Safeguarding Lead immediately

8. Reporting to External Agencies

We will report safeguarding concerns to statutory agencies when appropriate:

Local Authority Safeguarding Team

For concerns about adults at risk in the community.

Police

For immediate danger, criminal activity, or if someone's life is at risk. Call 999 in emergencies.

Care Quality Commission (CQC)

For concerns about care providers or services.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

If a staff member or volunteer poses a risk to vulnerable people.

9. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

We treat all safeguarding information confidentially, but we will share information when:

  • It's necessary to protect someone from harm
  • Required by law or statutory agencies
  • The person gives informed consent

Information is only shared with those who need to know (on a "need-to-know" basis).

10. Staff and Volunteer Training

All staff and volunteers receive:

  • Safeguarding training during induction
  • Refresher training every 2 years
  • Role-specific safeguarding guidance
  • Access to safeguarding policies and procedures

11. Safe Recruitment

We follow safe recruitment practices:

  • DBS checks for all staff and volunteers working with vulnerable adults
  • References checked before employment
  • Interview questions about safeguarding
  • Safeguarding policies shared during onboarding

12. Mental Capacity and Consent

We respect participants' right to make their own decisions. If someone lacks mental capacity to make a specific decision, we follow the Mental Capacity Act 2005:

  • Assume capacity unless proven otherwise
  • Support people to make their own decisions
  • Act in the person's best interests if they lack capacity
  • Choose the least restrictive option

13. Online Safety

Our remote-first approach means we prioritize online safety:

  • Secure video conferencing with passwords and waiting rooms
  • Clear online conduct expectations for participants and staff
  • Reporting mechanisms for online abuse or harassment
  • Data protection and privacy safeguards
  • Guidance on recognizing online scams and exploitation

14. Complaints and Whistleblowing

If you're unhappy with how a safeguarding concern was handled, or have concerns about our practices, you can:

  • Raise a formal complaint with our Safeguarding Lead
  • Use our whistleblowing procedure (for staff/volunteers)
  • Report directly to the Local Authority Safeguarding Team
  • Contact the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

15. Review and Monitoring

This policy is reviewed annually by our Board of Trustees. We monitor:

  • Number and types of safeguarding concerns reported
  • Response times and outcomes
  • Staff training completion rates
  • Participant feedback on feeling safe

16. Useful Contacts

RemoteAbility CIC Safeguarding

External Support

  • Emergency Services: 999
  • Police Non-Emergency: 101
  • Action on Elder Abuse Helpline: 0808 808 8141
  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247
  • Samaritans: 116 123
  • Modern Slavery Helpline: 0800 0121 700
  • Care Quality Commission: 03000 616161

17. Related Policies

  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Equality and Diversity Policy (internal)
  • Complaints Procedure (internal)
  • Whistleblowing Policy (internal)

18. Contact Us

For questions about this Safeguarding Policy: