Managing Allegations Against People who work with Adults
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All organisations are required to comply with the Care Act 2014 in respect of managing allegations against employees (including volunteers) who work with adults with care and support needs.
If there are concerns that a ‘person in a position of trust’ who works with adults with care and support needs in either a paid or voluntary capacity has or may have abused an adult (or child) or may pose a risk to vulnerable adults (or children) the concerns must be addressed in accordance with Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Managing Allegations Policy and Guidance [PDF document]. Additional Guidance is available in the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Safeguarding Adult Procedures [link] and
Examples of a ‘person in a position of trust’ are Health Professionals such as Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Health Care Assistants, Paramedics, Ambulance Staff and Patient Transport. Other examples Social Workers, Social Work Assistants, Residential Care Assistants and Managers, Domiciliary Care Assistants, Personal Assistants, Police Officers, Voluntary Workers and Students involved in vocational training with adults at risk. It also includes those with Power of Attorney or an Appointeeship.
Concerns could emerge from the employee’s home and personal life as well as within their work.
Where concerns are raised about someone who works with adults with care and support needs it will be necessary for the employer (or student body or voluntary organisation) to assess any potential risk to adults with care and support needs who use their services and if necessary take action to safeguard those adults.
Examples of such concerns could include allegations that relate to a person who works with adults with care and support needs who has:
- behaved in a way that has harmed or may harm an adult or child
- possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to an adult or child
- behaved towards an adult or child in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to adults with care and support needs.
How to refer a concern about an employee
Where an employer has concerns about an employee who may pose a risk to adults with care and support needs the relevant information must be shared with the Safeguarding Adult Manager within the Local Authority within one working day.
If the referral meets the Safeguarding Adults criteria and there is a named adult at risk then the employer should follow the usual Safeguarding Adults referral route and submit a completed adult safeguarding concern form to the secure e-mail address ssact@darlington.gov.uk
If the concern does not refer to a named adult at risk but to more general concerns about the conduct of an employee or issues within their private life the referral should be made to the Adult Contact Team at Darlington Borough Council on 01325 406111 or Minicom 01325 468504.
Outside of office hours it may also be necessary to inform the Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 01642 524552 or Minicom 01642 602346 if immediate action is required to protect adults with care and support needs who may be at risk of harm.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. Any person whether an employer or otherwise can raise a concern about an employee who may pose a risk to adults with care and support needs, you can discuss any concerns by contacting:
Adult Contact Team (Adult Social Care) at Darlington Borough Council
Telephone: 01325 406111 or Minicom 01325 468504.
For further guidance on managing allegations and the responsibility of employers and when a case must be referred to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is available in the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Managing Allegations Policy and Guidance [PDF document].
If you are concerned about an employee or volunteer who works with children
If you are concerned that an employee or a volunteer who works with children has abused a child (or adult) or may pose a risk to children (or adults) the allegations must be referred to the Designated Officer (DO-formerly known as Local Authority Designated Officer - LADO) within 24 hours (or one working day).