Useful links

Gaining access to an adult..

A guide for social workers and their managers in England

The aim of this guide is to clarify existing powers relating to access to adults suspected to be at risk of abuse or neglect. The safeguarding duties under the Care Act 2014 apply to an adult who:

has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs)
is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect
as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of, abuse or neglect.

The guide has been created to provide information on legal options for gaining access to people who fulfil the three criteria above, where access is restricted or denied. It is intended as a reference in situations of uncertainty, rather than as a learning tool.

It is important that social workers and their managers are as clear as possible on which legal powers or options apply to which situations, and in cases of any uncertainty that they consult their senior managers and/or the legal department of the local authority.
Throughout the guide you will find links to information on the relevant legislation and case law, should you wish to consult this.

Gaining access to an adult suspected to be at risk of abuse or neglect

Safeguarding adults: roles and responsibilities in health and social care

The Local Government Association have worked with NHS England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and the National Police Chiefs Council, to launch a guide to your roles and responsibilities in safeguarding adults (published November 2023).

The guide focuses on the roles and responsibilities of agencies involved in health and social care, including providers, commissioners, clinicians, social workers and managers, police and regulators.

This guide provides clarity about the roles and responsibilities of the key agencies involved in adult safeguarding. The aim is to ensure that the right things are done by the right people at the right time, working within their own agency and with partners.

It also focuses on care quality and adult safeguarding issues in the context of health and social care services and does not directly address the broader issues of responses to adult safeguarding in the community which are not linked to such services or in relation to abuse and neglect in personal relationships.

Safeguarding adults: roles and responsibilities in health and social care

Suicide prevention and awareness

There is information, support and guidance available on where to turn to if you feel you need help - whether as an individual, as someone working with others, or as friends or families of someone who may be suicidal.

Norfolk County Council - includes a link to the 'Stay Alive' app.

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust's website: Suicide prevention and awareness (NSFT)

A trauma informed approach to social work

Community Care Inform’s guide explains how to apply the five principles of a trauma-informed approach to your social work practice - safety, trust, choice, collaboration and empowerment - you can read more here:

A trauma-informed approach to social work: practice tips - Community Care

All Our Health: Vulnerabilities and trauma-informed practice

This is a bite-sized session to give health and care professionals an overview of Vulnerabilities and trauma-informed practice - including key evidence, data and signposting to trusted resources to help prevent illness, protect health and promote wellbeing.

All Our Health - elearning for healthcare (e-lfh.org.uk) (Scroll down to the bottom of the page from this link)

Alcohol dependency

This guide aims to help practitioners to improve the well-being and safety of adults who are highly vulnerable, chronic, dependent drinkers:

Guide: How to use legal powers to safeguard highly vulnerable dependent drinkers

Working with change resistant drinkers:

The Blue Light Manual

Did you know....

39 Essex Chambers have done a series of useful podcasts around safeguarding, called 'Everyone's business' - we particularly liked the one about Safeguarding Adults Boards (Episode 4)!

Safeguarding podcasts

Across all frontline services for adults and children, interpreters provide a vital service for people who do not speak English or who communicate with sign language.

Have a look at this guide produced in collaboration by Norfolk Safeguarding Childrens Partnership, Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership and NSAB:

Working with interpreters guide