Move More for Health
Safeguarding Adults Policy
Policy Owner: Richard Farrar
Date Policy approved: 15/5/26
Next review Date: 15/5/27
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Richard Farrar
This policy will be reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect any changes in legislation, national guidance, or the operating context of Move More for Health. It will also be reviewed following any safeguarding incident or significant change in practice. The current version of this policy is always available at www.movemoreforhealth.co.uk
Mission Statement/Introduction
Move More for Health is an Ipswich-based personal training and health exercise service, also operating online, owned and run by Richard Farrar. We are dedicated to helping adults improve their health and wellbeing through movement, physical activity and behaviour change, all informed by evidence-based science. We specialise in exercise for people with health conditions including high blood pressure, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, anxiety and depression, and we work with individuals at all stages of their fitness journey. Our approach is caring, empathetic and person-centred, recognising the unique challenges faced by people who are new to exercise or managing health concerns. We believe that everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and empowered when accessing our services. Our core values are safety, dignity, inclusion and continuous improvement.
Policy statement
Move More for Health believes that everyone has the right to live free from abuse or neglect regardless of age, ability or disability, sex, race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, marital or gender status. We are committed to the six principles of safeguarding adults: empowerment, protection, prevention, proportionality, partnership and accountability. We are committed to safeguarding adults in line with national legislation and relevant local guidelines by ensuring that our activities are delivered in a way which keeps all adults safe, creating and maintaining a safe and positive environment and an open, listening culture where people feel able to share concerns without fear of retribution. We recognise that health, wellbeing, ability, disability and need for care and support can affect a person’s resilience, and that some people may experience barriers, for example, communicating concerns or seeking help. We accept that we are required to fulfil our duty of care, which means that we must do everything that can be reasonably expected of us to help safeguard and protect people from harm, and to act when we suspect that someone is being harmed or is at risk of harm. Move More for Health is committed to creating a culture of zero tolerance of harm to adults which necessitates the recognition of adults who may be at risk and the circumstances which may increase risk and being willing to report safeguarding concerns.
Scope
This Safeguarding Adults Policy and associated procedures apply to all individuals involved in Move More for Health, including clients and participants taking part in personal training sessions, exercise classes, cancer rehabilitation programmes, and all other activities delivered by Move More for Health, whether in person or online. It applies to all concerns about the safety of adults whilst taking part in our activities and in the wider community.
Online and Remote Sessions
Move More for Health delivers sessions both in person and online. Safeguarding responsibilities apply equally in both settings. If a safeguarding concern arises during an online or remote session — for example, through something observed on a video call, something disclosed by a participant, or a concern about a participant's welfare at home — the same procedures set out in this policy will be followed without delay. Where there is immediate risk to a participant during an online session, 999 will be called immediately.
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to demonstrate the commitment of Move More for Health to safeguarding adults and to ensure that everyone involved in Move More for Health is aware of:
The legislation, policy and procedures for safeguarding adults.
Our role and responsibility for safeguarding adults.
What to do or who to speak to if someone has a concern relating to the welfare or wellbeing of an adult within the business.
Implementation
Move More for Health applies this policy in practice as follows:
I (Richard Farrar) hold a DBS certificate (Disclosure and Barring Service) check and will renew this regularly to ensure it remains current.
As a sole trader, I — Richard Farrar — am the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Move More for Health and am responsible for implementing and upholding this policy.
This policy is made available to all participants via the Move More for Health website at www.movemoreforhealth.co.uk
I follow a professional code of conduct when working with all adults, in line with CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) professional standards. I always treat all participants with dignity and respect.
I have systems in place for receiving and managing concerns, as detailed in this policy
I have completed safeguarding adults training and am committed to keeping my knowledge and skills up to date through regular refresher training.
All activities include an assessment of risk to the safety of all adults from abuse and neglect. As a sole trader I am the safeguarding lead present at every session I deliver.
Legislation - what is adult safeguarding?
In its wider context, safeguarding adults applies to everyone over the age of 18. The key legislation underpinning this policy is the Care Act 2014, which places a duty on local authorities in England to safeguard adults in need of care and support who are at risk of abuse or neglect. The Human Rights Act 1998, the Mental Capacity Act 2005, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Equality Act 2010 are also relevant. Safeguarding adults is about: protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect; and people and organisations working together to prevent and stop both the risks and experience of abuse and neglect, while at the same time making sure that the adult’s wellbeing is promoted taking fully into account their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs in deciding on any action. Further information can be found on the Ann Craft Trust website: Safeguarding Adults at Risk Key Legislation and Government Initiatives (anncrafttrust.org)
While safeguarding principles apply to all adults, the Care Act 2014 specifically focuses on adults at risk — defined as individuals aged 18 or over who have needs for care and support (whether or not those needs are being met), who are experiencing, or are at risk of, abuse or neglect, and who as a result of those care and support needs are unable to protect themselves against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it. Some of the adults we work with at Move More for Health — including those managing long-term health conditions — may meet this definition, and our safeguarding approach reflects this.
Recognising Abuse and Neglect
Abuse and neglect can take many forms, and recognising the signs is an essential part of safeguarding practice. The following categories are recognised under the Care Act 2014 and associated guidance:
Physical abuse — including hitting, pushing, inappropriate restraint or misuse of medication
Psychological or emotional abuse — including threats, humiliation, controlling behaviour, intimidation or isolation
Sexual abuse — including any sexual activity to which the adult has notconsented or cannot consent
Financial or material abuse — including theft, fraud, exploitation or misuse of an adult's money or property
Neglect and acts of omission — including failure to provide access to appropriate care, nutrition, medical support or basic necessities
Self-neglect — including behaviour that threatens an adult's own health or safety
Domestic abuse — including psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional abuse between those who are or have been intimate partners or family members
Modern slavery — including trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude
Discriminatory abuse — including abuse motivated by a person's age, gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or other protected characteristic
Organisational abuse — including neglect or poor practice within an institution or care setting
Concerns do not need to be certain or proven in order to be reported. If something does not feel right, it should be treated as a safeguarding concern and acted upon accordingly. Further information and guidance on recognising abuse is available at www.anncrafttrust.org.
Procedures
The following procedures set out how safeguarding concerns are raised and managed by Move More for Health. If at any point someone is injured or at immediate risk of harm, call 999 immediately for police or ambulance.
Key Contact Details
Richard Farrar is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) for Move More for Health and is responsible for ensuring that this policy is adhered to, and for the monitoring and recording of any safeguarding concerns. Richard will ensure that all concerns are shared with the appropriate authorities. It is not the role of the DSL to investigate concerns, only to gather and share information as appropriate. Richard can be contacted as follows: Email: richard@movemoreforhealth.co.uk | Phone: 07821 028 126
Raising and Managing a Safeguarding Concern
Safeguarding concerns can be reported to Richard Farrar (DSL) in person, by phone on 07821 028 126, or by email at richard@movemoreforhealth.co.uk. Any concern that an adult is not safe will be taken seriously, responded to promptly and followed up. A safeguarding concern may arise in a number of ways, including:
A disclosure made directly by an adult participant
Something observed by Richard Farrar during a session (in person or online)
A concern raised by a third party, such as a family member or carer
Step 1 — Respond Calmly and Listen
If an adult discloses a concern or if a concern is raised, I will respond calmly and without panic or visible alarm. I will listen carefully, take what is being said seriously, and not express disbelief or judgement. I will not pressure the adult to share more than they wish to, and I will not ask leading questions or attempt to investigate the concern myself. I will reassure the adult that they have done the right thing by sharing their concern.
I will be honest about confidentiality from the outset. I will not promise to keep information secret, but I will explain that information will only be shared with those who need to know, and that the adult will be kept informed wherever possible.
Step 2 — Ensure Immediate Safety
If the adult is in immediate danger or requires urgent medical attention, I will call 999 without delay. The safety of the individual is the absolute priority and overrides all other considerations including consent.
Step 3 — Record the Concern
As soon as practically possible — and always on the same day — I will make a written record of the concern. This record will include:
The date, time and location of the disclosure or observation
What was said or observed, recorded as accurately as possible using the adult's own words where relevant
The adult's views, wishes and feelings about what should happen next
Any visible injuries or indicators of harm, described factually and objectively
Any action already taken
Records will be stored securely and confidentially in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, and will be accessible only to Richard Farrar unless it becomes necessary to share them with an external agency.
Step 4 — Seek Advice and Make a Referral if Necessary
I will seek advice from the Suffolk County Council Adult Safeguarding Team or another appropriate body (such as CIMSPA, Active Suffolk, or the Ann Craft Trust) if I am unsure how to proceed. Where appropriate, and wherever possible with the adult's consent, I will make a formal referral to the Suffolk County Council Adult Safeguarding Team.
If the adult does not consent to a referral but I have reasonable grounds to believe they or others are at risk, I may still share information with the appropriate authorities. In this case I will clearly record the decision and the reasons for it, and I will inform the adult that a referral has been made wherever it is safe to do so.
I will not attempt to investigate the concern myself, make promises I cannot keep, or take any action beyond my role and competence.
Step 5 — Follow Up and Support
Following a referral or report, I will continue to monitor the wellbeing of the adult within the context of our sessions. I will maintain records of any further concerns or changes in the adult's circumstances. I will cooperate fully with any investigation carried out by the appropriate authorities, providing records or information as requested. I will consider whether the adult requires any additional support in continuing to access Move More for Health services during this time.
Note:
Move More for Health is committed to ensuring that everyone is able to raise a safeguarding concern regardless of their communication needs or abilities. In line with the Equality Act 2010, reasonable adjustments will be made to ensure concerns can be raised and responded to in a way that is accessible to the individual. This may include receiving concerns verbally, in writing, or through a trusted third party. Where someone has communication needs or requires additional support, every effort will be made to ensure they are heard and their views are considered throughout the process.
If someone is injured or at immediate risk, immediate action should be taken by seeking help by dialling 999 for police or ambulance.
Whistleblowing
Move More for Health is committed to good safeguarding practice. If you have a safeguarding concern about Richard Farrar or about the conduct of Move More for Health, please do not raise it with Richard directly. Instead, contact the Suffolk County Council Adult Safeguarding Team: Phone: 0808 800 4005 (free, 24 hours) | Email: adultsafeguarding@suffolk.gov.uk | Website: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/care-and-support-for-adults/protecting-people-at-risk-of-abuse/report-abuse-of-an-adult
You may also contact CIMSPA or the Ann Craft Trust (0115 951 5400 | ann-craft-trust@nottingham.ac.uk ). In an emergency, dial 999.
Recording and Information Sharing
Move More for Health stores all safeguarding records securely and confidentially in line with the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). Written records of safeguarding concerns are kept securely and are only accessible to Richard Farrar. Records are retained for a minimum of eight years. Move More for Health operates in line with the following Seven Golden Rules for information sharing: (1) GDPR is not a barrier to sharing information; (2) Be open and honest; (3) Seek advice if in doubt; (4) Share with consent where appropriate; (5) Consider safety and wellbeing; (6) Ensure information is necessary, proportionate, relevant, accurate, timely and secure; (7) Keep a record of your decision and reasons for sharing. Richard Farrar is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) Further information can be found at: www.ico.org.uk and www.anncrafttrust.org. This policy should be read alongside the Move More for Health Privacy Policy available at www.movemoreforhealth.co.uk/privacy-policy
Sources of Information and Support
Suffolk County Council Adult Safeguarding Team: Tel: 0808 800 4005 (free, 24 hours) Web: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/care-and-support-for-adults/how-social-care-can-help/contact-adult-social-care
Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership https://www.suffolksp.org.uk/concerned
Active Suffolk (Local Active Partnership): Tel: 01473 264 720 | Web: https://www.activesuffolk.org/safeguarding
Action on Elder Abuse
A national organisation based in London. It aims to prevent the abuse of older people by raising awareness, encouraging education, promoting research and collecting and disseminating information.
Tel: 020 8765 7000
Email: enquiries@elderabuse.org.uk
www.elderabuse.org.uk
Ann Craft Trust
A national organisation providing information and advice about adult safeguarding. The Ann Craft Trust has a specialist Safeguarding Adults in Sport and Activity team to support the sector
Tel: 0115 951 5400
Email: Ann-Craft-Trust@nottingham.ac.uk
Men’s Advice Line
For male domestic abuse survivors
Tel: 0808 801 0327
National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline
Tel: 0800 999 5428
National 24Hour Freephone Domestic Abuse Helplines
England
Northern Ireland
Tel: 0808 2000 247
www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/Contact-us
Tel: 0808 802 1414
Twitter: www.twitter.com/dsahelpline
Facebook: www.facebook.com/dsahelpline
Scotland
Wales
Tel: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk
Web chat: sdafmh.org.uk
Llinell Gymorth Byw HebOfn/ Live free from fear helpline
Tel: 0808 8010 800
Type Talk: 18001 0808 801 0800
Text: 078600 77 333
Rape Crisis Federation of England and Wales
Rape Crisis was launched in 1996 and exists to provide a range of facilities and resources to enable the continuance and development of Rape Crisis Groups throughout Wales and England.
Email: info@rapecrisis.co.uk
www.rapecrisis.co.uk
Respond
Respond provides a range of services to victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse who have learning disabilities, and training and support to those working with them.
Tel: 020 7383 0700 or
0808 808 0700 (Helpline)
Email: services@respond.org.uk
www.respond.org.uk
Stop Hate Crime
Works to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual’s identity. Stop Hate UK provides independent, confidential and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.
24 hours service:
Telephone: 0800 138 1625
Web Chat: www.stophateuk.org/talk-to-us/
E mail: talk@stophateuk.org
Text: 07717 989 025
Text relay: 18001 0800 138 1625
By post: PO Box 851, Leeds LS1 9QS
Susy Lamplugh Trust
The Trust is a leading authority on personal safety. Its role is to minimise the damage caused to individuals and to society by aggression in all its forms – physical, verbal and psychological.
Tel: 020 83921839
Fax: 020 8392 1830
Email: info@suzylamplugh.org
www.suzylamplugh.org
Victim Support
Provides practical advice and help, emotional support and reassurance to those who have suffered the effects of a crime.
Tel: 0808 168 9111
Women’s Aid Federation of England and Wales
Women’s Aid is a national domestic violence charity. It also runs a domestic violence online help service.
www.womensaid.org.uk/information-support