Powys Teaching Health Board has a statutory duty under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 to report a child or adult at who may be at risk or experience abuse or neglect to children or adult social services and/or the police. The Health Board is also required to work closely with other agencies such as the Police, Social Services and Education to share information to help safeguard children and adults.
If you are worried that a child is at risk or maybe suffering any form of harm you can report your concerns to Powys Children’s Services, the Police or the NSPCC
Further details may be found on Powys County Council website
If you are worried that an adult is at risk or maybe suffering any form of harm you can report your concerns to Powys Adult Services or the Police
Further details may be found on Powys County Council website
Abuse is defined as a violation of an individual’s human and civil rights by any other person or persons which may result in significant harm.
Types of Abuse
The types of abuse include; neglect, physical abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse, all types of domestic abuse, sexual violence, staking, harassment and coercive control, all types of exploitation which include modern slavery, forced marriage, female genital mutilation, honour-based violence and radicalisation.
What will happen if I report abuse or neglect?
The immediate priority is to ensure that the child and/or the adult at risk is safe and protected from any further abuse. The worry that has been reported will be reviewed and action taken which will be based on the information shared. This may involve several agencies working together to share more information to help build a picture of the child and/or adult’s circumstances. This is known as a multi-agency approach and is the most effective way to protect children and adults at risk.
If you are a victim or survivor of domestic abuse help and support is available; you can tell a member of PTHB staff, tell your GP or you could contact one of the helplines or specialised service.
Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre (MFCC) are a specialist domestic abuse support provider for North Powys for male, female and child victims. Call 01686 629114 or visit the MFCC website for further information.
Live Fear Free is a 24 hour National Helpline for Wales. Call 0808 801 0800 or visit the Live Fear Free website for further information.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline is a 24 hour National Helpline for women and children against domestic violence. Call 0808 2000 247 or visit the National Domestic Abuse Helpline website for further information
The Dyn Project Wales is a helpline for men experiencing abuse. Call 0808 80 0321 or visit The Dyn Project website for further information
Calan DVS provide domestic abuse support for South of Powys. Call 01874 625146 or visit the Calan DVS website for further information.
Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line. Call 0800 0119 100 or visit the Switchboard website for further information.
Domestic abuse affects people of all ages. However, older victims’ experiences often differ to those of younger people, due to a variety of social, cultural and physical factors that require attention. Hourglass Cymru is the national voice for older people at risk call 0808 808 8141 or visit the Hourglass Cymru website for further information.
Honour Based Violence is a form of domestic abuse and can come in many forms. Many women are affected by Honour Based Abuse.
Help is available, if you are at risk or if you are concerned for someone else who may be at risk, we are here to listen and to help you can tell a member of PTHB staff, tell your GP or you could contact one of the helplines or specialised services which is safe and free.
The national Honour Based Abuse Helpline can be contacted free on 0800 5999 247 / Mon-Fri 9am-5pm or visit Honour Based Abuse Helpline Website for further information.
In an emergency contact the police on 999
What is Domestic Abuse
“Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This can encompass, but is not limited to, the following types of abuse: Psychological, Physical, Sexual, Financial, Emotional.” (Home Office).
The abusive behaviours may include:
Physical Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Financial Abuse
Emotional / Psychological Abuse
Coercive Control.
Further information regarding the types of abuse behaviours can be found at Domestic abuse: draft statutory guidance framework (accessible version) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Help is available; If you are at risk or have experienced any form of sexual violence or if you are concerned for someone else, we are here to listen and to help.
You can tell a member of PTHB staff, tell your GP or you could contact one of the helplines or a specialised service which is safe and free.
Live Fear Free is a 24 hour National Helpline for Wales. Call 0808 801 0800 or visit the Live Fear Free website for further information.
New Pathways provide support to victims of rape, sexual assault or abuse. Find out more from the New Pathways website
Or contact 01685 379310
Sexual violence definition from the World Health Organisation:
‘any sexual act, attempt to obtain sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting.
Sexual abuse can happen to absolutely anyone, Abusers do not discriminate. There is no excuse or justification for sexual abuse. The responsibility lies completely with the perpetrator.
If you have been sexually abused, no matter where you were, what you were doing, what you were wearing, what you were saying, if you were drunk or under the influence of drugs, it was not your fault. Whether it happened a long time ago, or it’s just happened to you now, you did not deserve this.
It comes down to consent - By law, a person only consents to sexual activity “if she or he agrees by choice, and has the freedom and capacity to make that choice”. If you said “yes” to something because you were scared for your life or safety, or of someone you care about, or if you were asleep or unconscious or incapacitated through alcohol or drugs, then you didn’t agree by choice and didn’t have the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
If you said “no”, you meant no. Watch the video below to find out more about consent
SARCs are located around Wales and have specially trained doctors, nurses and support workers to care for you. To find your nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre please visit the NHS Wales Executive website
A SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) is a centre where you can get immediate help and support. They bring together a range of specially trained professionals to give help, support and information to individuals who have been raped or sexually assaulted, whether recently or in the past.
SARCs are confidential services and are completely focussed on you and what you want and need. You might be concerned about telling someone about what happened to you because you don’t want to get the police involved, or because you don’t know what your options or rights are. There is never any pressure to report to the police.
Visit the following videos for further information about SARCs https://youtu.be/K6FtxoI6FRY
New Pathways
New Pathways provide specialist support for adults, children and young people who have been affected by rape, sexual assault or abuse. They offer face to face, online and telephone services across Mid, South and West Wales.
They can be contacted on 01685 379310 or visit the New Pathways website
The Mental Capacity Act protects the right of people to participate in decisions about their lives as fully as possible. Capacity is about a person’s everyday ability to make decisions about what happens to them, including decisions about their care and treatment. Further information for older people in Wales can be found at Rights-Booklet-e-online-2019.pdf (olderpeople.wales)
It applies to all people who are 16 and over in England and Wales. There are different rules for children. The law says that we must help people to make their own decisions wherever possible. When a person cannot make their own decision, other people have to decide what is in their best interests. This is often the person’s family but sometimes other people must make the decision.
If it is a medical decision, this will be by a doctor. Sometimes the Local Authority will make some decisions.
Lasting Power of Attorney - LPA
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that lets you (the donor) appoint one or more people (known as the attorneys) to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf. This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions (you ‘lack mental capacity’).
There are 2 types of LPA:
You can choose to make one type or both.
For further information please visit Make, register or end a lasting power of attorney: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
In UK law children in care are referred to as "looked after children". A child is "looked after" if they are in the care of the local authority for more than 24 hours. Legally, this could be when they are:
•living in accommodation provided by the local authority with the parents' agreement.
•the subject of an interim or full care order.
•the subject of an emergency legal order to remove them from immediate danger.
•serving time or on remand in a secure children's home, secure training centre or young offender institution.
•unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
A child will stop being "looked after" when they are either adopted, returned home or turn 18. Under the When I am Ready Guidance (WG 2016) the local authority will continue to support children leaving care at 18 until they reach 21 or 25 if in education.
For further information on Children Act 2014 please visit the Government Website
Private Fostering
If you or someone you know is looking after someone else’s child that could be private fostering and you need to let Powys County Council know.
Please contact Children's Services Front Door via,
Email-csfrontdoor@powys.gov.uk
Telephone: 01597 827666 (office hours) 0845 054 4847 (out of hours)
For further information on private fostering, please visit Powys County Council Website
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales supports children and young people to find out about their rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
The Children’s Commissioner works for every child in Wales who is up to the age of 18 and up the age of 21 if they have been in care, or 25 if they have been in care and are still in education.
For further information please visit The Children's Commissioner for Wales - About Us (childcomwales.org.uk)
Help is available; If you are at risk, or if you are concerned for someone who is, we are here to listen and to help.
You can tell a member of PTHB staff, tell your GP or you could contact one of the helplines or specialised service which is safe, confidential and free.
IF YOU BELIEVE A PERSON IS IN IMMEDIATE RISK OF HARM, YOU SHOULD CONTACT THE POLICE.
You can report any form of modern slavery by as calling the modern slavery helpline on 0800 0121 700.
Exploitation, in its widest definition, means getting someone to do something that they do not want to do for personal gain.
There are many different forms of exploitation which can occur, affecting children and adults and result in some kind of abuse or harm to be caused to a person, be it physical, sexual, emotional or financial.
These include;
Modern slavery
Domestic servitude
Forced labour
Criminal exploitation
Sexual exploitation
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE):
Is a form of sexual abuse that can include sex or any form of sexual activity with a child; the production of indecent images and/or any other indecent material involving children. Children may not recognise the exploitative nature of the relationship or exchange. Children may feel that they have given consent.
Stop it Now is a confidential helpline for anyone worried about another child, young person or adults behaviour towards children. To find out more visit Stop It Now website or call the helpline number on 0808 1000 900
The Truth Project was set up to give victims and survivors of child sexual abuse a chance to share their experiences with the Independent Inquiry Child sexual Abuse. Further information can be found on the Truth Project Website
School Beat Cymru – Wales Police Schools Programme is a collaboration of Welsh Government the four Police forces across Wales for responding to report of incidents in schools. Further information can be found at the School Beat Cymru website
Where to go for help
If you are concerned about anyone who might be at risk of becoming radicalised, or if you are worried about someone travelling to, or returning from abroad, then you should speak to the police on 101. In an emergency, or to report a suspected terrorist incident, call the police on 999.
You can also call the Anti-terrorist Hotline number: 0800 789 321
Prevent is a national safeguarding programme that supports people who are at risk of becoming involved with terrorism through radicalisation.
Radicalisation is the process of a person beginning to believe in terrorist or extremist views. Terrorist groups sometimes attempt to radicalise others through persuading them to join their group, or to accept their ideology.
While these signs do not always mean that a person is being radicalised, some widely accepted signs of radicalisation include:
To report abuse or for advice and support contact
Further details may be found on Powys County Council website
If someone is in immediate danger contact the Police by calling 999.
The Live Fear Free website are a National support helpline and refuge for victims of domestic abuse. Find out more at the Live Fear Free website Or call 0808 802 4040
CALAN Domestic Violence Service (CALAN DVS) provide support to victims of domestic abuse in South Powys. Find out more from CALAN DVS website Or call 01874 625146
New Pathways provide support to victims of rape, sexual assault or abuse. Find out more at the New Pathways website Or contact 01685 379310
The Montgomeryshire Family Crisis Centre (MFCC) provide support to victims of domestic abuse in North Powys. Find out more at the MFCC website Or contact 01686 629114
Samaritans Cymru work with people to create a safe place where they can talk about what is happening and how they feel. Find out more at the Samaritans Cymru website or contact 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan
The UK Government website provides an array of documents and promotional material related the governments work to end Modern Slavery. Call the modern slavery helpline on 0800 0121 700 or report it online.
BAWSO provides practical and emotional prevention, protection and support to Black Minority ethnic (BME) and migrant victims of domestic abuse, FGM, Forced Marriage, Honour Based Violence, Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Find out more at the BAWSO website or contact 0800 7318147
NSPCC work to prevent abuse, help rebuild children’s lives and support families. Find out more at the NSPCC website or contact 0808 800 5000
Childline is a free, private and confidential service for anyone under the age of 19 and in the UK. Find out more at the Childline website or call 0800 1111
Hourglass Cymru is the national voice for older people at risk. Find out more at the Hourglass Cymru website or contact 0808 808 8141
Kaleidoscope provide support for people who are battling drugs and alcohol addiction. Find out more at the Kaleidoscope website or contact 01633 811950
AGE Cymru provides advocacy to clients who have a Dementia type presentation. Find out more at the AGE Cymru website or contact 0300 3034498
TGP Cymru Mid & West Wales advocate for those 0-25 and who are looked after by Social Services, a care leaver, on the child protection register or a child in need of care and support. Find out more at the TGP Cymru Mid and West Wales website or contact 01982 552450 or Freephone: 0800 085 8471
BCA Independent Advocacy Services provide advocacy to adults with a learning disability or high support needs. Find out more at the BCA Independent Advocacy Service website or contact 01874 622240
HOPE are an independent volunteer advocacy service who support older people (50+) and carers. Find out more at the HOPE website
British Deaf Association provide advocacy support for cultural deaf who first language is BSL (British Sign Language). Find out more at the British Deaf Association website or contact cao.wales.@bda.org.uk
LLAIS are an advocacy service who help share views or raise a concern about NHS Care. Find out more at the LLAIS website or contact 01874 624206/01686 627632