People in Positions of Trust (PiPoT)

Under the provisions of the Care Act 2014 Care and Support Statutory Guidance (Statutory Guidance) Lewisham Safeguarding Adults Board is required to have a Framework for how allegations involving People in Positions of Trust (PiPoT) who work or volunteer with ‘adults at risk’ should be notified and responded to.

Whilst the focus of statutory safeguarding adults work is linked to adults at risk, there are also occasions when incidents are reported that do not directly involve an adult at risk, but indicate, nevertheless, that a risk may be posed to one (or more) by a person in a position of trust.

Scope

Examples of such concerns could include allegations that relate to a person who works with adults at risk who has:

Behaved in a way that has harmed or may have harmed an adult or a child. Example: A son is accused of abusing his elderly mother who also works as a domiciliary care worker with adults at risk.

Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, an adult or a child. Example: where a woman is convicted of grievous bodily harm and works in a residential home for people living with learning disabilities.

Behaved towards an adult or child in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to adults with care and support needs. Example: A woman who works in one authority with women who suffer domestic abuse, and lives in another authority, but is subject to child protection procedures involving her own children due to domestic abuse.

This framework is not a substitute for, but may be used in conjunction with other formal processes for example Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) or Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) etc.

What is not included: The following are excluded from this Framework:

If an allegation is made that is directly linked to the actions of a professional or volunteer in relation to alleged abuse or neglect of an adult at risk, and this amounts to an Adult Safeguarding Concern. This should be dealt with by following the Lewisham Adult Safeguarding Pathway. The PiPoT framework should never replace the safeguarding adults’ process but can run concurrently with it. The outcome of a safeguarding referral may result in some of the same actions outlined in this Framework; but it would be for the police (if a crime is reported) to take appropriate steps linked to regulated professions to notify the relevant bodies, and or, for the local authority led Safeguarding Enquiry to determine these.

Harmful behaviour and making referrals to DBS

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Briefing

Responsibilities When There are Potential Risks to Children

When a person’s conduct towards an adult may impact on their suitability to work with, or continue to also work with children, this must be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where that person works. Where concerns have been identified about their practice and they are a parent / carer for children, then consideration should be given to whether a referral to children’s safeguarding is required.

There will be occasions when the allegation spans across both Adult’s (PiPoT) andChildren’s (LADO) processes. In such circumstances, it should be agreed which process willtake the lead, with a commitment to appropriate and proportionate information sharing. There is an option to escalate this decision to the LADO / Lead Officer, if required.

See here for more information: Lewisham Safeguarding Children Partnership - Allegations Against Professionals (Local Authority Designated Officer)