Enable is committed to safeguarding children, young people, vulnerable adults, learners, staff members and visitors who we work with from all forms of abuse and neglect. We ensure that they are all safe and happy in their activities.

What is abuse?

Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child, young person or vulnerable adult.  Somebody may abuse or neglect by inflicting harm, or by failing to prevent harm.

Main Types of Abuse

There are different types of abuse that can take place, below is a list of what you should be aware of:

  • Physical abuse can include hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate sanctions.
  • Domestic violence or abuse can include psychological and physical abuse as well as sexual, financial or emotional abuse caused by a spouse or partner.
  • Sexual abuse can include rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not consented, or could not consent or was pressured into consenting.
  • Psychological or emotional abuse can include threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.
  • Financial or material abuse can include theft, fraud, exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse or misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
  • Modern slavery can include human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation (such as escort work, prostitution and pornography), debt bondage – being forced to work to pay off debts that realistically they never will be able to.
  • Discriminatory abuse can include racism, sexism, abuse based on a person’s disability, and other forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment.
  • Organisational or institutional abuse can include discouraging visits or the involvement of relatives or friends, a run-down or overcrowded workplace, authoritarian management or rigid regimes and lack of leadership and supervision.
  • Neglect or acts of omission can include ignoring medical or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, social care or education services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
  • Self-neglect can include lack of self-care to an extent that it threatens personal health and safety, neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and inability to avoid self-harm.
  • Prevent is about safeguarding learners to keep them both safe and within the law. The Prevent Duty is not about preventing learners from having political and religious views and concerns but about supporting them to use those concerns or act on them in non-extremist ways. Find out more about Prevent.

Places where people can be at risk of abuse

Abuse can take place anywhere. This includes public places, at college, in day centres, in a residential or nursing home or in your own home.

People who can cause harm

Anyone can behave in an abusive way. This can include family, friends, partners, teachers, care workers, volunteers and strangers.

If you have a concern

If you are a learner on an Enable programme and think you have been hurt or abused you should contact the Designated Safeguarding Person within the organisation you attend for learning.  If you feel this isn’t possible please contact:

The Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP):  Sam Cook by email: samantha@enable.uk.net

We will use this contact list for referrals where necessary. All information reported will be kept in confidence where possible and only reported to authorities where necessary.

What does “Safeguarding Learners” mean?

Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and protect them from harm.

Safeguarding means:

  • protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults from abuse and maltreatment
  • preventing harm to children’s, young people’s and vulnerable adults’ health or development
  • ensuring children, young people and vulnerable adults grow up with the provision of safe and effective care

For a list of safeguarding terms and abbreviations see here.

Safeguarding & safety links