This is a short podcast on behalf of the West Sussex Safeguarding Adults Board. Today, I will be giving you an introduction to safeguarding and explaining the difference between keeping an Adult safe and safeguarding. I will also explain how you can refer any concerns you may have.
Within West Sussex we are dedicated to supporting adults with care and support needs to be safe. A person with care and support needs may require help with various tasks such as washing and dressing, eating and drinking, or going out in the community. There may also be occasions when adults require support to be safe or to protect themselves from abuse and neglect.
So firstly, what is the difference between safeguarding and supporting someone to be safe, and why is knowing the difference important?
Referring to safeguarding in different ways creates confusion with what action is needed and can lead to inappropriate referrals for safeguarding, which could then lead to delays in responding to the abuse and neglect of other Adults. Adults may need support to keep safe and manage risks which are not related to abuse or neglect. This may include a coordinated response from health, social care, housing and/or other professionals.
So, an example of keeping someone safe would be the following. A man with dementia lets himself out of his own home and is found wandering in the street, putting himself at risk. However, he was not harmed or abused on this occasion.
This situation could indicate that the man needs help with keeping safe. The response could involve a multi-agency approach including consultation with him, his family, GP, and any other professional involved to address the risk.
So now I will share a similar example which may require Safeguarding. A man with dementia was able to leave a secure care home as the door was not closed by a carer. He became lost and was found distressed having fallen, causing a broken bone.
This requires a formal Safeguarding response, as it appears that the Adult experienced neglect in the care home given the door was left open, resulting in injury, distress, and other avoidable risks.
Now that I have explained the difference between safeguarding and keeping someone safe, it is important that you know how to share these concerns.
So, what do you do if an adult needs help, but is not experiencing abuse or neglect? You can contact the agency most related to the need, for example, the GP, housing teams, or mental health services.
If a social care assessment is needed, you can contact the adults social care team if you know this, or contact social care by completing an online form, or by calling 01243 642121. The link to the referral form is in the learning briefing accompanying this podcast.
So, what about if you do need to raise a safeguarding concern about abuse and neglect? West Sussex Adult Social Care lead on adult safeguarding by receiving concerns and assessing action needed. If you are concerned about abuse and neglect, make a referral using the online form. The link to the online form is in the learning briefing accompanying this podcast. If members of the public need help to do this, they can phone 01243 642121.
Before you report a safeguarding concern there a few things that you need to consider. These will differ depending on the situation:
- The first is to think about steps that can be taken to remove immediate danger if this is possible.
- The second is that if a crime is in progress, dial 999 before also contacting Adult Social Care using the online form and preserve any potential evidence.
- The third is to contact Children’s Services using the online form if a child or young person is also at risk.
- The fourth is to use the Safeguarding Thresholds to be sure the issue is safeguarding.
- The fifth is to inform the Adult that you are raising the concern, unless this puts them or you at increased risk. Also ask them what they would like to happen and share this in your referral.
So, to conclude, it is vital that you know the difference between keeping someone safe and safeguarding and take the most appropriate route to share these concerns. Please read the learning briefing accompanying this podcast for further information including details on the types of abuse, the principals of safeguarding, and what happens if the adult doesn’t want safeguarding processes.
Also, on the learning briefings and podcasts page of our website we have a number of learning briefings and podcasts in relation to this briefing; these include:
- Making Safeguarding Personal
- Safeguarding Early Warning Signs
- Multi-Agency Working
- Person-Centred Approaches
- Professional Curiosity
- Risk Assessment
- Safeguarding Young People
Finally, just to say thank you for your time taken to listen to this podcast today your support in ensuring concerns are raised in the most appropriate way are very much appreciated to ensure the best outcomes for those with care and support needs in West Sussex.