Safeguarding

Safeguarding adults policy and guidelines 

Lisa Robins     Safeguarding Officer

Sammuditá   

Sinhadevi

Viprasanna

Viryashalin 

Introduction 

Triratna is a worldwide network of friends in Buddhist life. This is for many of us a  source of great richness, support and strength. However, it also carries a risk that we may  fail to notice, question or act on behaviours of concern, out of naivety, loyalty to friends or lack of awareness; or an assumption that “it couldn’t happen here” or “they would never do a thing like that.” 

This policy is an expression of the first ethical precept taught by the Buddha: to avoid harming living beings. It refers to law and good practice mainly as defined in England and Wales. Triratna bodies in other countries are requested to draw up similar documents in line  with local requirements. 

The purpose of this policy 

This document is for Friends, Mitras and Order members involved in the Kings Lynn  Triratna Group activities as volunteers, leaders, teachers or parents. 

It aims to provide 

  • Protection for adults attending Triratna Kings Lynn Group activities who  may be “at risk” or vulnerable, and 
  • Protection for Friends, Mitras and Order members working with them.  It sets out 
  • Information and practices contributing to the prevention of harm of ‘adults  at risk’, previously known as ‘vulnerable adults’ 
  • A course of action to be followed if harm is suspected. 

Our values 

Although we do not run activities specifically for those with mental illness or addiction, we recognise that people who may be vulnerable in these ways do attend our events and take  part in the life of our sangha

The team (made up of those listed at the top of this page) of the Kings Lynn Triratna Group  recognise their responsibility to safeguard adults who may be deemed to be “at risk” visiting  our Buddhist group or involved in our activities. 

Lisa Robins () is the official Safeguarding  officer. She is responsible for coordinating the protection of  adults who may be at risk at Kings Lynn  Triratna Group. (See also our Safeguarding  Adults policy). She will liaise with the Triratna safeguarding team as the place to report concerns.  

As a group we do not provide activities for children (those under 18 years of age). If someone who is 16 or 17 wants to come along they need to do so with a parent. We would decline  anyone younger than that to attend.  

As a team we are responsible for making sure Safeguarding is taken seriously and appears  on the agenda at every team meeting, ensuring the group complies with their Safeguarding  obligations.

Who is an “adult”? 

In the United Kingdom an “adult” is a person who has passed their 18th birthday. 

Who is an “adult at risk”? 

This is not currently well defined. However, the following is one widely-used definition: A person aged 18 or over, who needs, or may need, community care services because they are  frail or have a learning disability, physical disability, sight or hearing disability or mental  health issues; and cannot (or may not be able to) care for themselves, or take steps to protect  themselves from significant harm or exploitation. 

Adults who may be ‘at risk’ may also include those who 

  • have dementia 
  • have learning disabilities 
  • have mental health problems 
  • have drug, alcohol or substance dependency 
  • have physical or sensory disabilities 
  • have been bereaved, suffered grief and loss 
  • through age or illness are dependent on other people to help them 
  • live with domestic abuse 
  • are homeless 
  • are refugees or asylum seekers and 
  • for any reason may be considered not to have ‘mental capacity’. (See below.) 

Whether or not a person is “at risk” or “vulnerable” in these cases will vary according to  circumstances, and it should be noted that a person with a physical disability is not  necessarily vulnerable or at risk, though they could be. Each case must be judged on its  own merits. 

What is ‘mental capacity’? 

Whether a person has mental capacity is a matter of specialist assessment and not for us to  make. However, it may be useful to know something about it. 

Mental capacity is the ability to make a particular decision. An adult may be at risk if they are  unable to make a decision due to illness, disability, poor mental health, dementia, a learning  disability or something else that may impair their judgement.

A person may be deemed to be ‘without capacity’ if they cannot: 

  • understand the decision 
  • retain the information 
  • weigh up the information 
  • communicate their decision 

About matters such as 

  • finance 
  • social care 
  • medical treatment 

Vulnerability can be variable 

As is made clear above in the reference to the vulnerability of those who have suffered grief  and loss we recognise that many people who are generally emotionally and psychologically  stable in most aspects of their lives may on occasion find themselves vulnerable or at risk.  

This may be because of illness, relationship breakdown or bereavement, or because their  practice of meditation or Buddhism has made them more sensitive and self-aware,  particularly if they are new to Buddhism. 

For example, we will bear in mind that a person who is emotionally vulnerable for any  reason may not be able to make balanced decisions regarding giving money or becoming  more involved with Triratna, or entering into intimate relationships, whether friendship or relationships which are more romantic or sexual in nature. We will take great care to help  each other avoid exploiting people in such everyday situations of vulnerability. 

Protecting those with psychological disorders 

We are aware that those attending our group and activities include adults experiencing psychological disorders ranging from mild to severe. 

We recognise that as Buddhists we do not have the professional skills to diagnose or help people with psychological disorders and that they may not be helped solely by the kindness  of Buddhists. In such cases we may need to advise them to seek professional help. 

We are aware that for people with serious psychological disorders traditional Buddhist practices involving recognition of the illusion of self could be extremely dangerous. We may  need to encourage them in traditional Buddhist practices involving the calming of body and  mind, or to avoid meditation – altogether, or during periods of relapse. 

Where we believe a person to be at risk of suicide or self-harm, or to pose a risk to others, we  will alert our groups Safeguarding officers, who will refer to local mental health services  and/or the police as appropriate, and consult with the Triratna Safeguarding Team if  necessary.

Protecting those with psychological disorders – online 

Buddhism and meditation are increasingly taught using online media. In person, it is  relatively easy to notice where a person may have compromised mental health; online it is  much more difficult. 

We recognise that among those seeking individual online guidance from members of the  Triratna Buddhist Order there may be some reporting meditation experiences which are  an indication of serious psychological disorder. 

In engaging in individual guidance online by email, blog, social media or text we will take  great care at the start to establish with local Order members the identity, location and  suitability of the participant, and which local Order members are available locally to support  them in person and gaining permission to contact those Order members if we believe they  are at risk. (This does not apply where the participant is an Order member and therefore  well known to us.) 

Responding to children online 

With anyone under 18, we will not engage in personal  communication online or via social media except in carefully defined ways. See the  Triratna’s Safeguarding Children and Adults 2019, General Advice for Triratna Buddhist  centres and enterprises worldwide.  

DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service) 

As  the Kings Lynn Group don’t put on any activities targeted at vulnerable groups (e.g. those  with addictions, mental health issues etc) then none of the volunteers require DBS checks.  

Managing those who pose a risk to others 

There are cases where it is known that a person attending our activities is likely to pose a  risk to others (for example, a person who is known to have a previous criminal conviction  for sexual or other violent offences or someone who is under investigation for possible  sexual or other violent offences). 

Such a person will be asked by the Safeguarding Officer to negotiate a behaviour contract  setting out the terms of their continued participation in Kings Lynn Triratna Group  activities within agreed boundaries. (See the document ‘Managing those who pose a risk’.)  Where it is felt that the group does not have the resources to manage this relationship safely,  we reserve the right to ask the person not to attend our activities. 

What is ‘abuse’? 

‘Abuse’ is not a legal term, but covers a number of ways in which a person may be deliberately  harmed (legally or illegally), usually by someone who is in a position of power, trust or  authority over them, or who may be perceived by that person to be in a position of power,  trust or authority over them; for example by a Friend, Mitra or Order member who is  helping to run the Kings Lynn Triratna Group activities for those newer to such activities.  The harm may be physical, psychological or emotional, or it may exploit the vulnerability of  the person in more subtle ways. 

However, harm can also occur less consciously, through naivety, idealism or lack of  awareness.

Types of abuse 

The 2014 Care Act identifies nine types of abuse, all of which have a psychological/emotional  aspect. 

  1. physical abuse 
  2. sexual abuse 
  3. neglect and acts of omission 
  4. organisational abuse 
  5. self-neglect 
  6. modern slavery 
  7. domestic abuse 
  8. discriminatory abuse 
  9. financial or material abuse 
  10. psychological abuse 

Types of abuse, in more detail 

Physical 

  • Bodily assaults resulting in injuries e.g. hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions. 
  • Bodily impairment e.g. malnutrition, dehydration, failure to thrive 
  • Medical/healthcare maltreatment 

Sexual 

  • Rape, incest, acts of indecency, sexual assault 
  • Sexual harassment or sexual acts to which the person has not consented, or could not  consent or to which they were pressured into consenting. 
  • Sexual abuse might also include exposure to pornographic materials, being made to  witness sexual acts; also sexual harassment, with or without physical contact. 
  • Sexual contact of any kind with anyone under 16 is a crime. In the case of Order Members “position of trust” in law means sexual contact of any kind with anyone  under 18 could be considered a crime. 

Abuse through neglect 

  • Ignoring medical or physical care needs 
  • Failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or educational service 
  • The withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and  heating 

Organisational abuse 

  • Neglect or abuse within an institution (eg. hospital/care home) or care provided in  own home. 
  • One-off incident or continuing ill-treatment 
  • Poor professional practice, policies or structure of an organization 

Self neglect 

  • Alcohol abuse 
  • Hoarding 
  • Drug abuse 

Modern slavery 

Examples: working as housemaids, in brothels, cannabis farms, nail bars and agriculture against their will, unpaid.

Some possible signs: 

  • Physical appearance, inappropriate clothing. 
  • Isolation, not being allowed to travel alone; restricted freedom of movement. 
  • Poor living conditions, few possessions, no ID documents 
  • Unusual travel times – being dropped off early morning or late at night Modern Slavery Helpline (UK) 0800 0121 700 

Domestic abuse 

  • Physical, psychological, sexual and financial abuse. 
  • ‘Honour’-based violence or forced marriage 
  • Involving intimate partner or family member 
  • Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) 
  • 16 year-olds can be defined as suffering domestic abuse. 

Some signs and symptoms of domestic abuse: 

  • Visible injuries or unexplained marks, scars or injuries 
  • Making ‘excuses’ for injuries 
  • Controlling and/or threatening relationships 

Discriminatory abuse 

  • Discrimination including gender, sexual orientation, race, disability, age, skin colour,  language, culture, religion or belief, or politics 
  • Harassment 
  • Loss of self-esteem 
  • Not being able to access services or being excluded 

Financial or material abuse 

  • Misuse or theft of money 
  • Exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance 
  • Unexplained withdrawal of large sums of money 
  • Personal possessions going missing from home 
  • Extraordinary interest and involvement by the family/carer or friend in an individual’s  assets 

Psychological/emotional 

  • Threats of harm, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse,  enforced isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks. 
  • Humiliation 
  • Bullying, shouting or swearing 

Signs of abuse 

Physical 

NB Ageing processes can cause changes which are hard to distinguish from some aspects of  physical assault e.g. skin bruising can occur due to blood vessels becoming fragile. 

  • A history of unexplained falls or minor injuries
  • Bruising in well-protected areas, or clustered from repeated striking 
  • Finger marks 
  • Burns of unusual location or type 
  • Injuries found at different states of healing 
  • Injury shape similar to an object 
  • Injuries to head/face/scalp 
  • History of moving from doctor to doctor, or between social care agencies; reluctance  to seek help 
  • Accounts which vary with time or are inconsistent with physical evidence 
  • Weight loss due to malnutrition; or rapid weight gain 
  • Ulcers, bed sores and being left in wet clothing 
  • Drowsiness due to too much medication; or lack of medication causing recurring  crises/hospital admissions 

Sexual 

  • Disclosure or partial disclosure (use of phrases such as ‘It’s a secret’) 
  • Medical problems, e.g. genital infections, pregnancy, difficulty walking or sitting 
  • Disturbed behaviour e.g. depression, sudden withdrawal from activities, loss of  
  • previous skills, sleeplessness or nightmares, self-injury, showing fear or aggression to  one particular person, inappropriately seductive behaviour, loss of appetite or  difficulty in keeping food down. 
  • Unusual circumstances, such as, for example, two people found in a toilet/bathroom  area, one of them distressed 

Signs of psychological or emotional vulnerability 

  • Isolation 
  • Unkempt, unwashed appearance; smell 
  • Over meticulousness 
  • Inappropriate dress 
  • Withdrawnness, agitation, anxiety; not wanting to be touched 
  • Change in appetite 
  • Insomnia or need for excessive sleep 
  • Tearfulness 
  • Unexplained paranoia; excessive fears 
  • Low self-esteem 
  • Confusion 

Signs of neglect 

  • Poor physical condition 
  • Clothing in poor condition 
  • Inadequate diet 
  • Untreated injuries or medical problems 
  • Failure to be given prescribed medication 
  • Poor personal hygiene 

Signs of financial or material vulnerability 

  • Unexplained or sudden inability to pay bills 
  • Unexplained or sudden withdrawal of money from accounts 
  • Disparity between assets and satisfactory living conditions 
  • Unusual level of interest by family members and other people in the vulnerable  person’s financial assets

Signs of discrimination 

  • Lack of respect shown to an individual 
  • Substandard service offered to an individual 
  • Exclusion from rights afforded to others, such as health, education, criminal justice 

Other signs of abuse 

  • Controlling relationships 
  • Inappropriate use of restraint 
  • Sensory deprivation e.g. spectacles or hearing aid 
  • Denial of visitors or phone calls 
  • Failure to ensure privacy or personal dignity 
  • Lack of personal clothing or possessions 

People who might abuse 

Abuse may happen anywhere and may be carried out by anyone, eg: 

  • Order members, Mitras and Friends, whether financially supported or volunteering 
  • Parents 
  • People you consider good and trusted friends 
  • Informal carers, family, friends, neighbours 
  • Other users or tenants of the Quaker Meeting House  
  • Strangers or visitors to Kings Lynn Triratna Group or Quaker Meeting House 

If you have a concern 

All allegations or suspicions should be taken seriously and reported to Kings Lynn  Triratna Group’s Safeguarding Officer (see page 1 of this document)  

What to do if an adult alleges abuse 

Do 

  • stay calm. 
  • listen patiently. 
  • reassure the person they are doing the right thing by telling you. 
  • clarify issues of confidentiality early on. Make it clear that you may have to discuss  their concerns with others, on a strictly need-to-know basis, if at all possible with their permission. (See below.) 
  • explain what you are going to do. 
  • write a factual account of what you have seen and heard, immediately. 

Do not 

  • appear shocked, horrified, disgusted or angry. 
  • press the individual for details. 
  • make comments or judgments other than to show concern. Your responsibility is  to take them seriously, not to decide whether what they are saying is true. • promise to keep secrets. 
  • confront the alleged perpetrator. 
  • risk contaminating the evidence by investigating matters yourself. 

What to do next 

  • Your first concern is the safety and wellbeing of the person bringing the allegation.  Do not be distracted from this by loyalty to the person who has been accused or your  desire to maintain the good name of Triratna or your center.
  • If you are not the Safeguarding Officer the first thing you should do is to tell the  Safeguarding Officer. However, if this is not possible and you think the person is in  immediate danger phone social services or police straight away. A telephone referral  should be confirmed in writing within 24 hours.  
  • Every person has a legal right to privacy under the International Convention on  Human Rights and data protection legislation; therefore if possible you need to get  the person’s consent to share the information they have given you, within the limits  described here and below. 
  • However, if necessary it is legal to pass on information without their consent if you  believe they are at risk of significant harm. 
  • If you are not the Safeguarding Officer, tell the Kings Lynn Triratna Group’s  Safeguarding Officer only. They will co-ordinate the handling of the matter on behalf  of the group. 
  • The Safeguarding Officer should contact the Triratna Safeguarding team to discuss  what to do next:  
  • Meanwhile, make detailed factual notes about the conversation/concern/incident as  soon as possible, including time, date and location. Give them to the Safeguarding  Officer. If you are the Safeguarding Officer, keep notes yourself and keep them either  locked away or password- protected. 
  • No sangha member should attempt to investigate a criminal allegation. This is the  job of the police and to attempt this could prejudice a court case and put the person  in danger. 

Who else needs to know? 

Confidentiality, sharing information only on a need-to-know basis, is very important. Under  data protection legislation nobody has a right to know about the matter – except, for  Safeguarding purposes, with those in a position to prevent further harm,  For example, where there is  a criminal allegation against a mitra it would be justifiable for the Safeguarding Officer,  to know about it. Normally it is illegal to share personal  information about a person without that person’s permission in writing; however, where  there are Safeguarding concerns it may be necessary, and therefore legally justifiable,  to report without consent, for the prevention of harm. 

This is not a matter of concealment, but is intended to protect all concerned from further  harm. It will also protect your sangha from fear, rumour and disharmony which will make  it much harder to deal with the matter effectively without causing further harm. 

Secure, confidential record-keeping 

We understand our responsibility for secure and careful record-keeping. Our Safeguarding  Officer will keep a detailed log of all Safeguarding-related incidents as well as conversations, actions and the reasoning behind them. These will be stored on the groups’ encrypted USB  memory stick. This will be made accessible only to the Safeguarding Officer and one or two  others. If this is not practicable, they will be written on a computer, printed out and the  paper copies stored in a locked cabinet, box or drawer accessible only to the Safeguarding  Officer and one or two others approved by our trustees. In this case the computer files must  be deleted promptly. We understand that such records must not be stored on individuals’  own private computers. We also understand that under data protection law we need to word  our records in a form we would be happy for the subjects to read if they ask to, as is their  legal right. This means notes should be factual and respectful, free of interpretations and  value-judgements. 

Keeping confidential records 

We understand that because many abuse cases come to light 30 or more years later our  insurers may require us to keep our logs for up to 50 years. (This is a requirement of the  UK’s Buddhist Insurance Scheme.) 

If our group closes down, we will give our records to another Triratna Buddhist  center/charity to keep with their own confidential Safeguarding logs. 

Reviewing our policies annually 

All our Safeguarding policies will be reviewed by the trustees and Safeguarding Officer  annually and the review recorded in the minutes of their meetings. 

Kings Lynn Triratna Group 

Safeguarding Officer’s name and email address: 
Lisa Robins 

Date: July 2024 

Review date: July  2025 

This document will be reviewed annually by the Safeguarding Officer and the team of  Kings Lynn  Triratna Group 

This model document was published June 2019 by the Triratna Safeguarding team, part of the  Triratna Ethics Kula.  

Appendix 1 

Local information regarding accessing Mental Health services:  

Call First Response Service (FRS) on 111  option 2. Have the person’s full name, dob, contact details and if possible their  address  

Local Social Services contact details 

0344 800 80 20

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