My husband a group for special needs adults . There is a volunteer at the group who to us expresses un appropriate behaviour to the service users.
He makes rude gestures from a distance. and sits on the service users laps . Tickles them and smacks there bum.
They seem to enjoy the attention and think it is all fun. I am not sure though and am thinking of getting advice. Does anyone know where I should go for advice.
I take my husband to the group. I have reported it but he is a friend of the person running the group. I spoke to a carer that takes her son there and asked if she thought his behaviour was inappropriate she said it looks like harmless fun.
I have done safeguarding and personally think it is inappropriate. I need to tell someone who is from outside the group but who?
I would stop going but my husband likes the interaction of the group
I asked about DBS checks and the organiser and his wife have them and the treasurer. I don't think they do checks on everyone as he is supposed to be in the kitchen making drinks.
even simpler then - the coulncil will have a safeguarding team. Call adult socal care for your area (will be on your council's website) and ask to speak to them
It's fine to report it, hannah, if it makes you uncomfortable. It's up to the Safeguarding team to decide then. If you've tried the people higher up and got no help, you'll need to contact them.
He may be just being friendly but smacking people on the bum could be misinterpreted and he would be well advised not to put himself in a position where he could be the subject of a serious allegation
Yes, there is a lot of banter etc in care homes, which might well seem inappropriate if you don't know the people. This does look like another level, but I haven't seen it. If you're worried, just ask them to check- it's their job and you might well be right.
If you report it, it will be investigated and if nothing untoward is found, there's no harm done. If it is not reported, you will never be sure what else may be going on.
The volunteer needs an enhanced BDS disclosure if he is present in the building when the vulnerable people are there even if he does not directly work with them. I had to have one to work in the kitchen of an old peoples care home even though the residents were not allowed in the kitchen while cooking was in progress, same when I worked as a cleaner in a school. Even though the children were supposed to have left before I started cleaning I still had to have an enhanced disclosure in case any children were doing after school clubs.
When I asked they said not all volunteers have to be DBS checked. As all service users are with carers or parents no one attends the group with out a carer and the person makes drinks in the kitchen he didn't need one.
He comes out near the end cuddles service users and pats there bum . This is in front of carers and they think it is ok it's just me who doesn't. He tickles them makes them all laugh.
He sat on one of there laps last week and bounced up and down. I don't think this is the way to behave but others laugh at him.