Safeguarding

Many of the people we support are at greater risk of harm, including adults who may lack capacity to manage their money, people living with dementia, brain injury, learning disability or mental ill health, and people in vulnerable circumstances. Keeping them safe is at the heart of everything we do.

This page sets out The Money Carer Foundation’s commitment to safeguarding and explains how anyone can raise a concern.

1. Our Commitment

1.1 Everyone has the right to live free from abuse, neglect and exploitation. We take every concern seriously and have zero tolerance for abuse of any kind.

1.2 We work in line with the Care Act 2014, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Children Acts 1989 and 2004, the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and the related statutory guidance.

1.3 Our approach follows the six principles of adult safeguarding:

• Empowerment – supporting people to make their own decisions
• Prevention – acting before harm occurs
• Proportionality – the least intrusive response appropriate to the risk
• Protection – support and representation for those in greatest need
• Partnership – working with local communities and agencies
• Accountability – being open and transparent in how we act

1.4 We follow the principles of Making Safeguarding Personal. We put the person at the center, listen to what they want to happen, assume capacity unless it has been assessed otherwise, and always act in their best interests.

2. Who This Applies To

2.1 Our safeguarding commitment applies to all trustees, employees, volunteers and contractors, and to partners acting on our behalf. Everyone who works with us has a responsibility to recognize and report concerns.

3. Recognizing Abuse and Neglect

3.1 Abuse can take many forms, including:

• Financial or material abuse
• Physical abuse
• Psychological or emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Neglect and acts of omission
• Self-neglect
• Domestic abuse, including coercive and controlling behavior
• Modern slavery and exploitation
• Discriminatory abuse
• Organizational abuse

3.2 Because we manage money on behalf of the people we support, we are especially alert to financial abuse. Warning signs can include unexplained withdrawals or transfers, unpaid bills despite available funds, sudden changes to a will or property ownership, a new “friend” or relative taking an unusual interest in someone’s money, missing belongings, and people being pressured or scammed into handing over money or account details.

4. How We Keep People Safe

4.1 We protect the people we support by:

• Following safer recruitment practices, including DBS checks appropriate to each role and references
• Providing safeguarding training for all staff at induction, with regular refreshers
• Having a Designated Safeguarding Lead who oversees concerns, referrals and training
• Building protection into our products, including spending limits, balance controls, multi-party approval of payments, full audit trails, and cards with no visible card number or PIN
• Keeping clear, accurate records and sharing information safely and lawfully
• Working closely with local authorities, the police, the Office of the Public Guardian, the Court of Protection and the DWP

4.2 We handle personal information in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Where someone is at risk of serious harm, we may share information with the relevant authorities without consent, where the law allows us to.

5. How to Raise a Concern

5.1 If someone is in immediate danger, call 999.

5.2 If you are worried about someone we support, or about the conduct of anyone working for or on behalf of The Money Carer Foundation, please use the safeguarding concern form below, or contact our Safeguarding Lead directly:

• Email: info@moneycarer.org.uk (please mark your email “Safeguarding – Confidential”)
• Phone: 0161 791 3064
• Post: Safeguarding Lead, The Money Carer Foundation, Vanguard House, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, Warrington, WA4 4AB

5.3 You can also contact:

• The adult social care or safeguarding team at the local council where the person lives
• The local council’s children’s services, if your concern is about a child
• The Office of the Public Guardian on 0300 456 0300, if your concern is about a deputy or attorney
• Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040, to report fraud or a scam

5.4 When you raise a concern, we will listen, take it seriously, record it and act on it promptly. Where appropriate, we will refer it to the local authority or police. You do not need proof to raise a concern, only a worry that someone may be at risk.

6. Concerns About Our Staff

6.1 Any allegation about a member of staff, volunteer or contractor will be dealt with under our safeguarding and disciplinary procedures and referred to the local authority where required. We will make referrals to the Disclosure and Barring Service where the law requires it.

7. Whistleblowing

7.1 Staff and volunteers are encouraged to speak up about any concern without fear of blame, in line with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. Concerns can be raised with a line manager, the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a senior manager.

8. Review

8.1 Our safeguarding policy and procedures are reviewed regularly by our Senior Management Team to make sure they reflect current law and good practice.

8.2 If you are unhappy with how we have handled a concern, you can make a complaint using our complaints procedure.