Policy agreed November 2022
In addition to supporting young Go players under the age of 18, the Youth Go Trust may support young adult Go players who are under the age of 25 and are in full time education. This policy should be applied when the Youth Go Trust organises events which may be attended by young adult Go Players at risk of harm.
- Definitions
Adults at risk of harm
The term ‘vulnerable adults’ has generally been replaced by ‘adults at risk of harm’.
The Care Act 2014 makes it clear that abuse of adults links to circumstances rather than the characteristics of the people experiencing the harm.
Safeguarding Adults at Risk
‘Adult safeguarding is working with adults with care and support needs to keep them safe from abuse or neglect. It is an important part of what many public services do, and a key responsibility of local authorities.’ – Care Act 2014
Safeguarding duties apply to an adult who:
- Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and;
- Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect and;
- As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.
- The Policy of the Youth Go Trust (YGT):
The YGT adheres to the following principles:
- all adults have a right to be safe and to be treated with dignity and respect, with a right to privacy
- all adults, whatever their age, culture, disability, gender, language, racial origin, religious belief and/or sexual identity have the right to protection from abuse
- all incidents of suspected poor practice and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately
- confidentiality should be upheld in line with the Data Protection Act (1998), and the Freedom of Information Act (2004)
If the YGT becomes aware of an allegation of abuse concerning an individual that is attending an event organised by the trust the following action should be taken:
- As soon as any form of abuse of a vulnerable adult is suspected or becomes apparent it should be reported to the appropriate local authority Adult Social Care Team (advice on this can be obtained from the BGA Child Protection Adviser).
- Where there are grounds to suspect that a crime has been committed the incident should be reported to the Police.
- Guidance for trustees, YGT workers and volunteers
The notion of capacity
Although it is not for individuals to make a decision about whether an adult lacks capacity, it is important to have an understanding of the notion of capacity when safeguarding adults.
Capacity refers to an individual’s ability to make a decision or take a particular action for themselves at a particular time, even if they are able to make other decisions. For example, they may be able to make small decisions about everyday matters such as what to wear or what food to eat, but they may lack capacity to make more complex decisions about financial matters.
Adults at Risk who are taking part in Go activities
Although it likely to be unusual that a Go player falls under the above criteria, it is not unheard of. An individual may have the capacity to play Go, however, they may also (because of illness, disability or a deterioration of mental faculties) have difficulties in other areas, for example social interaction or financial acumen. This could lead the individual to be at risk of sexual or financial exploitation.
Further advice and guidance are available from the BGA Child Protection Advisor at child-protection@britgo.org
- More Information
See also Youth Go Trust Safeguarding Policy and Procedures for young people.