Safeguarding at Positive Steps Rotherham

Last Reviewed: September 2026

At Positive Steps Rotherham, the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the people we support are at the heart of everything we do.

Safeguarding means protecting a person's right to live safely and free from abuse, neglect, exploitation and avoidable harm. We want every person using our service to feel respected, listened to and confident that any concerns will be taken seriously.

Our Safeguarding Leads

Our Designated Safeguarding Leads are:

Trained and Supported Staff

Positive Steps staff receive safeguarding training appropriate to their roles and responsibilities. Training is supported through staff supervision, team meetings, practical case studies and ongoing guidance from management.

Our staff are supported to understand:

• The different forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation.
• How to recognise possible warning signs.
• How to respond when somebody makes a disclosure.
• When and how to report a concern.
• Adult safeguarding responsibilities.
• Mental health, autism and individual communication needs.
• Self-neglect and changes in a person's wellbeing.
• Professional boundaries and safe working practices.
• Confidentiality and appropriate information sharing.
• Accurate and factual record keeping.
• Whistleblowing and reporting unsafe practice.
• How to support people without unnecessarily restricting their independence.
• Medication safety where medication support forms part of their role.

Staff are encouraged to ask questions and seek advice whenever they are uncertain. Nobody is expected to manage a safeguarding concern alone.

How We Respond to Safeguarding Concerns

If somebody tells us that they have been harmed, or a staff member sees or hears something concerning, we will:

1. Listen calmly and take the concern seriously.
2. Check whether anybody is in immediate danger.
3. Reassure the person that they have done the right thing by speaking.
4. Avoid leading questions or attempting to investigate the matter ourselves.
5. Explain confidentiality honestly, including when information may need to be shared.
6. Record what was seen, heard or disclosed as accurately as possible.
7. Report the concern promptly to Gemma or Nicola.
8. Contact the appropriate safeguarding service, healthcare professional or emergency service when required.
9. Continue supporting the person and involve them in decisions wherever possible.

Staff do not need proof before raising a safeguarding concern. Their responsibility is to report what they have seen, heard or been told so that the appropriate professionals can assess the information.

Person-Centred Safeguarding

We work with people rather than making decisions around them.

Wherever possible, we will:

• Ask the person what they would like to happen.
• Explain their choices in a way they can understand.
• Consider their communication needs and reasonable adjustments.
• Help them express their views and desired outcomes.
• Respect their identity, preferences and lived experience.
• Involve an advocate or trusted person where appropriate.
• Balance safety with the person's rights, choices and independence.
• Keep the person informed about what is happening.

There may be circumstances in which information must be shared without the person's consent. This may happen when somebody is in immediate danger, another person may be at risk, a serious crime may have been committed or there is a legal duty to act.

Wherever possible, we will explain what information needs to be shared, who it will be shared with and why.

Recognising Possible Warning Signs

Safeguarding is not only about responding after harm has happened. Our staff are expected to notice and report changes that may suggest an increasing risk.

Possible warning signs can include:

• Unexplained injuries or repeated accidents.
• Sudden changes in behaviour, mood or confidence.
• Increased fear, anxiety, withdrawal or distress.
• Changes in appearance, personal care, nutrition or home conditions.
• Missing money or unusual financial activity.
• A person appearing frightened of somebody.
• Being prevented from speaking privately.
• Controlling or exploitative relationships.
• Missed medication or healthcare appointments.
• Unsafe living conditions or serious self-neglect.
• Unexplained changes to routines or contact with other people.
• Inappropriate conduct or professional boundary concerns.

A warning sign does not automatically mean that abuse has occurred, but it should never be ignored.

Accurate and Secure Records

Staff record safeguarding information clearly, promptly and factually.

Records may include:

• What was seen, heard or disclosed.
• The person's own words wherever possible.
• The date, time and location.
• Who was present.
• Any visible injuries or changes in presentation.
• Immediate action taken.
• Who the concern was reported to.
• Advice received and agreed follow-up actions.

Staff are expected to separate facts from their opinions and avoid making assumptions or accusations.

Safeguarding information is stored securely and shared only when there is a lawful and necessary reason.

Professional Boundaries

Positive relationships are an important part of effective support, but these relationships must remain safe and professional.

Our staff are expected to:

• Treat every person with dignity and respect.
• Maintain appropriate physical, emotional and digital boundaries.
• Avoid favouritism and exclusive relationships.
• Protect personal and confidential information.
• Use approved methods of communication.
• Never borrow money from or lend money to a client.
• Never accept inappropriate gifts or personal benefits.
• Avoid sharing unnecessary personal information.
• Follow agreed support plans and risk assessments.
• Report any boundary concerns to management.

Any allegation or concern involving a member of staff will be taken seriously and handled fairly. Appropriate protective action will be taken, and external referrals will be made where required.

Nobody should experience unfair treatment for raising a genuine safeguarding concern or reporting unsafe practice.

Working With Other Professionals

Positive Steps works with social workers, healthcare professionals, therapists, housing teams, safeguarding services and emergency services when a coordinated response is required.

We share relevant information lawfully, proportionately and only when necessary to help protect somebody from harm.

We also follow up concerns and provide factual support records when requested.

Learning and Improving

Safeguarding concerns and incidents are reviewed to establish:

• What happened.
• Whether safeguarding procedures were followed.
• What support was provided.
• Whether any risks remain.
• What further action is needed.
• Whether support plans or risk assessments need updating.
• Whether staff require additional guidance, training or supervision.
• What can be learned to improve future practice.

This may result in updated support plans, additional staff training, changes to working practices or further professional involvement.

Our aim is to learn from concerns, address unsafe practice and continually improve the quality and safety of our service.

Report a Concern or Get Urgent Help

You can raise a safeguarding concern with any Positive Steps staff member or contact:

• Gemma Wheeler - Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Nicola Cameron - Designated Safeguarding Lead

You do not need to be certain that abuse or neglect has taken place. If something feels unsafe, concerning or inappropriate, please tell us.

Immediate Danger

If somebody is in immediate danger, has been seriously harmed or requires urgent medical assistance, call 999.

If you believe a crime has been committed but there is no immediate emergency, call South Yorkshire Police on 101.

Mental Health Crisis Support

If you or somebody you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, feeling suicidal or needs urgent support to remain safe, contact the Rotherham Mental Health Crisis Team.

• Call the free crisis line on 0800 804 8999.
• Alternatively, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

Mental health crisis support is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If there is an immediate risk to life, always call 999.

Adult Safeguarding Concerns

To report suspected abuse or neglect of an adult in Rotherham:

• Call Rotherham Council on 01709 822330.
• Use the Rotherham Council online adult safeguarding reporting form.

A concern can also be raised with a social worker, healthcare professional or another trusted professional.

Our Safeguarding Promise

We will listen to you.

We will take your concerns seriously.

We will act promptly.

We will treat you with dignity and respect.

We will explain what is happening and work with you and the appropriate professionals to help keep you safe.