sharing information and applying the lessons learnt. The purpose of the safeguarding adult review is not to hold any individual or organisation to account. Other processes exist for that, including criminal proceedings, disciplinary procedures, employment law and systems of service and professional regulation, such as Care Quality Commission and the Nursing and Midwifery Council, the Health and Care Professions Council, and the General Medical Council. The purpose of conducting a safeguarding adult review is to establish whether there are any lessons to be learnt from the circumstances of the case, about the way in which local professionals and agencies work together to safeguard adults at risk. The safeguarding adult review brings together and analyses the findings from individual agencies involved in order to make recommendations for future practice where this is necessary. The Safeguarding Adults Board is the only body that can commission a Safeguarding Adult Review and must arrange a safeguarding adult review of a case of an adult in its area with needs of care and support (whether or not the Local Authority was meeting those needs) if: The case involves an adult with care and support needs (whether or not the Local Authority was meeting those needs) There is reasonable cause for concern about how the Safeguarding Adult Board, its members or organisations worked together to safeguard the adult AND The person died (including death by suicide) and the SAB knows/suspects this resulted from abuse or neglect (whether or not it knew about this before the person died) OR The person is still alive but the Safeguarding Adults Board knows or suspects they have experienced serious abuse/neglect, sustained potentially life threatening injury, serious sexual abuse or serious/permanent impairment of health or development. The Care Act 2014 also enables Safeguarding Adults Boards to carry out reviews in other cases where it feels this would be appropriate in order to promote effective learning and improvement action to prevent future deaths or serious harm occurring again. These may be cases which provide useful insights into the way organisations are working together to prevent and reduce abuse and neglect of adults but which may not meet criteria for a safeguarding adult review for example. The 4LSAB have agreed a shared Learning and Review Framework which operates across the area managed but this is managed within each area, in line with the governance arrangements of the individual Boards. Safeguarding Adults Multi Agency Policy, Guidance and Toolkit
Type of concern Type of safeguarding activity carried out as part of the safeguarding enquiry Responsible agency or organisation Unmet care and support of either the adult or their carer Needs assessment and/or review of support plan, changes to support plan Local Authority Adult Services Carer stress leading to harmful behaviour towards the adult Carer assessment, family network meeting Local Authority Adult Services Poor care provided by the carer placing the adult at risk Information, advice or training for the carer Health professionals, support organisations Health care needs not being managed appropriately Review of health care or treatment plans Health professionals Fire safety Risk assessment and development of a fire safety plan Fire and Rescue Service Staff poor practice Training, supervision, capability processes, competency assessment Employer Staff misconduct HR investigation, disciplinary processes, referral to the DBS and professional registration bodies Employer Wilful ill-treatment or neglect Criminal investigation Police
Type of concern Type of safeguarding activity carried out as part of the safeguarding enquiry Responsible agency or organisation Harmful behaviour of another person with needs of care and support Risk assessment, behaviour support plan, referral to specialist service, behaviour contract Care provider, Adult Services, health professionals Fraud by solicitor appointed as financial deputy Fraud investigation, fitness to practice referral with referral to the police Solicitors’ Regulatory Authority Irregular or suspicious activity relating to a bank account Fraud investigation with referral to the police Bank’s Fraud Investigation Unit Bogus callers or rogue traders Investigation and prosecution Trading Standards Breach of health and safety legislation Investigation and enforcement action Health and Safety Executive Civil remedies Taking out injunctions, suing for damages Service user (with support from family, advocates, support organisations, etc.)
57. Stage 5 checking and review of the safeguarding activity (within 7 working days of receipt of the report) The person responsible for undertaking the safeguarding enquiry should notify the responsible manager that the safeguarding enquiry has been concluded. They will also be responsible for providing a report detailing the findings and conclusion of the enquiry as well as the actions taken to resolve the situation. This report should include: A chronology of significant events An overview of the wishes and views of the adult and/or their representative An overview of how the adult and/or their representative have been involved in the enquiry A summary of the activity undertaken as part of the safeguarding enquiry A statement on the balance of probability, whether abuse or neglect has occurred A summary of the actions taken to prevent repeat abuse or neglect An overview of the outcomes achieved for the adult. The responsible manager should review this information within two weeks of receipt and make a judgement as to whether or not the action taken has satisfactorily resolved the situation. During this period, the responsible manager will raise any issues, seek clarifications or request additional actions from the lead professional or organisation. The responsible manager will be responsible for updating the adult and/or their representative on the findings and outcomes of the safeguarding enquiry. At this stage, the safeguarding support plan should be reviewed with the adult and revised as appropriate. In consultation with the adult and/or their representative as well as the involved professionals, the responsible manager will make a decision whether the outcome of the enquiry requires a further safeguarding meeting or whether this can be reasonably achieved through other forms of communication. If it is agreed that no further action is required, the responsible manager must inform the adult and/or their representatives, the referrer and all involved agencies of the outcome of the safeguarding enquiry on a ‘need to know basis’.
Principle Outcome Statement Empowerment – people being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent “I am asked what I want as the outcomes from the safeguarding process and these directly inform what happens.” Prevention – it’s better to take action before harm occurs “I receive clear and simple information about what abuse is, how to recognise the signs and what I can do to seek help.” Proportionality – least intrusive responses appropriate to presenting risks “I am sure that the professionals will work in my interests, as I see them and they will only get involved as much as needed.” Protection – support and representation for those in greatest need “I get help and support to report abuse and neglect. I get help so that I am able to take part in the safeguarding process to the extent to which I want.” Partnership – local solutions through services working with their communities. Communities have a part to play in preventing, detecting and reporting neglect and abuse “I know that staff treat any personal and sensitive information in confidence, only sharing what is helpful and necessary. I am confident that professionals will work together and with me to get the best result for me.” Accountability – accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding “I understand the role of everyone involved in my life and so do they.” 103. Provider responsibilities There is an expectation that commissioned and grants funded services must have in place a range of processes to enable them to meet their duty of care to safeguard their service users. In addition to providing high quality and safe care, service providers are expected to: Have an up to date clear internal adult safeguarding policy and procedure consistent with the local Multi Agency Safeguarding Adults Policy and ensure all staff are aware of, and can act on concerns and allegations in accordance with the policy Have clear care governance arrangements in place to prevent abuse or neglect Have robust reporting mechanisms from the point of care to the senior management/Board and from the management/Board to the point of care to proactively monitor the risk of abuse and neglect in the care setting Adopt robust recruitment and employment practices, with checkable references, checkable ID, and appropriate DBS checks in place at the commencement of employment Ensure all staff receive training on the nature of abuse and neglect, recognising the signs and how to report concerns