Occasionally situations arise when staff within one agency feel that the actions, inaction or decisions of another agency do not adequately safeguard an adult at risk of abuse or neglect. Such situations have been highlighted in several Safeguarding Adult Reviews and informs regular review of our policy & procedures.

Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board (CSAB), have refreshed the multi-agency Escalation & Resolution Guidance, which defines the process for resolving any professional difficulties.

CSAB have launched a new guidance in relation to Principles for person centered practice, this guidance is aimed at practitioners to develop and build on good practice when considering and/or understanding the impact of effective engagement and the risks when engagement with adults becomes challenging.

If you are a member of the public, there are resources and information available on our website to help recognise the signs, finding the right support and staying safe, reporting abuse, advocacy, easy read guides and animations. 

CSAB are pleased to publish our Annual Report 2024-25. The report celebrates the achievements of the Board and our partners during the period, highlighting the collaborative and impactful partnership in Cumbria working to help protect adults with care and support needs from abuse or neglect.

Please read our CSAB 2024/25 Annual Report here. 

If you have any queries regarding the report or need this in alternative format, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Research in Practice (RiP), describes safeguarding adults as people and organisations working together to stop abuse and/or neglect happening to adults who are less able to protect themselves. Abuse means being treated badly and it can happen in lots of different ways.

RiP have developed a useful resource aimed to improve an understanding of what safeguarding adults is and the enquiry process in a simple guide which you can read here. 

If you think you or another adult has experienced, is, or may experience abuse, you should contact your local council.

If the person lives in Allerdale, Carlisle or Copeland, contact Cumberland Council: Contact the Cumberland Single Point of Access (SPA) team

If the person lives in Barrow, Eden or South Lakeland, contact Westmorland and Furness Council: Contact the Westmorland and Furness Single Point of Access (SPA) team

The Ann Craft Trust have announced that Safeguarding Adults Week will take place 17th – 21st of November 2025.

The theme for Safeguarding Adults Week 2025 is Prevention. This will include how both professionals and members of the public can recognise and report concerns before they escalate to act before abuse.

Watch this space..more information will be forthcoming about what we will be doing locally to support the week of action, including opportunities for practitioners to attend lunch & learn sessions to follow.

The National Safeguarding Adults Board Safeguarding Excellence Awards take place during National Safeguarding Adults Week. We would like to encourage managers and colleagues to nominate and recognise the hard work and dedication of any professional and/or team in Cumbria who have gone over and above this year, who continue to provide an outstanding commitment and effort to safeguard adults and their families.   

All nominations will be considered in their own merit, a decision awarded and acknowledgements made during National Safeguarding Adults Week, November 2025.  

The winners of the National Award may be recognised in a press release, photo opportunities and signed certificate from the National Safeguarding Adults Board Network showcasing the, 'We See You - We Hear You,' campaign. 

To find out more about the awards, categories for nominations and to nominate a colleague or team please click here.

You can also read the fantastic nomination for Lucy Reed, Recovery Steps Cumbria, who won the Protection Award in 2024 for the dedication and passion  she demonstrates working with those who face addiction. Read more about Lucy's dedication and her achievement in our Annual Report here.

Edge Training Ltd have developed a range of resources relating to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS).  This includes a new short video to support Care Homes to understand the importance of the legal requirement to consult with people before completing a DoLS application. 

You can view the short film, which will also be useful to hospitals as managing authorities.

To access all of the useful DoLS resources produced by Edge Training Ltd, please click here.

Read Cumbria Constabulary's July Fraud Prevention newsletter for more information on how to protect yourself and any family, friends or neighbours who may be vulnerable to fraud.

Please click here to be redirected to the newsletter.

If you think you have been the victim of a fraud you can report this to police on 101 and to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 – or by visiting their website. 

Do you or someone you know use a telecare alarm?

Telephone providers are upgrading the landline phone network, from analogue to digital which means that in the future, voice telephone calls will be carried in the same way as data over a broadband connection.

Landline phones are switching to digital, which could stop telecare alarms working. If you or someone you know uses a telecare alarm, you must call the landline provider. They will help make sure alarms keep working through the switchover.

To find out more information for home users, businesses and local authorities, please click here. 

The Office of the Public Guardian have recently produced an infographic to support understanding of the use of a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and LPA services. 

For more information on how to make, register or end a LPA, please visit the online Government website here.

Healthwatch Westmorland & Furness and Healthwatch Cumberland are working with Westmorland and Furness Council, Cumberland Council and Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board on a project to review the involvement of people within the safeguarding process to increase understanding, choice and control so that the quality of life, wellbeing and safety of the individual is improved.

The survey link is here or you can scan the QR code.  

Findings will be presented through a report which will detail analysis of intelligence gathered, highlight good practice and provide recommendations to the Safeguarding Adults Board and wider health and social care system. 

For more information, please read CSAB's 5 minute-briefing.