Safeguarding Adults

We recognise that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and we are committed to creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment for all adults to participate in sport and physical activity.   

Concerned about an adult?

1. If they are in immediate danger call the police on 999
2. If you want to report a concern in Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar & Cleveland or Hartlepool contact Teeswide Adult Safeguarding Board Online Referral
3. If you want to report a concern in Darlington, contact Darlington Safeguarding Partnership Online Referral
4. If you would like further advice and guidance – Information and guidance

Alternatively If you are worried or want to talk to someone, contact your local Social Care Service.

Hartlepool 01429 523 390 SMS: 078336 72357 iSPA@hartlepool.gov.uk	Middlesbrough 01642 065 070 adultaccessteam@middlesbrough.gov.uk	Darlington 01325 406111 ssact@darlington.gov.uk
Redcar & Cleveland 01642 771 500 AccessAdultsTeam@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk	Stockton-on-Tees 01642 527 764 FirstContactAdults@stockton.gov.uk	Evenings and Weekends 01642 524 552

Our role in Safeguarding Adults

1. To articulate, and implement minimum safeguarding standards when we work in partnership with other organisations to provide activities for adults. 
2. To provide guidance on safeguarding in specific relationship to sport and physical activity, and act as an example of good practice and promote the importance of safeguarding adults in sport and physical activity. 

For more details on our scope, safeguarding principles, role and responsibilities please see our Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures.  We have developed an Action Plan that identifies our approach and strategy to safeguard adults with clear tasks and timescales. We have a robust process in place for whistleblowing and this policy is based on a culture that is open and fair.  Staff, officials and volunteers are aware of the need to maintain professional boundaries as detailed in the Code of Conduct. All participants involved in sport and physical activity understand their Code of Conduct and how it applies in everyday practice.

Feedback from stakeholders on our safeguarding adult policy and procedures is welcomed and encouraged to enable us to continually improve safeguarding practice and demonstrate shared ownership.

The Key Differences between Children and Adult Safeguarding 

• Children and adults at risk can experience different types of harm and abuse.
• All adults, including adults at risk, have a right to make their own decisions which may be unwise  – including the choice not to take action to protect themselves. This is different for children, where their safety is the primary concern – although listening to their views is still important.
• The way abuse is reported for children and adults at risk is not the same and the legislation for managing each is different, particularly in relation to consent to share information.

Adults at Risk 

Whilst anyone can experience abuse and harm it is recognised that people can be, or become more vulnerable due to health needs, and other circumstances which can affect their resilience and ability to advocate for themselves. This includes losing a job, relationship breakdown or becoming homeless.  

The Care Act (2014) provides the following definitions in relation to safeguarding adults who have additional protections within law.  

Adult safeguarding is ‘working with adults with care and support needs to keep them safe from abuse or neglect’.  

This may include people with care and support needs who may be in vulnerable circumstances and at risk of abuse or neglect. They are or may be eligible for community care services for the following reasons: mental health, disability, age or illness and who are or may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.  

The legal definition of an adult at risk is an individual aged 18 years and over who: 

• has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and; 
• is experiencing, or 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 

For more information on Safeguarding Adults in Sport including policy and procedure templates and training please visit the Ann Craft Trust.

For introductory Safeguarding Adults in Sport Training please click here.

Who to Talk to?

• Family member
• GP
• Coach/instructor
• Tees Valley Sport c.woods@tees.ac.uk

For support please click here to access a list of the most prominent organisations which are relevant to adult safeguarding.