Safeguarding

Witho introduces helpers to adults who may be older, disabled, or otherwise at greater risk of harm. Safeguarding is therefore not a policy page for us — it is a condition of the whole service.

If someone is in danger now

Call 999. Do not wait to contact us first.

Raising a concern

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of anyone connected to Witho — a client, a helper, or anyone else — email safeguarding@witho.co.uk. Concerns are reviewed by a director. You do not need to be certain something is wrong; share the worry and let us assess it. Concerns can be raised anonymously.

What we do with concerns

We record every concern, act on it promptly, and where appropriate refer it to the local authority adult safeguarding team or the police. We cooperate fully with statutory investigations. Where a concern involves a helper, introductions through that helper are paused while the matter is looked at.

How prevention is built in

Every helper is identity-checked, reference-checked, DBS-checked, and interviewed before any introduction. Helpers work within clear boundaries: support only, no personal or clinical care, no handling of clients’ money beyond agreed shopping with receipts, and no gifts, loans, or wills. Helpers must report concerns about a client’s welfare to us, and we check in with families regularly.

Financial abuse

We treat financial exploitation as seriously as physical harm. Families should never be asked by a helper for money beyond the agreed arrangement. If that happens, tell us immediately.