07740176788

stacey@goldenfriends.co.uk

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin
Contact Us

Safeguarding Policy

Effective from: 1st April 2026

Stacey’s Golden Friends Ltd. is committed to protecting the welfare, safety, and dignity of older adults who use our services. This Safeguarding Policy sets out our approach to ensuring that clients are safe from harm, abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Our safeguarding practices are aligned with Northern Ireland regulations, best practices in elder care, and recognised privacy standards similar to HIPAA for handling personal and wellbeing information.

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, and contractors delivering companionship, support, and social engagement services for older adults. It applies in all service settings, including home visits, community activities, and communication through digital or telephone channels.

Principles of Safeguarding

Our safeguarding framework is guided by these principles:

  1. Dignity and Respect: Every client is treated with respect, ensuring their rights, privacy, and autonomy are upheld.
  2. Protection from Harm: We take all reasonable measures to prevent abuse, neglect, or unsafe situations.
  3. Transparency and Accountability: Staff and management follow clear procedures for reporting and managing safeguarding concerns.
  4. Empowerment: Clients are encouraged to participate in decisions affecting their care and support.
  5. Confidentiality: Personal and wellbeing information is handled securely, in accordance with Northern Ireland Data Protection regulations and HIPAA-aligned principles where applicable.

All staff and volunteers are trained to understand these principles and apply them in every interaction with older adults.

Safeguarding Adults Policy

Stacey’s Golden Friends Ltd is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare, dignity, and rights of all service users.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all employees understand their responsibilities to protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All employees
  • Volunteers
  • Contractors
  • Agency staff working on behalf of the organisation.

Definition of Safeguarding

Safeguarding means protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect.

Adults receiving home help or companionship services may be particularly vulnerable due to:

  • Age
  • Illness
  • Disability
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Social isolation

Types of Abuse

Staff must be aware of the different types of abuse, including:

Physical Abuse

Examples:

  • Hitting, slapping, pushing
  • Misuse of medication
  • Inappropriate restraint

Emotional or Psychological Abuse

Examples:

  • Intimidation
  • Threats
  • Humiliation
  • Isolation

Financial Abuse

Examples:

  • Theft
  • Pressure regarding wills or finances.
  • Misuse of a person’s money or property

Neglect

Examples:

  • Failure to provide adequate food, care, or supervision.
  • Ignoring medical needs

Sexual Abuse

Examples:

  • Sexual assault
  • Inappropriate touching
  • Sexual harassment

Discriminatory Abuse

Examples:

  • Racism
  • Ageism
  • Disability discrimination

Organisational Abuse

Poor care practices or unsafe systems within a service.

Recognising Signs of Abuse

Poor care practices or unsafe systems within a service.

Staff Responsibilities

All employees must:

  • Protect the dignity and rights of service users.
  • Be alert to signs of abuse or neglect.
  • Report concerns immediately.
  • Record concerns accurately.
  • Follow safeguarding procedures.

Staff must never ignore suspected abuse.

Reporting Concerns

If abuse is suspected:

  1. Ensure the immediate safety of the service user.
  2. Report the concern immediately to the manager or safeguarding lead.
  3. Record the concern factually and promptly.

Management will report safeguarding concerns to the appropriate authorities where necessary,including:

  • Local safeguarding services
  • The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority

Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns must be treated sensitively and confidentially. Information will only be shared with relevant authorities where required.

Training

All staff will receive safeguarding training as part of induction and ongoing professional development.

Failure to Report

Failure to report safeguarding concerns may result in disciplinary action.

Identifying Risks and Concerns

Stacey’s Golden Friends Ltd. recognises potential safeguarding concerns that may arise during companionship visits, errands, social engagement, or home-based support. These include:

  • Physical, emotional, or financial abuse
  • Neglect or lack of care.
  • Unsafe living conditions or hazards
  • Exploitation by third parties or caregivers
  • Sudden changes in behaviour or wellbeing that indicate possible risk.

Staff are trained to recognise warning signs, document observations carefully, and report any concerns immediately according to internal safeguarding procedures.

Staff Responsibilities

All staff, carers, and volunteers have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment for clients. This includes:

  • Conducting visits professionally and respectfully
  • Reporting concerns immediately to the designated Safeguarding Officer
  • Following established procedures for documenting observations or incidents
  • Maintaining accurate personal care records for older people and visit notes in a secure manner.
  • Attending safeguarding training and refresher sessions regularly

Failure to comply with safeguarding procedures may result in disciplinary action, in accordance with company policy and legal obligations.

Reporting Procedures

When a safeguarding concern arises, the following steps are followed:

  1. Immediate Action: Ensure the client is safe and remove any immediate risks.
  2. Document Observations: Record factual details of concerns, including dates, times, and behaviours observed.
  3. Notify Safeguarding Officer: All concerns must be reported promptly to the designated Safeguarding Officer.
  4. External Reporting: If appropriate, concerns are reported to local authorities or the RQIA as required by Northern Ireland law.
  5. Follow-Up: Staff maintain communication with the client and family where appropriate, while ensuring confidentiality is respected.

We ensure that reporting procedures are transparent, clear, and aligned with legal responsibilities, safeguarding both clients and staff.

Handling Sensitive Information

Safeguarding often involves the collection and storage of personal, wellbeing, and sometimes sensitive health-related information. Stacey’s Golden Friends Ltd. follows strict procedures to ensure:

  • All monitoring wellbeing of older people parent information is kept secure and confidential.
  • Access to sensitive records is limited to authorised staff only.
  • Records are stored securely in line with Northern Ireland Data Protection regulations.
  • Information is shared externally only when legally required or with client/family consent.

We aim to balance transparency with privacy, providing peace of mind for clients and families while maintaining high safeguarding standards.

Training and Awareness

All staff and volunteers receive mandatory training in safeguarding, including:

  • Recognising signs of abuse or neglect
  • Reporting procedures and documentation
  • Understanding rights and responsibilities of older adults
  • Confidential handling of personal and wellbeing data

Regular refresher training ensures staff remain aware of emerging safeguarding practices, regulatory updates, and best practices in non-medical elder care.

Partnership with Families and Community

We encourage families and carers to be active participants in safeguarding by:

  • Sharing relevant information about wellbeing and safety concerns
  • Reporting any observations of risk or harm
  • Participating in discussions regarding safety procedures or care adjustments

In addition, we maintain relationships with local authorities, community support groups, and trusted service partners to ensure older adults receive comprehensive protection.

Professional Boundaries Policy

The purpose of this policy is to ensure staff maintain appropriate professional relationships with service users, families, and colleagues.

Maintaining clear professional boundaries protects both service users and staff.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, and contractors.

Definition of Professional Boundaries

Professional boundaries are the limits that define a safe and appropriate relationship between staff and service users.

Staff must always maintain a professional, respectful, and ethical relationship.

Expectations for Staff

Employees must:

  • Treat service users with dignity and respect
  • Maintain professional behaviour at all times.
  • Avoid relationships that could compromise care.
  • Follow company policies and safeguarding procedures.

Unacceptable Conduct

Staff must not:

  • Form personal, romantic, or sexual relationships with service users.
  • Share personal contact details unless authorised.
  • Visit service users outside scheduled care times.
  • Accept large gifts or money.
  • Borrow money from service users.
  • Become involved in-service users’ financial matters.
  • Engage in social media connections with service users.

Social Media

Staff must not:

  • Post information about service users.
  • Share photos or details of service users.
  • Communicate with service users through personal social media accounts.

Personal Involvement

While companionship is part of the service, staff must ensure the relationship remains professional.

Staff should not:

  • Become emotionally dependent on service users.
  • Allow service users to become dependent on them personally.
  • Involve service users in personal matters.

Concerns About Boundaries

If a staff member feels a professional boundary may be at risk, they must report the situation to management.

Managers will support staff in maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Breaches of the Policy

Any breach of professional boundaries will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action.

Serious breaches may also lead to referral to safeguarding authorities or professional regulators.

Review and Continuous Improvement

Stacey’s Golden Friends Ltd. regularly reviews safeguarding practices to ensure they remain effective, compliant, and responsive to emerging risks. Policies and procedures are updated as needed to reflect changes in:

  • Northern Ireland elder care regulations and standards
  • Best practices in social support and companionship services
  • Feedback from clients, families, and staff

By maintaining a proactive approach, we aim to continuously improve our safeguarding procedures, ensuring older adults feel safe, valued, and supported.

Contact Information

For any safeguarding concerns, questions, or advice, families and staff can contact Stacey’s Golden Friends Ltd. directly through official channels. We are committed to prompt, responsible, and confidential handling of all safeguarding matters.

This policy underlines our commitment to the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of older adults, ensuring our services are delivered in a secure, ethical, and compassionate manner.