Harm, abuse or neglect

Niwed, camdriniaeth neu esgeulustod

Elderly woman and carer

Some individuals are more vulnerable to abuse than others. This may be because they have:

  • limited life experience and sex education leading them to find it difficult to anticipate abusive situations
  • learning, understanding and communication difficulties making them unaware of their rights and do not know how to complain
  • personal, often intimate care needs
  • low self-esteem, so lack power in relationships
  • a history of violent behaviour, alcoholism, substance misuse or mental illness
  • financial problems, such as debt or low income.

In addition, an individual’s age or physical disability can make them victims of discrimination, which is a further form of abuse.

Mae rhai unigolion yn fwy agored i gamdriniaeth nag eraill. Gallai hyn fod oherwydd bod ganddynt:

  • profiad bywyd ac addysg rhyw cyfyngedig gan eu harwain i'w chael hi'n anodd rhagweld sefyllfaoedd treisgar
  • anawsterau dysgu, dealltwriaeth a chyfathrebu sy'n golygu nad ydynt yn ymwybodol o'u hawliau ac nad ydynt yn gwybod sut i gwyno
  • anghenion gofal personol, preifat yn aml
  • hunan-barch isel, felly diffyg pŵer mewn perthnasoedd
  • hanes o ymddygiad treisgar, alcoholiaeth, camddefnyddio sylweddau neu salwch meddwl
  • problemau ariannol, fel dyled neu incwm isel.

Yn ogystal â hynny, gallai oedran neu anabledd corfforol unigolyn eu gwneud yn ddioddefwyr gwahaniaethu, sydd yn fath pellach o gamdriniaeth.

Harm, abuse or neglect

Niwed, camdriniaeth neu esgeulustod

Further factors, situations and actions that could lead or contribute to harm, abuse or neglect could include:

  • asylum seeking
  • criminalisation
  • different types of bullying
  • domestic abuse
  • female genital mutilation
  • forced marriages
  • hate crime
  • homelessness
  • human trafficking / modern slavery
  • learning disability
  • mental ill-health
  • radicalisation
  • self-neglect
  • sexual exploitation
  • substance misuse.

Poor housing and overcrowding breed aggression which may contribute to abuse from which, from some, there may be no escape. In addition, shared accommodation might increase the risk of having to live with individuals they wouldn’t choose to live with because of their potential to be abusive.

Residential care accommodation is not without risk of abuse. Individuals who have experience of being abused, including health and social care workers and individuals using the services, can become abusers themselves. Care work gives individuals power and authority, which, if taken advantage of, can lead to abuse. In addition, work practice that fails to provide the necessary degree of care amounts to neglect. For these reasons, safeguarding legislation is in place that service providers and their employees have a duty to obey.

As shocking as it may seem, living alone or with family or friends, and depending on their care, is also not without risk either. Relying on family and friends to care often puts the carer under a huge strain. The needs of vulnerable individuals often exceed the ability and empathy of their carers, who usually have to change their lifestyle to carry out their caring role and, in doing so, can become socially isolated and develop their own personal difficulties. The consequence is often a soured relationship, which unfortunately may lead to abuse.

Gallai ffactorau, sefyllfaoedd a gweithredoedd pellach a allai arwain at niwed, camdriniaeth neu esgeulustod, neu gyfrannu at hynny gynnwys:

  • ceisio lloches
  • labelu rhywun yn droseddwr
  • mathau gwahanol o fwlio
  • cam-drin domestig
  • anffurfio organau cenhedlu benywod
  • priodasau dan orfod
  • trosedd gasineb
  • digartrefedd
  • masnachu mewn pobl / caethwasiaeth fodern
  • anabledd dysgu
  • salwch meddwl
  • radicaleiddio
  • hunan-esgeulustod
  • cam-fanteisio’n rhywiol
  • camddefnyddio sylweddau.

Mae tai gwael a gorlenwi yn bridio ymddygiad ymosodol a all arwain at gamdriniaeth ac i rai, efallai na fydd dianc oddi wrth y gamdriniaeth hon. Yn ogystal â hynny, mae llety a rennir yn gallu cynyddu’r risg o orfod byw gydag unigolion na fyddent yn dewis byw gyda nhw oherwydd eu potensial i fod yn dreisgar.

Nid yw llety gofal preswyl heb ei risg o gamdriniaeth. Gall unigolion sydd wedi cael profiad o gael eu cam-drin, gan gynnwys gweithwyr iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol ac unigolion sy'n defnyddio'r gwasanaethau, ddod yn gam-drinwyr eu hunain. Mae gwaith gofal yn rhoi pŵer ac awdurdod i unigolion, ac, os byddant yn manteisio ar hyn, gallai arwain at gamdriniaeth. Yn ogystal â hynny, mae arfer gwaith sy'n methu â darparu'r graddau angenrheidiol o ofal yn arwain at esgeulustod. Am y rhesymau hyn, mae deddfwriaeth diogelu ar waith ac mae gan ddarparwyr gwasanaeth a'u gweithwyr cyflogedig ddyletswydd i gadw ato.

Er mor syfrdanol y mae'n ymddangos, nid yw byw ar eich pen eich hun neu gyda theulu neu ffrindiau, a dibynnu ar eu gofal, heb ei risg chwaith. Yn aml, gall dibynnu ar deulu a ffrindiau i ofalu rhoi'r gofalwr dan lawer iawn o straen. Mae anghenion unigolion sy'n agored i niwed yn aml y tu hwnt i allu ac empathi eu gofalwyr, sydd fel arfer yn gorfod newid eu ffordd o fyw eu hunain i gyflawni'r rôl gofalu ac, wrth wneud hynny, gallant gael eu hynysu'n gymdeithasol a datblygu eu hanawsterau personol eu hunain. Y canlyniad yn aml yw perthynas sur, a allai arwain at gamdriniaeth.

Increasing the risk of harm or abuse

Cynyddu’r risg o niwed neu gamdriniaeth

Elderly man with nurse

The risk of harm or abuse can increase in certain situations. Organisational abuse is more likely to happen when standards are poor, routines are planned to fit around a rota or workers feel unsupported by their management. This can lead to a way of working that everyone begins to see as acceptable. They do not try to challenge the situation because they are afraid of speaking out about what is being accepted by the majority. In addition, any workplace where individuals display difficult or challenging behaviour that workers are not trained or supported to deal with, could increase the risk of harm or abuse.

Extra training is very important when dealing with particular care and support needs of an individual, such as a sensory impairment, a mental health issue, dementia or a learning disability. A reaction could be taken as a symptom of their condition rather than an attempt to tell someone what is happening to them. This confusion could lead to harm or abuse.

Other actions, behaviours or situations that increase the risk of harm or abuse could include:

  • asylum seeking
  • criminalisation
  • different types of bullying
  • domestic abuse
  • Female Genital Mutilation
  • forced marriages
  • hate crime
  • homelessness
  • human trafficking / modern slavery
  • learning disability
  • mental ill-health
  • radicalisation
  • self-neglect
  • sexual exploitation
  • substance misuse.

Gall y risg o niwed neu gamdriniaeth gynyddu mewn sefyllfaoedd penodol. Mae camdriniaeth sefydliadol yn fwy tebygol o ddigwydd pan fydd safonau'n wael, trefn ddyddiol yn cael eu cynllunio i gyd-fynd â rota neu pan fydd gweithwyr yn teimlo nad ydynt yn cael eu cefnogi gan eu rheolwyr. Gallai hyn arwain at ffordd o weithio y mae pawb yn dechrau eu hystyried yn dderbyniol. Nid ydyn nhw'n ceisio herio'r sefyllfa am eu bod nhw ofn lleisio eu barn am yr hyn sy'n cael ei dderbyn gan y mwyafrif. Yn ogystal â hynny, gallai unrhyw weithle lle mae unigolion yn arddangos ymddygiad anodd, neu heriol, nad yw gweithwyr wedi'u hyfforddi neu'n cael eu cefnogi i ddelio ag ef, gynyddu'r risg o niwed neu gamdriniaeth.

Mae hyfforddiant ychwanegol yn bwysig iawn wrth ddelio gydag anghenion gofal a chymorth penodol unigolyn, fel nam ar y synhwyrau, mater iechyd meddwl, dementia neu anabledd dysgu. Gallai ymateb gael ei ystyried fel symptom o'u cyflwr yn hytrach nag ymgais i ddweud wrth rywun beth sy'n digwydd iddyn nhw. Gallai'r dryswch hwn arwain at niwed neu gamdriniaeth.

Gallai camau gweithredu, ymddygiadau neu sefyllfaoedd eraill sy'n cynyddu'r risg o niwed neu gamdriniaeth gynnwys:

  • ceisio lloches
  • labelu rhywun yn droseddwr
  • mathau gwahanol o fwlio
  • cam-drin domestig
  • anffurfio organau cenhedlu benywod
  • priodasau dan orfod
  • trosedd gasineb
  • digartrefedd
  • masnachu mewn pobl / caethwasiaeth fodern
  • anabledd dysgu
  • salwch meddwl
  • radicaleiddio
  • hunan-esgeulustod
  • cam-fanteisio’n rhywiol
  • camddefnyddio sylweddau.

Responding, recording and reporting concerns

Ymateb, cofnodi a rhoi gwybod am bryderon

Doctor signing forms

Suspicions of abuse should never be ignored if a colleague or someone in an individual’s personal network, such as their carer or a visitor is suspected. Concerns must be reported immediately but never accuse anyone until the reason for their behaviour is understood.

Ni ddylid anwybyddu unrhyw amheuaeth o gam-drin os yw cydweithiwr neu rywun yn rhwydwaith personol unigolyn, fel eu gofalwr neu ymwelydd dan amheuaeth. Mae'n rhaid adrodd am bryderon ar unwaith, ond ni ddylech gyhuddo unrhyw un nes eich bod yn deall y rheswm y tu ôl i'w hymddygiad.

Responding to suspected, disclosed or alleged harm, abuse or neglect

Ymateb i niwed, camdriniaeth neu esgeulustod sy’n cael ei amau, ei ddatgelu neu ei honni

File store room

It may not seem quite right to a worker if an individual is asked to walk to the toilet by another member of staff when they have requested a wheelchair, but they may simply be encouraging independence and the ability to walk. On the other hand, they may not be aware that their behaviour is wrong or that they are causing suffering.

If they remain concerned, they have a responsibility to speak out regardless of any concerns they may have about the consequences of doing so. Their workplace will have a procedure telling them how to deal with suspicions of abuse.

These concerns should be discussed with a supervisor or line manager or, in the case of suspected child abuse, with the Child Protection Officer without delay. They will decide an appropriate course of action, such as whether to contact the police, health or social services and family. These responsibilities should not be overstepped as dealing with suspected abuse will be someone else’s responsibility.

The concerns should be recorded on the appropriate report form. Records should be clear, easy to understand, concise and relevant. Every effort should be made to preserve any evidence of abuse.

Efallai nad yw'n ymddangos yn iawn i weithiwr os gofynnir i unigolyn gerdded i'r toiled gan aelod arall o staff pan fo'r unigolyn wedi gofyn am gadair olwyn, ond efallai eu bod nhw'n annog annibyniaeth a'r gallu i gerdded yn unig. Ar y llaw arall, efallai nad ydynt yn ymwybodol bod eu hymddygiad yn anghywir neu eu bod yn achosi dioddefaint.

Os ydyn nhw'n parhau i fod yn bryderus, mae ganddyn nhw gyfrifoldeb i leisio barn ni waeth beth fo'u pryderon am ganlyniadau gwneud hynny. Bydd gan eu gweithle drefn yn dweud wrthyn nhw sut i ddelio gydag amheuaeth o gamdriniaeth.

Dylid trafod y pryderon hyn gyda goruchwyliwr neu reolwr llinell neu, yn achos amheuaeth o gam-drin plant, gyda'r Swyddog Diogelu Plant heb oedi. Byddant yn penderfynu ar gamau gweithredu priodol fel p'un a ddylid cysylltu â'r heddlu, y gwasanaethau iechyd neu ofal cymdeithasol a theulu. Ni ddylid mynd y tu hwnt i'r cyfrifoldebau hyn gan mai cyfrifoldeb rhywun arall fydd delio gydag amheuaeth o gam-drin.

Dylid cofnodi'r pryderon ar y ffurflen gofnodi briodol. Dylai cofnodion fod yn glir, yn hawdd eu deall, yn gryno ac yn berthnasol. Dylid gwneud pob ymdrech i gadw unrhyw dystiolaeth o gam-drin.

Courses of action

Camau i’w cymryd

File store room

The workplace will have a procedure in place that describes how an individual should deal with allegations of abuse. However, when someone makes a disclosure to them, as a general rule:

  • Accept what is said and reassure them that they take them seriously. Different individuals have different ideas of what constitutes abuse, for example, they might take no notice of sexually explicit language whereas others become deeply distressed. Do not let their views and emotions prevent them from treating the victim with dignity and taking what is said seriously.
  • Do not ‘interrogate’ or interrupt them. Listen calmly to what they have to say, avoid asking lots of questions and do not attempt to fill the silences as they provide thinking time for the individuals.
  • Steps should be taken to make the individual feel safe.
  • Every effort should be made to preserve any evidence of abuse.

The individual will need to make a detailed report of what they are told, including:

  • when the disclosure was made
  • who was involved and the names of any witnesses
  • what happened – what they were told: facts only, no interpretations
  • any other relevant information, such as details of previous incidents that have caused concern.

Use the relevant report form and keep it safe and confidential until they can give it to the appropriate individual. Avoid the alleged perpetrator and do not discuss the incident with anyone as this could breach the victim’s confidentiality and alert the perpetrator that suspicions have been aroused. It could also complicate any internal or police investigations.

Bydd gan y gweithle weithdrefn ar waith sy'n disgrifio sut y dylai unigolyn ddelio â honiadau o gam-drin. Fodd bynnag, pan fydd rhywun yn gwneud datgeliad iddyn nhw, fel rheol gyffredinol:

  • Dylid derbyn yr hyn sy'n cael ei ddweud a thawelu eu meddwl eu bod nhw'n eu cymryd o ddifrif. Mae gan unigolion gwahanol syniadau gwahanol o'r hyn sy'n cyfrif fel camdriniaeth, er enghraifft, efallai na fyddant yn cymryd unrhyw sylw o iaith rywiol lle bydd eraill yn teimlo'n ofidus iawn. Ni ddylid gadael i'w barn a'u hemosiynau eu hatal rhag trin y dioddefwr gydag urddas a chymryd yr hyn maen nhw wedi'i ddweud o ddifrif.
  • Peidio â'u cwestiynu neu dorri ar eu traws. Gwrando yn ddistaw ar beth sydd ganddyn nhw i'w ddweud, osgoi gofyn nifer o gwestiynau a pheidio â cheisio llenwi'r distawrwydd wrth iddynt ddarparu amser meddwl i'r unigolion.
  • Dylid cymryd camau i wneud i'r unigolyn deimlo'n ddiogel.
  • Dylid gwneud pob ymdrech i gadw unrhyw dystiolaeth o gam-drin.

Bydd angen i'r unigolyn wneud adroddiad manwl o'r hyn sy'n cael ei ddweud wrthyn nhw, gan gynnwys:

  • pryd y gwnaed y datgeliad
  • pwy oedd yn rhan o'r datgeliad ac enwau unrhyw dystion
  • beth ddigwyddodd - beth ddywedwyd wrthyn nhw: ffeithiau yn unig, dim amhariadau
  • unrhyw wybodaeth berthnasol arall, fel manylion am achosion blaenorol sydd wedi achosi pryder.

Defnyddiwch y ffurflen gofnodi briodol a'i chadw'n ddiogel ac yn gyfrinachol nes y gellir ei rhoi i'r person priodol. Osgoi'r tramgwyddwr honedig a pheidio trafod y digwyddiad gydag unrhyw un gan y gallai hyn dorri cyfrinachedd y dioddefwr a rhybuddio'r tramgwyddwr bod amheuon wedi codi. Gallai hefyd gymhlethu unrhyw ymchwiliadau mewnol neu ymchwiliadau gan yr heddlu.

Actions to avoid

Camau i’w hosgoi

A child with their hand raised as a 'stop' sign

As the police could be involved in a suspected or alleged case of abuse, it is important to preserve any evidence relating to the incident. Failing to preserve evidence is often described as ‘decontamination’. If they are in any doubt about how to preserve evidence, including footprints, fingerprints and anything else that may have been left behind by the suspect, the police should be contacted prior to their arrival.

Listed below are protocols to follow prior to the arrival of the police:

  1. Do not remove or alter documentation relating to the incident and preserve video recordings if security cameras are present. They will be held accountable if they destroy or invalidate evidence.
  2. Do not allow anyone to enter the scene of the incident until the police arrive, with the exception of medical staff. A medical examination should only take place to decide the extent of injury, provide first aid or arrange for a transfer to the hospital.
  3. Make a note, before they forget, of the state of the alleged victim and perpetrator’s clothing, their physical and emotional condition, and of any obvious injuries.
  4. Do not let the victim and alleged perpetrator come into contact with each other once the allegation has been made.
  5. Do not allow anyone to have physical contact with either the victim or the alleged perpetrator in the event of alleged sexual abuse.
  6. Do not move anything.
  7. Do not touch anything unless they have to. If anything is handed to them, take care not to destroy fingerprints.
  8. Do not clean up and do not wash anything, do not remove blood stains or semen.
  9. Do not throw anything away. If sexual abuse has been alleged, keep hold of any items that might provide evidence, such as used condoms, objects.
  10. Do not assume that it is too late if an allegation is made days after the alleged offence. It may still be possible to collect forensic evidence but this is for the police to decide.

Gan y gallai'r heddlu ymwneud ag amheuaeth neu achos honedig o gam-drin, mae'n bwysig cadw unrhyw dystiolaeth sy'n ymwneud â'r digwyddiad. Yn aml, mae methu â chadw tystiolaeth yn cael ei ddisgrifio fel 'dadlygriad'. Os oes ganddynt unrhyw amheuaeth ynghylch sut i gadw tystiolaeth, gan gynnwys ôl traed, olion bysedd ac unrhyw beth arall allai fod wedi'i adael ar ôl gan yr un a ddrwgdybir, dylent gysylltu â'r heddlu cyn iddyn nhw gyrraedd.

Wedi'u rhestru isod mae protocolau i'w dilyn cyn i'r heddlu gyrraedd:

  1. Peidiwch â chael gwared nag addasu dogfennaeth sy'n ymwneud â'r digwyddiad a dylech gadw recordiadau fideo os oes camerâu diogelwch yn bresennol. Byddant yn cael eu dal yn gyfrifol os ydyn nhw'n dinistrio neu'n gwneud tystiolaeth yn annilys.
  2. Peidiwch â chaniatáu i unrhyw un fynd i mewn i leoliad yr achos nes i'r heddlu gyrraedd, ac eithrio staff meddygol. Dylai archwiliad meddygol ddigwydd i bennu graddau'r anaf, i ddarparu cymorth cyntaf neu i drefnu trosglwyddo i'r ysbyty.
  3. Gwneud nodyn, cyn iddynt anghofio, o gyflwr y dioddefwr honedig a dillad y tramgwyddwr, eu cyflwr corfforol ac emosiynol, ac o unrhyw anafiadau amlwg.
  4. Peidio â gadael i'r dioddefwr a'r tramgwyddwr honedig ddod i gysylltiad gyda'i gilydd unwaith mae'r honiad wedi'i wneud.
  5. Peidio â chaniatáu unrhyw un i gael cyswllt corfforol gyda'r dioddefwr na'r tramgwyddwr honedig yn achos camdriniaeth rywiol honedig.
  6. Peidio â symud unrhyw beth.
  7. Peidio â chyffwrdd unrhyw beth oni bai bod rhaid iddynt. Os bydd unrhyw beth yn cael ei roi iddyn nhw, dylid bod yn ofalus i beidio â dinistrio olion bysedd.
  8. Peidio glanhau na golchi unrhyw beth, peidio â chael gwared ar staen gwaed neu semen.
  9. Peidio â thaflu unrhyw beth i ffwrdd. Os oes honiad o gamdriniaeth rywiol, dylid cadw unrhyw eitemau a allai ddarparu tystiolaeth, fel condomau wedi'u defnyddio, gwrthrychau.
  10. Ni ddylid tybio ei bod yn rhy hwyr os yw honiad yn cael ei wneud dyddiau ar ôl y drosedd honedig. Gallai fod yn bosibl o hyd i gasglu tystiolaeth fforensig ond yr heddlu sy'n penderfynu hyn.

Reporting and recording key information

Cofnodi a rhoi gwybod am wybodaeth allweddol

Someone completing paperwork

Information must be stored securely, and decisions about who needs to know and what needs to be known should be taken on a case-by-case basis, and take into account an organisation’s policies and the constraints of the legal framework.

Mae'n rhaid storio gwybodaeth yn ddiogel, a dylid ystyried penderfyniadau ynghylch pwy sydd angen gwybod a beth sydd angen ei wybod ar sail achos i achos, ac ystyried polisïau'r sefydliad a chyfyngiadau'r fframwaith cyfreithiol.

Recording written information

Cofnodi gwybodaeth ysgrifenedig

A helping hand

In relation to written reports, a worker should always try to ensure that they:

  • handwrite legibly and key-in competently to computer systems
  • sign all their entries
  • make sure their entries are dated and timed as close to the actual time of the events as possible
  • record events accurately and clearly – remember that the individual may wish to see the record at some point, so make sure they write in language that they will understand
  • focus on facts, not speculation
  • avoid unnecessary abbreviations, the health and social care sector uses many abbreviations but not all workplaces use the same definitions
  • record how the individual is contributing to their care, and quote anything they have said that they think might be significant
  • do not change or alter anything someone else has written, or change anything they have written previously; if they do need to amend something they have written, make sure they draw a clear line through it and sign and date the changes
  • never write anything about an individual or colleague that is insulting or derogatory.

Mewn perthynas ag adroddiadau ysgrifenedig, dylai gweithiwr bob amser geisio sicrhau eu bod:

  • yn ysgrifennu yn ddealladwy ac yn teipio yn gymwys i systemau cyfrifiadurol
  • yn llofnodi eu holl gofnodion
  • yn sicrhau bod dyddiad ac amser mor agos i amser gwirioneddol y digwyddiadau ag sy'n bosibl ar eu cofnodion
  • yn cofnodi digwyddiadau yn gywir ac yn glir - cofiwch y gallai'r unigolyn fod eisiau gweld y cofnod ar ryw bwynt, felly dylech sicrhau eu bod yn ysgrifennu mewn iaith y byddant yn ei deall
  • yn canolbwyntio ar ffeithiau, nid honiadau
  • yn osgoi byrfoddau diangen, mae'r sector iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yn defnyddio nifer o fyrfoddau ond nid yw bob gweithle yn defnyddio'r un diffiniadau
  • cofnodi sut mae'r unigolyn yn cyfrannu at eu gofal, a dyfynnu unrhyw beth maen nhw wedi'i ddweud ac y credir sydd yn arwyddocaol
  • peidio newid nag addasu unrhyw beth mae rhywun arall wedi ei ysgrifennu, neu newid unrhyw beth maent wedi'i ysgrifennu yn flaenorol; os ydyn nhw angen addasu unrhyw beth maen nhw wedi'i ysgrifennu, dylech sicrhau eu bod yn tynnu llinell glir drwyddo ac yn llofnodi a dyddio'r newidiadau
  • ni ddylech ysgrifennu unrhyw beth am unigolyn neu gydweithiwr sy'n sarhaus neu'n fychanol.

Fact, opinion and judgement

Ffaith, barn a dyfarniad

A helping hand

In relation to recording and reporting incidents relating to safeguarding, fact is a statement that can be proved, an opinion is an expression of a person's feelings that cannot be proved. Opinions can be based on facts or emotions and sometimes they are meant to deliberately mislead others, or they explain an incident in the care worker’s view. Judgement is defined as the ability to make considered decisions or come to sensible conclusions after careful consideration and thought.

O ran cofnodi ac adrodd am achosion sy'n ymwneud â diogelu, mae ffaith yn ddatganiad y gellir ei brofi, mae barn yn fynegiant o deimladau rhywun na ellir ei brofi. Gall barn fod yn seiliedig ar ffeithiau neu emosiynau ac weithiau eu bwriad yw camarwain eraill yn bwrpasol, neu maen nhw'n esbonio digwyddiad o safbwynt y gweithiwr gofal. Mae dyfarniad yn cael ei ddiffinio fel y gallu i wneud penderfyniadau ystyriol neu ddod i gasgliadau synhwyrol wedi ystyried a meddwl yn ofalus.

Fact, opinion and judgement

Ffaith, barn a dyfarniad

A doctor speaking with a patient and relative

What is written in the workplace may be read by many different individuals including families, colleagues and care managers, other partners, social workers, doctors, inspectors, lawyers, police and other officials.

The individuals accessing services have a legal right to see the information written about them. Care workers will also have access to these documents in order to understand the individual’s care needs. Care review meetings base care decisions on that which is written. What is written may be (and often is) used in complaints, investigations and legal cases. In any one of these situations, a worker may be asked to explain what they have written so it is vital to understand what they are writing, how it reads and who will see it. This is why it is important to write clearly, factually, accurately and respectfully and involving the individual concerned wherever possible.

Gall yr hyn sy'n cael ei ysgrifennu yn y gweithle gael ei ddarllen gan nifer o unigolion gwahanol gan gynnwys teuluoedd, cydweithwyr a rheolwyr gofal, gweithwyr cymdeithasol, partner eraill, meddygon, arolygwyr, cyfreithwyr, yr heddlu a swyddogion eraill.

Mae gan yr unigolion sy'n defnyddio gwasanaethau yr hawl i weld y wybodaeth ysgrifenedig amdanyn nhw. Bydd gan y gweithwyr gofal fynediad at y dogfennau hyn hefyd er mwyn deall anghenion gofal yr unigolyn. Mae cyfarfodydd adolygu gofal yn seilio penderfyniadau gofal ar yr hyn sy'n ysgrifenedig. Gallai'r hyn sydd wedi'i ysgrifennu gael ei ddefnyddio mewn cwynion, ymchwiliadau ac achosion cyfreithiol (ac mae hyn yn digwydd yn aml). Yn unrhyw un o'r sefyllfaoedd hyn, gellir gofyn i weithiwr esbonio'r hyn maen nhw wedi ei ysgrifennu felly mae'n hanfodol deall yr hyn maen nhw'n ei ysgrifennu, sut mae'n darllen a phwy fydd yn ei weld. Dyma pam ei bod hi'n bwysig ysgrifennu yn glir, yn ffeithiol, yn gywir ac yn barchus a chynnwys yr unigolyn dan sylw lle bynnag bo hynny'n bosibl.