This page summarises our public commitments on the website. Regulated branches maintain detailed operational policies, training records and multi-agency protocols in line with inspectors and local safeguarding boards. If you commission care from us, ask your registered manager for the full safeguarding pack that applies to your package of support.
In plain English
If you only remember three things: get someone safe first, tell the right statutory team, then tell us — we will co-operate openly with authorities and never punish people for raising concerns in good faith.
- Listen and act. We investigate proportionately, keep people informed within what the law permits, and work with safeguarding adults/children partnerships when thresholds are crossed.
- Equip our teams. Training, supervision and clear reporting lines help staff recognise, record and escalate without guessing or delaying.
- Zero tolerance of abuse. Abuse linked to how we operate, serious failures of duty or cover-ups are unacceptable — misconduct is tackled properly and people who have been harmed are supported.
- Speaking up fairly. Colleagues who raise safeguarding worries in good faith should not face retaliation for doing so.
If someone is in danger right now
Prefer calling over browsing — emergencies need an immediate telephone response where possible.
- 999Emergency (life threatened, violence occurring, imminent serious harm). Ask for police / ambulance the same way you would anywhere else in the UK.
- 101Police non-emergency. When safeguarding is worrying but less than an immediate emergency (your local force will prioritise appropriately).
- CouncilReport to your relevant council safeguarding team (adults and/or children's teams) — search online for “Report a safeguarding concern” plus your local authority name to find telephone and referral forms published for your area.
- NHS / GPDial 111 for urgent-but-not-emergency NHS advice in England — or speak to NHS urgent mental health lines / out-of-hours GP if those services apply to your situation as advised locally.
After ringing the statutory route that fits urgency, telling us separately means we can co-operate openly with investigations and put immediate safety adjustments in place wherever we owe a duty — see the section Concern about our care? below when it involves My Homecare services.
Our commitments — what we uphold
Across branches these principles underpin how safeguarding is exercised in practice alongside local procedures:
- •We treat abuse by staff toward people we support, careless failures that put someone at serious risk, and abusive behaviour by one service user toward another as matters that must be dealt with firmly and safely — guided by assessment, not shrugged aside.
- •Staff receive safeguarding training suited to their role, with refresher learning and supervision so worries are spotted earlier and acted on confidently.
- •We work with local safeguarding boards, commissioners, police and other professionals when the law and good practice expect it — sharing information through the correct routes.
- •People who raise concerns in good faith should be supported; bullying or retaliation for whistleblowing is not tolerated.
Routes to statutory help — quick recap
This mirrors the red emergency panel above — some visitors scroll straight here from bookmarks.
- • 999 — imminent danger / serious assault / medical collapse.
- • Council safeguarding referral — essential channel for coordinating multi-agency plans for vulnerable adults & children.
- • 101 / NHS pathways — non-emergency safeguarding or clinically urgent-but-not-critical situations (see NHS 111 eligibility).
Concern involving My Homecare care or colleagues?
Prefer phone first.
If the concern is about care or staff from My Homecare, phone your local branch as soon as you can using the number in the site footer. If you have a contract with us, your paperwork may also list out-of-hours contact — use that if the situation fits. If someone is unsafe, involve the statutory routes above first; then contact us so we can co-operate and review our side of safety.
Complaints & written escalation procedureOccasionally police or safeguarding partners ask everyone to limit what they say publicly while facts are gathered — when that happens we keep you informed as soon as we can without risking the wider investigation.
If you work with us — speaking up safely
Your branch handbook and local procedures name who to contact first — often your line manager or registered manager — and how to escalate if that route is not appropriate. If there could be a crime or someone is in immediate danger, follow your training and contact the police or safeguarding team without delay.
Many organisations also have whistleblowing or union routes outside line management. If you are unsure, ask for confidential advice from HR or from an independent adviser you trust.
Safer recruitment, DBS checks & right-to-work
For roles that need it we use Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and referencing in line with the law. Checks are kept up to date as rules for the role require.
We verify right to work in the UK before someone starts, and again when immigration rules say we must. False documents will normally mean an offer is withdrawn.
Restraint & physical intervention
Physical intervention or restrictive practice is only used where policy, training and individual risk planning allow it — never as informal punishment. We follow mental capacity and mental health law where it applies, and aim to reduce restraint over time through better support and planning.
After any serious incident we review what happened and update care plans with families or representatives involved where it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Full safeguarding policy pack
This page is a short public summary. Your branch keeps detailed safeguarding policies, flowcharts and named contacts that match local requirements and inspection standards. If you buy or receive care from us, ask your registered manager for the full pack.
In England the CQC publishes its own view of registered providers — that sits alongside the promises in your care agreement.