TMSTH Area Forum Constitution

Only TMSTH Area Forum Members may speak at Forum meetings. No other person, whether standing Councillor from another Ward, Council Officer or representative from any organisation shall address Forum unless by direct invitation, or by collective agreement at Forum meetings.

Meetings will be held within the ward boundaries of Muscliff and Strouden Park at appropriate community venues, with consideration to the size of Forum membership, average attendance figures, suitable facilities to ensure meetings are fully inclusive, e.g. seating, disabled access and facilities.

The Chairperson will have full control of the meeting and their decision will be final.

A number of leaflets will be delivered to households across the Forum area, and meetings will also be advertised on this website, on Facebook and in libraries, local shops etc.

TMSTH Area Forum was formed in 2004. The Forum area is defined by the Muscliff and Strouden Park electoral ward. There are approximately 8,500 homes with 17,500 Residents. Forums were formed to comply with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act, which contains a statutory ‘duty to involve’ and comes into place on 1st April 2009.

“FORUM MEMBERS” consist of:

• All residents of the TMSTH Forum area.
• All elected representatives of the Wards forming the Forum area, i.e., Councillors and Members of Parliament, whether or not they reside in the Forum Area.

• TMSTH Area Forum is a non-political, non-partisan platform for Forum Members to make their views known and discuss issues affecting them. All Forum Members have equal rights, irrespective of age, race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.
• TMSTH Area Forum will encourage community participation in the actions and policies of BCP Council, Throop and Holdenhurst Parish Council, Regional and Central Government and other organisations, by identifying local issues, providing access to information and ensuring all sides are fairly represented.
• TMSTH Area Forum will collate the collective opinions within Forum and take them forward to Local, Regional and Central Government and other organisations, as determined by the Forum.
• TMSTH Area Forum will maintain strong links with local Councillors, Council Departments and Officers, Member of Parliament and representatives of other organisations, to ensure a two way flow of information.
• TMSTH Area Forum will work to improve links with public sector partners, e.g. Police and Safer Neighbourhood teams, Fire and Ambulance Service and to promote public service information.

• All committee Members must be Forum Members, however, elected representatives may not serve on the committee.
• Committee will consist of Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer and up to 6 general Members appointed from the Forum Membership as required.
• The Committee exists to set the agenda for each meeting, invite speakers, manage the running of Forum, collate information and reflect the opinions and responses of Forum. It does not act independently of Forum.

Forum meetings will be held up to 3 times a year. The AGM with election of officers will be held in the first meeting of each year. Extraordinary Forum Meetings will be called by the Committee, if deemed necessary.

Any complaints should be addressed to the Forum Chair and may be debated at the next public meeting.

Forum Members must not behave in a violent, threatening or abusive manner at meetings.

Please Note:

Since being set up, the Forum has been funded by the council for distribution and venues, whilst being totally independent of council policy. Direct funding has now ceased and a variety of options are being explored in order to help it continue its work e.g. grants, advertising etc.

TMSTH (Townsend Muscliff Strouden Throop Holdenhurst) Area Forum (the ‘Forum’) is committed to ensuring that it meets the provisions of the UK Equality Act (2010) in all areas of its work.

In line with the Public Sector Equality Duty it will work to:

- eliminate discrimination

- advance equality of opportunity

- foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities

The Policy applies to any person involved in running the Forum and/or attending any of its meetings. It has been drawn up by current members of the Committee Forum and supersedes any prior policies that existed. It covers but is not limited to those protected characteristics listed in the 2010 Equality Act:

Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexuality.

The policy has been drawn up by the members of the TMSTH Area Forum committee.

As stated in its constitution, the Forum was established in line with the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act, which came into effect in 2009. Through public meetings, it acts as a means by which local residents can find out more about the issues that affect them locally, also providing them with an opportunity to engage with and question local elected representatives and representatives of organisations active in their area e.g. NHS, YMCA Youth Service.

This Policy is easily accessible on the Forum’s website and Facebook pages. All members of the current Committee were involved in its drawing up and as and when any new members join the Committee, they will be asked to read and indicate they agree with it.

The Forum is open to all residents of the TMSTH area.

Meetings are advertised via our public website and Facebook pages and through leaflet drops spread out across all of the Forum area.

The Forum holds its meetings at venues which are accessible to all i.e. they are step-free and have disabled-access toilet facilities. Venues are chosen as close to public-transport links as possible. We have, on occasion, provided sign-language interpretation for those with hearing difficulties.

Any discriminatory behaviour that occurs during a Forum meeting can and will be challenged by any member of the Forum Committee. Dependent upon the nature of the behaviour, this may result in a verbal warning or potential exclusion from future Forum meetings.

The Townsend Muscliff Strouden Throop and Holdenhurst (TMSTH) Area Forum believes in protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. This policy sets out the roles and responsibilities of TMSTH Area Forum in working together in promoting the adult’s welfare and safeguarding them from abuse and neglect. Committee members and Forum attendees should be made aware of how this policy can be accessed.

The Care Act 2014 definition of an adult at risk of abuse:

• Where a local authority has reasonable cause to suspect that an adult in its area (whether or not ordinarily resident there)
• (a) has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs),
• (b) is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect, and
• (c) as a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

In the safeguarding of adults, TMSTH Area Forum are guided by the six key principles set out in The Care Act 2014 and Making Safeguarding Personal. TMSTH Area Forum aims to demonstrate and promote these six principles in our work:

• Empowerment - People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent
• Prevention - It is better to take action before harm occurs.
• Proportionality - The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
• Protection - Support and representation for those in greatest need.
• Partnership - Local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse.
• Accountability - Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.

An adult attending a Forum meeting may say or do things that let you know something is wrong. It may come in the form of a disclosure, complaint, or an expression of concern. Everyone within the organisation should understand what to do, and where to go to get help, support and advice.

The Care Act 2014 defines the following ten areas of abuse. These are not exhaustive but are a guide to behaviour that may lead to a safeguarding enquiry. This includes:

• Physical abuse - Including assault, hitting, slapping, pushing, misuse of medication, restraint or inappropriate physical sanctions.
• Domestic violence/ Domestic abuse - This could be any of the indicators of abuse relating to physical, psychological/emotional, sexual or financial but by a person with whom you have a close family or intimate relationship such as a partner, child, parent.
• Sexual abuse - Including rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography. Witnessing sexual acts, indecent exposure and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the adult has not consented or was pressured into consenting.
• Psychological or emotional abuse - Including threats of harm or abandonment, deprivation of contact, humiliation, blaming, controlling, intimidation, coercion, harassment, verbal abuse, cyber bullying, isolation or unreasonable and unjustified withdrawal of services or supportive networks.
• Financial or material abuse - Including theft, fraud, internet scamming, coercion in relation to an adult’s financial affairs or arrangements, including in connection with wills, property, inheritance or financial transactions, or the misuse of misappropriation of property, possessions or benefits.
• Modern slavery - Encompasses slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and domestic servitude. Traffickers and those who coerce, deceive and force individuals into a life of abuse, servitude and inhumane treatment.
• Discriminatory abuse - Including forms of harassment, slurs or similar treatment because you are, or are perceived to be different due to race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion.
• Organisational or institutional abuse - Including neglect and poor care practice within an institution or specific care setting such as a hospital or care home, for example or in relation to care provided in one’s own home. This may range from one off incidents to long-term ill treatment. It can be through neglect or poor professional practice as a result of the structure, policies, processes or practices within an organisation.
• Neglect or acts of omission - Including ignoring medical, emotional or physical care needs, failure to provide access to appropriate health, care and support or educational services, the withholding of the necessities of life, such as medication, adequate nutrition and heating.
• Self-neglect - This covers a wide range of behavior, neglecting to care for one’s personal hygiene, health or surroundings and includes behaviour such as hoarding. There is a difference between what constitutes a safeguarding incident that requires a statutory response and an incident that is rooted in concern for someone’s general wellbeing.

The Government through its PREVENT programme has highlighted how some adults may be vulnerable to exploitation and radicalisation and involvement in terrorism. Signs and indicators of radicalisation may include:

• Being in contact with extremist recruiters.
• Articulating support for violent extremist causes or leaders.
• Accessing violent extremist websites, especially those with a social networking element.
• Possessing violent extremist literature.
• Using extremist narratives to explain personal disadvantage.
• Justifying the use of violence to solve societal issues.
• Joining extremist organisations.
• Significant changes to appearance and/or behaviour.

Any committee member or attendee who becomes aware that an adult is or is at risk of, being abused or radicalised must raise the matter immediately with their committee colleagues.

Early sharing of information is the key to providing an effective response where there are emerging concerns. To ensure effective safeguarding arrangements no one should assume that someone else will do it.

TMSTH Area Forum will:

• Inform the adult of the action we propose to take.
• Seek their agreement for any referral.
• Ensure that they are kept informed about what will happen next, so they can be reassured about what to expect.
• Endeavour to ensure that they are safe and supported before proceeding with any other action.
• Inform the adult if TMSTH Area Forum are planning to seek advice from or report concerns to an external agency.

In most situations there will not be an immediate threat and the decision about protecting the person with safeguarding needs will be taken in consultation with themselves and through referral to Adult Social Care.

If the adult requires immediate protection from harm, contact the emergency services.

TMSTH Area Forum is committed to safe recruitment practices, that reduce the risk of harm to adults with care and support needs from people unsuitable to work with them.

TMSTH Area Forum members will abide by the policies set out in our constitution and linked documents e.g. Equality and Diversity Policy, Safeguarding Policies

In any instance of safeguarding, consideration must be given as to whether an allegation has been made against a person in a position of trust (PiPoT) and who may be a risk to others. This could be a Committee member.

Where possible, TMSTH Area Forum will ensure an appropriate level of safeguarding training is available to its members. For example:

• Understand what safeguarding is and their role in Safeguarding Adults.
• Recognise an adult potential in need of safeguarding and take action.
• Understand how to report a safeguarding Alert.
• Understand dignity and respect when working with individuals.
• Have knowledge of the Safeguarding Adults Policy.

Similarly, employees and volunteers may encounter concerns about the safety and wellbeing of a child or young person at risk of abuse. For more information about child safeguarding, refer to TMSTH Area Forum Children Safeguarding Policy.

The Mental Capacity Act is about whether an individual has the capacity to make a specific decision at a specific time and if they are unable because they lack capacity as a result a mental disorder of the mind. This includes not being able to:

• Understand information given to them about a particular decision
• Retain that information long enough to be able to make the decision
• Weigh up the information available to make the decision
• Communicate their decision. Refer to the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice, www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-capacity-act-code-of-practice. It may be necessary to involve an advocate if the person lacks capacity to make decisions about a safeguarding concern.

Support and guidance will be sought from BCP Council Adult Social Care should anyone have concerns regarding an adult’s capacity.

TMSTH Area Forum expects all volunteers to maintain confidentiality. Information will only be shared in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection.

However, information should be shared with the Local Authority if an adult is deemed to be at risk of harm or they pose a risk of harm to another. You should contact the police if they are in immediate danger, or a crime has been committed.

A written record must be kept about any concern regarding an adult with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions taken, decision made and why they were made.

All records must be signed and dated. All records must be securely and confidentially stored in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

TMSTH Area Forum is committed to ensuring that volunteers who in good faith whistle-blow in the public interest, will be protected from reprisals and victimisation.

• TMSTH Area Forum Chair - Ray O’Luby 01202 392982
• BCP Safeguarding Adults Board
• Police Emergency - 999
• Police Non-emergency - 101

TMSTH Area Forum abides by the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people and is committed to safeguarding practice that reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice requirements.

• 3) We recognise the welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
• 4) All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation has an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
• 5) Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
• 6) Working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare

TMSTH Area Forum will:

• Protect children and young people who attend TMSTH Area Forum’s meetings from harm
• This includes the children of adults who attend our meetings
• Provide members, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection

This policy applies to all members of the Forum. Failure to comply with the policy and related procedures will be addressed without delay and may ultimately result in exclusion from the organisation.

The Children Act 1989 definition of a child is: anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday, even if they are living independently, are a member of the armed forces or is in hospital.

Child and Adult Abuse: Children and adults may be vulnerable to neglect and abuse or exploitation from within their family and from individuals they come across in their daily lives. There are 4 main categories of abuse, which are: sexual, physical, emotional abuse, and neglect. It is important to be aware of more specific types of abuse that fall within these categories, they are:

• Bullying and cyberbullying
• Child sexual exploitation
• Child Criminal exploitation
• Child trafficking
• Domestic abuse
• Female genital mutilation
• Grooming
• Historical abuse
• Online abuse

Safeguarding children: Safeguarding children is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 as:

• Protecting children from maltreatment.
• Preventing impairment of children’s health or development.
• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in England. A summary of the key legislation is available from nspcc.org.uk/learning.

TMSTH Area Forum should have in place arrangements that reflect the importance of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people as well as vulnerable adults.

TMSTH Area Forum will ensure an appropriate level of safeguarding training is available to any relevant persons linked to the organisation who requires it. This may include:

• Understand what safeguarding is and their role in safeguarding children
• Recognise a child potentially in need of safeguarding and take action
• Understand how to report a safeguarding alert
• Understand dignity and respect when working with children
• Have knowledge of the Safeguarding Children Policy

Similarly, employees and volunteers may encounter concerns about the safety and wellbeing of an adult at risk of abuse. For more information about adults safeguarding, refer to TMSTH Area Forum Adults Safeguarding Policy.

TMSTH Area Forum expects all members to maintain confidentiality. Information will only be shared in line with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and Data Protection.

However, information should be shared with the Local Authority if a child is deemed to be at risk of harm or contact the police if they are in immediate danger, or a crime has been committed.

A written record must be kept about any concern regarding an adult with safeguarding needs. This must include details of the person involved, the nature of the concern and the actions taken, decision made and why they were made.

All records must be signed and dated. All records must be securely and confidentially stored in line with General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).

TMSTH Area Forum is committed to safe recruitment practices, that reduce the risk of harm to children from people unsuitable to work with them or have contact with them.

TMSTH Area Forum has a constitution and linked policies which cover recruitment.

It is unlawful to photograph children and young people without the explicit consent of the person with parental responsibilities.

It is important that people within TMSTH Area Forum have the confidence to come forward to speak or act if they are unhappy with anything. Whistle blowing occurs when a person raises a concern about dangerous or illegal activity, or any wrong- doing within their organisation. This includes concerns about another employee or volunteer. There is also a requirement by TMSTH Area Forum to protect whistle-blowers.

• TMSTH Area Forum Chair - Ray O’Luby 01202 392982
• Local Area Designated Officer (LADO) : 01202 817 600 LADO@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
• Police Emergency - 999
• Police Non-emergency - 101
• NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000

Members of the Forum are welcome to raise issues and make suggestions as to how we can better meet our obligations under this policy. We will take all reasonable and practicable steps to ensure that we do so. We will review the Policy from time to time to ensure it continues to reflect current legislation and also as and when any issue arises.