Understanding People in a Position of Trust (PiPoT)

A simple guide for VCSE organisations
Safeguarding isn’t just about what happens inside your organisation. Sometimes concerns arise about a person’s behaviour outside of work, which may still affect whether they are safe to work with adults who have care and support needs.

That’s where People in a Position of Trust (PiPoT) comes in.

This blog explains PiPoT in plain language, what your responsibilities are as a VCSE organisation, and what to do if you are worried about someone.

What is a PiPoT concern?

A PiPoT concern is not always about abuse happening at work.

It may be that information comes to light about a person’s behaviour in their personal life or another role that raises questions about whether they are safe to work with adults at risk.

Examples include:

• A criminal offence (or allegation) involving an adult or child
• Behaviour that suggests a risk of harm
• Serious concerns about professional boundaries
• Behaviour that could undermine trust in their role

If actual abuse or neglect of an adult with care and support needs is known or suspected, this should be reported as a safeguarding concern in the usual way – not just as PiPoT.

Why PiPoT matters for VCSE organisations
The Care Act 2014 requires organisations to:

• Recognise concerns about people in positions of trust
• Share information lawfully and proportionately
• Act to reduce risk, even when concerns arise outside the workplace

PiPoT is about prevention – stopping harm before it happens.

Your organisation’s responsibilities.
 If you are a VCSE organisation, you are expected to:

1. Have clear internal processes

• Know who your Safeguarding Lead is
• Make sure staff and volunteers know who to report concerns to
• Follow your own HR, disciplinary or volunteer management procedures

2. Act promptly if a concern is raised
Take concerns seriously

• Record what you know (dates, facts, who raised it)
• Do not investigate beyond your role – seek advice if unsure

3. Decide whether the concern needs to be shared

You may need to make a PiPoT referral if:

• The person works with adults with care and support needs and
• Their behaviour suggests they may pose a risk

If you’re unsure, you can ask for advice from the Safeguarding Adults Team.

How to raise a PiPoT concern in East Riding if the person works or volunteers in East Riding of Yorkshire:

• Complete the PiPoT referral and record-keeping form via the ERSAB website Click here
• The Safeguarding Adults Team (SAT) will decide if the criteria are met
• If it doesn’t meet the threshold, you will be given advice on next steps
• If it does, a lead agency will be identified to manage enquiries

A PiPoT concern may involve other agencies such as the police, health services, CQC or professional bodies.

What happens to the person the concern is about?
The process must be fair and proportionate. Where possible, the person will:

• Be told that concerns are being shared
• Be offered the opportunity to respond
• Be treated in line with employment law and human rights

Information is only shared when it is necessary to protect adults at risk, and decisions must always be clearly recorded.

Helpful tools you can use

Alongside the main PiPoT policy, ERSAB provides:

• A flowchart showing what to do step by step
• A 7-minute guide for quick understanding
• A learning brief with real-life lessons
• A decision-making tool to help assess risk

These are designed to support VCSE organisations, not catch them out.

All these can be found on the ERSAB WEBSITE