Norfolk County Council has had a Financial Safeguarding Officer (FSO) in post since May 2019 after the need for the position was identified by the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board, in relation to compliance with Section 42 of the Care Act 2014. This post now consists of three officers.

The FSO provides a universal service to the person in need of care and support who has suffered, or is at risk of suffering, financial abuse.  

They are a point of contact for financial services, social services and the police in financial safeguarding cases.  The FSO can assist in investigations and complaints of financial abuse.  They also provide guidance on financial abuse cases and complete internal training sessions.

The FSO receive cases from the financial services departments or from social services.  Social services can refer a case on receiving concerns of financial abuse both prior to a formal Section 42 enquiry, and after a formal safeguarding strategy discussion.  

The FSO will review all relevant financial and social services systems and decide what action is required.  This might be contacting the person(s) managing the finances and requesting information and explanations.  It can include visiting clients and if necessary they will also complete mental capacity assessments.  

The FSO will also complete reports of their findings and submit Safeguarding reports to Social Services, Police, The Officer of the Public Guardian and The Department of Work and Pensions.

Not all cases require formal criminal action, but the FSO will always take action to investigate and stop financial abuse.  A FSO referral is only complete when the obligations under s42 of the Care Act have been met and all relevant and proportionate enquiries have been made.