Safeguarding

Supporting someone living with dementia is deeply personal, and inviting someone into that journey requires trust. Safeguarding is not just a policy for me — it’s a core part of how I work, think, and make decisions every day.

My role is to support families and carers to better understand behaviour, reduce distress, and move forward with confidence, while always protecting the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of the person at the heart of the situation.

My Commitment

I am committed to working in a way that is:

• Respectful and person-centred
• Compassionate and non-judgemental
• Transparent and accountable
• Grounded in best practice and professional standards

Safeguarding, to me, means creating conditions where people feel safe, heard, and supported — not blamed.

Scope of My Role

ReFOCUS is an advisory and supportive service.

I do not provide:

• Personal care
• Clinical treatment
• Regulated care services

My work focuses on understanding behaviour, exploring contributing factors, and developing practical, realistic strategies for families and carers.

If a situation sits outside my scope, I will always support you to connect with the right professionals or services.

Dignity, Consent and Mental Capacity

Dementia is a progressive condition, and a person’s ability to make decisions can change or fluctuate.

Wherever possible, I aim to:

• Involve the person directly
• Respect their wishes and preferences
• Support decision-making in a way that maintains dignity

Even when my primary work is with families, the person living with dementia remains central to the process.

How I Approach Safeguarding

In many dementia situations, concerns arise not from intent, but from stress, uncertainty, or lack of understanding.

My approach is therefore to:

1. Educate and support first, where it is safe to do so
2. Work collaboratively with families to reduce risk
3. Encourage early, preventative action

If I believe someone is at risk of harm or significant neglect, I will follow appropriate safeguarding procedures and seek support from relevant services.

This balanced approach ensures concerns are handled proportionately, compassionately, and responsibly.

Professional Standards

To support safe and ethical practice, I:

• Hold a current DBS certificate and subscribe to the DBS Update Service
• Maintain appropriate professional indemnity insurance
• Follow safeguarding principles under the Care Act 2014
• Work in line with Making Safeguarding Personal principles
• Engage in ongoing learning and reflective practice

Confidentiality and Information Sharing

I treat all information shared with me as confidential and sensitive.

Information will only be shared:

• With your consent, or
• Where there is a safeguarding or legal duty to do so

Whenever possible, I will be open and transparent about this.

Working With Other Professionals

Supporting dementia well often means working together.

Where appropriate, I may support communication with:

• Health professionals
• Social care teams
• Care providers

Always with your knowledge and agreement wherever possible.

Accountability and Feedback

I welcome feedback and believe open communication is essential.

If you ever have concerns about my practice, I will take them seriously and respond transparently and respectfully.

A Final Note

Safeguarding is not separate from the support I offer — it is woven through every conversation, observation, and recommendation.

My aim is always to create a safe, respectful space where families feel supported, and the person living with dementia remains at the centre of care and understanding.