Last reviewed: September 2026. Policy owner: the Registered Manager, Prestige Care Connect.
Prestige Care Connect (a trading name of Ola Prestige Care Services Ltd) is committed to protecting the adults we support from abuse, neglect and avoidable harm. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and no concern is ever too small to raise.
Our commitment
- We put the person first, listening to what they want to happen — the principle of Making Safeguarding Personal.
- We recruit safely, including DBS checks, references and verified identity and right-to-work documents.
- Every carer completes safeguarding training at induction and refresher training thereafter.
- Care is overseen by our Registered Manager, a Registered Nurse, who is the service’s safeguarding lead.
- We work openly with Kent County Council, the Care Quality Commission, the police and health colleagues.
The law and guidance we follow
The Care Act 2014 and its statutory guidance; the Mental Capacity Act 2005 and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards; the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014, including Regulation 13 (safeguarding) and Regulation 20 (duty of candour); and the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board multi-agency policy and procedures.
What we mean by abuse
The Care Act identifies ten types of abuse and neglect: physical; domestic; sexual; psychological or emotional; financial or material; modern slavery; discriminatory; organisational; neglect and acts of omission; and self-neglect. We also stay alert to the risk of radicalisation (Prevent) and to unsafe practice by any worker or organisation.
Recognising a concern
Signs may include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in mood or behaviour, fear of a particular person, unexplained money problems or missing possessions, poor living conditions, missed medication, or a person telling us that something has happened. We take what a person tells us seriously, and we never promise to keep it secret.
What our staff must do
- Make sure the person is safe. If there is immediate danger or a crime may have been committed, call 999.
- If urgent medical help is needed, call 999, or 111 for advice when it is not life-threatening.
- Report the concern to the Registered Manager straight away — the same day, and without waiting for proof.
- Write down what was seen or said, in the person’s own words where possible, with the date and time. Do not investigate or question the person or anyone else.
- Preserve any evidence and keep the information confidential, sharing only with those who need to know.
What we do next
The Registered Manager will make sure the person is safe, obtain their views and consent where they have capacity, and raise a safeguarding concern with Kent County Council. We notify the Care Quality Commission where required, inform the police where a crime may have been committed, and co-operate fully with any enquiry under Section 42 of the Care Act. We are open and honest with the person and their family about what has happened, in line with our duty of candour, and we review the care plan and our practice to reduce the risk of it happening again.
Raising a concern with us or with others
Prestige Care Connect: 073 993 15159 or info@olaprestigecareservices.co.uk
Kent County Council adult safeguarding: 03000 41 61 61 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or 03000 41 91 91 (out of hours), social.services@kent.gov.uk
Police: 999 in an emergency, or 101 for a non-emergency
Care Quality Commission: 03000 616161
Whistleblowing
Any member of staff can raise a concern about unsafe or poor practice without fear of reprisal, and is protected by the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. Concerns can be raised with the Registered Manager or, if that is not appropriate, directly with the Care Quality Commission or Kent County Council.
Training and review
Safeguarding training is mandatory for all staff and is refreshed regularly. Safeguarding is a standing item in supervision and in our quality reviews. This policy is reviewed at least annually and after any safeguarding incident.