PiPoT - Concerns about People in a Position of Trust

People in a Position of Trust (PiPoT)

"People in a Position of Trust" are those "that work, in either in a paid or unpaid capacity, with adults with care and support needs" (Care and support statutory guidance). 

The Care Act 2014 requires the local authority's relevant partners, and those providing universal care and support services, to have clear policies in place for dealing with allegations against anyone working in a position of trust, and also places a requirement on the Safeguarding Adults Board to establish a framework for how allegations should be notified and responded to, ensuring the clear distinction between an allegation, a concern about the quality of care or practice or a complaint.

Whilst the focus of safeguarding adults work is to safeguard one or more identified adults with care and support needs, there are occasions when incidents are reported that do not involve an adult at risk, but indicate, nevertheless, that a risk may be posed to adults at risk by a person in a position of trust.

Examples of concerns could include allegations that relate to a person who works with adults with care and support needs who has:

• behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed an adult or child
• possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, an adult or child
• behaved towards an adult or child in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to adults with care and support needs

The guidance below is intended as an overarching framework which sets standards around the management of allegations, supporting by clear reporting requirements and arrangements across the whole system, including information sharing arrangements. Individual organisations will have in place their own business processes, policies and procedures detailing how the framework is implemented internally and will be asked to provide assurance to the Lancashire Safeguarding Adults Board on a regular basis that allegations are being managed appropriately.

Managing Concerns Around People in a Position of Trust Guidance (PiPoT)

PiPoT Flowchart

Example Referral Form

PiPoT contacts by agency (information correct as at 18/09/24)

Case Examples

Threshold Matrix

7 Minute Briefing - What is PiPoT

7 Minute Briefing - PiPoT DBS 2022