Three actions for adult safeguarding
Safeguarding adults can sometimes feel like a very big topic, covering a wide range of abuse. It asks us to be alert, professionally curious, to check if someone is all right. We have to work in a way that makes safeguarding personal and know when and how to share information (at times without consent). There are a number of issues (county lines, homelessness & rough sleeping and transitional safeguarding - for those moving between children's and adult services) which sit around or are linked to the safeguarding adults agenda. Whilst not categories of abuse as specified in the Care Act 2014, these are concerns which reflect wider considerations around vulnerability.
While formal responsibilities of the local authority to investigate abuse and harm would be triggered under section 42 of the Care Act if the person has care and support needs, these issues are asking us to think about the broader range of areas of vulnerability no matter what role or responsibility we hold.
When there are pressures coming at us from all sides, here are 3 simple things you can do which can help you promote adult safeguarding and raise awareness with colleagues and our communities:
- Read and share with colleagues the Social Care Centre of Excellence (SCIE)’s updated guidance on information sharing. This is a short and really helpful document - print a copy here - scroll down the page to information sharing.
- Sign up for our Train the Trainer programme, if you work for a small or medium size organisation working in health, social care, housing, community support (or know someone who does). NSAB have just release new training dates. Click here to read more
- Check out the latest blog from the NSAB board manager on a Safeguarding Haircut - and share it with your hairdresser!
Click here for statutory guidance on the safeguarding adult responsibilities under the Care Act 2014.