Celebrate the Safer Cultures

Welcome to Day 5, the last day of Safeguarding Adults Week 2025.

Today we will shine a spotlight on examples of good practice, so that we can illustrate what we mean by “safer cultures”. This includes celebrating individuals and organisations in Cumbria working in partnership to safeguard adults at risk.

The National Safeguarding Adults Board Safeguarding Excellence Awards have taken place this week and nominations were received for professionals across the country, recognising those who have gone over and above this year, who continue to provide an outstanding commitment and effort to safeguarding adults and their families.

We are delighted to announce that nominations included 3 of our fantastic colleagues from Cumbria recognised for their outstanding commitment to safeguarding.

Congratulations to Kirsty Dent, Operations Manager, Lakeland Care & Support Services, who received a nomination in the 'Innovation Champion' category.

"Over her eleven years with the organisation, Kirsty has consistently demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to safeguarding and quality improvement — most notably leading the full rollout of Lakeland Care’s new digital management app last year."

Congratulations to Lucilla Ferard, Social Worker, Westmorland & Furness Council, who received a nomination in the 'Partnership Champion' category.

Lucilla's colleague nominated her for this award prompted by a complex and sensitive safeguarding case Lucilla was working on which involved financial abuse. Lucilla's colleague reflected on the positive way Lucilla supported the person experiencing abuse and how she has shown integrity, respect, focus, and confidence throughout.  Lucilla ensured that the adult was central to the safeguarding process and continues to advocate for the gentleman.

Congratulations to Daniel Crooks, Enhanced Practitioner, Cumberland Council, who also received a nomination in the 'Partnership Champion' Category

"Daniel is an outstanding social worker who embodies all the values essential for safeguarding our most vulnerable adults in West Cumbria. Daniel has gone above and beyond to ensure that the risks are identified and minimised as much as possible , always taking into account the wishes of the person themselves and their loved ones. He also shows great understanding about the challenges in Health, especially primary care, and does everything he can to support the doctors involved and work around their availability and capacity. He is a great partner to work with and a true inspiration to all his peers".

Well done to our colleagues who were nominated and received recognition in the national awards virtual ceremony

We recognise the importance of learning from when things go well and not just when things go wrong. 

CSAB celebrate good practice through our Learning & Development sub-group where partners present examples of effective multi-agency working. 

CSAB also have regular 'stories to the Board' where practitioners attend and share examples of positive partnership working and the impact on outcomes for individuals.

'John's Story', highlights good practice in relation to effective multi-agency working and the positive impact this had John who was experiencing self-neglect. You can watch the recording of the lunch & learn here.

CSAB host quarterly themed Practitioner Forum's. These events form part of the CSAB Learning & Development Strategy 2024/26 and are hosted on a quarterly basis facilitated by colleagues from across the partnership.

Forum’s take a themed approach using a good practice example including facilitated multi-agency discussions in a safe space. The next Practitioner Forum event will explore Margaret's story, a lady with complex physical health needs. After years of being housebound, Margaret is now regularly accessing her local community with her quality of life (and that of her family’s) greatly improved. 

Margaret's story highlights the importance of professional curiosity, 'Making Safeguarding Personal' and working in collaboration with others. 

If you are a manager or practitioner working in Cumbria CSAB invite you to attend the next Practitioner Forum online event, 13th of January, 2026 - 10am to 12noon. To book you place click the link

A reminder that CSAB have launched a short survey designed to capture the views and experiences of staff across our safeguarding adults partnership in Cumbria. Your voice matters.

Your feedback will help us understand what’s working, where improvements are needed, and how we can continue building a confident, informed, and joined-up workforce to protect adults at risk of abuse or neglect.

The survey should take no more than 5–7 minutes to complete. Responses are anonymous unless you choose to leave your details. You can access the survey by clicking the button below:

A reminder that several council buildings across Cumbria have been illuminated in green this week. This represents the 'green light' to talk about safeguarding and the importance of protecting adults at risk, in line with this years theme of Prevention: Act before abuse.

If you have been out and about this week and have any photo's please share these. We can use on our social media to help spread the word about adult safeguarding.  Email your images to: CSAB@cumbria.gov.uk.

You can follow us and our social media campaign on X (formerly Twitter) @cumbriasab or LinkedIn.