Our commitment
Alpha Care Services has a duty under the Care Act 2014 to protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect. Safeguarding is everyone's business — our carers, office team, families and the wider community.
We work closely with Gloucestershire County Council's Adult Safeguarding team, the Care Quality Commission and the police to keep the people we care for safe.
Who this applies to
An adult at risk is anyone aged 18 or over who has care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of harm, and may not be able to protect themselves because of those needs. Everyone we care for falls into this definition in some way, which is why our vigilance has to be constant.
What abuse can look like
Harm is not always physical. The types of abuse we train our team to recognise include:
- Physical abuse — hitting, rough handling, inappropriate restraint
- Emotional and psychological abuse — threats, humiliation, controlling behaviour
- Financial abuse — theft, pressure around wills, misuse of bank cards
- Sexual abuse — any unwanted sexual contact or exposure
- Neglect and acts of omission — not meeting basic care, hygiene or health needs
- Self-neglect — when someone cannot or will not look after themselves
- Discriminatory abuse — treating someone less well because of race, religion, disability, age, gender or sexuality
- Modern slavery — forced labour, trafficking, domestic servitude
- Domestic abuse — including coercive control
- Organisational abuse — poor care caused by the way a service is run
How we protect the people we care for
- Every member of staff is Enhanced DBS checked before they start work
- References are taken up and verified; we never use agency staff
- Safeguarding training is part of our induction and refreshed every year
- We follow the Mental Capacity Act and best-interest decision making
- Visits are logged and care records are audited by senior staff
- Our Registered Manager is the designated Safeguarding Lead
- Whistleblowing arrangements let staff raise concerns in confidence without fear
If you are worried about someone
If you believe someone is at immediate risk, call 999. For non-urgent concerns:
- Alpha Care Services: 01242 321035 in office hours or 07979 842659 at any time, 24 hours a day
- Gloucestershire County Council Adult Safeguarding: 01452 426868 (out-of-hours 01452 614194)
- Care Quality Commission: 03000 616161 or cqc.org.uk
- Police non-emergency: 101
You do not need proof. If something does not feel right, please tell someone. We would rather look into a concern that turns out to be nothing than miss one that matters.
Our registered manager
Our Registered Manager leads our safeguarding work and is accountable to the Care Quality Commission. You can speak to them in confidence by calling 01242 321035 or emailing info@alphacareservices.co.uk.
