Safeguarding Policy

Our commitment

Synergy Care & Housing CIC is committed to protecting every adult's right to live safely, free from abuse, neglect and exploitation. We take all concerns seriously, whether they come from a tenant, a family member, a neighbour or a professional.

The principles we work to

• Empowerment — supporting people to make their own decisions wherever they can.
• Prevention — acting early rather than waiting for harm to happen.
• Proportionality — responding in a way that fits the risk.
• Protection — taking action when someone is at risk of significant harm.
• Partnership — working with the local authority, NHS and other agencies.
• Accountability — clear roles, recorded decisions and transparent reporting.

Mental capacity

We work within the Mental Capacity Act 2005. We assume a person has capacity unless there is evidence otherwise, and we support people to make their own decisions for as long as they can.

Recognising and reporting a concern

All staff receive safeguarding training at induction and annually. Any concern is recorded the same working day and passed to our named safeguarding lead, who decides whether a referral to the local authority is needed.

Practice is aligned with the Berkshire Safeguarding Adults procedures. Concerns relating to Reading are raised with Reading Borough Council; concerns relating to Wokingham are raised with Wokingham Borough Council.

Safer recruitment

Everyone who works with our tenants is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, verified references, and a probation period with recorded supervision. Staff receive regular supervision and refresher training.

If you are worried about someone

If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise contact us and ask for the safeguarding lead, or raise your concern directly with the person's social worker or the local authority safeguarding team. You do not need to be certain — raising a concern in good faith is always the right thing to do.