On Day 2 of National Safeguarding Adults Week we ask 'how does prevention work in practice?'

The Ann Craft Trust recognise the role leadership should play in setting the tone and building more supportive environments. There is a focus on the role of good governance, shifting behaviours towards safer cultures, with a focus on values-based recruitment and meaningful training. 

Independent Chair of the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Board, Robert McCulloch-Graham said: “Safeguarding Adults Week is a vital opportunity to raise awareness of how we can all play a role in preventing abuse and neglect before it happens.

“With individuals and organisations working together here in Cumbria, we hope to further build upon the cultures of safety, inclusion and respect.

“We want to encourage people to report any concerns they may have about a vulnerable adult, share advice on how to identify abuse, why safeguarding is important and encourage people to look out for each other.”

One of the six principles in safeguarding is Accountability. This recognises the need for accountability and transparency when delivering safeguarding and that adults involved in the process should understand the role of others in their lives.

You can find more information about the Six Principles of Safeguarding on the Cumbria Safeguarding Adults Website.

All organisations should have a whistleblowing policy. Organisational values should include trust, honesty, and transparency, and actively encourage and support people to speak out.  

The Ann Craft Trust have published a range of resources which promote and support a speak out culture, for more information and whistleblowing templates -  How Speak Out Cultures can Prevent Abuse 

You can also seek advice from The National Whistleblowing Helpline. They provide free help and advice to people who witness or have cause to suspect wrongdoing at work but are not sure whether or how to raise their concern. 
Telephone: 08000 724725 
Email: enquiries@wbhelpline.org.uk

There may be times when you have concerns about the way a person in a position of trust behaved. Such incidents may have occurred within the person’s home or personal life, as well as within their employment, volunteering role or studies.

CSAB have published a multi-agency Person in a Position of Trust (PiPoT) Framework which outlines the circumstances in which a referral should be made in relation to concerns about a person in a position of trust. It contains advice for employers, volunteer organisations and student bodies on their responsibilities to assess potential risks posed by a person in a position of trust and if necessary, to take action to prevent abuse or neglect. 

Nationally, there are challenges recruiting to the health and social care workforce. Furthermore, recent cases have reported Modern Day Slavery (MDS), has played a role in the care sector seeing exploitation of individuals employed in the sector.

Safe recruitment and good governance are essential to ensure the prevention of care workers exploitation and ensure safe care for the individuals being cared for.

Would you recognise the signs that a health & care worker may be at risk of modern day slavery and exploitation? Community Safety Partnerships in Cumbria have published refreshed Modern Slavery Pathways Guidance and Cumbria Constabulary have published Exploitation and Organised Immigration Crime in the Care Sector.

We all have a role to play to ensure that we prevent the abuse and neglect of adults at risk. 

If you are a practitioner you can find a range of useful information and resources on the CSAB website. 

Professionals working together across the system to prevent abuse or neglect may from time to time encounter professional disagreement. The Safeguarding Adults Escalation & Resolution guidance defines the process for resolving such professional differences and should be read alongside Cumbria’s Safeguarding Adults Policy and relevant internal organisational policies on escalating matters in dispute.

If you are a member of the public, you can find resources about types of abuse and neglect, how to recognise and how to report concerns.

If you see one of our local council buildings green this week, this represents the 'green light' to talk about safeguarding and the importance of protecting adults at risk.  

Please share any photo's and support us to help share the word! Email your images to: CSAB@cumbria.gov.uk.

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