Safeguarding Adults Policy and Procedure

Street Beat / SBDA Studios

Organisation	Street Beat (also branded as SBDA Studios)
Policy owner	Street Beat management
Version	Draft 1.0
Status	Approved
Approved date	December 2026
Next review	December 2027
Safeguarding contact	Kim Oakley-Duffill Kim@sbda.online
Deputy safeguarding contact	Angela King angie@sbda.online

1. Our commitment

Street Beat is committed to promoting the safety, dignity, rights and wellbeing of adults who take part in or come into contact with our activities. We will take concerns about abuse, neglect, exploitation or unsafe practice seriously and respond promptly, respectfully and proportionately.

This policy applies across Street Beat’s social-enterprise and commercial activities, including adult dance classes, line-dancing groups, performances, workshops, trips, community projects and other services. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility; the safety and wishes of the adult concerned should be central to our response.

We recognise that an adult may need support to protect themselves in particular circumstances, but age, disability, health condition or a diagnosis alone does not mean a person lacks capacity or is unable to make decisions.

2. Who this policy covers

This policy applies to all employees, managers, freelance teachers, visiting practitioners, volunteers, contractors, chaperones and other people acting on behalf of Street Beat. It also explains how participants and members of the public can raise safeguarding concerns.

For safeguarding purposes, the Care Act 2014 uses the term ‘adult at risk’. This generally refers to an adult who has needs for care and support, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and because of those needs is unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or its risk. The local authority considers the statutory criteria in each case. Street Beat will listen to and respond to concerns about any adult, whether or not they meet this definition.

3. Principles

• Empowerment: support adults to make informed choices and respect their wishes wherever possible.
• Prevention: take steps to reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect.
• Proportionality: respond in the least intrusive way that is appropriate to the level of risk.
• Protection: provide support and representation to people who need it.
• Partnership: work with relevant services and agencies when appropriate.
• Accountability: record decisions, actions and reasons clearly.
• Respect and inclusion: respond without discrimination and take account of communication, cultural, disability and access needs.

4. Types of abuse and neglect

Abuse can be deliberate or arise through neglect or omission. It may be carried out by a partner, family member, acquaintance, professional, carer, another participant, a stranger or someone acting online. More than one type of abuse may occur at the same time.

Physical abuse

Hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, inappropriate restraint or other acts that cause physical harm.

Sexual abuse

Sexual activity or contact without valid consent, where a person cannot consent, or where they are pressured, coerced or exploited; this can include non-contact and online abuse.

Psychological or emotional abuse

Threats, intimidation, humiliation, coercion, harassment, isolation, controlling behaviour, verbal abuse or deprivation of contact and support.

Financial or material abuse

Theft, fraud, scams, pressure over money or property, misuse of possessions or benefits, or coercion relating to financial transactions.

Neglect and acts of omission

Failure to meet necessary care or support needs, ignoring medical needs, withholding medication, food, warmth or other essentials, or preventing access to appropriate services.

Discriminatory abuse

Harassment or unfair treatment linked to disability, age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or another protected or personal characteristic.

Domestic abuse

Abuse between people aged 16 or over who are personally connected; it may be physical, sexual, emotional, controlling, coercive, economic or psychological.

Organisational abuse

Poor care or unsafe practice within a service or organisation, including rigid routines, neglect, misuse of authority or failure to respect rights.

Self-neglect

Severe neglect of personal hygiene, health or surroundings where this creates safeguarding concerns.

Modern slavery and exploitation

Trafficking, forced labour, servitude or other forms of exploitation.

5. Responsibilities

Everyone working on behalf of Street Beat must remain alert to possible signs of abuse or neglect, listen to concerns, act promptly and report them. Staff and volunteers are not expected to diagnose abuse, investigate allegations or provide therapy.

Street Beat’s designated safeguarding contact coordinates the organisation’s response, supports appropriate referrals and ensures records are stored securely. Staff may make a direct referral to the local authority or police where necessary, including if they believe a concern is not being acted on appropriately.

6. If an adult discloses abuse

1. Listen calmly, take the person seriously and allow them to explain in their own words.
2. Ask only the questions needed to understand immediate safety and what support may be needed. Do not investigate or ask leading questions.
3. Explain that you will respect their privacy as far as possible, but may need to share information to help protect them or others.
4. Ask what they would like to happen and what support they want, while being clear about any immediate safety or legal concerns.
5. If there is immediate danger or urgent medical need, call 999.
6. Report the concern promptly to Street Beat’s safeguarding contact or deputy, unless doing so could increase risk or they are implicated. In that case, contact the local authority adult safeguarding service or police directly.
7. Record the person’s words as accurately as possible, the circumstances, any observations, decisions and actions taken.

7. If you suspect abuse or neglect

Do not ignore a concern because it is uncertain, because the adult has not disclosed abuse, or because the behaviour may have another explanation. Record what you have seen or heard, any context that may be relevant and why it concerns you. Report it promptly to the safeguarding contact or deputy.

If there is immediate danger, serious injury, a crime in progress or an urgent threat, call 999. For non-emergency police matters, call 101. Contact the relevant local authority adult safeguarding service where a referral or advice is needed. Do not delay urgent protective action while trying to contact Street Beat management.

North Lincolnshire Council adult safeguarding contact 01724 297000 safeguardingreferrals@northlincs.gov.uk If an adult lives elsewhere, the relevant local authority may be different.

8. Consent, capacity and information sharing

Adults should generally be involved in decisions about safeguarding concerns and asked for their views and consent to referral where it is safe and appropriate to do so. A person’s decision may need to be respected even if others disagree, provided they have the relevant decision-making capacity and no other legal basis justifies sharing.

Capacity is decision-specific and time-specific. Staff must not assume that a person lacks capacity because they have a disability, diagnosis or make a decision others consider unwise. Street Beat staff are not responsible for conducting formal capacity assessments unless appropriately qualified and authorised.

Information may need to be shared without consent where there is a serious risk of harm, a risk to other people, a crime or coercion, concerns about capacity or undue influence, or a legal obligation or other lawful basis. Seek advice from the local authority or police where appropriate, record the reasons for sharing or not sharing, and share only relevant information with those who need it.

9. Recording and confidentiality

• Make a factual, dated and timed record as soon as possible after the concern or disclosure.
• Record the adult’s own words where possible, what was observed, who was present, the location, any immediate risk, who was contacted and what action followed.
• Separate facts from opinions and clearly identify any uncertainty.
• Store records securely with access restricted to authorised people.
• Record decisions, including reasons for not making a referral or for taking action without the adult’s consent.
• Handle records in accordance with Street Beat’s Data Protection and Privacy Policy and applicable law. Do not promise absolute confidentiality.

10. Allegations or concerns about staff, volunteers or representatives

Any allegation that a Street Beat representative has abused, exploited, neglected, intimidated or otherwise harmed an adult must be reported promptly to management or the designated safeguarding contact. If the concern involves that person, report to the deputy or directly to the relevant local authority adult safeguarding service or police.

Street Beat will take immediate steps to consider safety, preserve relevant records and seek advice from the appropriate agencies. It will not conduct an internal investigation in a way that could compromise a police or safeguarding enquiry. Appropriate employment, contractor or volunteer procedures may also apply, while ensuring fairness to all parties.

11. Safer recruitment and working practice

• Street Beat will use appropriate recruitment and selection checks for roles, including references and identity checks.
• Where a role is eligible, the appropriate DBS check will be obtained in accordance with current law. A DBS check is not a substitute for supervision, training and ongoing assessment of suitability.
• Staff must maintain professional boundaries and must not exploit a participant’s trust, dependency or personal circumstances.
• Any physical contact used for dance instruction must be appropriate, explained and respectful of the adult’s wishes and consent.
• Staff must not pressure participants to disclose personal information, lend or borrow money, accept inappropriate gifts, or become involved in a participant’s finances.
• Staff must follow Street Beat’s codes of conduct, health and safety procedures, privacy policy and relevant venue or partner safeguarding arrangements.

12. Supporting adults who raise concerns

Street Beat will respond respectfully, avoid blaming the person affected and consider any communication, access, cultural or support needs. Where appropriate, we will signpost or refer the person to relevant statutory services or specialist support. We will not promise a particular outcome, but will explain what action can be taken and, where safe and lawful, keep the person informed.

13. Whistleblowing and concerns about practice

Staff, volunteers and contractors should raise concerns about unsafe practice, misconduct or failures to protect adults. Concerns may be raised with Street Beat management or the safeguarding contact. If the concern involves those people, or internal reporting is not appropriate, contact the local authority adult safeguarding service, police or another appropriate external body. Street Beat will not tolerate retaliation against a person who raises a concern in good faith. See the separate Whistleblowing Policy.

14. Support for staff and volunteers

Safeguarding disclosures and referrals can be difficult. Street Beat will provide appropriate guidance and support to staff and volunteers involved, while maintaining confidentiality and ensuring that the needs and safety of the adult remain the priority.

15. Review and related documents

This policy will be reviewed at least annually, and sooner after a significant incident, a change in relevant law or guidance, or a change in Street Beat’s activities. It should be read alongside the Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy, Data Protection and Privacy Policy, Behaviour and Code of Conduct Policy, Complaints Policy and Whistleblowing Policy.

Key contacts

Service	Details
Street Beat safeguarding contact	Kim Oakley-Duffill — phone/email to confirm
Deputy safeguarding contact	Ayisha Simpson — phone/email to confirm
Emergency services	999
Police non-emergency	101
Local authority adult safeguarding service	Confirm current North Lincolnshire Council referral and out-of-hours details before publication

Approval

Approved on behalf of Street Beat by: Kim Oakley-Duffill

Role: Director

Date: December 2026

Next review date: December 2027