West Kent Buddhist Group
vulnerable adult protection policy and guidelines 2016
This document is for Friends, Mitras and Order members involved in West Kent Buddhist Group
activities as employees, volunteers, leaders, teachers or parents.
It sets out practices and procedures contributing to the prevention of abuse of vulnerable
adults. It also sets out a course of action to be followed if abuse is suspected.
It is aimed at protecting both vulnerable adults attending [name of Triratna Buddhist
Centre/enterprise] activities, and Friends, Mitras and Order members working with them.
Who is a ‘vulnerable adult’?
A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who is or may be in need of community
care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is, or may be,
unable to take care of him/herself, or unable to protect him/herself against significant harm
or exploitation.
A vulnerable adult may be a person who:
• Has a physical or sensory disability
• Is physically frail or has a chronic illness
• Has a mental illness or dementia
• Has a learning disability
• Is old and frail
• Misuses drugs and/or alcohol
• Has social or emotional problems
• Exhibits challenging behaviour
Whether or not a person is vulnerable in these cases will vary according to circumstances.
Each case must be judged on its own merits.
What is ‘abuse’?
Abuse is the harming of a person usually by someone who is in a position of power, trust or
authority over them, or who may be perceived by that person to be in a position of power,
trust or authority over them; for example by a Friend, Mitra or Order member who is
helping to run [name of Triratna Buddhist Centre/enterprise] activities those newer to such
activities. The harm may be physical, psychological or emotional, or it may exploit the
vulnerability of the victim in more subtle ways.
Types of abuse
Physical
• Bodily assaults resulting in injuries e.g. hitting, slapping, pushing,
kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions.
• Bodily impairment e.g. malnutrition, dehydration, failure to thrive
• Medical/healthcare maltreatment
Sexual
• Rape, incest, acts of indecency, sexual assault
• Sexual harassment or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not
• Failure to ensure privacy or personal dignity
• Lack of personal clothing or possessions
People who might abuse
Abuse may happen anywhere and may be carried out by anyone, eg:
• Order members, Mitras and Friends, whether financially supported or volunteering
• Parents
• Informal carers, family, friends, neighbours
• Other users or tenants of West Kent Buddhist Group
• Strangers or visitors to West Kent Buddhist Group
Reporting abuse
• All allegations or suspicions are to be treated seriously. No abuse is acceptable.
• Some abuse may be a criminal offence and should be reported to the police as soon
as possible.
• The employee or volunteer’s primary responsibility is to protect the vulnerable adult
if they are at risk.
• Each employee or volunteer has a duty to take action.
What to do if a vulnerable adult reports abuse to you
Do
• Stay calm
• Listen patiently
• Reassure the person they are doing the right thing by telling you
• Clarify issues of confidentiality early on. Make it clear that you will have to discuss
their concerns with others
• Explain what you are going to do
• Write a factual account of what you have seen and heard, immediately
Do not
• Appear shocked, horrified, disgusted or angry
• Press the individual for details
• Make comments or judgments other than to show concern
• Promise to keep secrets
• Confront the abuser
• Risk contaminating the evidence
What to do next
When deciding whether to refer the matter to others (e.g. to the Chair and Safeguarding
officer of [name of Triratna Buddhist Centre/enterprise], police or social services) consider the
following:
• The wishes of the vulnerable adult and their right to self-determination
• The mental capacity of the vulnerable adult
• Known indicators of abuse
• Definitions of abuse
• Level of risk to the individual
• The seriousness of the abuse
• The effect of the abuse on the individual
vulnerable adult protection policy and guidelines 2016
This document is for Friends, Mitras and Order members involved in West Kent Buddhist Group
activities as employees, volunteers, leaders, teachers or parents.
It sets out practices and procedures contributing to the prevention of abuse of vulnerable
adults. It also sets out a course of action to be followed if abuse is suspected.
It is aimed at protecting both vulnerable adults attending [name of Triratna Buddhist
Centre/enterprise] activities, and Friends, Mitras and Order members working with them.
Who is a ‘vulnerable adult’?
A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who is or may be in need of community
care services by reason of mental or other disability, age or illness; and who is, or may be,
unable to take care of him/herself, or unable to protect him/herself against significant harm
or exploitation.
A vulnerable adult may be a person who:
• Has a physical or sensory disability
• Is physically frail or has a chronic illness
• Has a mental illness or dementia
• Has a learning disability
• Is old and frail
• Misuses drugs and/or alcohol
• Has social or emotional problems
• Exhibits challenging behaviour
Whether or not a person is vulnerable in these cases will vary according to circumstances.
Each case must be judged on its own merits.
What is ‘abuse’?
Abuse is the harming of a person usually by someone who is in a position of power, trust or
authority over them, or who may be perceived by that person to be in a position of power,
trust or authority over them; for example by a Friend, Mitra or Order member who is
helping to run [name of Triratna Buddhist Centre/enterprise] activities those newer to such
activities. The harm may be physical, psychological or emotional, or it may exploit the
vulnerability of the victim in more subtle ways.
Types of abuse
Physical
• Bodily assaults resulting in injuries e.g. hitting, slapping, pushing,
kicking, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate sanctions.
• Bodily impairment e.g. malnutrition, dehydration, failure to thrive
• Medical/healthcare maltreatment
Sexual
• Rape, incest, acts of indecency, sexual assault
• Sexual harassment or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not
• Failure to ensure privacy or personal dignity
• Lack of personal clothing or possessions
People who might abuse
Abuse may happen anywhere and may be carried out by anyone, eg:
• Order members, Mitras and Friends, whether financially supported or volunteering
• Parents
• Informal carers, family, friends, neighbours
• Other users or tenants of West Kent Buddhist Group
• Strangers or visitors to West Kent Buddhist Group
Reporting abuse
• All allegations or suspicions are to be treated seriously. No abuse is acceptable.
• Some abuse may be a criminal offence and should be reported to the police as soon
as possible.
• The employee or volunteer’s primary responsibility is to protect the vulnerable adult
if they are at risk.
• Each employee or volunteer has a duty to take action.
What to do if a vulnerable adult reports abuse to you
Do
• Stay calm
• Listen patiently
• Reassure the person they are doing the right thing by telling you
• Clarify issues of confidentiality early on. Make it clear that you will have to discuss
their concerns with others
• Explain what you are going to do
• Write a factual account of what you have seen and heard, immediately
Do not
• Appear shocked, horrified, disgusted or angry
• Press the individual for details
• Make comments or judgments other than to show concern
• Promise to keep secrets
• Confront the abuser
• Risk contaminating the evidence
What to do next
When deciding whether to refer the matter to others (e.g. to the Chair and Safeguarding
officer of [name of Triratna Buddhist Centre/enterprise], police or social services) consider the
following:
• The wishes of the vulnerable adult and their right to self-determination
• The mental capacity of the vulnerable adult
• Known indicators of abuse
• Definitions of abuse
• Level of risk to the individual
• The seriousness of the abuse
• The effect of the abuse on the individual