We also have a Co-ordinating Group who plan and deliver the activities of Neuro Hebrides.

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What we do

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We offer a friendly non-judgemental community where people can have ups and downs, frustration and victories and can share them in a supportive, caring environment. Having a neurological condition can be isolating and our mission is to help reduce that.

We offer regular opportunities to meet with others and to take part in a range of activities tailored for those living with a neurological condition.

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We also campaign on behalf of our members on a range of issues which affect them and have a voice on groups like Patient Panel and the Neurological Managed Clinical Network for the NHS.

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EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY

Aims:

Neuro Hebrides is committed to treating all people equally and with respect irrespective of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. We aim to create a safe and welcoming atmosphere for everyone and an atmosphere of friendship, respect and care for each other.

Accessibility:

All our meetings and events are held in venues that are accessible to wheelchair users. We are committed to ensuring any member of Neuro Hebrides is able to attend our activities, so we will reassess our access requirements to meet the needs of new members.

Diversity:

Neuro Hebrides belongs to all of our members. We aim to organise a range of events and activities to suit the interests and meet the needs of a wide variety of people.

 

Inclusion and respect:

Every person attending at Neuro Hebrides should be made to feel equally welcome and included at all Neuro Hebrides meetings and events.

People will be treated with dignity and respect regardless of race, religion or belief, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, disability and/or age.

At all times people's feelings will be valued and respected. Language or humour that people find offensive will not be used, e.g. sexist or racist jokes or terminology which is derogatory to someone with a disability.

 

Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise offensive and inflammatory remarks and behaviour are not acceptable. These constitute harassment, and have no place in Neuro Hebrides.

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Dealing with discrimination and harassment:

 

If any member feels they have been discriminated against by Neuro Hebrides or harassed at a Neuro Hebrides event they should raise this with a trustee.

 

The Board will investigate the complaint, listening to all members involved. (If the complaint is against a trustee, that trustee will not be part of conducting the investigation).

 

If the complaint is against a particular individual, this person will have the opportunity to express their point of view, accompanied by a friend. The person making the complaint will also have this opportunity.

 

Any decision to exclude a person from the charity due to discriminatory or harassing behaviour will be made with reference to the charity’s constitution. The charity will support people who feel they have been harassed or discriminated against, and will not victimise or treat them less well because they have raised this.

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Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Policy

Definition

Safeguarding vulnerable adults is a part of the wider role of safeguarding and promoting welfare. Safeguarding promotes the welfare of vulnerable adults to protect them from harm including physical, emotional, sexual and financial harm and neglect.

 

Who the policy applies to

This policy applies to anyone acting on behalf of the charity and includes trustees, co-ordinating group members, employees and volunteers.

 

Purpose

The aim of the policy is to ensure that those vulnerable adults who receive support from the charity are protected from any harm through their contact with the charity. The policy sets out our approach to safeguarding; our procedures for reporting and investigating concerns or incidents; our approach to ensuring that representatives of the charity understand their responsibility and what to do when a concern or incident arises.

 

Ethos and principles

Our aim is to support neurological patients and carers by promoting positive health and wellbeing in the Outer Hebrides. Our purposes are:

a. The advancement of health of those suffering from neurological conditions

b. The relief of those in need by reason of ill-health, disability or other disadvantage due to a neurological condition

c. The advancement of education specifically the understanding of neurological conditions

d. Organising recreational activities to improve life conditions of those suffering from or affected by neurological conditions

In ensuring that vulnerable adults who receive support from our charity are protected from harm, we will apply the following principles:

• Neuro Hebrides is committed to treating everyone equally and with respect. All vulnerable adults have an equal right to protection from harm regardless of their gender, culture, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, or ability.

• The charity aims to ensure that all are welcomed into a safe, caring environment with a happy and friendly atmosphere.

• The charity recognises that it is the responsibility of each person acting on behalf of the charity, paid and unpaid, to prevent the harm of vulnerable adults and to report any harm discovered or suspected.

• The charity recognises its responsibility to implement, maintain and regularly review procedures, which are designed to prevent and to be alert to such abuse.

• The charity is committed to supporting, resourcing and training those who work with vulnerable adults and to providing supervision.

• The charity is committed to maintaining good links with the statutory social services authorities.

• Anyone acting or working on behalf of the charity will be subject to safeguarding checks.

• Safeguarding concerns are to be managed through a robust and transparent process.

• Anyone that reports a concern regarding a colleague in good faith will be protected

• Information will be managed confidentially and only shared without consent where the duty to protect vulnerable adults from harm supersedes an individual’s right to privacy.

• Safeguarding decisions should be made in a timely manner and should not be subject to unnecessary delay.

 

Legal and policy basis

In Scotland, adults at risk are defined as those aged 16 years and over who:

• are unable to safeguard their own wellbeing, property, rights or other interests

• and are at risk of harm

• and because they are affected by disability, mental disorder, illness or physical or mental infirmity, are more vulnerable to being harmed than adults who are not so affected.

In Scotland the main policies, legislation and guidance applying in relation to vulnerable adults is:

• Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act 2007

• Part V of the Police Act 1997

• OSCR strategy and guidance

• SCVO Safeguarding Guidance

 

Implementation:

1. Reporting procedures

If you believe there is a safeguarding incident or concern you must follow the reporting procedure:

o take emergency action if needed (police/medical/social services),

o record what you have witnessed or been told with key facts (date, times, incident/concern),

o refer the incident/concern to the designated safeguarding trustee. In the event that the incident relates to the designated safeguarding trustee, then this should be taken immediately to the chair. If the designated trustee does not act on concerns raised, then this should also be taken to the chair

o do NOT investigate the incident or concern yourself.

If you have concerns about a vulnerable adult, ascertain whether urgent police or medical attention is needed. In this instance, police/medical/social services should be contacted immediately. In a non-emergency situation, where you are concerned that there is a safeguarding issue you must report your concerns to the designated safeguarding trustee. The incident or concern must be documented immediately. If a vulnerable adult discloses a safeguarding concern to you, you must pay careful attention to their disclosure and be clear that this is taken seriously. Listen attentively, offer support and reassurance and be clear that you need to tell someone so that the incident/concern can be dealt with. Document the details and email it to the designated safeguarding trustee. If you bring a report of a safeguarding incident or concern you will not be victimised for having brought the complaint, even if it is found that the concern or incident is not upheld. However, in the event that following a full and fair investigation, the organisation has grounds to believe that the complaint was brought with malicious intent, you will be subject to disciplinary action under the disciplinary procedure.

 

1. Investigations

The designated safeguarding trustee will investigate the matter to determine what steps should be taken and where necessary obtain further details of the allegation and the circumstances in which it was made. If an employee is subject to a safeguarding allegation they should be relieved of their duties while an investigation takes place. They are entitled to full pay while the investigation takes place. If a volunteer, contractor, or trustee is the subject of a safeguarding allegation they should be required to stop any work they are doing until an investigation has been completed. While an investigation takes place all those involved in the investigation should be supported, including the person whom the concern has been raised about. Disclosure of abuse in regards a member of staff, volunteer, contractor, trustee should be reported to the police and relevant authorities. Disclosure of a suspicion may not always be reported to the police, but a risk assessment and appropriate action (potentially using your disciplinary procedure) will be undertaken and may result in police involvement. If applicable, disclosure of a notifiable event should be made to OSCR.

1. Recruitment and checks

As part of any recruitment process, the charity will require references and will require PVG certificates prior to appointment. In addition, the charity will require PVG or Disclosure Scotland checks of all trustees, co-ordinating group members and volunteers.

1. Training All trustees, co-ordinating group members, employees and volunteers are required to read and sign this policy. In addition, the charity will hold regular awareness raising days for trustees, co[1]ordinating group members, employees and volunteers.

 

Monitoring

The designated safeguarding trustee is Iain Macaulay and they are responsible for monitoring the implementation of the policy.

 

Review

The policy will be reviewed once a year by the board.

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Please see the membership section  for more information and details of how to join.

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If you would like more information about Neuro Hebrides, please do not hesitate to contact us using the form below.