Safeguarding is the term we use for how we will keep the most vulnerable people in our communities safe from harm.

We have clear and effective policies to ensure our homes and communities are safe and secure. We ensure that we adhere to legislation and work effectively with partner agencies to address any safeguarding concerns.

We are committed to keeping our customers safe and protected from any kind of abuse and neglect. One Vision Housing (OVH) recognises the harmful effect that abuse and neglect has not just on the victim, but also on their families and the wider community.

Whenever we suspect that abuse is taking place or we are informed about safeguarding concerns, we will work closely with other agencies to ensure victims are supported and appropriate action is taken against those responsible.

• For adults (18 years old or over), this means:
  • The misuse of power by one person over another, which has a large impact on a person’s independence and health and wellbeing
  • Likely to prevent a person (who may be dependent on others for their basic needs) exercising choice and control over the fundamental aspects of their life. This can cause humiliation and loss of dignity
• For children (under 18 years old), this means:
  • protecting children from maltreatment, whether that is within or outside the home, including online
  • preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development
  • ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care

  • Sexual abuse by adults or children, also referred to as child sexual exploitation, is when a child is forced or persuaded to take part in sexual activities with or without physical contact (could be online)

Types of abuse

• Physical

  Physical abuse may or may not cause physical injury. It can include pushing, shaking, pinching, slapping, punching, kicking, burning, scalding, drowning or suffocating.

  Warning signs: There may be bruising, or other injuries or sudden changes in behaviour.

• Sexual

  Sexual abuse can include making inappropriate comments, signs and gestures, unwanted sexual contact or coercing people into watching pornographic material. It’s also any sexual act with a person who has not provided consent, has been pressured into consenting or is incapable of providing consent.

  Warning signs: There may be bruising, or other injuries or sudden changes in behaviour.

• Neglect

  Neglect is the failure (deliberate or unintentional) to provide help or support that is necessary to carry out activities of daily living or meeting basic physical and/or psychological needs.

  Warning signs: Poor physical condition, weight loss, dehydration, poor condition of accommodation, inadequate or dirty clothing.

• Psychological or emotional

  This may include threats of harm or abandonment, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation to take away a vulnerable person’s choices.

  For children, it may be persistent emotional ill treatment conveying that they are worthless or unloved.

  Warning signs: Freedom of movement may be restricted, they may be denied access to aids such as glasses, hearing aids or appear frightened or subdued.

• Modern Slavery

  Is defined as slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude.

  Warning signs: transport arriving at the same time of day/night to drop off/pick people up and overcrowding of homes by people who are not family members.

• Domestic abuse

  Is defined as, any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

  Warning signs:  You may hear arguments, fighting, children crying and damage being made to a property. You may see someone with physical injuries.

• Self-neglect

  Covers a wide range of behaviour to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding.

  Warning Signs: poor physical or mental health, concerns that someone is not looking after themselves properly.

Other types of abuse

This could include discriminatory abuse, whereby someone is targeted because of a disability or perceived vulnerability.

Institutional abuse may involve a forced schedule of activities against a person’s preferred lifestyle.

Financial abuse may involve the exploitation or inappropriate use of a person’s finances.

How do you report abuse?

If you feel you are a victim of abuse or may know someone who is, don’t hesitate to report it.

How will we support you?

If we suspect abuse is taking place, we are duty bound to pass on this information to the appropriate local authority to investigate and take further action.

What if the abuse involves a member of OVH staff?

If you believe the abuse you are suffering or have witnessed involves a member of OVH staff, call the Independent Living Team on 0300 365 1111.

Useful contacts

Reaching out for help can sometimes feel difficult, but we’re here to help you access the support you need. Details of support in your area can be found below and listed within our Victim Support Directory. 

Support for adults

• Sefton Council
  • Adult Referral: on 0345140 0845 or e-mail adult.socialcare@sefton.gcsx.gov.uk Out of Hours on 0151 920 8234
• Liverpool City Council
  • Careline On 0151 233 3800 for Adults
• Wirral Council
  • Call 0151 606 2006, Monday to Friday 8:50am to 5:00pm Call 0151 677 6557 all other times and on public holidays Email: cadt@wirral.gov.uk
• Cheshire East
  • Adult Social Care on 0300 123 5010 Out of Hours – 0300 123 5022
• Cheshire West
  • Safeguarding Unit on 0300 123 7034 or e-mail accesswest@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk Out of Hours- 01244 977277
• St Helens
  • Monday to Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm Telephone: 01744 676767 Email: contactcares@sthelens.gov.uk Out of hours Telephone: 0345 0500 148 Email: EDT@halton.gov.uk
• Lancashire
  • Telephone: 0300 123 6720 out of hours between 5pm – 8am on 0300 123 6722
• Warrington
  • https://www.warrington.gov.uk/mars
• Knowsley
  • 24 hour contact tel no: 0151 443 2600 https://forms.knowsley.gov.uk/AdultSafeguarding
• Wigan
  • https://apps.wigan.gov.uk/adultsafeguardingreferrals/ Telephone: 01942 828777
• Wyre
  • https://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/community-and-environment/crimeprevention-and-community-safety/safeguarding-children-youngpeople-and-adults

Support for children

• Sefton Council
  • Child Referral: on 0345 140 0845. Out of hours urgent cases: on 0151 934 3555 or Head to sefton.gov.uk Click on ‘I want to… report concerns of a child’ Click on ‘Information for professionals’ Download and complete the ‘MASH Referral Form’ Email the completed form to: socialcare.customeraccessteam@sefton.gov.uk
• Liverpool City Council
  • Via Integrated Children’s Services on 0151 233 3700
• Wirral Council
  • Central Advice and Duty Team (Children) on 0151 606 2008 Out of Hours on 0151 677 6557
• Cheshire East
  • Safeguarding Unit on 0300 123 5012 (option 3). Out of Hours – 0300 123 5022
• Cheshire West
  • Safeguarding Unit on 01606 275099 Out of Hours – 01244 977 277 St Helens Contact Cares Team (MASH Team) (01744) 676767 and ask for the Duty Social Worker
• Lancashire
  • Contact: 0300 123 6720 or out of hours contact 0300 123 6722 For more information: www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-educationfamilies/keeping-children-safe/tell-us-if-you-are-worried-about-a-child/
• Warrington
  • https://www.warrington.gov.uk/mars
• Knowsley
  • https://www.knowsley.gov.uk/residents/care/raise-concernsabout-a-child or contact the MASH Team on 0151 443 2600 and speak to someone from Social Care
• Wigan
  • Telephone 01942 828300 https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Health-Social-Care/Childrenand-young-people/Child-protection/WorriedAboutAChild.aspx
• Wyre
  • https://www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/community-and-environment/ crime-prevention-and-community-safety/safeguarding-childrenyoung-people-and-adults/ or telephone the Family Front Door on 01905 822666