Adult Safeguarding Statement
Indiana Healthcare Services (IHS) is committed to protecting the safety, rights and wellbeing of every adult who uses our services. We follow the Care Act 2014, local multi‑agency safeguarding protocols, and Regulation 13 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 to ensure all adults are safeguarded from abuse, neglect and improper treatment.
Our Commitment
We safeguard adults who:
- Have care and support needs
- Are experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect
- Cannot protect themselves due to those needs
We work in partnership with local authorities, the NHS, police and other agencies to prevent harm, respond to concerns and promote wellbeing.
What Safeguarding Means at IHS
Safeguarding protects adults from:
- Physical, sexual, psychological, financial or domestic abuse
- Neglect, self‑neglect or acts of omission
- Modern slavery, human trafficking or exploitation
- Discriminatory or organisational abuse
We recognise that adults may have complex lives, and we support them to make informed choices about their safety and care.
Our Safeguarding Practices
- A designated Safeguarding Lead (Registered Manager) oversees all safeguarding activity.
- Trained Safeguarding Champions support best practice across the organisation.
- All staff receive safeguarding training during induction and ongoing updates.
- Policies and procedures are stored on the IHS Staff Portal and monitored through quality assurance.
- We follow local authority safeguarding protocols for enquiries, reporting and multi‑agency working.
- We uphold the Mental Capacity Act 2005, ensuring decisions are made in the person’s best interests when capacity is lacking.
Reporting Concerns
Anyone can raise a safeguarding concern. Staff must report immediately to the Safeguarding Lead. Service users and families can report concerns directly to IHS or to their local authority.
If a person is in immediate danger, emergency services must be contacted.
Our Responsibility
Safeguarding is central to high‑quality care. It is not a substitute for good practice — it is part of it. IHS ensures:
- Safe, person‑centred care
- Clear information sharing
- Accurate record keeping
- Accountability and transparency
We continuously review our safeguarding processes to ensure they remain compliant, effective and aligned with national guidance.
Modern Slavery Statement
Indiana Healthcare Services (IHS) is committed to preventing modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labour and exploitation in all areas of our organisation and supply chain. We fully support the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and operate with zero tolerance for any form of abuse.
Our Commitment
We ensure that everyone connected to IHS—staff, clients, suppliers and partners—is treated with dignity and respect. We take proactive steps to prevent exploitation and uphold safe, ethical working practices.
What Modern Slavery Includes
• Slavery & Servitude: Control or coercion that removes a person’s freedom.
• Forced Labour: Work undertaken under threat or pressure.
• Human Trafficking: Movement of individuals for the purpose of exploitation.
• Child Labour: IHS is an adult care provider and does not employ children.
How We Safeguard Against Modern Slavery
• Robust recruitment and right to work checks
• Monitoring of suppliers and agency staffing
• Clear safeguarding, whistleblowing and confidentiality policies
• Staff training during induction on recognising and reporting concerns.
Reporting Concerns
Any suspected modern slavery must be reported immediately to a manager. Concerns can also be reported to the Modern Slavery Helpline: 08000 121 700 or modernslaveryhelpline.org/report.
Our Responsibility
Although IHS is a small provider, we voluntarily publish this statement to demonstrate our commitment to ethical practice and to support commissioners, partners and suppliers.
Net Zero & Carbon Reduction Statement
Indiana Healthcare Services (IHS) is committed to protecting the environment and supporting the UK Government’s target of achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. As a provider of domiciliary care, supported living, enabling services and healthcare staffing, we recognise that our operations have an environmental impact and we are committed to reducing it responsibly.
Our Commitment
IHS will:
- Achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050
- Reduce carbon emissions year on year
- Improve energy efficiency across offices and supported living services
- Reduce business travel where possible
- Increase digital working to minimise paper use
- Work with suppliers who share our sustainability values
What We Are Already Doing
We have introduced several measures to reduce our environmental footprint:
- Digital care records, electronic invoicing and cloud‑based systems
- Remote meetings via Microsoft Teams
- Reduced printing, postage and administrative travel
- Recycling across offices
- LED lighting and energy‑efficient equipment
- Responsible heating and electricity use
Transport & Energy
Travel is one of our largest emission sources. We are:
- Optimising staff rotas
- Reducing unnecessary journeys
- Exploring low‑emission and electric vehicles
We continue to improve energy efficiency by monitoring usage and upgrading equipment where practical.
Waste Reduction
IHS reduces waste by:
- Recycling paper, plastics and cardboard
- Minimising single‑use products
- Using digital signatures and electronic documentation
- Reusing office equipment where possible
Our Priorities (2026–2030)
- Reduce business mileage through improved scheduling
- Cut paper consumption by 75% through digital systems
- Upgrade office equipment to improve energy efficiency
- Increase recycling across all locations
- Introduce annual carbon footprint assessments
Staff Responsibilities
Every employee plays a role in reducing environmental impact. Staff are expected to minimise waste, reduce printing, plan journeys efficiently and support recycling initiatives.
Monitoring & Future Plans
Our Directors review fuel use, mileage, electricity consumption, paper usage and recycling performance annually. Future commitments include exploring electric vehicles, renewable energy contracts, solar options and further digital transformation.
Equality, Diversity & Human Rights Statement
Indiana Healthcare Services (IHS) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for everyone who uses our services, works for us or partners with us. We uphold the Equality Act 2010, the Human Rights Act 1998 and Regulation 10 (Dignity and Respect) to ensure that every person is treated fairly, without discrimination, and with dignity at all times.
Our Commitment
We promote equality, celebrate diversity and protect human rights by ensuring:
- No one is discriminated against based on age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage or civil partnership
- All service users receive person‑centred care that reflects their needs, preferences, culture and protected characteristics
- Staff are supported, valued and treated with respect
- Harassment, bullying, victimisation or discriminatory behaviour is never tolerated
Human Rights in Practice
We ensure that every person we support has:
- Respect, dignity and compassionate care
- Freedom from degrading treatment, discrimination or unlawful restraint
- Support to make informed choices
- Access to information in formats that meet their communication needs
- Reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to care or employment
Our approach is guided by key human rights such as the right to life, privacy, liberty, safety, fairness and freedom from discrimination.
Accessibility & Inclusion
IHS is committed to making our services accessible to all. We follow the Accessible Information Standard (AIS) and provide information in formats such as:
- Easy Read
- Large print
- Alternative languages
- Audio formats
- Digital accessibility tools
- Communication support (e.g., Makaton, BSL interpreters, advocates)
Reasonable Adjustments
We make reasonable adjustments for both staff and service users to ensure equal access to employment, care and support. Adjustments may include:
- Flexible working arrangements
- Adapted communication methods
- Assistive technology
- Accessible documentation
- Additional time or support during assessments or complaints processes
Our Responsibilities
All staff at IHS share responsibility for promoting equality, diversity and human rights. We expect employees to:
- Treat everyone with dignity and respect
- Challenge discriminatory behaviour
- Support inclusive practice
- Report concerns promptly
Managers ensure compliance, provide training and embed inclusive practice across all services.
Raising Concerns
Concerns about discrimination, harassment or human rights issues can be raised through our Complaints, Safeguarding or Whistleblowing procedures. All concerns are taken seriously and addressed promptly.
Continuous Improvement
We regularly review our policies, training and practices to ensure they remain inclusive, accessible and aligned with legislation and best practice. Our goal is to create a service where every person feels safe, valued and respected.