• Havenmore is responsible for housing management, property safety, tenancy management and safeguarding escalation linked to our housing service.
• Care and support providers remain responsible for their own safeguarding duties, care planning and regulatory obligations.
• Where a safeguarding concern arises, we work with local authorities, care providers, social care teams, police and other agencies where appropriate.

An adult at risk is someone aged 18 or over who has care and support needs and may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.

A child is anyone under 18. Havenmore’s safeguarding responsibilities may apply where children live in, visit, or are otherwise connected to Havenmore-managed properties.

• physical abuse;
• emotional or psychological abuse;
• sexual abuse;
• financial or material abuse;
• neglect or self-neglect;
• domestic abuse or coercive control;
• organisational or institutional abuse;
• discriminatory abuse;
• modern slavery, exploitation or trafficking.

• unexplained injuries or frequent accidents;
• sudden changes in mood, behaviour or presentation;
• withdrawal, isolation, anxiety or fearfulness;
• poor hygiene or deterioration in living conditions;
• missing money, medication or belongings;
• signs of coercion, intimidation or controlling relationships;
• reluctance to engage with specific people;
• unsafe visitors or people taking advantage of a tenant.

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 first. Tell Havenmore when it is safe to do so.

• Contact Havenmore as soon as possible.
• Speak to your care or support provider if the concern relates to care or support.
• You can also contact the local authority safeguarding team directly.
• Family members, appointees, advocates, attorneys, deputies and professionals can raise concerns where appropriate.

• who is at risk;
• what happened or what you are worried about;
• when and where it happened;
• who else may be involved;
• whether there is immediate danger;
• what support or communication needs the person has.

• record the concern securely;
• assess immediate risk;
• refer the matter to the relevant local authority safeguarding team;
• contact emergency services where needed;
• work with care providers, social workers, health teams, police or other agencies;
• take housing management action where the concern affects property safety, tenancy sustainment or shared living;
• review whether any immediate safety or communication adjustments are needed.

• Information will be shared only where lawful, proportionate and necessary.
• Consent will be sought where appropriate.
• Information may be shared without consent where seeking consent would increase risk or delay protective action.
• Safeguarding records are kept securely and handled in line with UK GDPR and safeguarding law.

• Concerns involving staff or contractors will be escalated through Havenmore’s safeguarding process.
• Any safeguarding allegation involving the Executive Director is referred to the Chair of the Board.
• If the Chair is unavailable, conflicted or unable to act immediately, the matter is referred directly to the local authority safeguarding team for independent oversight.

• Safeguarding training is mandatory for staff and refreshed regularly.
• Roles involving access to vulnerable people require appropriate DBS checks.
• Safeguarding activity and themes are reported to the Board.
• Learning from safeguarding concerns is used to improve policy, practice and training.