Safeguarding adults
Safeguarding Adults Handbook February 2021
This policy is for all Karo employees, contract staff and shift workers and details the policies and procedure for safeguarding vulnerable adults and to ensure full compliance with the HSE.
PPPG Statement:
1.1. Karo is committed to the safeguarding of vulnerable adults from abuse. It recognises that abuse can and does
take place and that vulnerable persons in particular may become at risk of abuse.
1.2. Karo is committed to policy and practices which promote the welfare of vulnerable adults and safeguards them
from abuse, in line with the Health Service Executive “Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse National
Policy and Procedures” (2014). To this extent, the vast majority of this document has been directly adopted from the
Health Service Executive Policy.
1.3. Karo has a no tolerance approach to any form of abuse and promotes a culture which supports this ethos.
1.4. Karo is committed to ensuring that all customers are treated with respect and dignity, have their welfare promoted
and receive support in an environment in which every effort is made to promote welfare and to prevent abuse.
1.5. Karo is committed to promoting a culture of trust, respect, dignity, honest communication and positive risk
management for all in receipt of services.
PPPG Purpose:
2.1. The purpose of this policy and procedure is to clearly set out Karo’s policy and procedure with regard to
safeguarding vulnerable adults and to ensure full compliance with HSE “Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of
Abuse National Policy” (2014).
Scope of PPPG:
3.1. This policy and procedure apply to all employees (inclusive of Karo Directors, work placements and students) of
Karo services.
Legislation/Other related PPPG’S:
4.1. Assisted Decision Making Act 2015. Irish Statute Book, Dublin.
4.2. General Data Protection Amendment Act (2018)
4.3. Guidance for Designated Centre’s; Intimate Care (GDE4) HIQA, (2013)
4.4. The HSE Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse National Policy & Procedures. (2014). Health
Service Executive Social Care Division.
4.5. Health Information and Quality Authority. (2013). The National Standards for Residential Services for Children
and Adults with Disabilities, Dublin.
4.6. The Health Act. (2007). The Irish Statute Book. Dublin.
4.7. The Health Act. (2007). (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults
with Disabilities) Regulations 2013. The Irish Statute Book. Dublin.
4.8. The Health Act. (2007). (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Older Persons), Regulations
2013. The Irish Statute Book. Dublin.
4.9. The Health Act. (2004). Houses of the Oireachtas. Dublin.
4.10. The Criminal Justice (withholding of information on offences against children and vulnerable persons) Act.
(2012). Houses of the Oireachtas. Dublin.
4.11. The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act. (2012). Houses of the Oireachtas. Dublin.
4.12. United Nations. (2006). UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. 2006. United Nations,
Geneva.
Glossary of Terms and Definitions:
5.1. Vulnerable Person
5.1.1. A Vulnerable Person may be defined as “an adult who is restricted in capacity to guard himself/herself against
harm or exploitation or to report such harm or exploitation. This may arise as a result of physical or intellectual
impairment and risk of abuse may be influenced by both context and individual circumstances”. (HSE 2014).
5.2. Abuse
5.2.1. Abuse may be defined as “any act, or failure to act, which results in a breach of a vulnerable person’s human
rights, civil liberties, physical and mental integrity, dignity or general well-being, whether intended or through
negligence, including sexual relationships or financial transactions to which the person does not or cannot validly
consent, or which are deliberately exploitative. Abuse may take a variety of forms.” (HSE 2014)