The ISA identifies financial and sexual abuse 'warning signs'

Four years after its formation, The Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) has published a piece of research on the vetting and barring scheme in association with Ecorys UK Ltd, which identifies ‘warning signs’ shown by some employees prior to their referral to the ISA. The aim of the report is to inform employers about the importance of good safeguarding practice.

The ISA has dealt with thousands of referrals from employers since it was set up in 2008, asking whether individuals should be barred from working with children and/or vulnerable adults.
 

ISA Chair Sir Roger Singleton said:

“For an employer, recognising developing risk can be difficult especially if the pattern of abusive behaviour develops both in and out of the workplace including, for example, the inappropriate use of social networking.

“Through our research we’ve identified some common warning signs and indicators of risk that relate to the referred individuals and the culture in which they work. These will have clear implications for how employers go about creating a safe environment, raising awareness and encouraging vigilance.”

Based on a study of 200 cases referred by employers, carefully chosen cases represent the wide range of incidents of abuse which were referred to the ISA. 47% of vulnerable adult referrals were allegations of financial abuse and 58% of child related referrals were allegations of sexual abuse.

Possible warning signs identified in the financial abuse cases were, in the main, behaviour or concerns closely related to that specific abuse type, such as:

• the theft of smaller amounts of money;

• previous convictions for theft; or

• failure to complete documentation and protocols regarding the handling of money.

In sexual abuse cases involving children, warning signs were more varied and included grooming behaviour, inappropriate physical contact and degrees of emotional manipulation.

ISA Chief Executive Adrian McAllister said: “We are in a unique position to use our experience to support the development of workplace safeguarding policy and practice.

The full research report is available for download here.

(Content amended from: http://www.isa.homeoffice.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=498)