Safeguarding Policy
Clear Ear Cheer is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all clients, with particular attention to vulnerable adults and children. This policy sets out our responsibilities, the signs we look for, and what we do when concerns arise.
Last Updated: April 2026
1. Our Commitment
Our Safeguarding Responsibilities
Clear Ear Cheer provides mobile ear care services directly to clients in their homes, care facilities, and workplaces. We work regularly with vulnerable adults — including elderly residents in care homes, those living with dementia or Parkinson's disease, and individuals with hearing impairment — and we take our safeguarding responsibilities with the utmost seriousness.
Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. As the sole practitioner at Clear Ear Cheer, Jon Bishop is both the clinical lead and the designated safeguarding lead. This policy reflects our commitment to building a culture where abuse and neglect are never overlooked, minimised, or tolerated.
2. Scope & Who This Policy Applies To
Who Is Covered
This policy applies to:
- All clients receiving services from Clear Ear Cheer, including those in care homes, residential settings, and private homes
- Vulnerable adults — defined as any person aged 18 or over who has needs for care and support, or who experiences or is at risk of abuse or neglect
- Children — defined as any person under the age of 18
Who This Policy Governs
- Jon Bishop — Sole Practitioner and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Clear Ear Cheer
- Any future employees, volunteers, or associates working under the CEC banner
3. Legislative Framework
The Laws That Guide Our Practice
Clear Ear Cheer operates in accordance with the following legislation and statutory guidance:
Adults
- Care Act 2014 — sets out the legal framework for adult safeguarding in England
- Mental Capacity Act 2005 — governs decision-making for adults who may lack capacity
- Human Rights Act 1998 — protects the right to life, freedom from torture, and private life
Children
- Children Act 1989 and Children Act 2004
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 — statutory guidance for organisations working with children
Data Protection
- UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018 — governs how personal and safeguarding information is handled and shared
- Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 — protects whistleblowers who report concerns in good faith
We also align our practice with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) Fundamental Standards, in particular Regulation 13 (Safeguarding Service Users from Abuse and Improper Treatment), which we follow voluntarily as part of our commitment to best practice.
4. Definitions of Abuse and Neglect
Types of Abuse We Are Trained to Recognise
The Care Act 2014 identifies the following categories of abuse and neglect which may affect adults in need of care:
- Physical abuse — hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, misuse of medication, restraint, or inappropriate physical sanctions
- Emotional or psychological abuse — threats, humiliation, bullying, verbal abuse, isolation, or controlling behaviour
- Financial or material abuse — theft, fraud, exploitation, coercion, misuse of property or benefits
- Sexual abuse — rape, sexual assault, or any sexual activity without consent
- Neglect and acts of omission — ignoring medical, emotional, or physical care needs; failure to provide access to appropriate care
- Discriminatory abuse — abuse based on race, gender, disability, sexuality, religion, or age
- Organisational or institutional abuse — poor care practice or conditions within an institution or care setting
- Domestic violence and abuse — abuse within an intimate or family relationship
- Modern slavery — trafficking, forced labour, or domestic servitude
- Self-neglect — a person's inability to care for their own essential needs, including health and hygiene
For children, additional categories include child sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation, county lines exploitation, and radicalisation.
5. Recognising Signs of Concern
What We Look For
As a mobile practitioner entering clients' homes and care settings, we are well-placed to observe signs that may indicate abuse or neglect.
Physical Signs
- Unexplained bruising, cuts, burns, or marks in unusual locations
- Signs of malnourishment, dehydration, or poor personal hygiene
- Frequent or unexplained injuries
- Evidence of over- or under-medication
Behavioural Signs
- Withdrawal, anxiety, or fearfulness — particularly around specific individuals
- Sudden changes in mood or behaviour
- Reluctance to be left alone with a carer or family member
- Distress when discussing home circumstances
- Unexplained financial changes or concern about money
Environmental Signs
- Unsafe or unsanitary living conditions
- Lack of heating, food, or essential items
- Isolation from family, friends, or community
In Care Home Settings Specifically
- Residents who appear fearful or distressed around staff
- Signs of rough handling or restraint
- Poor care standards inconsistent with the home's stated approach
- Residents whose concerns are dismissed or not reported
Important note regarding dementia: Behavioural changes in residents living with dementia — such as increased agitation, withdrawal, or resistance to personal care — can be indicators of pain, discomfort, or distress including abuse. These should never be attributed automatically to cognitive decline without investigation.
6. Reporting Procedure
What We Do When We Have Concerns
Clear Ear Cheer follows a clear procedure when a safeguarding concern arises. We do not investigate concerns ourselves — our role is to observe, record, and report.
Ensure immediate safety — If a person is in immediate danger, call 999 without delay.
Listen and observe without leading — If a client discloses abuse or we observe signs of concern, we listen calmly, do not ask leading questions, and do not promise confidentiality.
Record accurately and promptly — We record exactly what we have seen or heard, using the client's own words where possible. Records are made as soon as possible after the event and stored securely within our clinical management system (Zanda).
Report to the appropriate authority
- In a care home setting: We report immediately to the care home's designated safeguarding lead or the senior person on duty.
- Vulnerable adults in Essex: Essex Safeguarding Adults Board — 0345 603 7627
- Vulnerable adults in Suffolk: Suffolk County Council Adult Care — 0808 800 4005
- Children in Essex: Essex Children's Social Care — 0345 603 7627
- Children in Suffolk: Suffolk Children's Services — 0808 800 4005
- If a crime has been committed: 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-urgent)
Notify the Designated Safeguarding Lead — As the sole practitioner, Jon Bishop is the DSL. All concerns are logged, reviewed, and followed up directly.
Do not discuss with others — We do not discuss safeguarding concerns with anyone other than the appropriate authorities unless legally required to do so.
7. Confidentiality and Information Sharing
When We Can Share Information Without Consent
Clear Ear Cheer takes confidentiality seriously. However, the duty to safeguard overrides the duty of confidentiality when:
- A person is at risk of serious harm
- A child is at risk of harm
- There is a risk to others
- It is required by law
In these circumstances, we may share information with the relevant safeguarding authorities without the client's consent. We will always aim to inform the client that we are sharing information and why, unless doing so would place them or others at greater risk.
We follow the principle of sharing the minimum necessary information with the right people for the right purpose in line with UK GDPR and the statutory guidance Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners (HM Government, 2018).
8. Mental Capacity and Consent
Respecting Autonomy While Ensuring Safety
Clear Ear Cheer operates in full compliance with the Mental Capacity Act 2005. The five statutory principles guide our practice:
- Every adult must be assumed to have capacity unless established otherwise
- A person must be supported to make their own decisions before being treated as lacking capacity
- An unwise decision does not mean a person lacks capacity
- If a person lacks capacity, decisions must be made in their best interests
- Decisions must be the least restrictive of the person's rights and freedoms
When working with clients who lack capacity — including those living with advanced dementia — we follow the Best Interests framework and document our clinical decision-making accordingly. Our care home consent form includes a dedicated Mental Capacity Assessment section in line with these principles.
9. Lone Worker Safety
Keeping Ourselves and Our Clients Safe
As a sole mobile practitioner, Jon Bishop operates as a lone worker in clients' homes and care facilities. Our lone worker procedure includes:
- Notifying a designated contact of appointment details including location and expected duration before each visit
- Confirming safe arrival and departure by a specified time
- Having a clear procedure if contact is not made within the agreed window — including notifying the police if necessary
- Trusting professional instincts — if a situation feels unsafe, we reserve the right to withdraw
If a lone worker concern arises during a visit — including aggression, threatening behaviour, or an unsafe environment — we follow our zero-tolerance policy and withdraw immediately, reporting the incident through our clinical incident management system.
10. Training and Compliance
Keeping Our Knowledge Current
Jon Bishop holds the following relevant qualifications and training:
- NHS e-Learning: Safeguarding Adults Level 1 and Level 2 (completed 2026)
- NHS e-Learning: Safeguarding Children Level 1 and Level 2 (completed 2026)
- NHS e-Learning: Mental Capacity Act (completed 2026)
- NHS e-Learning: Preventing Radicalisation (PREVENT) Level 1 and Level 3
- Dementia Awareness CPD (completed 2026)
- Enhanced DBS registered on the Update Service — Certificate No. 001959632592
Safeguarding training is reviewed and refreshed at minimum every three years in line with statutory guidance, or sooner if significant updates to legislation or guidance occur.
11. Policy Review
Keeping This Policy Current
This policy will be reviewed:
- Annually as a minimum
- Following any safeguarding incident or near-miss
- Following significant changes to legislation or statutory guidance
- When our service model changes in a way that affects safeguarding risk
Policy Owner: Jon Bishop, Clear Ear Cheer
Date of This Version: April 2026
Next Review Date: April 2027
12. Contact Us
Safeguarding Concerns or Queries
If you have a safeguarding concern about a client of Clear Ear Cheer, or about our practice, please contact us immediately:
Designated Safeguarding Lead: Jon Bishop, Founder & Principal Clinician
Non-emergency adult safeguarding — Essex: 0345 603 7627
Non-emergency adult safeguarding — Suffolk: 0808 800 4005