Safeguarding Adults – Guidance for Self-Employed Supporters
At Helpful HomeSupport, safeguarding is a fundamental responsibility for all supporters, including those who are self-employed. All individuals providing support must act in accordance with the principles set out in the Care Act 2014 and relevant UK safeguarding guidance.
The Six Principles of Safeguarding
Safeguarding practice is underpinned by the following principles:
- Empowerment – Supporting individuals to make their own decisions and provide informed consent
- Prevention – Taking action before harm occurs
- Proportionality – Responding in the least intrusive and appropriate manner
- Protection – Supporting those at greatest risk
- Partnership – Working collaboratively with other professionals and agencies
- Accountability – Being transparent and responsible for actions taken
Responsibilities of Self-Employed Supporters
Self-employed supporters are expected to:
- Uphold the dignity, privacy, and independence of individuals at all times
- Remain vigilant to indicators of abuse, including physical, emotional, financial abuse, neglect, and self-neglect
- Maintain accurate, factual, and contemporaneous records
- Take immediate and appropriate action where safeguarding concerns arise
- Adhere to safeguarding procedures associated with Helpful HomeSupport and local authority guidance
Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
Self-employed supporters must take personal responsibility for reporting safeguarding concerns. The appropriate reporting routes include:
- Local Authority Adult Safeguarding Team – The primary point of contact for reporting concerns
- Helpful HomeSupport – Where applicable, supporters should inform their designated contact or coordinator
- Emergency Services – Dial 999 in situations of immediate risk or danger, or 101 for non-emergency police matters
- The Care Quality Commission – For reporting serious concerns relating to care provision
- Protect – For independent advice or where concerns are not appropriately addressed
Information Sharing and Involvement of Family Members
Information sharing must be conducted in line with safeguarding and confidentiality requirements.
Family members may be informed only where appropriate, taking into account:
- The individual’s consent, where they have the mental capacity to make this decision
- Whether sharing information is in the individual’s best interests
- Whether the family member is not implicated in any safeguarding concern
In circumstances where there is risk of harm or uncertainty, decisions regarding information sharing should be guided by the relevant safeguarding authority.
Key Safeguarding Principles in Practice
- Concerns must be reported without delay
- Supporters must not undertake their own investigation
- Records must be clear, factual, and objective
- Confidentiality must be maintained, with information shared only on a need-to-know basis
Conclusion
Self-employed status does not diminish safeguarding responsibilities. All supporters working with Helpful HomeSupport are required to act promptly, professionally, and in accordance with statutory safeguarding frameworks to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those they support.