Safeguarding Policy

Girl Friday PA

The Project Organiser Ltd

Girl Friday PA provides personal assistance services and is not a regulated care provider. We do not deliver medical or social care services. Nevertheless, we recognise our responsibility to promote the welfare of vulnerable adults and to act appropriately if we identify risks of abuse, neglect, or self-neglect. This policy outlines how we will respond to safeguarding concerns in line with relevant UK legislation, including the Care Act 2014 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

1. Principles

We will always act in the best interests of the client.
We presume that adults have mental capacity to make their own decisions unless there is evidence to the contrary.
We will respect confidentiality but will share information where necessary to prevent serious harm.
We encourage family involvement where it is safe and appropriate to do so.

2. Recognising Vulnerability and Safeguarding Concerns

During the course of providing services, we may become aware that a client:

Has needs for care and support (whether or not those needs are currently being met),
Is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect (including self-neglect), and
As a result of those needs, is unable to protect themselves from the risk of abuse or neglect.

Examples may include (but are not limited to):

Deterioration in physical or mental health leading to self-neglect,
Inability to manage essential daily tasks or finances safely,
Signs of potential financial, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse,
Concerns about the actions of a family member, carer, or appointed representative.

3. Responding to Concerns

If we have reasonable cause for concern, we will:

Raise a safeguarding concern with the relevant local authority adult social care team without delay.
Seek the client’s consent to make the referral wherever possible.
Proceed without consent if we believe it is necessary to prevent serious harm, if the client lacks capacity to consent, or if there is a wider public interest (in line with safeguarding principles).

We are not qualified to conduct formal mental capacity assessments. Where significant concerns arise about a client’s capacity to make specific decisions, we will refer the matter to the appropriate professionals (such as the client’s GP or the local authority) for proper assessment.

4. Mental Capacity and Legal Representatives

We will always presume that clients have capacity to make decisions unless there is clear evidence otherwise.

Where a valid Power of Attorney (Lasting Power of Attorney or Enduring Power of Attorney) is in place, we will follow the verification and instruction procedures set out in our Terms and Conditions.

If we have concerns that an attorney or other representative may not be acting in the client’s best interests, or if there are signs of potential abuse related to a Power of Attorney, this will be treated as a safeguarding concern. We may refer the matter to the appropriate authorities, including the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) or local adult social care services.

5. Our Actions

In all safeguarding situations, we will:

Document concerns and actions taken,
Encourage safe and appropriate family involvement,
Offer administrative support (where requested and appropriate) to help the client or their representatives access professional services,
Act proportionately and transparently.

6. Contact

Clients, family members, or others with wellbeing concerns are encouraged to discuss them with us openly. We will listen and, where needed, assist with the administration of applications or referrals to the correct professional services. This policy is reviewed annually or following any significant legislative changes.

Last reviewed: 1 December 2025