ADULT SAFEGUARDING POLICY

Introduction

Vision Trust has zero tolerance for abuse or neglect toward the adults (Patients, their Attendants, Employees, and visitors) we serve. This policy outlines our approach to safeguarding adults and promoting their well-being and safety and aligns with relevant Pakistani laws and regulations. We are committed to fostering a culture of openness and transparency where everyone feels empowered to report concerns without fear of reprisal. This policy will be reviewed and improved continuously.

Definitions

• Abuse: Any act or omission that causes harm or distress, including physical, psychological, sexual, financial, or emotional abuse.
• Neglect fails to provide for an adult's basic needs, such as food, shelter, clothing, and medication.
• Adult at Risk: Adults who are unable to protect themselves because of physical or mental impairment, disability, or dependence on others for care and support( physically or financially).

Types of Abuse

• Physical Abuse: Hitting, slapping, pushing, shoving, or any other form of intentional bodily harm.
• Psychological Abuse: Verbal abuse, humiliation, threats, intimidation, isolation, or exploitation.
  1. Sexual Abuse: Any unwanted sexual contact, including sexual assault.
  2. Financial Abuse

Misusing or stealing an adult's money or property.

Soliciting or accepting bribes or kickbacks from patients or their families.

Demanding or pressuring patients for any form of payment beyond authorized fees.

Misusing patients' financial information for personal gain.

Neglect

1. Failing to provide for an adult patient's essential medical care as the physician prescribes.
2. Withholding medication or treatment due to negligence or disregard for the patient's well-being.
3. Ignoring a patient's basic hygiene needs (e.g., not assisting with toileting, bathing, or changing soiled linens).

Discriminatory Abuse

Abuse is targeted at a person's race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Conflict of Interest

Staff members must avoid conflicts of interest. This includes but is not limited to, accepting gifts or benefits from patients or their families that could compromise their professional judgment or create an appearance of impropriety.

Our Procedures

Identifying and Reporting Concerns

All staff (including volunteers and Interns) will receive regular training to identify signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect.

We encourage open communication and provide a safe space for reporting concerns without fear of reprisal.

A clear and accessible reporting procedure is established:

Concerns can be reported to the designated safeguarding lead Ms Noureen Javed contact: +92 331 3747705.

How to raise concerns

Individuals who witness or learn of a potential violation, as explained, can report this matter directly using any of the following channels:

Email us to: info@visiontrust.pk

By speaking directly to the confidential line on the telephone number 

+92 3313747705

Fill this form out: https://forms.gle/Bmg7ChBgqBCpJ7Qw8 

Send a letter to the CEO—VT at address: 1107-South, Lakhani Presidency, Callachi Cooperative Housing Society, Dalmia Cement Factory Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi-75300, Pakistan.

Investigating Concerns

The designated safeguarding lead/ Incident committee will take all concerns seriously and investigate promptly.

Complaint Response Mechanism 

Registration of Complaint:

• Any complaint can be registered through various methods available, ensuring accessibility and ease for complainants. The timeline for registering and forwarding a complaint to the Investigation team is set at a maximum of 24 hours from the time of receipt.

Review/Investigation Committee

• A dedicated Review/Investigation Committee has been established to address complaints promptly and effectively.
• The committee members are;  Noureen Javed, Tabinda Hanif, Mehnaz Ali, and Junaid Rafiq, who are tasked with conducting thorough investigations into reported matters. This includes gathering evidence and compiling a comprehensive report within a timeline of 3 working days from the initiation of the investigation.

Judiciary

• Following the completion of the investigation, the report is escalated to the Judiciary for review and decision-making. The Judiciary panel consists of CEO Mazhar Awan, Sabhir Almani, and Humayun Kalam. They are responsible for meticulously reviewing the findings of the investigation report and making decisions by established policies and procedures.

The Judiciary is required to present its initial action plan within one day of receiving the investigation report, ensuring swift and decisive responses to safeguarding concerns.

Penalties

Minor Penalty

Written reprimand and fine

withholding, for a specific period, promotion, or increment; 

Suspension: If the misconduct is serious or puts an adult at risk, the employee may be suspended with or without pay pending further investigation. This allows time to gather evidence and determine the appropriate course of action.

Major Penalty

Reduction to a lower post 

Removal from service;

Fine. A part of the fine can be used as compensation for the complainant. 

Confidentiality

We emphasize the confidentiality of reported concerns while acknowledging mandatory reporting requirements for suspected criminal activity.

Record Keeping

Clear record-keeping protocols will be followed to safeguard concerns and actions taken, ensuring data privacy compliance.

Support for Staff

Vision Trust will provide staff with:

Regular safeguarding training (including recognizing cultural sensitivities).

Supervision and support.

Access to information and resources.

Compliance with Pakistani Law

This policy adheres to the following Pakistani legal frameworks:

The National Senior Citizens Act 2016 (protects the rights and welfare of senior citizens, including protection from abuse).

The Sindh Prohibition of Corporal Punishment Act, 2013 (prohibits all forms of corporal punishment).

The Pakistan Penal Code (outlines various forms of criminal abuse, including physical, sexual, and financial).

Conclusion

This policy demonstrates Vision Trust's unwavering commitment to safeguarding adults in our care. We encourage open communication, continuous improvement, and adherence to all relevant legal frameworks in Pakistan.