Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable People Handbook

SECTION THREE NOTIFICATION & REPORTING PROCEDURES CONT’D

When and how to report the suspected abuse of a vulnerable adult: Members are required to report the suspected abuse of a vulnerable person directly to the Child and Vulnerable Persons Protection Officer (CVPO) when: Physical signs of abuse are observed A person tells you he/she has been abused Someone else, tells you the person has been abused The person displays unusual behaviours which can’t otherwise be explained. If you suspect a serious case of abuse or the person is in immediate danger then contact SAPOL immediately who will able to make an informed decision about the appropriate response. You must complete a Suspected Abuse Report Form (attached in annexure 3) and send to the St John SA CVPO. Special considerations when dealing with the suspected abuse of vulnerable adults (extract from the Aged Rights Advocacy Service): Be cautious about making judgements too early Consider whether the person has the capacity to make their own decisions Try to find out whether the person wants things to change If there is a risk to the person’s physical safety or there is an emergency, contact SAPOL (ideally with permission) Be careful not to make the person’s situation more difficult Encourage the person to seek support from appropriate service providers or to contact the Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) Be aware that each instance of abuse is unique. Any intervention must be at the vulnerable adults direction and at their pace.

Reporting suspected abuse or neglect of a vulnerable person In making a notification a Member will be asked to provide, where possible, the information listed below. It is not necessary to have all of the information to make a notification: Member’s name, title, organisation, address and relationship to the person The person’s name, age and address Reason for suspecting abuse or neglect Alleged perpetrator’s name, age, address and relationship to the person An assessment of the immediate risk to the person A description of the injury, behaviour, or condition observed

Current whereabouts of the person Ethnicity, eg aboriginal, kinship group, non-english speaking.

18

Member Handbook July 2016 St John Ambulance SA Inc