What is safeguarding?
Safeguarding means:
- Keeping people safe
- Protecting people from abuse, neglect, and harm
- Making sure people are treated with respect and dignity
📚 Mencap explains safeguarding as protecting people from abuse, ill treatment, neglect, and exploitation.
What is abuse? (Easy Read explanation)
Abuse is when someone:
- Treats another person badly
- Hurts them physically or emotionally
- Frightens or controls them
- Takes advantage of them
- Does or says things that cause harm
Abuse can make someone feel:
- Upset
- Scared
- Unsafe
- Controlled
- Worthless
Types of abuse (Easy Read list)
Physical abuse
- Hitting
- Kicking
- Biting
- Using force to hurt someone
Emotional abuse
- Shouting or insulting
- Making someone feel bad about themselves
- Ignoring or rejecting someone
- Controlling or humiliating behaviour
Neglect
- Not giving proper care
- Not giving food, support, or medication
- Leaving someone unsafe or alone
Sexual abuse
- Unwanted touching
- Forced sexual activity
- Being made to do sexual things
- Being shown sexual things without consent
Financial abuse
- Taking someone’s money
- Controlling someone’s money
- Using money without permission
Discriminatory abuse
-
Treating someone unfairly because of:
- Disability
- Race
- Gender
- Age
- Religion
- Identity
Hate crime
- Hurting someone because of who they are
- This is illegal
Mate crime
- Someone pretending to be a friend
- But using that friendship to exploit or control
Domestic abuse
- Abuse from a partner or family member
- Can include emotional, physical, sexual, or financial abuse
Modern slavery / exploitation
- Being forced to work
- Being controlled by others
- Being treated like property
Radicalisation
- Being influenced into violent or extremist groups
Key safeguarding message
Mencap guidance and UK safeguarding frameworks make these points clear:
- Abuse is never okay
- Abuse can happen to anyone
- Abuse is about power and control
- Abuse is not always visible
- Abuse is never the victim’s fault
If abuse happens or is suspected
You should:
- Tell someone you trust
- Speak to a support worker or professional
- Contact safeguarding services if needed
- Contact police if it is a crime or immediate danger
What happens when you report abuse
- You will be listened to
- Your information is written down
- You will be supported to stay safe
- A safety plan may be created with you
- You will be asked what you want to happen
Confidentiality
- Information is private
- But not secret if someone is at risk
- Only people who need to help will be told
Do I have to report abuse?
- You have the right to be safe
- You have the right to be heard
- You can choose who supports you
- You will be included in decisions about your safety
Key safeguarding principles (training summary)
- Protect people from harm
- Respect choice and control
- Act if someone is at risk
- Take all concerns seriously
- Work with other services to keep people safe
Final Easy Read summary
- Abuse is when someone hurts, controls, or frightens another person
- Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, financial, or neglect
- Abuse can happen anywhere
- Everyone has the right to be safe
- Everyone has the right to be respected
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