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Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedures

SAFEGUARDING ADULTS POLICY AND PROCEDURES

DVSP Ltd – The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic 

Policy Title: Safeguarding Adults Policy and ProceduresRegulation: Regulation 13 – Safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment

Version: 1.0Effective Date: 31/01/2026Review Date: 31/01/2027

Safeguarding Lead:Name: Prof Dmitry PshezhetskiyRole: Director, Registered Manager & Safeguarding LeadEmail: admin@ukmecfsspecialist.co.ukOut of hours / emergency: NHS 111 or 999


1. Purpose of This Policy

The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic is committed to:

  • Protecting adults from abuse and neglect

  • Acting promptly on safeguarding concerns

  • Ensuring care is delivered without coercion, harm or improper treatment

This policy provides clear guidance on:

  • Recognising abuse

  • Raising safeguarding concerns

  • Reporting and responding appropriately


2. Scope

This policy applies to:

  • All safeguarding concerns relating to adults (18+) using The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic services

  • All clinical and non-clinical interactions

  • All forms of abuse, whether occurring online or offline

The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic does not provide care to children.


3. Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy complies with:

  • Regulation 13: Safeguarding service users from abuse and improper treatment

  • Care Act 2014

  • Mental Capacity Act 2005

  • Human Rights Act 1998

  • UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018


4. Understanding Abuse

4.1 What Is Abuse?

Abuse is any act or omission that results in harm, distress, exploitation or violation of a person’s rights.


4.2 Types of Abuse

The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic recognises the following types of abuse:

  • Physical abuse – assault, misuse of medication, restraint

  • Psychological abuse – threats, intimidation, coercion

  • Sexual abuse – non-consensual sexual activity

  • Financial abuse – fraud, theft, coercion

  • Neglect – failure to meet basic needs

  • Discriminatory abuse – based on protected characteristics

  • Domestic abuse

  • Modern slavery

  • Organisational abuse

  • Self-neglect


4.3 Signs and Indicators of Abuse

Indicators may include:

  • Unexplained injuries

  • Sudden changes in behaviour

  • Fearfulness or distress

  • Inconsistent accounts

  • Evidence of coercion or control

  • Financial concerns

  • Withdrawal or disengagement


5. Raising and Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

5.1 How Concerns Can Be Raised

Safeguarding concerns may be raised by:

  • The patient themselves

  • A family member or carer

  • The clinician

  • Another healthcare professional

Concerns can be raised:

  • Verbally during consultation

  • By email

  • In writing


5.2 Immediate Action

If there is immediate danger:

  • Emergency services are contacted (999)

  • The person’s safety takes priority


6. Safeguarding Lead

The Safeguarding Lead for The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic is:

Prof Dmitry PshezhetskiyDirector, Registered Manager & Safeguarding Lead

Responsibilities include:

  • Receiving safeguarding concerns

  • Making safeguarding referrals

  • Liaising with external agencies

  • Ensuring concerns are documented

  • Ensuring impartial handling of allegations


7. Reporting Process (Clear Pathway)

7.1 Safeguarding Reporting Flow (Narrative Equivalent of Flowchart)

  1. Concern identified

  2. Immediate risk assessed

  3. Emergency services contacted if required

  4. Concern documented

  5. Safeguarding Lead notified

  6. Local Authority Safeguarding Team contacted

  7. Ongoing cooperation with investigation

  8. Outcome recorded and reviewed

This process is suitable for a single-person organisation.


8. Allegations Against Management

As the Registered Manager and Safeguarding Lead are the same person, The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic ensures fairness by:

  • Referring concerns directly to the Local Authority Safeguarding Adults Team

  • Cooperating fully with external investigation

  • Involving NHS England, GMC or police where appropriate

  • Ensuring transparency and duty of candour

The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic does not investigate safeguarding allegations against itself without external oversight.


9. What Happens After a Concern Is Reported

Once a concern is raised:

  • It is documented immediately

  • Advice is sought from the Local Authority

  • Appropriate referrals are made

  • The person is kept informed where appropriate

  • Actions and outcomes are recorded


10. Consent During Safeguarding Investigations

The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic :

  • Respects autonomy and consent wherever possible

  • Assesses capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005

  • Acts in best interests if capacity is lacking

  • Shares information without consent only where there is a legal or safeguarding duty


11. Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)

The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic:

  • Does not restrain patients

  • Does not provide physical care

  • Does not restrict liberty

If concerns about deprivation of liberty arise:

  • The issue is escalated to the Local Authority

  • Appropriate authorisation processes are followed


12. Restraint

The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic:

  • Does not use physical or chemical restraint

  • Recognises restraint may include coercion or undue influence

  • Avoids any practices that restrict freedom or choice


13. Preventing Abuse

The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic actively prevents abuse by:

  • Delivering care respectfully and professionally

  • Ensuring informed consent

  • Avoiding coercive practices

  • Encouraging people to raise concerns

  • Maintaining clear professional boundaries

  • Using evidence-based prescribing


14. Our Standards

  • Training: All our clinicians are trained to Level 3 Safeguarding for both children and adults.

  • Identification: During video consultations, our clinicians are trained to look for environmental cues, behavioural changes, or signs of coercion/distress.

  • Escalation: If a clinician has a reason to believe a patient (or someone in their household) is at risk of significant harm, neglect, or abuse, they have a professional and legal duty to share this information with the relevant UK Local Authority Safeguarding Board or the Police.

  • Confidentiality: While we respect patient privacy, safeguarding concerns may override the duty of confidentiality if it is in the best interest of a person’s safety.

Verification of Identity

To ensure patient safety, we require all new patients to provide a form of photo ID. This prevents "identity masking" and ensures we are treating the person we intend to treat.


15. Local Authority Safeguarding Support

As an online service providing care across England, The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic refers safeguarding concerns to:

  • The Local Authority Safeguarding Adults Team for the area where the service user resides

  • Contacted via the relevant local council safeguarding adults service

General routes include:

  • Local council safeguarding adults team

  • NHS 111 for advice

  • Emergency services (999)

The THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic cooperates fully with Local Authority safeguarding processes.


16. Record Keeping and Confidentiality

Safeguarding records are:

  • Accurate

  • Secure

  • Access-restricted

  • Stored in line with UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018

Information is shared only when lawful and necessary.


17. Review of This Policy

This policy is reviewed:

  • Annually

  • After safeguarding incidents

  • After legislative or guidance updates


Signed:Prof Dmitry PshezhetskiyDirector, Registered Manager & Safeguarding LeadThe THE UK ME/CFS specialist clinic - DVSP Ltd


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